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[QUOTE=Cowpie]I've flown from Miami to BA with Lan twice in the last 2 years and both times I had no problems.
I just booked a flight in November from Miami to BA (non stop) for a total of $355 USD including all taxes and fees. They're running a deal of $299 + 5,000 KMS for LAN members. [/QUOTE]The only thing to remember is that most miles plus cash deals get you no frequent flyer miles. If you're an AA or LAN elite this can add up to 17k miles and almost 8k status miles.
It seems that reward tickets have become available again (at least on CO) for standard levels to EZE. I managed to snag a Biz class ticket, which I've been looking for 6 months.
Phew!
Flying to BA was easy, but leaving last night was a lot harder than my trip in May.
There was an addtional layer of immigration before check in, and full opening of carryon bags at the gate. Lines were long at every check and took a full two hours to run that gauntlet on a Tuesday night. This was in addition to the other checks we had before.
The point of this? Um well, bring plenty of time and patience to EZE.
Always try to be the last in line. Leave Recoleta 2 hours before departure.
And fly Aerolineas Argentinas if you can, especially for flights to Brazil or Chile. You clear check-in and customs in about 10 minutes in that terminal. Ditto for arrivals, there are tons of agents in the Aerolineas terminal.
[QUOTE=Jaimito Cartero]The only thing to remember is that most miles plus cash deals get you no frequent flyer miles. If you're an AA or LAN elite this can add up to 17k miles and almost 8k status miles.[/QUOTE]Also remember that LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador will not garner any FF miles on AA. Like LAN Chile does. (IIRC)
Dave
Yes, one of the disadvantages of Aerolineas is that they are partnered with basically no one. They award points, not miles.
But if you're going to use them several times that's not a problem. I flew them to Spain, Brazil, others and then used my points for domestic awards to Bariloche, Mar del Plata.
And they'll even let you go into cockpit sometimes, in flight.
Pappa Benito that maybe true for the rest of the world except latin America.
Last April all flights from Rio and Sao to anywhere in europe were heavily overbooked, including Varig, for many-many days.
Now with the absence of Varig (it was the biggest company in the area) I don't think there will be any price cut in the region.
El Greco
For those who said prices would be going down, you were right.
From LAX to EZE, Delta and American Airlines have airfares around $680 (including taxes / fees) for the time around Thanksgiving. These lower fares started this week. Previously, flights were over $900. Delta's rates jump up and down. With patience, you may get an even lower rate.
I tend to not like Aerolíneas Argentinas because they went on strike last year while I was in Argentina. Since unions in Argentina have a reputation for strikes, I prefer not to take any chances (since my vacation schedules are not flexible). The strike did not affect other airline flights, although strikers blocked part of the road into the airport and many people had to take a long walk to get to the airport.
Delta is advertising a sale to BA right now, 469 one way from ATL. [url]http://www.delta.com[/url].
Between Dec. 20 - 28, everything seems full. On Lufthansa and Swiss, more or less only full fare business (€ 7000) is left, also my attempt to spend my miles failed. Varig can still be booked, but the last thing I want is spend the holidays on some airport because they don't fly.
El Alemán
[QUOTE=El Aleman]between Dec. 20 - 28, everything seems full. On Lufthansa and Swiss, more or less only full fare business (€ 7000) is left, also my attempt to spend my miles failed. Varig can still be booked, but the last thing I want is spend the holidays on some airport because they don't fly.
El Alemán[/QUOTE]Definitely avoid Varig. I had a friend stranded for 2 weeks last summer because of their problems.
I sure as hell will!
I finally managed to get something with LH for around € 1200 to Sao Paolo, and another 259 on to EZE, but that was by far the cheapest available.
Varig is certainly one big source of the problem, as they had several flights from Sao Paolo and Rio running to various European cities, and all thet's gone, and the others don't put in additional planes, but are just happy that they can sell the expensive seats as well.
There still is Alitalia and Air France, and Iberia, but I have my reasons to avoid those. And going through Atlanta with Delta also is not exactly fun.
El Alemán
You might also look into connecting through Miami with LAN or (gag) American. I haven't checked the pricing but I do remember seeing a lot of flights south before.
Hope this helps.
Tuna
[QUOTE=HeadGames]Delta is advertising a sale to BA right now, 469 one way from ATL. [url]http://www.delta.com[/url].[/QUOTE]$938 plus taxes and fees. Not as bad as before. I hate that "469* one way based on a round trip" bullshit.
AA has a fare with a layover of about four hours each way in Miami for $764.50 all in. A long time to sit in an airport.
Dave