Airport Departure Tax At Bombay
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: United, SPG
Posts: 294
Airport Departure Tax At Bombay
I am going to India next month in CO BusinessFirst. Two years ago when I was there, when we were flying out of Bombay, at the check in desk they made us pay a $50 per a person User Development Fee, for what I assume was to pay for the expansion of the airport. Does anyone know if they are still charging this fee, and if it is a flat fee or varies based on class of service? Thanks
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: 3rd Rock from the Sun
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Posts: 288
I haven't had to pay a separate UDF at BOM in years now. They used to collect something called a "departure tax" until several years ago but now all such charges should be collected with your ticket fare and not separately at the airport.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
Mumbai didnt charge earlier but am not sure now..
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: London
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Posts: 614
Mumbai airport has been charging UDF since 2009, but the fee is only INR 600 (about $14) per person for an international flight, and its normally included in your ticket price.
If you were charged $50 per person, that sounds a bit dodgy!
If you were charged $50 per person, that sounds a bit dodgy!
#5
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#7
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I suggest the OP should call CO and tell them about their experience.
#8
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#9
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#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: United, SPG
Posts: 294
Hmmm i wish we had someone who has flown recently because I know for a fact we paid the fee in Aug 2008 and I did think it sounded like a scam because $50 USD in india is alot of money but it was at the check in desk and they charged it on the credit card. I dunno what would happen if you just refused to pay it, or if you simply checked in online before your flight and by passed the airport check in. Any ideas?
#11
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,655
Be assertive and insist on speaking to an airline manager. The less likely it seems that you will fall for the scam, the more likely they will concede sooner rather than later and check you in.
#12
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#13
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
+1..
Hmm.. if they charged it on a CC then its something else IMO.. I have travelled frequently thru BOM in earlier years and never faced this kinda scam.. Its too risky for check in staff to resort to this. Have sometimes heard them allowing xx kilos of excess check in baggage without a receipt and some underhand money but this is something new I have heard..
Hmmm i wish we had someone who has flown recently because I know for a fact we paid the fee in Aug 2008 and I did think it sounded like a scam because $50 USD in india is alot of money but it was at the check in desk and they charged it on the credit card. I dunno what would happen if you just refused to pay it, or if you simply checked in online before your flight and by passed the airport check in. Any ideas?
#14
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
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#15
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i have 'gora' clients coming into india all the time....i have never heard any one of them complain about something like this....