WP Award to SJO: Is the Departure Tax Paid For?
Oct 20, 2008, 10:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CMH
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion
Posts: 628
WP Award to SJO: Is the Departure Tax Paid For?
Howdy all,
In a few short weeks I'll be headed to Costa Rica for some sun and R&R using miles I burned before the fuel surcharge went into effect ^.
I'm looking over the reservation and I can't tell whether or not the departure tax that Costa Rica charges is covered by the ticket. Is this tax something that is usually covered on award reservations by the airline or by the traveler? For the record--I'm flying into SJO on DL and out on CO, with NW segments to get me to/from MSP.
I was able to make it out of Bogota last year without paying the tax thanks to a helpful COPA CSA who told me to go to some window and repeat the word "tourista" until the person there stamped my passport. Should I expect something similar at SJO
?
In a few short weeks I'll be headed to Costa Rica for some sun and R&R using miles I burned before the fuel surcharge went into effect ^.
I'm looking over the reservation and I can't tell whether or not the departure tax that Costa Rica charges is covered by the ticket. Is this tax something that is usually covered on award reservations by the airline or by the traveler? For the record--I'm flying into SJO on DL and out on CO, with NW segments to get me to/from MSP.
I was able to make it out of Bogota last year without paying the tax thanks to a helpful COPA CSA who told me to go to some window and repeat the word "tourista" until the person there stamped my passport. Should I expect something similar at SJO
?
Oct 20, 2008, 11:52 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
So don't recall the specifics of SJO but usually if the airline collects the departure tax when you buy the ticket, you pay it in advance with all the other taxes and fees when you book it. However, if not, then it's up to you to pay for it. Airlines never pay the tax for you for free.....
Oct 20, 2008, 11:55 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
I'm pretty sure you have to pay the tax ($26, I think) separately. You can pay it at some banks, or at the airport before you leave. The lines can sometimes be brutal, so don't cut it too close. Depending on what time your flight arrives, you can sometimes go to the departure level and buy it then, as well. I think they close at 9 or 10pm.
Oct 21, 2008, 5:49 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Some place in this wonderful world (usually at 39,000 ft in seat 1C)
Programs: CO Gold Elite / NW Gold Elite
Posts: 13,747
I swear I had to stop at a local office at the Marriott hotel (there was an onsite TA office) who processed the departure tax
Oct 21, 2008, 6:59 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Yes, or find an official with a page of adhesive stickers at the airport. While it may be fair to say that departure taxes typically are covered in the collected fare, this one wasn't for me.
Oct 21, 2008, 10:49 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Michigan
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA 1K, DL 1MM/Silver
Posts: 1,615
You are on the hook for the $26 departure tax. The counter is just inside the entrance to the ticketing area across from Continental. Pay before going to the airline ticket counter.
Oct 22, 2008, 10:51 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: SPG, NW Worldperks
Posts: 148
I used a credit card to pay, and somehow they charged it as a cash advance, even though I didn't give a PIN. So it was $26 + $10 cash advance fee.
Beware!
Beware!
Oct 22, 2008, 11:06 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
Oct 22, 2008, 11:08 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
There are two desks on the departure level. One near each end of the terminal. As has been stated before, you can pay at some banks and other companies for this.
Oct 22, 2008, 12:59 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CMH
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion
Posts: 628
Thanks for the info and warnings everybody! I'll make sure and have the $$ ready 