Two iPads give Changi Airport passenger chance to be millionaire

First 2012 ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ finalist is engineer from Shanghai

The first finalist to emerge in Changi Airport’s third run of the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ retail promotion is a female engineer from Shanghai, China. Ms Pan Lizhu (潘丽珠), 35, purchased two new iPads at Changi Airport in June – a deal that not only stretched her dollar but clinched for her a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a million dollars.

Organised by Changi Airport Group (CAG), ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ has made two lucky shoppers overnight millionaires with its grand prize of S$1 million since the promotion’s debut in 2010.

A regional manager with an American multi-national company, Ms Pan was in Singapore for a two-day business trip with her colleagues. For several months, Ms Pan had been on the lookout for good deals on the new iPad on her overseas trips, as the popular Apple tablet was not yet available in the China market. Before boarding her flight back to Shanghai on 6 June, Ms Pan grabbed the opportunity to get two sets of the new iPad (64GB with wifi) at the iStudio store at Terminal 3. As a departing passenger, Ms Pan enjoyed 7% GST savings on her $1,700 purchase, which the discerning shopper described as a very good deal.

“The prices of electronics at Changi Airport are very reasonable and I have faith in the authenticity. I had been paying attention to the price of the new iPad in several countries, and in comparison to places like Hong Kong and the United States, the price at Changi was the best. So I bought two of them!” said Ms Pan. On top of her prized purchase, she also went back with her hand-carry luggage stuffed full of gifts won at the ‘Be a Changi Given her dismal track record with lucky draws, Ms Pan never harboured any hope when she submitted an entry for the Millionaire Draw this year. In fact, she had also entered the previous run of the Millionaire Draw in 2011 when she last visited Singapore, but did not have any luck. As it turned out, Lady Luck smiled on her this time.

When first informed about being chosen as the first finalist, Ms Pan cautiously assumed that it was a dubious scam. “I told my colleagues and family about it and everyone was sceptical and warned me not to transfer any money to anyone. Well, no one asked me for money, and this turned out to be true. I cannot believe I’m so lucky!” she said.

Come January 2013, Ms Pan will be one of six finalists to take centre stage at the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ Grand Draw – to determine which among them would win the grand prize of $1 million. Her supporters will be a cosy entourage comprising her husband and seven-year old daughter. If she wins the million, Ms Pan plans to pay off her housing mortgage, indulge in a new car for her husband and take a nice holiday with her family.

Since the launch of the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ promotion in 2010, this is the first time a Chinese national has emerged as a finalist for the Grand Draw. China is Changi Airport’s fifth largest source of passenger traffic, accounting for about 9% of total traffic at Changi. For the first five months of 2012, Chinese nationals contributed 25% to total concession sales at Changi Airport. Their top three favourite product categories by sales include liquor and tobacco, perfumes and cosmetics, and luxury goods.

One finalist will be drawn each month for participation in the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ Grand Draw during the six-month promotion which runs from 12 May to 11 November 2012. Each finalist wins a cash prize of S$5,000 each1, with return airfare to Singapore (for non-Singapore residents) plus a two-night hotel stay. For more details of ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’, please visit www.changiairport.com/millionaire.