Increased JetBlue Award Fees to SXM

[BostonAndy]

I booked my late March trip to SBH about a month ago. Round Trip non-stop BOS <-> SXM was about 30000 points + $91 in 'Fees' (Mostly SXM departure tax). Quite reasonable, I thought.

But I check regularly to see if prices drop --- as I can re-book with no change fees.

I was surprised to see that recently the 'Fee' portion of the trip increased to $137.50 (the point portion has largely remained static). Has SXM increased their fees? Is this some new US International Fee? Or is JetBlue just trying to squeeze more out of their loyal TrueBlue members?

 

[Dennis]

gotta make up for the last 24 hours of lost revenue.

 

[BostonAndy]

Fees now back down to $91. Not sure what is happening here. Unrelated to the recent WestJet incident at SXM -- as the fee increase predated that event.

I do see that St. Maarten has been considering both departure tax increases as well as a new 'arrival' fee. Perhaps JetBlue was trying to get ahead of the curve. I don't think they can go back and charge for increased taxes once a ticket has already been sold.

 

[cassidain]

What cabin class for 30,000 points ?

 

[BostonAndy]

Well JetBlue really only has economy on these flights (no 'Mint') -- but given my Mosaic status, this includes 'Even More Space' seats.

 

[cassidain]

i see. thought that sounded like very few points for front cabin.

 

[BostonAndy]

Well I do get Tate's Chocolate Chip cookies -- so there's that.

 

[Dennis]

Well I do get Tate's Chocolate Chip cookies -- so there's that.

A bag is always in my freezer!

 

[amyb]

A bag is always in my freezer!

We have them in Sarasota and Phil keeps his cookie pantry well stocked you know. Tates, a Product made in Southampton Long Island.

 

[bkeats]

Mint

JetBlue mint to SXM is better than any other front of plane service. Fully flat reclining seats and the pantry for drinks is pretty sweet. I like the specialty cocktail they often have.

 

[cassidain]

Looks nice. We don't have JetBlue service in our small market. We just flew "Delta One" to Malpensa and back from Marco Polo on an Airbus 330-300 and Boeing 767. Ed is really milking these high-mileage jets with dated, old-school biz class accommodations. Shudder to think of the horrors going on in back of airship.