When or where do you pay the taxes if you jumpseat?

"They" will direct to you the right place. Go to the ticket counter to sign up and go from there. Typically there is a separate Service Counter that handles that stuff adjacent to the ticket counter. Pay the fee, get the receipt and wait to be cleared - just like a non-rev. Remember unlike domestic, you will be cleared on at the ticket counter - as opposed to the gate. The reason is, you will need a seat assignment and boarding card before you can ever proceed through security and customs. It actually makes it a bit less stressful as they typically start clearing non-revs 40-50 mins prior.

The only exceptions are when transiting an International Gateway like NRT. You may be able to proceed to the Transfer Desk inside security and customs and cleared from there. Ask, and go with the flow.

One thing to consider for these long haul flights;

With a ZED fare you can enjoy a frosty adult beverage to help whittle the time away.

Jumpseating, you may not.

Great point indeed.

Another tactic if you are going to JS home is to pay your taxes and get yourself squared away with a listing before you leave the airport. (taxes in SYD are high btw, probably second only to LHR)
SYD agents are pretty squared away though and I've never had an issue on Qantas or Hawaiian for JS out of sydney.
Great idea to have a zed in your back pocket just incase though as you never know.

^^^^^ What he said. It's important to get there EARLY as sometimes the desk where you pay taxes may be close to the ticket counter. It was years ago, and can't remember where, but in Europe I was ALSO able to reclaim my VAT when I paid my departure taxes at the same place.

That is a VERY good point I hadn't thought of yet. Still trying to get cars rented, and rooms and tours booked. After looking at the cost breakdown on my wife's ticket though I'm not sure that I could justify the extra 200 bucks for the booze. I also feel it's more likely if I'm jumpseating and she is on a zed we could get an extra legroom seat out of the deal since they tend to be kinder to jumpseaters than passriders. I'm also planning on strbucks cards and chocolate for the gate agents and flight attendants. Unless you guys have better suggestions?

Or........pocket the money and NOT sit with the wife for 12 hours.....sounds like a vacation head start to me!

The last time I ZED'd myself down to South America I brought enough Trader Joes Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups to cover the entire crew; pilots and all flight attendants. While it didn't get me an upgrade (it prolly would have, but all sold out) it DID net me some complimentary grape-like juice...

Results vary, but chocolate typically goes a long way, and cheaper than gift cards.

On every long haul intl flight I've JS on, I slip on a incognito pull-over sweater after I get to my seat and have always been offered adult beverages. Heck, even the cockpit crew has told me to change and imbibe.


"That's against the rules!" comments in 3, 2 ........

What?!?!?!

You're not supposed to imbibe just in case NEITHER of the relief f/o's really know how to land, when the Capt. circles the drain?

And it's a 777 or 747. Too bad you're a side-stick guy!?!?!

I think I'd drink heavily!!!!