Duty Free Liquor at SIN and BKK airports

[JohnK]

If anyone is going through SIN or BKK airports and has some spare time I would appreciate information if Bombay Sapphire is available and the price.

When I passed through SIN early last month all duty free stores were out of stock. Not sure if they were genuinely out of stock or have decided not to stock it anymore.

Also what is the exchange rate offered for AUD->SGD in SIN airport?

Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[Happy Trails]

Bought a bottle in SIN last month at SGD27.10.
Converted to AUD21.81 with Amex including commision:

3 Nov DFS - T1 SINGAPORE 27.10 SGD
COMM.FEE .64
$21.81

Havn't noticed it in BKK.

 

[jsoprano]

Does anyone know the current prices or can give me an internet source for the following spirits at SIN Duty-Free:

Bombay Saphire 1L (SGD27.10; thanks Sickeningthud)
Johnny Walker Black Label 1L
Absolut Vodka 1L
Baileys Original 1L

The inlaws are heading downunder from Germany soon, and I am just compiling my wish list. I assume it is a fair assumption all these spirits will be cheaper in SIN during transit, then in SYD on arrival?

Many thanks!

jsoprano

 

[yohy?!]

will be cheaper in SIN during transit, then in SYD on arrival?

If it's available it's a pretty safe assumption it will be cheaper than SYD!

 

[thewinchester]

Does anyone know the current prices or can give me an internet source for the following spirits at SIN Duty-Free:

Bombay Saphire 1L (SGD27.10; thanks Sickeningthud)
Johnny Walker Black Label 1L
Absolut Vodka 1L
Baileys Original 1L

From Changi Airport Shopping

• Johnny Walker Black Label 1L - SGD42.00
• Baileys Original 1L - SGD23.40

Can't find a price for Absolut Vodka 1L.

You may be able to send an email to DFS at the airport to ask for the prices. Their airport email address is [email protected].

If it's available it's a pretty safe assumption it will be cheaper than SYD!

I don't know specifically about SYD, but the opposite is true in PER.

Last three years going back to PER out of SIN, Baccardi is about 40% cheaper in SIN over PER regardless of size. Worked out I could almost get 2x bottles in SIN for the price of 1x in PER.

Also don't forget to add the 1% surcharge F1rst Duty Free charge in PER as well to your calculations.

 

[Hvr]

The inlaws are heading downunder from Germany soon, and I am just compiling my wish list. I assume it is a fair assumption all these spirits will be cheaper in SIN during transit, then in SYD on arrival?

Many thanks!

jsoprano

It may be cheaper but will they be allowed to carry it onto the plane? Would hate to have them purchase it and then have to dispose of it.

 

[thewinchester]

It may be cheaper but will they be allowed to carry it onto the plane? Would hate to have them purchase it and then have to dispose of it.

Yes.

SHOPS WITHIN DEPARTURE TRANSIT LOUNGES

Most passengers can continue to purchase liquid, aerosol and gel items, such as liquor, wine, beer, perfumes and cosmetics (including creams/lotions/gels), at shops located within Changi Airport's Departure Transit Lounges. Such purchases will be placed in sealed tamper-evident bags provided by the shops, with the receipt clearly displayed in the sealed bags.


If the items are in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each, passengers may place these items in their 1-litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag,which must be completely closed, to be hand carried.


Passengers who are transferring or transiting at other airports should check the restrictions applicable at those airports.


Please check with Changi Airport shop staff for details.

In the case of travellers whose final destination is Australia, purchases are delivered in their sealed bags to the designated departure gate instead of being handed over at the register. Register staff will present you a claim ticket, which on presentation of your receipt for verification at the gate lounge will be exchanged for your purchase.

All purchases must be finalised no later than 1hr before departure otherwise the transaction will be refused.

In any case, I can attest that the duty free staff are on the ball at SIN. They will know if there's a problem with your purchase reaching its final destination and will ensure the customer is aware of the problem, and will refuse the transaction accordingly.

 

[jsoprano]

It may be cheaper but will they be allowed to carry it onto the plane? Would hate to have them purchase it and then have to dispose of it.

Yes, I checked that on the QF homepage. Only problem would be if they buy in FRA, then they couldn't carry it on past SIN.

@thewinchester: I think you misread yohy?!'s comment, as he agrees SIN will be cheaper. I think almost any other airport Duty Free will be cheaper than those in Oz. I compared Frankfurt's prices (which is considered expensive in Europe) and my specific order would cost 25% less than in SYD!

If anyone is interested, here is the link for FRA Duty-free: Home page Heinemann Duty Free

Thanks for your help so far.

 

[Mal]

All purchases must be finalised no later than 1hr before departure otherwise the transaction will be refused.

Yep, they're pretty strict on this!

 

[thewinchester]

@thewinchester: I think you misread yohy?!'s comment, as he agrees SIN will be cheaper. I think almost any other airport Duty Free will be cheaper than those in Oz. I compared Frankfurt's prices (which is considered expensive in Europe) and my specific order would cost 25% less than in SYD!

So I did - put it down to a Friday brain fart!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Couldn't buy out of HKG yesterday. Is this normal?

 

[Mal]

Couldn't buy out of HKG yesterday. Is this normal?

Yes, Unfortunately. See http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/country-specific-carry-on-baggage/global/en#jump14

For some reason they haven't set up a system like SIN where duty free is purchased and collected at the gate.

 

[Archphoto]

Not only is it cheaper than SYD, you also (from memory) get more for your money:
1L vs.700ml

I'm heading to BKK-SIN return next Thursday 13/01 - will check the prices and post on Friday.

 

[JohnK]

I purchased Bombay Sapphire 1L from SIN last week and it was SGD26.50 with a free gift of some spirit. (Sorry I have forgotten).

At BKK airport this morning Bombay Sapphire 1L was THB680 and at SIN airport an hour or so ago it was SGD26.80. I purchased 2 bottles of Bombay Sapphire 1L for SGD53.60 and received a 200mL bottle of Bombay Sapphire as a free gift.

Just as a comparison Bombay Sapphire in Australia is AUD33.99 or 2 for $62.

If I remember to check later will post back prices on Johnny Walker black, Absolut Vodka and Baileys....

 

[Mal]

From Changi Airport Shopping

What website were those prices on? Couldn't find them on the usual Changi Airport site.

One thing that disappointed me in SIN was that they didn't have Jagermeister. Was after it for a friend.

 

[Archphoto]

Prices in SIN 13/01/11:

• Bombay Sapphire SGD26.80
• JWB SGD46.90
• JWDB SGD49.40
• Absolut LE (Glimmer) SGD26.80
• Baileys Original N/A

Prices in BKK 13/01/11:

• Bombay Sapphire THB650
• JWB THB1920 - 2 Pack Special
• JWDB THB2180 - 2 Pack Special
• Absolut LE (Glimmer) THB570
• Baileys Original THB1400 - 2 Pack Special

All 1L bottles.

 

[jsoprano]

Many thanks everyone for the helpful information!

I think I'll go for the JW Double Black then, anyone tried it yet?

 

[moa999]

Latest comparison on why SYD prices are bad

SYDNEY
1L Hendricks Gin 59.95
1L Belvedere Vodka 69.95
TOTAL A$129.90

SINGAPORE
1L Hendricks Gin 49.95
1L Belvedere Vodka 59.95
TOTAL $S109.90 == A$86.

a 34% saving !!

 

[Febs]

The annoying thing about the HKG secondary LAG checks is that it's hit-and-miss. You could quite possibly buy >100mL duty-free, and get it past the checks and on-board without any worries...but you wouldn't want to count on it.

It's like CGK the other night (they'll delivery duty-free for Garuda flights, but not QF flights). Plenty of us walked straight past the secondary (actually, third) check just before the gate. Annoying, as Glenfiddich I wanted (14yo Rich Oak - one I don't yet have in my collection ) was $45 vs $75 in SYD (I did find Snow Phoenix in Sydney though, which I was happy about ).

FWIW, Cathay on-board duty free prices are pretty fantastic for some items (Chivas Royal Salute 700mL under $100AUD, for example) so that might be an option for anyone flying them ex-HKG.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Danger]

Couldn't buy out of HKG yesterday. Is this normal?

Sadly, yes. I flew PVG-HKG-PER back in March where HKG was a transit. I'd bought a bottle in PVG and didn't have an issue until I was in the boarding lane when I was told I couldn't take it on board. I made a fuss and one of the gate agents found an empty cardboard box, taped it up and sent it down the hold. That's service.

Prices in SIN 13/01/11:

• Bombay Sapphire SGD26.80
• JWB SGD46.90
• JWDB SGD49.40
• Absolut LE (Glimmer) SGD26.80
• Baileys Original N/A

Prices in BKK 13/01/11:

• Bombay Sapphire THB650
• JWB THB1920 - 2 Pack Special
• JWDB THB2180 - 2 Pack Special
• Absolut LE (Glimmer) THB570
• Baileys Original THB1400 - 2 Pack Special

All 1L bottles.

Latest comparison on why SYD prices are bad

SYDNEY
1L Hendricks Gin 59.95
1L Belvedere Vodka 69.95
TOTAL A$129.90

SINGAPORE
1L Hendricks Gin 49.95
1L Belvedere Vodka 59.95
TOTAL $S109.90 == A$86.

a 34% saving !!

I think it would be invaluable if we had a thread on duty free prices. Each time someone travels they could post a small selection of comparison prices. We all know how much of a rip-off Australian duty free stores are. I have no hesitation now in, where possible, purchasing on arrival and packing alcohol in checked baggage. I walk past the duty free store at the Australian port in disgust.