Latest news with #BeckyBlaine
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Summer travel may actually be cheaper to certain destinations, expert says
(NEXSTAR) – With Americans feeling like their wallets are being stretched thinner and thinner, some families may be ruling out travel this year to save money. But for those who still want to get out of town, there are deals to be found. As the tourism industry braces for a rough year, American travelers could luck out by finding good deals or less crowded hot spots. 'It's twofold,' said The Points Guy Senior Editor Becky Blaine. 'On one hand a lot of destinations and hotels will be offering deals to attract visitors. On the other hand, we could see less overall visitation, which means places like your national parks might not be as crowded.' 'Think back to the first summer of 2020 with COVID,' she continued. 'I personally took my family on a nine day trip to the Western national parks. We went all the way up through Utah and into Wyoming, to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons and Arches National Park, because I knew we might never see our parks that empty ever again with international travel shut down. Well, now international travel is not shut down, it's just lacking demand.' US destinations report tourism drops. Will it lead to cheap summer travel? We aren't experiencing 2020-levels of travel disruption, but there substantial questions remain on how depressed tourism will be this year. 'We're kind of staring down at this summer of uncertainty in a lot of ways,' said Blaine. Towns near national parks are concerned a drop in summer travel will mean fewer tourism dollars. Other places that rely heavily on international tourism are also bracing for impact. A Las Vegas tourism report released last month, for example, showed showed visitation and hotel occupancy were down year-over-year. If you're looking for hotel deals, Blaine advised, think of 'tier one' destinations. 'When we say 'tier one,' it's usually the first place someone who is newly coming to the United States, they might check one of those big cities off the list first.' Drivers could see cheapest Memorial Day gas prices since 2021 Places like New York, California and Florida are popular with international travelers, but may now be looking to draw in more domestic tourists with lowered prices. The Western U.S. and its impressive landscapes are also usually a big draw for European travelers – who may or may not show up this year. 'Anecdotally, I was just doing research for my own vacation for the first week of June,' Blaine recounted in mid-May. 'You can still book cabins in Grand Teton National Park. You can still book camping spots in Grand Canyon National Park. That is unheard of.' Those looking for cheap travel need to keep their eyes peeled for sales and limited-time deals, Blaine said. She rattled off several hot sales happening in May, such as a New York to Hawaii roundtrip flight for $449 (usually over $800). For those booking with points, American Airlines had great values to Barcelona and Air France had a deal to Athens, she said. The Points Guy and other travel publications post about these types of deals regularly. In order to save big on travel this year, flexibility is key. If you're open in terms of timing and destination, try reading about travel sales and picking from there. You can also explore Google Flights, which lets you explore cheap flights from your home airport to anywhere in the world. 'You can use that explore map and look across the US and be like, 'Hey, I just want to go somewhere. I'm flexible. Who's got some cheap airfare?' And start that way if you don't particularly have a set place in mind.' Those without school-aged kids should consider taking their summer vacation a little later, in September or even October, when prices tend to drop across the board. Flying out on the day of a holiday, like on Fourth of July, can also save you cash, Blaine advised. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
National Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Your guide to the baffling world of duty-free shopping
Duty-free stores are known for indulgences: alcohol and cigarettes, pricey face serums and chocolate bars that can feed a family of six. But these uncertain times of tariffs could cast the global retail outlets in a new light. No longer just an airport diversion, could they help keep your bathroom vanity, armoire and snack drawer well-stocked? Article content Article content 'People associate them with perfumes, chocolates and alcohol, but there are many other things available in duty free that could be a good deal,' said Becky Blaine, a travel editor with The Points Guy, which in 2019 compared the prices of 13 items in 50 duty-free shops. Article content Article content The first airport duty-free store was a 'gimmick,' said Scott Laird, a travel writer who has covered duty-free shopping. An Irish visionary named Brendan O'Regan hatched an idea to sell tax-free items to passengers stuck at Shannon Airport while their transatlantic planes refuelled. The kiosk, which opened in 1947, sold Irish whiskey and other local souvenirs. Article content Article content 'They got an exception from the Irish authorities on local taxes on various products,' Laird said. 'So they were able to sell more by offering those products cheaper because they didn't have the local taxes. And that has taken off.' Article content Duty-free retail is now a global juggernaut, worth $86 billion in 2019, according to the most recent publicly available data from the Duty Free World Council, an industry advocacy group. Airport stores around the world, from Detroit to Dubai, stock their shelves with international brands, plus a sprinkling of homegrown companies. Article content Despite their universality, they can still be confusing, especially when you start doing the math. So here's a smart shopper's guide to duty-free stores. Article content What is duty-free shopping? Article content Duty-free shops carry products that are exempt from taxes and duties, including local, state and value-added taxes (VAT) and import duties. What you see is what you pay. Article content The stores typically occupy 'stateless' places, such as border areas, airport terminals (post-security) and cruise ships; onboard shops are generally tax- and duty-free in international waters and closed while in port. Travellers can also find a few stand-alone stores, such as the sprawling complex in China's Hainan province. Article content 'When you're leaving the country, you're in this weird nontaxable area,' Laird said. Article content As part of the arrangement, travellers avoid paying taxes on goods in exchange for not consuming them on-site. To ensure the shopper is departing the country, they will have to present a boarding pass and passport at checkout. Their purchases will be sealed and delivered to the boarding gate, reducing any temptation to crack open that bottle of Fireball or Tom Ford fragrance. Article content Travellers with a layover in the same country as their departure — such as a flight from New York to Los Angeles to Tokyo — can only shop at the last airport before they exit the country. Laird also warns of some 'extraordinary situations.'
Calgary Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Your guide to the baffling world of duty-free shopping
Article content Duty-free stores are known for indulgences: alcohol and cigarettes, pricey face serums and chocolate bars that can feed a family of six. But these uncertain times of tariffs could cast the global retail outlets in a new light. No longer just an airport diversion, could they help keep your bathroom vanity, armoire and snack drawer well-stocked? Article content Article content 'People associate them with perfumes, chocolates and alcohol, but there are many other things available in duty free that could be a good deal,' said Becky Blaine, a travel editor with The Points Guy, which in 2019 compared the prices of 13 items in 50 duty-free shops. Article content Article content The first airport duty-free store was a 'gimmick,' said Scott Laird, a travel writer who has covered duty-free shopping. An Irish visionary named Brendan O'Regan hatched an idea to sell tax-free items to passengers stuck at Shannon Airport while their transatlantic planes refuelled. The kiosk, which opened in 1947, sold Irish whiskey and other local souvenirs. Article content Article content 'They got an exception from the Irish authorities on local taxes on various products,' Laird said. 'So they were able to sell more by offering those products cheaper because they didn't have the local taxes. And that has taken off.' Article content Duty-free retail is now a global juggernaut, worth $86 billion in 2019, according to the most recent publicly available data from the Duty Free World Council, an industry advocacy group. Airport stores around the world, from Detroit to Dubai, stock their shelves with international brands, plus a sprinkling of homegrown companies. Article content Despite their universality, they can still be confusing, especially when you start doing the math. So here's a smart shopper's guide to duty-free stores. Article content Article content What is duty-free shopping? Article content Duty-free shops carry products that are exempt from taxes and duties, including local, state and value-added taxes (VAT) and import duties. What you see is what you pay. Article content The stores typically occupy 'stateless' places, such as border areas, airport terminals (post-security) and cruise ships; onboard shops are generally tax- and duty-free in international waters and closed while in port. Travellers can also find a few stand-alone stores, such as the sprawling complex in China's Hainan province. Article content As part of the arrangement, travellers avoid paying taxes on goods in exchange for not consuming them on-site. To ensure the shopper is departing the country, they will have to present a boarding pass and passport at checkout. Their purchases will be sealed and delivered to the boarding gate, reducing any temptation to crack open that bottle of Fireball or Tom Ford fragrance.
Vancouver Sun
15-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Your guide to the baffling world of duty-free shopping
Duty-free stores are known for indulgences: alcohol and cigarettes, pricey face serums and chocolate bars that can feed a family of six. But these uncertain times of tariffs could cast the global retail outlets in a new light. No longer just an airport diversion, could they help keep your bathroom vanity, armoire and snack drawer well-stocked? 'People associate them with perfumes, chocolates and alcohol, but there are many other things available in duty free that could be a good deal,' said Becky Blaine, a travel editor with The Points Guy, which in 2019 compared the prices of 13 items in 50 duty-free shops. The first airport duty-free store was a 'gimmick,' said Scott Laird, a travel writer who has covered duty-free shopping. An Irish visionary named Brendan O'Regan hatched an idea to sell tax-free items to passengers stuck at Shannon Airport while their transatlantic planes refuelled. The kiosk, which opened in 1947, sold Irish whiskey and other local souvenirs. Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'They got an exception from the Irish authorities on local taxes on various products,' Laird said. 'So they were able to sell more by offering those products cheaper because they didn't have the local taxes. And that has taken off.' Duty-free retail is now a global juggernaut, worth $86 billion in 2019, according to the most recent publicly available data from the Duty Free World Council, an industry advocacy group. Airport stores around the world, from Detroit to Dubai, stock their shelves with international brands, plus a sprinkling of homegrown companies. Despite their universality, they can still be confusing, especially when you start doing the math. So here's a smart shopper's guide to duty-free stores. Duty-free shops carry products that are exempt from taxes and duties, including local, state and value-added taxes (VAT) and import duties. What you see is what you pay. The stores typically occupy 'stateless' places, such as border areas, airport terminals (post-security) and cruise ships; onboard shops are generally tax- and duty-free in international waters and closed while in port. Travellers can also find a few stand-alone stores, such as the sprawling complex in China's Hainan province. 'When you're leaving the country, you're in this weird nontaxable area,' Laird said. As part of the arrangement, travellers avoid paying taxes on goods in exchange for not consuming them on-site. To ensure the shopper is departing the country, they will have to present a boarding pass and passport at checkout. Their purchases will be sealed and delivered to the boarding gate, reducing any temptation to crack open that bottle of Fireball or Tom Ford fragrance. Travellers with a layover in the same country as their departure — such as a flight from New York to Los Angeles to Tokyo — can only shop at the last airport before they exit the country. Laird also warns of some 'extraordinary situations.' Travellers bound for the U.S. proper can't take advantage of duty-free in Puerto Rico, because it's in the 'same customs union as the mainland,' Laird said. They can, however, shop for tax-free goods in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Europe has varying rules, because its customs unions, or trade agreements, do not neatly align with the Schengen area. 'So a flight from Norway to Germany doesn't have passport control,' Laird said, 'but it does have duty free.' In addition to shopping on-site, many duty-free companies, such as Shop Duty Free, allow travellers to purchase products online, often with extra savings. The service is available at least 24 hours before takeoff. Shoppers must share their travel details, such as flight number, and pick up their gifts at the airport. Duty-free stores stock their shelves with an assortment of products that are typically heavily taxed, such as liquor; cigarettes; cosmetics; and luxury apparel and accessories, including watches, handbags and sunglasses. Most also sell chocolate and other candy, and some carry local souvenirs. The retailers will offer exclusive products, such as Lotte Duty Free's Dewycel mask set or Highloop picnic beach mat, available at Incheon International Airport in Seoul. 'It's typically a specific flavour or a gift box or set,' Laird said. The item's size or packaging also might be unique to that airport location. The amount of savings depends on an array of variables, such as the overall markup of the item and whether the product is made locally or imported. The price can vary by state, province, country, airport or even terminal. In the European Union, the standard VAT for the 27 member countries ranges from 8 per cent to 27 per cent, though foreign visitors can apply for a refund at the end of their trip. According to the website for France's international airports, duty-free shoppers can save on average 20 per cent, the amount of the VAT. In general, Laird said alcohol, tobacco and cosmetics are 'particularly good savings.' He advised against buying alcohol in the United States because its taxes are comparatively low. But if you're travelling to Tahiti, he suggests picking up duty-free liquor there because the prices on the French Polynesian island are so high. In The Points Guy's 2019 study, the staff recommended buying: alcohol in the Caribbean, cosmetics and perfumes in Europe and tobacco in Asia. For price-conscious consumers, the best duty-free shopping was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Singapore; and Grand Cayman Island. Sydney; Santorini, Greece; and Zurich were the priciest. If the cost of manufacturing rises, Laird said, companies could raise their prices. The duty-free stores could then pass along the higher prices to their customers. 'Duty-free will probably continue to be a cost savings for consumers,' Laird said, 'but retailers have a little bit of wiggle room on how they behave in the market, and that's the factor that we don't know.' However, Sanjay K. Dhar, a professor who studies retail at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, said airlines and airports rely on amenities such as duty-free shops to entice travellers. Higher prices could erode their customer base, so they will proceed with caution. 'Duty-free shops might pick up some of the margins, so the prices at duty-free shops will become more attractive than what you would pay if you had bought it in the local market,' Dhar said. For even greater savings, sign up for the free membership programs offered by the duty-free companies. You can receive discounts and other specials. 'If you make a big-ticket purchase on your outbound flight and then you see something you like at a store by the same operator on your return flight, you can use those points as a discount on your next purchase,' Laird said. Take a beat and check the prices online, factoring in taxes and shipping or pickup. If the items cost less at home, you can be excused for paying a little more at airport duty-free if you wish to consume the products during your trip or on your first night back from vacation.
