Delta/Winair checked bags!

[Elizabeth1SC]

Thanks for the idea about the sunset beach bar in SXM! We are flying CHS/CLT/SXM and then Winair to SBH. We have a 1 hour connection in SXM on the way down and then a 2.75 hour connection on the way home. Nice to know we don't have to hang in the airport!

 

[andynap]

You could always go to the Business Class Lounge- nice inside place to relax, eat, drink, read mags, wifi, TV. They will tell you when your plane is calling for boarding.

 

[davidgreen72]

It brings back memories of being stopped,when my girlfriend was stopped with hand cream that was to big and we were late for our flight onward. thanx for the picture.. Great

 

[lloyd]

Carry on is a big deal if you have only 20 or 30 minutes to connect,as we usually do.But,even when we go for 3 months,carry on still works fine( how much stuff do you need? Just leave a lot there ,if you have to)
And,like I posted last week, on our return from our month of volunteering in Madagascar, from now on, Ottawa- SBH will be forever seen as " a drive to the corner store".It really puts a short little 4 HR flight with one connection into perspective!
Does anybody know if the new boarding pass machine at the in transit gate works for any airline. the last few times home
this year, the Westjet staff were getting increasingly angry about computer printed passes on the way home

 

[tim]

When I came through in June, one could print boarding passes for Air France, US Air, and Delta. I didn't look at it when I came home yesterday. Here's a Link to a photo I took of the kiosk in June.

P.S. I don't know why the problem with pre-printed boarding passes. I always print mine at home before leaving SBH, and there's never a question asked at Security or by US Air.

 

[lloyd]

Thanks,saw it .
It's really only SXM-SBH we worry about ,and that's covered with carry on
Going home will be late March,and we always give ouselves time going back.I think we've done Westjet 4 or 5 times in the last year and a half- they always yell at us,but never refused our computer printed passes!If security accepts the passes,what's the gate going to do?

 

[tim]

I'm confused. You're printing these boarding passes from Westjet's website, n'est-ce pas?

 

[Elizabeth1SC]

There is a club lounge in SXM?

 

[Elizabeth1SC]

Also, if we shop in St Barts, do the stores ship back to the US?

 

[KevinS]

There is a club lounge in SXM?

Yes, there is a private lounge, the Soualiga Business Class Lounge. Admission is $20 per person, free beer and wine, free appetizers, purchased cocktails, free wi-fi, and clean, spacious bathrooms.

 

[KevinS]

Also, if we shop in St Barts, do the stores ship back to the US?

For a price, anything is possible. Shipping via mail takes forever. Shipping via Fedex, UPS, or DHL is $$$. If it's big enough, shipping via a freight service such as Tropical Shipping can be arranged.

If the store won't ship then you can ship it yourself, or engage a concierge service such as Premium IV to ship it for you on a cost-plus basis. Some things, such as alcohol and Cuban cigars come to mind, are illegal to ship back to the US. (Doesn't mean it doesn't happen sometimes, but it's illegal, and you risk losing the shipment, with no recourse for reimbursement.)

 

[BBT]

Or free if you have a Priority Pass membership.

 

[amyb]

The lounge is FREE for Diner's Club card holders.

The bathrooms are clean and suitable for changing back into stateside clothing during the colder months.

 

[BBT]

Ah did not know. Haven't seen a Diners Club in ages. Cool you have one.

 

[KevinS]

Bob,

Diner's Club cards are now MasterCards with a DC logo. IIRC, they still offer Primary insurance coverage for rental cars, which can be a good benefit.


Elizabeth,

Priority Pass cards can be obtained for free from Ameerican Express if you have a Platinum or higher Amex card. They won't send one to you automatically, but you can call and ask.

 

[Elizabeth1SC]

Elizabeth,

Priority Pass cards can be obtained for free from Ameerican Express if you have a Platinum or higher Amex card. They won't send one to you automatically, but you can call and ask.

I never sent in for the priority pass, but most lounges including USAIR will let us in just for showing the AMEX platinum card and ID. It has come in handy for flight delays in Charlotte.

 

[Petri]

I never sent in for the priority pass, but most lounges including USAIR will let us in just for showing the AMEX platinum card and ID. It has come in handy for flight delays in Charlotte.

US Amex Plat will get you access to AA Admirals clubs, Continental President's Clubs, Deal Sky Clubs, US Airways Clubs and Airspace lounges. Access to the Continental clubs is disappearing end of September, though.

The Priority Pass gets helpful outside of the US as the above lounges are pretty rare outside of the US. Our European Amex Plat doesn't include any other lounge benefits but the Priority Pass. The main reason to keep the card here is the travel insurances -- encourages one to use checked baggage and wish it will get delayed

We have also seen a few specific American Express lounges around the world (Peru?), probably for the local Amex customers but they've accepted foreign cards as well. Also often the lounges that accept Amex don't really care if it's US or other card..

 

[KevinS]

Handy indeed. I use Amex on a regular basis for admission to AA, DL, and US lounges. Amex is not accepted for free admission to the Soualiga Lounge though.

 

[BBT]

SXM does not Accept AMEX Platinum for free admission. Priority pass works everytime. I had a PP membership but cancelled when AMEX started giving it for free.

 

[Elizabeth1SC]

We like the Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits as well. They include room upgrade, late checkout, breakfast, and a dining or spa credit. And sometimes they run 3rd or 4th night free.

When we first signed up for the Plat card, we were excited about the int'l companion airfare but it is very limited and has never been available anywhere we go. Maybe for Europe??