Duty free currency

[Anna]

I am heading off to SIN (noun not verb) for Easter and I was wondering if anyone has any views about whether it is better, exchange rate-wise, to buy duty free at Changi in SGD or allow them to convert to AUD at check out.

 

[serfty]

Generally 'tis better to pay in SGD; conversion rates they use are not great.

Even if you pay in SGD with a CC having those horrid "Currency Conversion Fees" you would normally still be better off.

 

[markis10]

I agree, just make sure it is Smokes and Grog at the airport only, anything else is not a good buy based on some indepth research I did two weeks ago with a 5 hour layover! And if you smoke dont forget no allowance going into SIN for cigarettes/tobacco, but do take advantage of the 1L spirits, 1L wine and 1L of beer for your consumption whilst staying there!

 

[Anna]

Thanks for the responses, helpful as always. I suspected that would be the answer. Markis did your research cover cosmetics? I have always found Changi quite good on that front.

 

[v8Statesman]

Thanks for the responses, helpful as always. I suspected that would be the answer. Markis did your research cover cosmetics? I have always found Changi quite good on that front.

I am sure (Mark)is10 is a frequent user of cosmetics

 

[Yada Yada]

Thanks for the responses, helpful as always. I suspected that would be the answer. Markis did your research cover cosmetics? I have always found Changi quite good on that front.

Anna - I've bought perfume for my wife at SIN the last few visits and it was definitely cheaper over there than here.

 

[markis10]

I found perfume to be line ball in Sin with QF inflight but a little cheaper than AUS, and Clarins was good value for a friend of mine, which is the extent of my interest in cosmetics but that might chage as I get older LOL

 

[NM]

Anna - I've bought perfume for my wife at SIN the last few visits and it was definitely cheaper over there than here.

That is certainly my experience also.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Anna - I've bought perfume for my wife at SIN the last few visits and it was definitely cheaper over there than here.

That is certainly my experience also.

NM - what are you doing buying perfume for Yada Yada's wife? :shock:

 

[NM]

Anna - I've bought perfume for my wife at SIN the last few visits and it was definitely cheaper over there than here.

That is certainly my experience also.

NM - what are you doing buying perfume for Yada Yada's wife? :shock:

Shhh, don't let the cat out of the bag or we will both be in trouble :wink: .

 

[NYCguy]

There are some bargains at Changi - my preferred shaving cream costs AU$26 in Sydney, US$17 in New York, and SG$12.5 at SIN. For fragrance, I have always found that the daggy duty-frees at EWR have the best bargains - picked up a bottle of my fave cologne that retails in Oz for AU$125, paid US$42!!

 

[Mal]

Agree Changi seems pretty good value wise for colognes, creams etc.

Don't shop for perfumes or similar, so can't really comment.

Most, if not all items in SIN beat Aus prices hands down. THe only issue is finding those Australian spirit/cigarette brands...

Also, for the OP, you will nearly always be ripped off a few % by allowing someone else to convert the currency for you rather than the bank.

It's no different to Money Exchange places, they tend to have totally different rates dependant on where you are converting the money. The more convenient to you to convert (eg around tourist areas), the poorer rate you tend to get.

 

[Yada Yada]

Anna - I've bought perfume for my wife at SIN the last few visits and it was definitely cheaper over there than here.

That is certainly my experience also.

NM - what are you doing buying perfume for Yada Yada's wife? :shock: