Mexico Tourism Tax Refund
If you are a Temporary/Permanent Resident of Mexico and travel by air to, from and through Mexico, you might be eligible for a refund of the Mexican Tourism Tax included in the price of your ticket–usually in the $25.00 to $30.00 USD range-within 12 months of the ticket issuance.
Each airline has their own procedural requirements for applying for the refund so you will want to check with your carrier for their specifications, but whether traveling as an individual, a couple or a family, those total amounts can really add up and it is absolutely worth taking the time to apply for!
I recently went through the process with both Alaska & Delta Airlines and will walk you through my experience with each. I hope the information is helpful and paves the way for you to get your refund(s)!
Alaska Airline
With Alaska Airline we used to simply request a tourism tax refund form the ticket agent when checking in, fill it out right then and there and then receive the refund within a couple of weeks. But the last few times we have flown Alaska, we were instructed to apply online.
I got onto Alaska’s online chat and the agent instructed me to do one of the following (I did both for good measure):
1. Fax to #206-392-7587:
- Passenger’s Name as Appears on Ticket
- Confirmation Number
- Ticket number
- Copy of Both Front and Back of Mexico Permanent Resident Card
or
2. Mail All of The Above Documentation to:
Alaska Airline
Refunds Department
P.O Box 68900
Seattle, WA
98168
I was told to expect the refund in 7 to 10 business days and did in fact receive it within this timeframe.
Last Summer’s Alaska Airline Round Trip from Puerto Vallarta to San Diego (times 4!)
Total Refund: $116.08 USD
Delta Airline
For Delta Airline, I was first directed to fill out a form online, but the system wouldn’t accept my ticket number and prompted me to call their 1-800-847-0578 number. The agent took all of my information (full name, ticket number) and then, while still on the line, sent me an email asking me to reply with attached copies of the front and back of our Mexican Permanent Resident Cards.
Easy Peasy! We received the refund to the credit card used for the purchase within seven business days.
Our Recent Delta Airline Round Trip from Puerto Vallarta to Salt Lake City (times 4!)
Total Refund: $115.60 USD
According to both Alaska and Delta, there are also other circumstances (citizens, diplomats, infants under age of two, transit/transfer passengers) in which a Mexican Tourism Tax Refund is given.
Again, please check directly with your own individual carrier for their specifications.
I hope this information has been useful and puts a few dollars back into your pocket to be used for more fun, tacos, tequila and adventures!
Do you have any experience or helpful suggestions to getting your Mexican Tourism Tax Refund?
If so, I would love to hear about it in the comments section below.
Thank you! ¡Gracias!
Saludos,
Katie O’Grady
Others articles on this topic:
How to Get a Refund of The Mexico Tourism Tax by TEX MEX EXPATS
How to request Mexico Tourism Tax refunds for airline flights by citizens and residents by Yucatan Times
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Thanks for info, Katie! Did not know. I’ll ask for refund on next trip.
Hi Mikel!
You are more than welcome. Remember that you can apply for up to a year from the date of the ticket’s issuance (of course double check with your airline), so get working on pulling those records up! Well worth the time in my book!
Saludos,
Katie 🙂
Hi Katie! I was very curious and intrigued about this…but I don’t see that line (Mexican tourism tax) on any of my old tickets…is it only on certain airlines?
Thanks and hope all well with your familty 🙂
Hi Linda!
Yes, I too had to do some digging with a few of the flight receipts, but they were there! On several I had to click on the hyperlink that read “other taxes”.
Which airline(s) do you usually fly with?
If you have all of your flight records from 12 months within the date of the ticket issuance, and you are a PR of Mexico, you should qualify.
See if the airline has an online chat feature or customer service number you can call. My experience was that not “all” representatives where well-informed so it took a little persistence and patience but for 300 dollars, I say well worth it!
Good Luck!
Katie 🙂