The complete chaos in immigration at Las Americas SDQ airport

[JD Jones]

Jd we are cut from different cloth for sure. I am part woman. I am a shoe guy and have an outfit for every occasion. I also am a product guy. Skin, soap gel etc. Large checked bag, carry on and a carry on brief case.

To each their own, my friend.

 

[NanSanPedro]

I have never flown north with more than my trusty carry-on. It makes life so much simpler.

I'm guessing you select your seat on the airline website as well.

Totally agree. It fits in the backpack or it doesn't go.

 

[webmacon]

Oh, I've just read and realised that I completely messed up, at least I think I did. We were given a little piece of paper that said welcome to Sky The Lounge. But now when I read on BeforeBoarding's website, it says that after check-in we have to go to their special desk and we will be escorted through security and immigration and taken to the lounge. Which would have saved 2 hours of waiting in line. FFS. I guess I will know for next time.

I think the before boarding lounge is not for business seat travelers, I check on their website and it seems it’s for specific credit card and insurance holders or you pay online on their website.

Might be wrong but try on Sunday.

 

[NanSanPedro]

I think the before boarding lounge is not for business seat travelers, I check on their website and it seems it’s for specific credit card and insurance holders or you pay online on their website.

Might be wrong but try on Sunday.

Please let us know. If you pay, let us know how much. Thanks

 

[webmacon]

Please let us know. If you pay, let us know how much. Thanks

Will check with my insurance, I know BPD Black card does, which I don’t have.

Will let you know. Here is also a link I found.

Home - Before Boarding

Enjoy a comfortable and relaxing travel experience with Before Boarding services in the Dominican Republic international airports.

beforeboarding.com

 

[Big]

I think the before boarding lounge is not for business seat travelers, I check on their website and it seems it’s for specific credit card and insurance holders or you pay online on their website.

Might be wrong but try on Sunday.

this is correct

 

[webmacon]

Will check with my insurance, I know BPD Black card does, which I don’t have.

Will let you know. Here is also a link I found.

Home - Before Boarding

Enjoy a comfortable and relaxing travel experience with Before Boarding services in the Dominican Republic international airports.

beforeboarding.com

I found this, so I would have 2 accesses with my health insurance.

Memberships - Before Boarding

These affiliated credit cards grant you access to our Before Boarding Premium Service (Meet & Greet).

beforeboarding.com

 

[Big]

Will check with my insurance, I know BPD Black card does, which I don’t have.

Will let you know. Here is also a link I found.

Home - Before Boarding

Enjoy a comfortable and relaxing travel experience with Before Boarding services in the Dominican Republic international airports.

beforeboarding.com

it is definitely a good experience. I fly often for business, so I use the service. If I were only traveling to STQ once ,twice a year I would not worry about it. Anything more I would highly recommend it. It keeps you away from the sweaty Spirit masses that don't shower before they travel.

 

[Big]

I found this, so I would have 2 accesses with my health insurance.

Memberships - Before Boarding

These affiliated credit cards grant you access to our Before Boarding Premium Service (Meet & Greet).

beforeboarding.com

make sure you book a couple days before you depart or arrive..

 

[MariaRubia]

Jd we are cut from different cloth for sure. I am part woman. I am a shoe guy and have an outfit for every occasion. I also am a product guy. Skin, soap gel etc. Large checked bag, carry on and a carry on brief case.

I'm full woman and can't travel anywhere without over 100lbs of luggage. I even take a suitcase when I go somewhere overnight.

 

[MariaRubia]

it is definitely a good experience. I fly often for business, so I use the service. If I were only traveling to STQ once ,twice a year I would not worry about it. Anything more I would highly recommend it. It keeps you away from the sweaty Spirit masses that don't shower before they travel.

We were flying Iberia and they gave us a glossy piece of paper for the Sky Lounge which I didn't read. And a separate lounge invitation card. So I'm not sure if the Sky Lounge card would have got us through the VIP immigration lane? I'm definitely going to check before I fly from SDQ again.

 

[JD Jones]

We were flying Iberia and they gave us a glossy piece of paper for the Sky Lounge which I didn't read. And a separate lounge invitation card. So I'm not sure if the Sky Lounge card would have got us through the VIP immigration lane? I'm definitely going to check before I fly from SDQ again.

I bet you're gonna love it when you find out they even offer transport to and from the airport. Total experience.

 

[JLSawmam]

I bet you're gonna love it when you find out they even offer transport to and from the airport. Total experience.

I did notice that on the Beforeboarding website. I don't have a credit card or insurance that would include their services...if I pay to use them, that also includes pickup/dropoff? That alone might sway my opinion for using them here in POP!

 

[JD Jones]

I did notice that on the Beforeboarding website. I don't have a credit card or insurance that would include their services...if I pay to use them, that also includes pickup/dropoff? That alone might sway my opinion for using them here in POP!

YMMV. Give them a call and see what they say.

 

[Riva_31]

They are different. Las Américas and Cibao have a government placed system while Punta Cana bought its own system (more modern than the Dominican government ones.) It’s connected to Migración, but still different.

Also, there are so few Dominicans that go through Punta Cana compared to the numbers that go through Las Américas and Cibao that if it was limited to Dominicans only, it would be quite empty most of the time.

Foreigners that go through Cibao is relatively a minority when Dominicans make up something like 80-90% of passengers. In Las Américas Dominicans are between 50-60% of passengers. In Punta Cana Dominicans are less than 10%, perhaps less than 5%.

And that system in Punta Cana Dominicans can not use it.

 

[Lucas61]

Yikes! I'm leaving on Tuesday from SDQ to MIA. Having left the D.R. probably 50 times over the past 15 years, I'd have to say that a two hour wait sometimes happens. But if it happens because it is now mandtory to pay exit fees by card and the system is down, then that's going to be a mess!

I'll let you know my experience! Keeping my fingers crossed and arriving way early.

 

[cavok]

I have never flown north with more than my trusty carry-on. It makes life so much simpler.

I'm guessing you select your seat on the airline website as well.

I once went to Mexico for a month with only a carry-on and one small bag that fit under the seat. I didn't go there to impress anyone with my wardrobe,.

 

[Lucas61]

I don't understand this thread. It's titled "The complete chaos in immigration at Las Americas SDQ airport," but I can hardly find posts on that topic. As mentioned in my post, I'm concerned about the gossip (I say "gossip" because I don't have official confirmation) about the possibility that cash is no longer accepted at SDQ for the exit tax and that a credit (or debit?) card is required, and possibly that if the system is down, there could be confusion, missed flights, etc. Since I'm leaving on Tuesday, I'd like to get some clarity!

 

[josh2203]

I don't understand this thread. It's titled "The complete chaos in immigration at Las Americas SDQ airport," but I can hardly find posts on that topic. As mentioned in my post, I'm concerned about the gossip (I say "gossip" because I don't have official confirmation) about the possibility that cash is no longer accepted at SDQ for the exit tax and that a credit (or debit?) card is required, and possibly that if the system is down, there could be confusion, missed flights, etc. Since I'm leaving on Tuesday, I'd like to get some clarity!

Post 5:

It did have to be paid by card, supposedly, yesterday. I was reading the sign that said it had to be paid in card with no exceptions, watching a guy hand a bunch of notes over to pay it. So I don't think that rule is going to stick.

I would perhaps simply try to call the airport/migration...

 

[windeguy]

I don't understand this thread. It's titled "The complete chaos in immigration at Las Americas SDQ airport," but I can hardly find posts on that topic. As mentioned in my post, I'm concerned about the gossip (I say "gossip" because I don't have official confirmation) about the possibility that cash is no longer accepted at SDQ for the exit tax and that a credit (or debit?) card is required, and possibly that if the system is down, there could be confusion, missed flights, etc. Since I'm leaving on Tuesday, I'd like to get some clarity!

Thread doesn't make sense does it? It is an overstay fine, not a "tax". And it is not based in immigration laws.

I have heard that at Punta Cana airport people are still able to pay exit fines for overstaying their 30 day tourist cards illegally in cash.

Wouldn't be a surprise if that also happens at SDQ and other airports.