When you purchase a flight to Mexico, one of the taxes that will be charges automatically is the Mexico Tourism Tax.
It’s normally about 500 pesos (about $25 USD).
For example, here’s a receipt from a recent flight showing the taxes and fees:
Flight Taxes
But, if you have Temporary or Permanent residency in Mexico, you’re exempt from this tax. You can request a refund from the airlines, and they’ll credit that money back to you. Sweet!
Mexico Tourism Tax exemptions
American Airlines, on their Tax Exemptions page, says that the following people are eligible for a a refund:
- Mexican citizen (Passport)
- Resident of Mexico (permanent or temporary) holding a Mexico Visa
- Infant under the age of two
- Diplomat
- Transit/transfer passenger remaining less than 24 hours in Mexico; passengers stopping over in Mexico aren’t entitled to a refund
Since Elizabeth and I are permanent residents of Mexico, we’re eligible for a refund of these taxes.
Personal Experiences
Over the past year, I’ve flown three different airlines into Mexico (Delta, Southwest, and American), and I’ve received a refund on from all three of them. Some airlines make it easier than others to get a refund.
Normally, they ask for proof of residency. Each time I’ve submitted a picture of my Mexico Permanent Resident card (front and back), and that’s all the information they’ve needed.
American Airlines
American has a page on their website where you can request a refund. You can also check the status of a refund.
My last refund from them was completed in 7 days. Super easy.
Southwest
To get my refund I had to email them. In the email I explained that I am requesting a refund for the Mexico Tourism taxes paid on a recent flight, as I am a permanent resident of Mexico, and am therefore entitled to a refund of these taxes.
Send the email to: RefundsDox@wnco.com
Include the following:
- Passenger Name
- Confirmation Number
- Ticket number
- Documentation of exemption status (I sent a pic of my permanent residency card)
My refund was received within a couple weeks. Again, super easy.
Delta
Delta has a section for refunds on their Legal Notices page. They link to a page where you can request a refund online, but I couldn’t get it to work. IIRC, it wouldn’t recognize my ticket number.
So I called up their customer service line. It took a while, as the woman I spoke with initially told me it wasn’t possible to get a refund, but after some back and forth, and about 30 minutes, it got resolved, and they told me my refund would be coming soon. Interestingly, they didn’t request any proof of Mexico residency.
After a few days, I received a confirmation email that my refund was processed. A couple days later, the credit showed up on my credit card.
Additional Resources
Grant (over at the Travel with Grant blog) has a good write-up of getting refunds with other airlines as well.
Wrap Up
Depending on the airline, the level of difficulty in getting a refund is varied. But, it’s definitely worth it. Especially when you travel with a spouse or partner and double your refund to 1000 pesos (about $50 USD). 1000 pesos buys a lot of tacos here in Puerto Morelos!
Buena Suerte!
Credits
- Airplane Photo by louis magnotti on Unsplash
- Tacos Photo by Travis Yewell on Unsplash
I didn’t get charged this fee because I claimed to be a Mexican resident from the start of my purchase. So I don’t need to ask for a refund. My easier. On the flip side, I am also a US resident so if I travel in that direction, I will say I’m a US resident.
Even better, Donna!
Were you able to do this when booking airline tickets online? Which airline or booking portal?
I just tried to get this information for a flight Oakland CA to Leon, Mexico and was told by Volaris agent that I WAS NOT entitled to the discount/refund unless I carry a Mexican passport. He said that a permanent residency card is not sufficient. So, that is REALLY making it hard to get the discount! Since I travel back and forth regularly, I’d really love any tips to make progress with United alie
I haven’t tried with Volaris personally, but I read the Volaris section and the comments over on Grant’s blog post, and it does seem like Volaris makes this pretty much impossible.
Read the comments over on that post – some folks suggesting choosing Mexico as a passport country to avoid the fee.
For United, you can request a refund on their website: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/customer/refund
Thanks for this, but I’m pretty sure your Southwest email you list is incorrect. There is no site “wnco.com”.
Hi Shawn – thanks so much for the comment.
The wnco.com domain seems to be alive and well, according to https://www.whois.com/whois/wnco.com
Last year, at the time I wrote that post, I did send an email to that address, and I did receive my refund.
I have a hunch you may be confused as to how domains and protocols work on the internet. There may not be a http website at wnco.com, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other endpoints available at that location. There may be email (smtp), there may be FTP, there may be DNS, there may be TELNET, etc.
I’m unsure specifically what you mean by: There is no site “wnco.com”
But, if you need to ask for a refund from Southwest, that email address, as far as I know, is still valid.
If you find that that email address doesn’t work, please let us know – that would be useful information.
Gracias, y que tenga buen dia!
go to RefundsDox@wnco.com for Southwest
Hi Greg – yep! That’s exactly the email address I have in the post. Thanks!
Hi, I have had no problem claiming the tax back (as a permanent Mexican resident) from United, American or Delta. But AeroMexico are impossible. They say they only pay it back to citizens, which is completely wrong under the Mexican law which clearly states that permanent residents do not need to pay the DNR.
https://www.gob.mx/inm/articulos/preguntas-frecuentes-del-programa-paisano
They actually told me that Mexican law only applies to Mexicans, not to foreign residents. Ridiculous.
Peter – yea, that is ridiculous. Doesn’t surprise me though.
What about for Alaska Airline? Might you have this information? Thank you!
Hi Katie – The Alaska Airlines website has a page that shows their process.
Unfortunately, it says you have to fax or (snail) mail your documentation. Blurg.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/before-your-trip/mexico-tourism-tax
Good luck!
I don’t have my Mexican passport or resident card but I do have my Mexican ID (IFE INE) would that count because I’m trying to book my flight for Mexico City from Chicago and for my three family members my Fee is about 100 dollars. We all have our Mexican citizenships as well as our American. Any tips please. I don’t know if I should go book my flight with Volaris and selected a Mexican passport?
I’ve heard that if you use your Mexican address and passport when you purchase your ticket, that you may not get charged the tourist tax. But it likely depends on the airline.
Else, you might just have to try for a reimbursement after, and see what happens. Good luck!