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Need to present visa at originating flight DAL?

nmlhats
Explorer C

I am taking a group of client to Cuba in a couple of days and have received conflicting answers to a key question. I have the visas for the whole group in my possession. Can they check in at DAL with only their passports or do they need to have the Cuban visa in hand? I was told by the Cuba travel partner that we need to present the visas when we check in (again) in FLL to go to HAV. I need to find out if I can give out the visas in the DAL gate area or if I am going to have to hang around the DAL ticket counter to meet everyone with their visa before they even check in at DAL. The telephone agent at SW stated that she thought we needed the visas to check in at DAL. Please advise if you have access to a definitive answer. I have traveled internationally all over the world and never had to present a visa at checkin for a domestic connection before the international portion. (In fact, never had to present anything but my passport until I reached the other country.....but I realize Cuba is "different.")

4 REPLIES 4

Re: Need to present visa at originating flight DAL?

nmlhats
Explorer C

Based on this, it appears that we do not need the visas prior to aour arrival at FLL (although I will hav distributed them at the gate in DAL, before the DAL-FLL flight). But that does not consider te fact that a SW phoneagent told me something different.

 

https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/Travel-to-Cuba/Cuba-Visa-Pickup/m-p/53270#M151

Re: Need to present visa at originating flight DAL?

DancingDavidE
Aviator A

@nmlhats wrote:

Based on this, it appears that we do not need the visas prior to aour arrival at FLL (although I will hav distributed them at the gate in DAL, before the DAL-FLL flight). But that does not consider te fact that a SW phoneagent told me something different.

 

https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/Travel-to-Cuba/Cuba-Visa-Pickup/m-p/53270#M151


Call one more time, majority rules...

 

Hopefully the agent on the phone didn't give an answer without being sure, perhaps the policy has changed, this can't come up very often, etc. - I think you've found what seems to make sense based on your research.

 

You could also try reaching out to twitter for a tie-breaker. That person has time to research instead of being on the spot for an answer, so results should be good.

 

Home airport MDW, frequent visitor to MCO to see the mouse.

Re: Need to present visa at originating flight DAL?

nmlhats
Explorer C

Phone agent consulted help desk. I feel like my Cuba travel partner (Cuba VIP Travel) answers this question every day of her life and nows the answer, whereas the Southest phone agent does not have to.

 

Re: Need to present visa at originating flight DAL?

nmlhats
Explorer C
Solution

Twitter says:

 

 "Thanks for reaching out! You would present visas at the FLL airport, as that is the international connection and where all of the visa resources are. Looking forward to welcoming you onboard! -Allison"

 

and 

 

"I double checked with my Specialists, so you will be all good to go. Please let us know if you need any assistance, we are always happy to help!"