I had an momentary panic today when I tried to add an in-cabin pet reservation to our itinerary to Mexico in January.

I called CO reservations and the first CSR I got said that there was already a reservation in FC for a pet and since they have a one pet per cabin policy we could not bring our dog on board. My alternative would be to change the dates of our flight (at a cost) or fly in coach (on our paid FC ticket)...I thought of changing the dates but the next few days were also "booked" with a pet in FC.

I thought I would try again...my next call produced the exact same response. So I reluntactly agreed to change the dates of our travel but hte CSR said he couldn't help since it was an internet reservation...gave me a number to call.

I called the internet web support. They listened and said that they too see a pet in the cabin already...but....another reservation system they use showed no pet... she put me hold...and ten minutes later came back and said they she and her supervisor believe that there may be a glitch in the system and that they would go ahead and give me the in-cabin pet reservation for my original flights....they really went all out and it just pays to try as often as needed till you get a decent outcome...

I'd be sure to re-confirm in a few days to make sure someone wasn't just telling you something to get you off the phone.

...........or get them to confirm it by sending you an email.

I too was a little suspicious. I paid the $200 fee over the phone and recieved a 6 letter/# confirmation for the "pet reservation". The only printed acknowledgement I have is on my receipt which now says I paid $100 for each way of my trip for the pet in cabin.....

I actually have called back twice and each time the CSR says they see the pet reservation attached to my reservation....do you think I need more ( ie an email) ?

Be sure to arrive and check-in as early as possible (not just on-line check-in). In the event there is another pet scheduled in the same cabin, you want to be there first.

Where in Mexico are going, if you flight is with Express, two animals are allowed in the cabin, it changed recently.

We are going to Leon. But we are on big jets all the way....

A couple of points:

1. Where are you going near Leon? I have a home in a town in the mountains about 40 miles away. Nice airport - GREAT part of Mexico. ^

2. Beware of CO and what they tell you about Mexico and pets. They told me I needed a certificate of health from my Vet and a letter from the Vet. I brought both. Mexican Customs in BJX (Leon Bajio airport) said I also needed a certificate of health (or something like that) from the US Department of Agriculture. A bribe cleared it up (NP200), but just be aware.

3. We also had trouble getting pet spots available. We were bringing our two Yorkies, so we had to book one of us in Y and one in F. We also paid a LOT of fees. However, never ONCE in the entire journey (EWR-ORD-IAH-BJX-IAH-EWR), did any CO employee ever verify that we paid any fee. Every single FA had no clue that there was to be a pet on board. And none of them cared. In fact, we had purchased an F award for my wife and I was on a paid Y ticket. I got upgraded on most flights, and sat next to my wife in F, with our two Yorkies.

......

We bought a house in San Miguel in February.....

Thanks for the heads up....I will talk to my Vet


It does seem like a pain in the a**. I was astounded that they charged us $100 OW for the small dog in a carry-on. At least we got onto our flight and we didn't have to change the reservation or date...but I am still planing to get to the airport early....poor tyke