Can anyone tell what airlines include departure fees in their price. thanx keith

I know for sure that Continental does, as of last month.

American airlines does not as of October 2006

Thanx those are the two airlines I am comparing. 5.5 months to go. keith

If you use the search feature, assuming there still is one - you can get some good current info. about this.

I think American is the only one that does not include it in the ticket price. $35 USD

I just returned last week and flew American. Although the sign in International says the departure fee is now $36.50 U.S., we paid $32.50. I just always tuck away $35 in my passport and am good to go.

We bought our TACA tickets through American Express Travel back in July when a sale was mentioned here, and while I specifically asked if all departure taxes were included (the AmEx Travel representative said they were), we were charged the $32.50 departure fee each for 3 adults and 3 children and $3.75 (I think) conservation fee each for the 3 adults upon leaving BZE. The tickets were still a good deal (right under $300 each including all US and BZ taxes for IAH to BZE), but I felt misled by AmEx Travel.

When I traveled on Taca in Sept, the dept tax was included! Hmmmm... may be an airport worker thing...wouldn't be the first time. I remember one time when I had checked in and they gave me my tickets & boarding pass back, they had given me all the departure tax $$ for the whole day. I didn't even realize it till they paged me and asked for my tickets back - thousand some $$ in cash in the airline envelope!

I returned from Belize on November 28. I flew American Airlines and had to pay the departure tax. The sign at BZE said US$36.25 and when I got up to the booth to pay, she asked for US$32.50. You now pay after you check your luggage and get your boarding pass at the area just before security. I did notice that their was a MasterCard and Visa sign on the wall just before the booths. I forgot to ask if one could pay the fee by credit card. The sign implies you can.

We just returned from AC and had to pay the departure tax in Belize City. $32.50 us per person. We flew Continental and I asked for clarification b/c I was under the impression that it was included in our flight costs (as mentioned in a previous post as well) and the lady said it wasn't and it needed to be paid. I didn't have any proof or anything so we paid it and went on our merry way.

Interesting update to us having to pay the departure tax when we traveled with Taca last month - American Express Travel (who apparently book through Travelocity) ended up refunding us half of what we paid upon departure. We disputed the charges when we returned, and even though they said they had no record of me calling beforehand (even though when you call, they mention that your phone conversation will be recorded for quality assurance purposes), they gave us a refund. It was only half of what we paid, but at least it was something, I guess.

Continental in July included the departure taxes. Did you book directly through Continental? If not, like in our situation, maybe the middle entity did not charge you, but the airline did.

We always fly AA, and have had two times when they included the departure tax, and a whole bunch when they didn't. I think it depends of where you book, through the AA system, or through a booking agent. Sometimes, on places like "cheaptickets.com" they will say price includes all taxes and fees. In this instance, they should be included. Read the fine print if you buy online. One never knows, tho, until you pass through that line on your way out. Better to keep a bit of $$ tucked in the passport, just in case.

I am quite sure that people are being charged a departure fee that they should not be charged. I have been charged additional fees, varying from departure to departure, on leaving Belize.

Here is a quote from an email I just received from Taca. I will be very interested to see what happens when I leave next time.

"Thank you for contacting us Mr. Warren,

We would like to inform you that all taxes are included on your ticket already, so don't worry cause you won't have to pay anything at the moment of your departure from Belize.

Best Regards,

Atte,
Mirna Alicia Bonilla
Agente Helpdesk Comercial"

I would suggest more of us research this.

We have traveled on AA and Delta and never paid the exit fee directly.

We did pay the crummy US$1 or US$2 to fund whatever.

I'll let the travel agents comment - as they are most knowledgeable, but I believe there have been many changes made by the airlines recently.

I flew AA in late November, and knew I needed to pay the exit fee. You can check your taxes and fees on your ticket to see if in fact fees have been included (there are tax codes).

I have flown to BZE 8 times - all on AA, and I've had to pay the exit tax about half the time.

my experience is the same as you Gela, about half the time

Just flew US Airways a few weeks ago back to the US. About half the fee was included in my ticket price...I had to pay $17.50USD at the airport. And maybe $6 Belize to some sort of conservation fund.

Believe it was 32.50 a couple of weeks ago. But US$ only, the do NOT accept BZD........

I wonder what would happen if you say .... NO
Someone is pocketing this... hmmmmm

I've not had to pay it yet but was always prepared to. We have reservations for March so I've put the question to AA. I'll let you know if and when they respond. They acknowledged receipt of the question and claim they will answer. The ticket sure doesn't say just 69.+ of government taxes.

My last flight to Belize was on Continental ff points. I did have to pay Continental around $100 to cover off fees and taxes, etc. I did not know if I would have to pay a departure fee in BZ and so had my money tucked away. As it turned out, I didn't have to pay.

Does the Departure Fee say Departure Fee on your airline docs?
Here are the items listed on my tickets:
Airfare: 634.00 USD
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 29.00
U.S. Security Service Fee: 7.50
Belize Airport Development Fee: 15.00
Bellize Conservation Tax: 3.80
Belize Passenger Service Charge: 15.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 4.50
Belize Security Tax: 2.50
Per Person Total: 728.30
USD