FMM (Tourist card) with Award Ticket
 

We're going to Cancun in January, flying in on American Airlines, but with award tickets issued by British Air, using their Avios.

We know we'll need a Tourist Card (FMM) and know that the $22 fee is generally included in the fees that go with tickets to Mexico. But, since this is an award flight, that might be a different issue. British Air told me "Call American Airlines." American said the card is "free" and would be provided on the flight...but still had no answer when I pressed on whether or where I would be expected to pay the $22 apiece.

Has anyone here had experience with this issue (Award travel and FMM), especially with American? I'd love to be more comfortable!

Thanks!

I thought the tourist card was free and handed out to you on the plane? Where did you find out that it was $22?

Interesting, I'm going next month on award miles and have in the past, but apparently this fee was maybe raised last month or something (last time I was there was last year). So I guess I'll find out. The fee is 322 pesos, which is around US$18 right now. Apparently, they are working on a website to do it online but it isn't done yet, which you wouldn't want to do if it's included in your ticket.
I don't think it's ever been "free", except maybe for people coming by land for a few days. It's in the taxes and fees on your airline ticket usually.

This may not be too official, but USAToday claims it is usually included in your ticket, if not, you can get one upon landing. http://traveltips.usatoday.com/file-...co-102169.html

Maybe better info http://www.mexperience.com/blog/your...st-permit-fmm/

I'll call my airline now and ask them, the issue never came up. I'm flying American also but on American points. As long as you can get one upon landing if you don't get one from the airline , I really don't care if I have to pay the $18.

Suze, the FMM is "free" in that the fee is included (hidden?) in the airfare. So, I can see why the OP is curious. I would think that if the OP makes sure his/her FMM gets the INM stamp, then that would be good enough when they surrender it upon departure. The INM official wouldn't know one way or another if the fee was paid by award miles or not. Nor would I think, the stewards as they hand them out. I've used miles a couple of times and never doled out any cash.

baldone, Thank you. I looked at my ticket for an upcoming trip but they have "taxes and fees" lumped into one category so I couldn't see the tourist card broken out as a separate line item.

Since they hand the forms out to everyone on the plane, I'm wondering how they would know who's paid and who hasn't?