Hello,My wife and I are leaving in 2 days to St. Barth (our first trip there) but I just realized I may have a tight connection on my way back. I didn

[albuqm]

Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

Hello,

My wife and I are leaving in 2 days to St. Barth (our first trip there) but I just realized I may have a tight connection on my way back. I didn't think going through SXM could be so time cosuming, as described in many posts.

We are on what I believe is the earliest flight from St. Barth on Winair leaving at 8:30am, arriving in SXM at 8:45am on Sunday, July 10th. My AA flight to San Juan leaves at 10:14am.

Given that this is the low season, and that this is a morning flight on a small plane (American Eagle), do you think 1 hour and 30 minutes will be enough? I realize this is the 4th o July week, which could mean a busier airport. Do you think I should use St Barts Services in this case? Will they speed up my connection time in this particular case? Any chance Winair may add an earlier flight in busy weekends.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[debo]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

If you are returning on a week day..say Mon through Thurs then you should be fine with the times you mentioned..The jets dont start arriving SXM until later
in the day..I know AA's first jet arrivial is at 12:00 then 1:00 then 2:30..You should be able to zip through customs and make the eagle flight to SJU no problem..

 

[Nimdok]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

We had just a slightly larger window (1:45) for a turnaround mid-day on a Sunday and made it without a problem. The concerns we were all expressing were for someone with a 45 minute turnaround.


Nim

 

[albuqm]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

Thank you for the responses.

I will be traveling on Sunday after a holiday, so I'm expecting more delays than on a regular weekday.

I called AA and they told me that if they had tried to book the entire itinerary (I booked AA and Winair separately), they would get an "illegal connection" in SXM. A legal connection in SXM would be 90 minutes or more. Since I have 89 minutes, I guess it's just a technicality.

I asked them if they have business class check-in counters in SXM (I have elite status which could save me sometime during check-in). They didn't have that information. Does anybody know if AA has business class counters in SXM? Are check-in lines the major problem or is it immigration that causes more delays?

Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

Early morning, even Sunday, is usually a breeze thru SXM. We have done this many times to connect to a charter to Boston that leaves around 11am.
AA checkin, I think, does have a "first class" queue but that time of day, you won't have too long a line.
Of course you could always do the ST BArths Services thing and that would guarantee your connection.
As you prob know the drill is arrival in SXM, Immigration check (fill out the form in St Barts--get it from WinAir ticket agent), remember you are "intransit" so will not need to pay departure tax (prob is already paid for in AA ticket anyway).
On thing we do, if they are available, is get a porter to take bags to AA counter, they will put you at the fastest line. Well worth $5.
One other helpful hint, get seats on WinAir near the exit door so you are first off then first in line at Immigration.
Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

When you check-in at AA show them your Winair cancelled ticket from that day and ask for your departure tax back. Its $30 per ticket.

 

[debo]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

AA does have a First class/Business class check in line at SXM...

 

[artejay]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

Let me see if I can help.

you mean connecting in SXM to American eagle TO San Juan at 10:30 or so...Is 1 1/2 Hour enough time.....answer....YES.....now what will go wrong..

First of all....It really does not matter what Win Air or St Barths commuter says the departure time is.....they leave when the Weight and balance is as good as it can get.......which presents a reason why 1 1/2 hours may not be enough....but highly unlikely!! just be aware

I have day tripped SBH 2 times and visited extended 1 time recently....It is NOT UNCOMMON that OVERPACKERS!!! most typically folks who do not go the caribbean often do not have all of their bags on the flight they take....so be prepared....if you have 2 people and 4 bags....you are not going to fly with all your bags from SBH to SXM these are SMALLLLLL PLANES......unless you are the only 2....ESPECIALLY ON ST BARTHS COMMUTER...WINAIR sometimes has a slightly bigger plane and I have found seem more accomodating...........But what you have to figure as a variable is....You will arrive SXM at say 8:50 with two of your bags....and you will get in line at american.....and then at say 9:25 another airline will bring over your other two bags...moral is....PACK 20KGs per person!!!!!!!! and that is a bunch!! 46 pounds or so...

So in short....1 1/2 hours on the ground in SXM to hit american eagle to San Juan is NO PROBLEM....when in SBH get to the plane and check in at least 45:minutes ahead otherwise it (Could) is going to get confusing...

NOW FOR MY REAL ADVICE....

I am not sure your final destination in the US so SAN JUAN may be best for you, but it is usually best as I have flown american maybe 10 times to Carib and at least 4 times to SXM to fly SXM ti MIAMI!!! even though customs in Miami is a bit of an issue...I prefer to by pass san juan....

Thanks

 

[albuqm]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

Thank you all for the responses.

Richard, you got it right. We leave SBH on Winair (scheduled for 8:30am) to SXM and then leave SXM to SJU on AA at 10:14am. I was hoping Winair would be on time and that we would arrive in SXM at 8:45am, which would give us 1 1/2 hours for the connection.

I guess I should check-in early in SBH to get our luggage on the plane. The two of us are carrying one small suitcase (the type you would carry-on in bigger planes), one duffle that is a little larger, and two small backpacks as carry-on. We can't get any lighter on the checked bags, but we may be able to leave one backpack behind, if that would reduce our chances of running into problems.

We live in Seattle so there weren't many options in terms of AA flights to SBH. Our full itinerary on AA is SEA-DFW-SJU-SXM and SXM-SJU-ORD-SEA. I remember I tried many possibilities and going through San Juan was the best I could get. A long trip but I'm sure it will be totally worth it.

We are leaving tonight and I can't wait to get there. I'll stay tuned to the forum during the day in case you guys have any last minute tips.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[albuqm]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

I just wanted to follow up on this post for those who are interested.

The connection in SXM went well. My conclusion is that for this time of the year, this early in the morning, we had more than enough time (1h 30min).

We got to SBH airport at 7:15am and the airport was virtually closed. The agent at Maurice Car Rental was kind enough to arrive at 7:30am (they open at 8am on Sunday) and picked up our keys and gave us our receipt, so we were all set to go. The Winair agent arrived around 7:45 and we were the first to check-in (no need to pay any departure tax in SBH, as it is included in the Winair ticket). Our luggage was under the 20kg pp limit, so no problems there. The other passengers got there early as well and we had a total of 7 in an 8-seat plane. The flight was scheduled to leave at 8:15am and we boarded a few minutes before that and were on our way on time.

Just a comment here. The flight between SBH and SXM was beautiful. We sat right behind the pilot seat. It was a nice sunny morning but we could see those typical localized rain storms in the distance as the sun was rising in the background. We could see in details some of the northern coast beaches and the small islands offshore. A smooth and enjoyable flight. Great way to leave St. Barth.

In SXM we followed the "In Transit" signs only to find out we had to go back because we had checked bags. No problem. Our bags were at the baggage claim area waiting for us. We grabbed them and walked right out into the terminal. Found the AA check-in counter and there were no lines. We asked for the $30 pp refund for SXM departure tax. The AA agents were confused but after asking around they came to the conclusion that they had to pay us our $60. So it wasn't straight forward, but don't take no for an answer. We got through passport control and were at the gate with plenty of time left.

Maybe we got lucky this time, but we had no problems with our connection.

Again, thank you all for the posts.

 

[KevinS]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

We asked for the $30 pp refund for SXM departure tax. The AA agents were confused but after asking around they came to the conclusion that they had to pay us our $60.

Good for you!. I am pleased to see that other people are getting their departure taxes refunded too!

Every person who doesn't owe the tax and successfully gets it refunded by AA makes it easier for the next person who doesn't owe the tax to also get a refund.

 

[fins85258]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

Based my our experience in late July you should be OK. However,....... if you have say a big bag and 2 carry on types like we did, WinnAir put us on a flight 1/2 hour earlier than we were scheduled. Our large bag came with us to SMX and our 2 carry ons arrived 45 minutes later. So ya may have to be prepared to sip on a Crib or 2 in the baggage area while ya wait.

Be Cool & have fun

Gregg & Karen

 

[Earl]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

Does anyone know if Delta and Continental work the SXM departure tax the same as AA?

 

[Mikey]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

Unless the procedures at SXM have changed since January, all you need to have the departure tax waived is evidence of your in-transit statue by virtue of a ticket from another island to SXM on that day. The smiling (LOL) ladies at the departure tax booth will issue an in-transit pass that will allow you to enter the security area. The onward (US) airline need not necessarily be involved

 

[KevinS]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

Earl -

AA (as well as American Eagle), Air France, Delta, and Corsair all include the SXM departure tax in their ticket price. I don't believe that Continental, USAir or United does. If you're travelling on one of those airlines then the procedure is exactly what Mikey said - bring the stub from your SXM Immigration form and your outbound boarding pass to the departure tax window, tell them that you are "in transit", and they will waive the tax. I haven't flown Delta into SXM since their inaugural flight, so I haven't had the opportunity to try for a departure tax refund.

Mikey -

As noted above, some airlines collect the tax in advance and include it in their ticket price. If you are flying on one of those airlines, and if you meet the criteria, then you don't owe the tax and are entitled to a refund from the airline.

 

[PBnJ]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

In our experience, if airlines include a departure tax in the ticket price we were unaware. We have used USAIR for the most part and AA once or twice. Each time we checked in at the counter, proceeded to the tax booth and showed our ticket to SBH and paid no tax and were given an in-transit ticket. Once did I have an issue when one of the lovely ladies told me I was already stamped days ago and had been on the island for two nights, and after looking at it myself, it was the stamp from the previous year and on we went. We have never paid one red cent of a departure tax out of our pocket to SBH nor SXM during our travel. Maybe it had been included in the ticket price, but I would assume that many fees are inluded in the ticket price. There is an issue of GQ that explains all the numbers and letters on the face of the ticket, including landing fees, airport fees, and any other fee that the governing country imposes. Some airports charge fees for runway maintenance etc. What I am trying to say is, if you are required to pay a departure tax when leaving SXM provided you satyed there then that would be exclusive of the airline fee which is probably a double tax imposed by SXM. When in-transit to SBH no money should come out of pocket, and also when leaving SBH. I believe that all fees are charged to the airline and then added to your ticket price and there should not be additional charges paid by you.

 

[Earl]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

The reason I am asking is that we are going to SXM only in Nov...I don't know if the departure fee is "prepaid" via my Delta ticket--really do not want to pay it twice; however, I don't know the procedure for showing that it was already paid. Going to SBH is no issue, and we are going again in Jun '06...IV is suppose to be there also.

 

[PBnJ]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

If you are going to SXM and staying there and not going on to another island and will be there for your entire time, I believe you will have to pay the departure tax but maybe somebody else will know for sure. Ask delta to list out the taxes and fees associated with your ticket to determin if it is infact included. If it is, get the tax refunded to you because you will have to pay it at the tax booth. Don't wait till you get down there, do it while you are stateside and the cost of the telephone call will be less, and customer service will be able to help you out in a more efficient way (i would assume).

 

[KevinS]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

Earl -

If you spend more than 24 hours on SXM then you owe the tax. If you don't spend 24 hours on SXM then you don't owe it. It's that simple.

You will have either already paid it when you purchased your ticket, or you will have to pay it before you go through Passport Control on your way out of SXM. There is little danger of paying it twice. Ask when you checkin for your outbound flight - the airline personnel will tell you whether or not the tax is included in your ticket price. I believe that Delta does include the SXM departure tax in your ticket price.

 

[Mikey]

Re: Return Flight - Connecting through SXM

AA does have a Business/First (Gold/Platinum) check in line.