I have brought one surfboard to Costa Rica before and have paid $100 each way (which is crazy) but I was wondering if I brought 2 boards in one bag if the fee stays the same or if it doubles?
they had a small articel in the latest Surfer which touched on this topic. When you go to check your bag in and they ask whats in it just tell them ,"surfboard" smile and be polite . If they dont ask you how many then thats on them . If they ask well it was worth a shot. I would get a double bag cause its gonna be a tight squeez with 2 boards in a single boardbag
iv played this game before... only to get fee'd and taxed and have to lug boards around everywhere. Rentals are everywhere, and some are pretty decent. There is a shop in tamarindo that rents firewire, CI, 7s, etc.... If you dont like the idea of a rental, bring the $400 that you will likely spend anyways bringing your own boards and just buy you a locally shaped board when you come through jaco / tamarindo / wherever. Then either sell it back or make a friend for life and give it to a local. bringing boards on an airplane SUCKS. After the fee's and the ding repair, you will wish you took my advice.
Recently went to CR on American. Had two boards (and lots of other stuff) stuffed into a 7-foot DaKine World Traveler bag. The bag has wheels and is considered a coffin model. So it's a significant bag. It seemed pretty obvious that we had more than one board in it. The check-in people - in Philly and Liberia - didn't bat an eye. As long as you're within the American limits (check the web site - my bag ended up at 58 pounds), seems that you will be charged by the bag. No problems with damage. And the wheels REALLY came in handy.
Depends on airline I fly continental to CR and I always bring two board and several times I have brought three in one bag. Find out what the airline policy is just look on there website under excess baggage if they allow 2 board in one bag for the same price such as continental then no problem if they ask which I think I was only asked a few times you can honestly say two boards even if you have three in them continental will charge 375 or something crazy like that for three boards and 100 for two its retarded cause it takes up that same amount of space, so its cheaper to bring two bags for three boards if that case, but I was travelling with a bro so we decided to take the risk and took 3 and when asked we said 2 and they dont look so your golden. Hope this helps... Yea there are rentals but honestly deending on where you are going first and if your staying put its worth the 200 to have your own boards. Lots of location around the world are acutally suppling surf tech boards which I think is great cause even tough they are pop outs and there are some guys that are against them when travelling and your destination country have surf tech avaiable for rent at there local shop or camp you know what your getting there is even a service that I found that will deliver surf tech boards to your hotel. I did this in Nica and it was great, At least I knew what I was getting.
I took two boards to costa in one board bag. just wrap the two together in bubble wrap and make it look complex as hell. I stuffed the board bag, so when they tried to take a look inside my bag they didn't even bother opening it up. i got away with paying for one board
If you are flying continental airlines you can bring two boards in one bag for the same price as one board which was $100 each way. If you bring three it jumps to like 350-400 dollars crazy! I think bringing your own board is a must! If you bring two sell one when your down there and it will pay for the baggage fees!
Yep Sweet-talk, smoke and mirrors...remember these guys deal with complete a-holes all day long, so a little common courtesy goes a long way. I personally go for the ladies, especially ones who appear stressed as hell. Step right up with a smile and even a little friendly flirting. Comment on her pretty necklace or whatever...just be nice! I traveled to NorCal last winter with a 7ft coffin (3 boards) and didn't pay a dime on my way out. Of course on the return trip, with United, a large angry woman refused to budge and charged $290. That was BY FAR the exception, however. Also, be sure to show up with no other bags so you don't get hit with the "consecutive checked bag" fees. I've had most luck with Southwest, Delta, and Continental. DON"T GO UNITED!!! That stupid company has screwed me so many times that I refuse to fly with them.
i always travel with two boards in a 6'6" taco bag and have never been asked how many are in it. btw..........if you're thinking about flying continental with boards, always check to make sure there isn't a board embargo when you plan to go. they have great flights to mexico and central america but you can't always take surfboards. they've lost me as a passenger because of this.
ditto...i will never, ever fly continental or delta. i've flown american to panama & costa rica w/out issue, but if i'm going to CR, i prefer to fly taca, which is the costa rican national airline. great people & totally used to dealing w/ surfboards, so they don't bat an eyelid. also, i've never had a ding issue w/ either airline...just pack 'em well. & as others have said, just be polite, friendly, & if you get a female at the check-in counter, flirt your butt off! all that said, air emirates still gets my vote as best airline for surfers!
I went to PR 2 years ago and when they asked to check my bag I said bodyboards and barely unzipped it to show that there was foam and when they asked to completely open it I *****ed like hell and ****ed around telling them we were late for a sponsor meeting because I was a pro boogier going to a contest. sounds dumb as hell but it worked and I paid $0 both ways when I had 3 boards and a bodyboard in my gigantic 8' board bag.
I've flown to costa via Grupo Taca (Lacsa) many times out of JFK. Always brought two boards in a double bag that is not very bulky. Was always charged for just one board. On some trips I didn't get charged one way. I'm always super nice and if asked always say one board. I use foam pipe insulation from Home Depot on the rails of the boards, and then pad with towels and some clothes, never had a ding. I did have the handle ripped off a bag by the conveyor, but the boards were fine. When I've gone with my wife rather than a pure surf trip I've rented. I still had fun, but it's not the same as having your own board you're familiar with, in my opinion.
this winter i'm flying with alaska airlines out of dulles to mex. last winter i flew usair with no issues out of norfolk.
