jvelardo77
SBH Member
If traveling with carry ons and no kids you can make it work. But, since I now have children and checked bags it is work every dollar!! Vincent and the team has helped us many times and highly recommend.
Thoughts about Premium IV in SXM?
- Thread starter 901Traveler
- Start date
le_reve
Senior Insider
We have newbies coming next week, and talked them into using Premium IV to help with a tight connection on SXM - - this is after they take a red-eye from SFO to MIA, then MIA-SXM. We have never used Premium IV personally, but the high praise from all who have in the past made us happy to recommend to our friends to make their difficult trip here a little less stressful. I am sure we will have a good report first-hand next week.
Abycatgirl
SBH Member
Thank you!
901Traveler
New Member
Thank you all! What about if you have no connection in SXM, but just going to SBH from SXM? Wondering about the "lines of hundreds of people" and what that's about? We will book Premium IV for the return SBH-->SXM-->MIA, but wondering if those lines mentioned in answers above are just for connecting flights/immigration? I don't mind paying for peace of mind at all, but just wondering if we've been on St. Martin x 3 days then heading to SBH via WinAir, is the Premium IV helpful for this non-connecting flight, no-immigration transit?
shihadehs
Senior Insider
Tradewind VIP service is good also if you have checked bags...they get them for you so no need to claim them yourself and you bypass security. Coming home last few times we have not been escorted to our check in gate by the pilots like we were used to in the past, not sure why.
Also just heard announced travelers flying domestically into San Juan no longer have to show proof of vaccination or Covid testing.
One less hurdle..now if they would just lift the Covid test requirement into St. Barts.
Also just heard announced travelers flying domestically into San Juan no longer have to show proof of vaccination or Covid testing.
One less hurdle..now if they would just lift the Covid test requirement into St. Barts.
Happycamper
SBH Insider
901Traveller, we have a different view on SXM and the need for VIP services. First, people are describing SXM as though it is a 3rd world airport. It is not. It does get overwhelmed sometimes during peak weekends when lots of big jets are coming and going, but I've had long lines in Boston, JFK, and Paris. SXM was glorious in the new building before the hurricane. It is now not so glorious, but fully functional. We allow 3 hours to get through from the land side, or 2 hours when changing planes, because you never know, but it rarely takes much more than an hour. (You mention SXM-SBH as a non-immigration trip, but actually you will have immigration exiting Sint Maarten, in addition to regular check in and security.
Since you are not changing planes but starting your travel on St Martin, you should certainly look into flights from Grand Case (SFG) to St Barth on Saint Barth Commuter. So much smaller and easier to navigate.
If you were changing planes, we would recommend also using St Barth Commuter through SXM rather than Winair because SBC usually meets you on the tarmac of your arrival flight and escorts you through the transit lines, assuming you don't have checked luggage, which is yet another pointer...don't have checked luggage, then you can usually bypass several of the lines.
Do you 'need' Premium IV? Well, it is cheaper than first class or even extended legroom seats with priority boarding on Jetblue, so if those are your kind of thing, then sure, it makes sense. But if you are going through on a weekday morning, then you will likely not really be cutting anyone much in line (as much fun as that is) so don't expect much time savings, just emotional comfort.
Since you are not changing planes but starting your travel on St Martin, you should certainly look into flights from Grand Case (SFG) to St Barth on Saint Barth Commuter. So much smaller and easier to navigate.
If you were changing planes, we would recommend also using St Barth Commuter through SXM rather than Winair because SBC usually meets you on the tarmac of your arrival flight and escorts you through the transit lines, assuming you don't have checked luggage, which is yet another pointer...don't have checked luggage, then you can usually bypass several of the lines.
Do you 'need' Premium IV? Well, it is cheaper than first class or even extended legroom seats with priority boarding on Jetblue, so if those are your kind of thing, then sure, it makes sense. But if you are going through on a weekday morning, then you will likely not really be cutting anyone much in line (as much fun as that is) so don't expect much time savings, just emotional comfort.
amyb
Senior Insider
Eve,there comes a time when traveling is not so easy on your body. To know that experienced and caring people are around to get you from A to B with all your STUFF is a wonderful thing to be able to use for peace of mind and ease of getting you where you want to be.
Planes get delayed, parts are not readily available, you miss a connection. I love knowing Vincent and his team will get us accommodations if needed and see that we are as comfortable as can be.
There comes a time when you say WTF and are kind to yourself. Dennis, I am with you on this 100%
Planes get delayed, parts are not readily available, you miss a connection. I love knowing Vincent and his team will get us accommodations if needed and see that we are as comfortable as can be.
There comes a time when you say WTF and are kind to yourself. Dennis, I am with you on this 100%
Tiffany
Senior Insider
You just never know. Our flight from the US has been delayed before causing us to arrive too late for a flight to SBH. PIV booked a hotel room in SXM for us, took us there upon arrival, then picked us up for first flight over to SBH the next morning. Another time, Winair didn’t have us listed for tickets on our departing flight; Vincent fixed that before we even knew there was a problem. Then ANOTHER time, my husband left one of our carry ons on the SXM “shuttle” bus; PIV retrieved it for us within minutes. The service is well worth the price and really not that expensive.
D’acord!
TERP37
SBH Insider
Totally Agree!-I would not travel any other way--Vincent arranged for a nurse to come to our villa this past January to do our covid tests-just another service provided by Premium lV !!
SherylB
Senior Insider
Me three!! I will always use Vincent and his crew coming and going. IMO, that added peace of mind is well worth the money.
BND
Senior Insider
We are returning to SBH in July after a 2 yr absence. SB Commuter from SXM is booked for our arrival date and time, so we are going roundtrip with Winair. We have only carry-ons. Does Winair have an in-transit check in to SBH at Juliana like SBCommuter does allowing us to go directly to the Tradewinds boarding gate? If so, what would be the benefit of using PremiumIV service? How about on the return trip? Thanks! Can't wait to be back!
BND
Senior Insider
I am asking if we can land at SMX from Miami and check in at Winair without going through immigration? If so, what route do we take?
