Southwest's Belize Departure Fee: What's The Deal?

Southwest Airlines offers non-stop flights to Belize, with daily flights from Houston's Hobby Airport to Belize City. The airline is known for its low-fare concept, with fares from Houston to Belize City starting at $127 USD one-way, including taxes. While Southwest Airlines includes some fees and taxes in its ticket price, it is unclear if the departure tax for leaving Belize is included. This tax is mandatory for non-residents of Belize and must be paid upon exiting the country, either at the airport or via land/water crossings. It is recommended that travellers check with the airline to confirm if the departure tax is included in their ticket price, as it must be paid in cash if it is not.

Southwest Airlines departure tax

When leaving Belize, non-residents must pay a mandatory departure tax. This departure tax is $35.50 USD plus a "security screening" fee of $0.75 USD for non-citizens and non-residents of Belize. For Belizean citizens and residents, the departure tax is $35 BZD, plus the $0.75 USD security fee.

When flying out of Belize, the departure tax may be included in the price of your airfare. It is recommended that all visitors check whether their airfare includes the mandatory departure tax because if it is not included, it must be paid upon leaving the country. All departure fees that are not included in airfare must be paid in cash.

Southwest Airlines offers daily non-stop flights to Belize City from Houston's Hobby Airport. Southwest Airlines is known for its "low fares don't mean low service" concept, with fares from Houston, TX to Belize City, Belize, starting at $127 USD one-way, including taxes. Southwest also offers connecting services to Belize through Houston from Chicago (Midway), Dallas (Love Field), Denver, Los Angeles (LAX), New Orleans, Oakland, San Antonio, and San Diego.

Southwest Airlines allows passengers to check two bags for free, and there are no change or cancellation fees. The airline also offers free entertainment and $8 internet access on board. Southwest's baggage policy includes the following:

• One personal item - free of charge.
• One carry-on item - free of charge.
• Checked baggage/hold luggage - the first two bags are free, with applicable fees for additional bags.
• Overweight and oversized bags - applicable fees depending on weight and size categories.
• Sports equipment - certain items may have associated fees.

Southwest Airlines provides a straightforward booking process, from flight selection to checkout, and their Rapid Rewards® program allows customers to use points to book any seat on any flight. The airline also offers flexible travel options through its Low Fare Calendar, helping customers find the lowest fares within their desired travel window.

Mandatory departure tax

When departing from Belize, non-residents are required to pay a mandatory departure tax. This tax is payable at the airport for those flying out of the country or at the border for those leaving by land or sea. The departure tax is often included in the price of airfare, but it is recommended that visitors check this before departure, as the tax must be paid in cash if not included in the ticket price.

The departure tax for Belizean citizens and residents is 35 Belizean dollars (BZD), plus a 0.75 USD security screening fee. For non-citizens and non-residents, the departure tax is 35.50 USD (or 55.50 USD, according to another source) plus the same 0.75 USD security fee. For those departing by land or sea, there is an additional 'border development fee' of 2.50 BZD, and a conservation fee of 7.50 BZD, bringing the total to 40 BZD (or 20 USD).

It is worth noting that Southwest Airlines offers nonstop flights to Belize, with various promotions and deals available. However, it is unclear whether departure taxes are included in their ticket prices.

Departure tax included in airfare

A departure tax is a fee charged by a country when a person leaves the country. This can also be called an airport tax. Many countries charge a departure tax only when a person is leaving by air. In these cases, the departure tax is the same as the air passenger tax.

There are various rules regarding the purchase and payment of the tax. In some cases, the departure tax is paid at the airport, either at the immigration desk or to the airline. Sometimes, the tax must be paid in the local currency. However, some countries charge the departure tax in US dollars.

In many instances, the departure tax is collected by the airline and included in the flight ticket. This is the model that many countries are moving towards. For example, the Costa Rica departure tax is included in the air ticket, and has been since November 2014. However, as of July 2019, Lufthansa still requires the tax to be paid at the airport.

In the case of Southwest Airlines, one source states that the return fare was slightly more than the outbound fare because of the tax, implying that the departure tax was included in the ticket price. Another source states that Southwest Airlines' fares to Belize start at $107 USD, including taxes. However, it is not clear whether this includes the departure tax.

Non-refundable sales fares

Southwest Airlines offers non-refundable sales fares under the Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus categories. These fares are the lowest offered by the airline and include benefits such as two free checked bags, no change fees, free inflight entertainment, and your choice of seats.

If you cancel a non-refundable fare at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure, you will receive a Transferable Flight Credit for the value of your unused funds. This credit can be transferred to another person, provided that both parties are Rapid Rewards members, and only one transfer is allowed. For bookings made through a Southwest Business channel, transfers are limited to employees within the organisation. The expiration date for the credit is 12 months from the date the ticket was booked.

It's important to note that if you don't cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before the flight's original scheduled departure time, any points used for booking, along with associated taxes and fees, will be forfeited.

In the case of Belize travel, Southwest Airlines offers non-refundable sales fares that include taxes and fees. For example, a fare from Houston (Hobby), TX, to Belize City, Belize, was offered at $127 USD one-way, including taxes. These fares are typically non-refundable and may have restrictions and exclusions.

According to customer forums, Southwest Airlines departure tax for Belize is included in the ticket fees. One customer noted that the return fare was slightly higher than the outbound fare due to the tax.

Southwest Airlines baggage fees

Southwest Airlines offers a generous baggage policy, allowing passengers to bring two carry-on items and two checked bags for free. This applies to all types of fares, including Business Select and Wanna Get Away. The first two checked bags are free as long as they do not exceed 50 lbs (22.6 kg) and 62 inches (157.48 cm) in combined dimensions. This policy is advantageous for travellers, especially considering Southwest Airlines is often regarded as a budget airline.

However, additional, overweight, or oversized bags will incur charges. Each extra, overweight, or oversized bag will cost $75 per item, each way. Overweight items are classified as bags weighing between 51-70 lbs (23-31.7 kg) and 71-100 lbs (32-45.3 kg), while oversized bags are larger than 62 inches (157.48 cm) but not more than 80 inches (203.2 cm) in combined dimensions. Southwest Airlines also offers exemptions for military personnel travelling on active duty or with permanent change of station orders, allowing them to check overweight and oversized bags without charge, provided the bags do not exceed 100 lbs (45.3 kg) or 80 inches (203.2 cm).

In addition to baggage fees, Southwest Airlines may charge for other services and incidentals. EarlyBird Check-In, which provides passengers with a better boarding position and earlier access to overhead bin space, costs between $15 and $25 one-way. Upgraded boarding, which guarantees a position in the A1-A15 boarding group, costs between $30 and $80 per flight. Unaccompanied minors between the ages of 5 and 11 incur a fee of $50, and bringing a pet on board costs $95 per carrier. Southwest Airlines also offers in-flight purchases of wine, beer, or liquor for $6-7 per serving and Wi-Fi access for $8.

It is important to note that these fees and policies are subject to change, and travellers should refer to the official Southwest Airlines website for the most up-to-date information.

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