Flying to the Caribbean on Points: Watch the Departure Taxes

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated July 2026

The short answer: The Caribbean flips the usual script. There are almost no fuel surcharges, because US airlines fly most of the routes, but many islands charge steep government departure and tourism taxes, often thirty to seventy dollars per person, that can rival the value of a short award. The fees are unavoidable, so the play is to budget for them and, on cheap routes, to check whether a paid fare beats the award once the fees are in.

No surcharges, but watch the departure taxes

The Caribbean is the mirror image of Europe on fees. Because American, United, Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest fly most of the routes, and US carriers add no fuel surcharges, the airline side of the bill is basically zero. The catch is the government side: many islands levy hefty departure and tourism taxes that are collected on your ticket, award or paid.

The island departure taxes

These vary a lot by island, and they change, so treat the figures as ballpark, per person, and confirm at booking.

Island or country	Departure or tourism tax	Notes
Barbados	~$70	Airport development and departure fees
Jamaica	~$35 to $70	Tourism enhancement plus departure
Turks and Caicos	~$60+	Departure and infrastructure fees
St. Lucia	~$63	Departure and security fees
Antigua and Barbuda	~$28 to $70	Departure tax
The Bahamas	~$29 to $60	Departure tax and passenger fees

None of these are fuel surcharges, so no program change avoids them. They are government taxes charged on departure from the island.

Why this matters for short awards

Here is the trap. A quick hop to the Caribbean might cost only ten or fifteen thousand miles, but if the island charges a fifty-dollar departure tax, that cash fee can be worth as much as the miles themselves. On a short, cheap route, the taxes and fees on an award can quietly add up to more than a discounted paid fare would cost. This is exactly the case where paying more in miles is not the question; paying cash outright might be the better move.

The airlines

Since US carriers dominate and none add fuel surcharges, your program choice here is about the mileage price and award availability, not the fees. American, United, Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest are all surcharge-free to the region, so book whichever prices the seat cheapest in miles, then add the island’s departure tax to see your true cost.

How to fly the Caribbean on points

Budget the island departure tax up front. It is the whole fee story here.
Compare the award to a cheap paid fare. On short routes, a low cash fare can beat an award once the taxes are added.
Book whichever program is cheapest in miles. None of the US carriers add surcharges, so fees do not vary by program.
Remember the total-cost rule. Fewer miles plus a big tax can lose to a slightly pricier fare with none. See how the fee math works.

See exactly what an award costs

Stop guessing at point values. Look up the real award price and live availability for a specific trip before you transfer.

Search award flights on seats.aero →

Frequently asked questions

Do you pay fuel surcharges flying to the Caribbean on points?

Almost never. US airlines fly most Caribbean routes and add no fuel surcharges, so the airline side of the bill is basically zero.

Why are Caribbean award taxes high?

Many islands charge steep government departure and tourism taxes, often thirty to seventy dollars per person, that are collected on your ticket regardless of how you pay.

Which Caribbean islands have the highest departure taxes?

Barbados, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, and St. Lucia are among the highest, often in the sixty-to-seventy-dollar range per person.

Can you avoid Caribbean departure taxes?

No. They are government taxes charged on departure from the island, so no program or airline change avoids them.

Is it worth using points for a short Caribbean flight?

Sometimes not. On a cheap route, a fifty-dollar departure tax can rival the value of the miles, so compare the award total against a low paid fare before booking.