Airlines

I saw this spoofing about the web. Much cheaper than mine.

[url]http://www.intratours.com/Specials/Specials.asp?SpecialID=36&Destination=BUE&IndexID=778[/url]

$476 from MIA, maybe now I can get on a fucking airplane!

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz]I saw this spoofing about the web. Much cheaper than mine.

[url]http://www.intratours.com/Specials/Specials.asp?SpecialID=36&Destination=BUE&IndexID=778[/url]

$476 from MIA, maybe know I can get on a fucking airplane![/QUOTE]Typical bait and switch. The fine print says if the quoted fare is higher the advertised fare is sold out. I tried every season and date up to December and all fares were higher. Dave

[QUOTE=Bangkok Dave]Typical bait and switch. The fine print says if the quoted fare is higher the advertised fare is sold out. I tried every season and date up to December and all fares were higher. Dave[/QUOTE]I'll tell you, those fucking airlines. You know what you guys should do as a protest? For the week of 27 August you should all take busses from the EEUU to BsAs, that would teach them!

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz]One VERY minor consideration, a Yanqui pig needs a visa to enter Brazil, since you are connecting on an international flight no visa will be required. However in the worst case (I do work for the airline after all and think worst case all the time) if the flight cancels in GRU I'm pretty sure you couldn't leave the transit area unless you currantly hold a visa for Brazil.[/QUOTE]I have though about the possibility of a problem can arise in GRU without a visa. I have another more immediate concern and likely scenario – checked luggage. When the luggage is checked with TAM in EZE, is it checked all the way to the final destination (providng I still have to claim it at the port of entry in the US) or do I have to claim it at GRU and recheck it onto the UAL flight since TAM and UAL are not partner airlines? I foresee a problem if I have to claim it at GRU since luggage claim is always after immigration. I vaguely remember few years ago when I checked my luggage on a Czech Airline flight in Prague, it was checked all the way to the final destination on a US Airways flight. But I'm not 100% sure. Does anyone have the similar experience and care to share your knowledge?

Thanks,

Sportsman

Sportsman,

You should not have a problem with your checked luggage, even though the arilines might not be "partners". I would suggest that when you get the baggage claim checks that you verify your final destination is printed on the claim check. That is the way you will know the destination your luggage is checked to arrive. Also the tags should show your flight numbers as well (although that info may only be on the tag on your bag) I am not sure of the relationship between TAM and Varig, but Varig and United are part of the "Star Alliance" so they do partner on many parts of the travel experience.

Enjoy your trip!

[QUOTE=Sportsman]I have though about the possibility of a problem can arise in GRU without a visa. I have another more immediate concern and likely scenario – checked luggage. When the luggage is checked with TAM in EZE, is it checked all the way to the final destination (providng I still have to claim it at the port of entry in the US) or do I have to claim it at GRU and recheck it onto the UAL flight since TAM and UAL are not partner airlines? I foresee a problem if I have to claim it at GRU since luggage claim is always after immigration. I vaguely remember few years ago when I checked my luggage on a Czech Airline flight in Prague, it was checked all the way to the final destination on a US Airways flight. But I'm not 100% sure. Does anyone have the similar experience and care to share your knowledge?

Thanks,

Sportsman[/QUOTE]This issue is baggage agreements. UAL has baggage agreements with most serious airlines. Southwest being an exception. As an example, Aerolineas Argentina and UAL have no codeshare or ticketing agreements, we do however have a baggage agreement. Which means you can check in with Aerolineas and fly to MIA then switch to AA and fly to DFW then go to UAL and fly to DEN. Aerolineas can make a bag tag covering all your flights and all the airlines can transfer the bags to each other. (this does not mean you should do this, if you do, your bag WILL get lost along the way, it only means in THEORY you can) You could not though fly Aerolineas to MIA, AA to DFW on to SAT the Southwest to Luv field. You would have to pick up your bags in SAT and transfer them yourself to SW.

Do I know for sure if TAM and UAL have an agreement? No but you can call TAM and find out. My guess is your bags won't make the connection even if they do have an agreement. They will probably miss in GRU and when you get to your final destination you will have to make a claim. Then it will take 24 hours for your bags to show up (only one flight a day between GRU and IAD) then they will clear customs without you (could take a day or two, Department of Homeland Security and all) then they will come to your city and UAL will deliver them. You may be suprised though, I would give myself 2 hours minimum in GRU to make sure you and your bags continue on.

If you get no answer from TAM PM me and I'll check at work tomorrow.

Nobody's lining up on my bus idea to protest how badly airlines screw you guys. Remember the week of August 27 (unless I decide to go a different day)

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz]This issue is baggage agreements. UAL has baggage agreaments with most serious airlines. Southwest being an exception. As an example, Aerolineas Argentina and UAL have no codeshare or ticketing agreements, we do however have a baggage agreement. Which means you can check in with Aerolineas and fly to MIA then switch to AA and fly to DFW then go to UAL and fly to DEN. Aerolineas can make a bag tag covering all your flights and all the airlines can transfer the bags to each other. (this does not mean you should do this, if you do, your bag WILL get lost along the way, it only means in THEORY you can) You could not though fly Aerolineas to MIA, AA to DFW on to Sat the Southwest to Luv field. You would have to pick up your bags in Sat and transfer them yourself to SW.[/QUOTE]You bet that in this circumstance they will lose your bag. It's almost 100% guaranteed. One thing to keep in mind when traveling, guys, is that you ought to take an overnight bag with you, which includes your toiletries and other essentials (such as prescription medications) as well as a change of clothes or two, in the expectation that the airline will lose your luggage. On trips of a week or less, I rarely even check a bag at all.

I flew IAH-GRU on CO, and then GRU-EZE on TAM the first time I went to EZE in 2003. I had no problems checking through luggage. I always take a few days worth of clothes and other important things in my carryon. I'd say that I have luggage problems in about 10% of the cases the last few years, flying 100-180k miles per year.

TAM codeshares with VARIG. I have several times been en route FRA --> GRU --> EZE, on both Lufthansa and VARIG tickets, and the last segment (GRU-EZE) was actually flown by TAM.

El Alemán

[QUOTE=Hunt99]You bet that in this circumstance they will lose your bag. It's almost 100% guaranteed. One thing to keep in mind when traveling, guys, is that you ought to take an overnight bag with you, which includes your toiletries and other essentials (such as prescription medications) as well as a change of clothes or two, in the expectation that the airline will lose your luggage. On trips of a week or less, I rarely even check a bag at all.[/QUOTE]Never ever check keys or medication, ever. I check things all the time and have never once had a bag misplaced but I still carry a change of underware and all essentials with me. Out of curiosity how many of you guys have had to make claims because your bags were not there on arrival.

Daddy Rulz,

I've had bags lost twice, both times on AirFrance from Paris (not my origin of departure) to Buenos Aires. The only reason I checked bags was because these were extended trips and I could not fit everything in a carry-on. Of course I still had a carry on with the essentials. Both times it took 4-5 days before my bags arrived (only one CDG-EZE flight per day) AF was never able to give any info except - "maybe the bags will be on tomorrows flight".

Regarding the what-if scenario on connecting in GRU as an American without a Brazilian visa, I guess only the EZE to North America leg could cause a problem since the GRU connection is late and if you missed it you would probably have to wait until the next day for the next possible connection. Ive connected in GRU and the process was very smooth - an agent took me directly from terminal to terminal and gate to gate assuming that I didnt have a visa, which incidentally I do. I doubt that GRU would have a transit area to hold you overnight for the next connection. They might have to let you in to the country and go to a hotel? One time at CDG I missed the 11pm connection to EZE (bags lost also) and I was very surprised that by the time (about midnight) I left the airport for my hotel, paid by AF, CDG was like a ghosttown. Apparently the whole place shuts down. And CDG is the busiest airport in Europe, I believe.

Thank you guys for the responses. I called TAM today and didn't really get a straight answer. The rep told me only at the airport can tell me if my checked luggage will be checked all the way to my final destination. And she warned me I will need a visa even though I'll only be catching a connecting flight in GRU. I have been to some international arrival terminals that upon deplane from an international flight I had to go through immigration no matter what, Stuttgart, DE for one. I sent them an e-mail from their website try to get a more precise answer. The worse case scenario is they won't let me get on the TAM flight in EZE without a visa. If I don't get a direct and straight answer, I just might have to get the visa to be safe. I have no plan to travel to Brazil in the near future but had though about it. This may push to it since I'll be spending $100 for the visa. When the time comes, I will also try to pack without having to check any luggage. Since this trip is during spring time in late Nov. That makes it a little bit easier.

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz]Out of curiosity how many of you guys have had to make claims because your bags were not there on arrival.[/QUOTE] In the past ten years with an average of 5 trips each year, in only two instances my luggage did not show up upon arrival. Both times were outbound international flights. Both times the luggage was delivered to my hotel the next day. Even since I got caught without the essentials the first time, I always pack everything I need for the next two days in my carry on. Return trip is a different story, obviously keys and other important things are always in my carry on. I read it somewhere that airlines never re-imburse for eventually lost items in the checked luggage like camera and jewelry.

[QUOTE=Sportsman]Thank you guys for the responses. I called TAM today and didn't really get a straight answer. The rep told me only at the airport can tell me if my checked luggage will be checked all the way to my final destination. And she warned me I will need a visa even though I'll only be catching a connecting flight in GRU. I have been to some international arrival terminals that upon deplane from an international flight I had to go through immigration no matter what, Stuttgart, DE for one. I sent them an e-mail from their website try to get a more precise answer. The worse case scenario is they won't let me get on the TAM flight in EZE without a visa. If I don't get a direct and straight answer, I just might have to get the visa to be safe. I have no plan to travel to Brazil in the near future but had though about it. This may push to it since I'll be spending $100 for the visa. When the time comes, I will also try to pack without having to check any luggage. Since this trip is during spring time in late Nov. That makes it a little bit easier.[/QUOTE]That sounds like a bunch of horseshit to me. If I remember I'll check tomorrow at work. However you can have right on your side and still have the counter agent not check you in. I've done that myself being in error. Immigration laws are VERY fucking complicated, Singapore may deny entrance to "hippy types" as one crazy example, and when there is a question most agents default to the path that will get them in the least trouble for being wrong. I could see a TAM agent in BsAs not checking you in because they think you need a visa. I'm about 90% sure brazil doesn't require them for through flights. Send me a PM tomorrow and I will remember to check about baggage agreements.

[QUOTE=Sportsman]Thank you guys for the responses. I called TAM today and didn't really get a straight answer. The rep told me only at the airport can tell me if my checked luggage will be checked all the way to my final destination. And she warned me I will need a visa even though I'll only be catching a connecting flight in GRU. I have been to some international arrival terminals that upon deplane from an international flight I had to go through immigration no matter what, Stuttgart, DE for one. I sent them an e-mail from their website try to get a more precise answer. The worse case scenario is they won't let me get on the TAM flight in EZE without a visa. If I don't get a direct and straight answer, I just might have to get the visa to be safe. I have no plan to travel to Brazil in the near future but had though about it. This may push to it since I'll be spending $100 for the visa. When the time comes, I will also try to pack without having to check any luggage. Since this trip is during spring time in late Nov. That makes it a little bit easier.[/QUOTE]I just got a Brazilian visa and it will definitely cost you more than $100. Best case is $110, and worst case is probably in the $200 price range.

If you can go to a local consulate it will cost you $100 +$10. Many local ones will not let you go in person, only use a broker of some sort. The cheapest broker I found charged a $39 fee, plus $6 mailing fee. So $155 is what it cost me.

I think that the airline is trying to cover their ass and say you need a visa. If you're a US citizen, you don't need one to transit.

One important thing to remember is that you must use your Brazilian visa within 90 days of issuance, or it's worthless.

I called work and had them check on a system we use called "timatic" it's a data base used by airlines (I don't know if TAM is a subscriber) to check entry requirements for citizens from different countries traveling to or through other contries.

US citizen transiting Brazil: No visa required providing you are leaving within 8 hours, on the next departing flight. No overnight stay is allowed, no hotel is available within the transit area. Make sure the TAM flight arrives at the same airport the UAL flight departs from. As an example if the TAM flight arrived at Jorge Newburry and the UAL flight departed from EZE your fucked. You are "strongly advised" to obtain a transit visa before going. [email]consular@brasilemb. Org[/email]

Baggage agreement:

UAL has a full agreement with TAM, meaning that not only can they accept bags from you to be transfered to UAL but if your TAM flight from BsAs to GRU fails for some reason you could in THEORY combine your TAM ticket and your UAL ticket to fly direct from BsAs if UAL had room. You can't just walk up to the UAL counter and try to fly, TAM has to send you (think of a check you get from somebody that owes you money that you endorse to a third party you owe money to)

All this being said here is my advice, check with the Brazilian consulate and see what the deal is with a transit visa, it might be cheaper and easier to obtain then a full visa. Check your bags with TAM but be prepared to have to follow up with a supervisor to get them checked through to your final destination. Go to EZE early and if you run into problems go to the UAL counter and ask them to assist you with TAM. If upon arrival in the EEUU and your bags aren't there be very nice to the UAL baggage person because I helped you a lot here.

Thank you for using the Daddy Rulz travel agency. We are also available for boliche tours during your stay in BsAs.

Ive been using that database for a while, although I never checked its name. I stumbled upon it while using the Qantas website a couple years ago (it may be on other sites as well) The URL is [url]http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/visaHealth[/url]. Theres no need to subscribe, its free on the net.

You select your nationality, departure country, destination country, etc and it gives you all the regs. Ive pasted below the regs for connecting in Brasil, which confirms and also adds to Daddy Rulz' post.

National you. S. A. (US) / Embarkation ARGENTINA (AR)

Transit BRAZIL (BR) / Destination you. S. A. (US)

Visited ARGENTINA (AR)

ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW.

BRAZIL (BR)

Visa not required provided continuing within 8 hours by same or first connecting flight;

And.

- not staying overnight; and.

- connecting flight is confirmed on passenger's ticket; and.

- holding other documents required for next destination.

Leaving the airport transit lounge is not allowed.

Transit visa is required, if staying in the airport hotel.

Overnight, as it is located outside transit area after.

Immigration.

Note:

Although TWOV privilege is available it is advisable to obtain a transit visa in a country of origin to avoid any inconvenience for passenger transiting Brazil.

Visa required if transiting in:

A. Sao Paulo from:

- Viracopos Airport to Congonhas Airport and v. V.;

- Viracopos Airport to Guarulhos Airport and v. V.;

- Congonhas Airport to Guarulhos Airport and v. V.;

Be. Rio de Janeiro from Galeao Airport to Santos Dumont.

Airport and v. V.;

C. Confins Airport in Belo Horizonte.

Those included in somebody else's passport must hold an Individual visa.

All visas issued from a foreign representation must be used within 90 days after issuance. If not: transit denied.

Non-compliance with the transit regulations will result in deportation of passenger to country of origin at carrier's.

Expense. Moreover, the transporting carrier will have to pay the detention costs and a fine of USD 2,000.-, which will be multiplied in case of recurrence.

You. S. A. (US)

Passport required.

However, the following documents are also accepted as proof of.

Citizenship:

- Birth Certificate; or.

- Naturalization Papers; or.

- US. Expired passports,

Provided arriving from:

1. North, Central or South America (if arriving from Cuba a passport is required) or Guam; or Bermuda, Canada or Greenland; or West Indies, Caribbean or Society Islands.

Visa not required.

If holding passport issued in Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands or Palau Islands:

Passport required.

Visa not required.

If holding passport issued in Marshall Islands:

Passport required.

Visa not required.

If being a newly naturalized national of Marshall Isl.:

Visa not required if:

- person has resided in Marshall Isl. For at least five years;

And.

- person is holding a Certificate of Actual Residency issued by The Marshall Isl.

If coming directly from Guam or Virgin Isl: pre-inspection by The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will have taken place.

Prior to embarkation, when passengers are required to provide.

Proof of their legal right to enter you. S. A.

If coming directly from Puerto Rico: pre-inspection may take.

Place by CBP prior to embarkation, when passengers are required.

To provide their documents and proof of their legal right to.

Enter you. S. A.

Minors: for detailed information see: For details, click here -

Iitems 2. 3. And 4.

If having been in or transited through Libya, special.

Restrictions apply (see: For details, click here)

BRAZIL (BR)

Vaccinations not required if not leaving the airport.

You. S. A. (US)

Vaccinations are not required.

I always thought that was some subscription data base. I checked some of the countries and that's exactly what I see at work. It's a great resource thanks for the link.

Thank you guys for the great help. I also got an e-mail response from TAM:

[I]Thank you for contacting TAM. You. S. Citizens transiting in Brazil do not require a visa providing they are continuing within 8 hours by the same or first connecting flight, are not staying overnight, and the connecting flight is confirmed. Please note that leaving the transit lounge will not be allowed.

For additional information, please go to [url]http://www.brazilmiami.org/consulado/English/visas/TOURIST%20VISA.htm[/url].

Unfortunately we do have detailed information regarding luggage transfer inside Brazil, so we recommend that you request at the check-in if is possible to send your baggage directly to the final destination.[/i]

Now that the luggage issue also has been answered by Daddy Rulz. That makes me feel a lot more comfortable. I will still try to pack with only carry-on just to be safe. Again many thanks to all.

AA is doing their weekend fare out of NYC again. This isn't a rock bottom fare, but better than normal.

Depart anytime between Wednesday, August 24, 2005, and Friday, August 26, 2005. Return anytime between Monday, August 29, 2005, and Wednesday, August 31, 2005. Tickets must be purchased by this Friday, August 19, 2005, 11:59 p. M. (CT)

This may be of interest to some:

American Airlines would like to offer you, as an AAirmail and Net SAAver® email subscriber in the New York area, a 10% discount the next time you book a trip on AA.com. We want to save you not only time, but money. Use this exclusive 10% discount savings when you book and purchase your reservation on AA. Com by September 9, 2005. This exclusive AA.com Discount Code may be used once, for up to six passengers.

Does anyone know of any tricks on how to upgrade a Delta coach award ticket (50,000 miles) from EZE-ATL? The business class award ticket costs 90,000 and I'm running low on Skyteam miles.

Get one of your Platnium Medallion buddies to give you a platinum upgrade. I have also seen them bartered on web sites before (strictly against the Delta rule book) They are also only valid with certain fares and subject to availability.

[QUOTE=Moore]Does anyone know of any tricks on how to upgrade a Delta coach award ticket (50,000 miles) from EZE-ATL? The business class award ticket costs 90,000 and I'm running low on Skyteam miles.[/QUOTE]With UAL the only way to upgrade an award ticket is through operational nessecity. If tourist isn't over booked and they HAVE to move people up to free up seats than no upgrade is allowed. Which does tend to free up Biz and 1st seats for us employees traveling so personally I think it's a GREAT frigging idea. Delta may be different though.

I don't believe that Delta upgrades their elites on most Intl routes. And since you aren't elite, your chances are almost nil. They might be able to use their miles to you / g you, but I'm not up on the rules for Delta.

Thanks for your comments. I am platinum medallion on Delta (once you get the platinum status its good for one year+) but my mileage balance is getting low. Ive upgraded before with paid coach tickets before, but as Da Cat mentioned you cannot upgrade internationally on deeply discounted fares. I am using miles (for a coach award ticket) so this is a different case. There must be a way to do this being platinum but without having the 90,000 miles needed for a business award ticket.

[QUOTE=Moore]Thanks for your comments. I am platinum medallion on Delta (once you get the platinum status its good for one year+) but my mileage balance is getting low. Ive upgraded before with paid coach tickets before, but as Da Cat mentioned you cannot upgrade internationally on deeply discounted fares. I am using miles (for a coach award ticket) so this is a different case. There must be a way to do this being platinum but without having the 90,000 miles needed for a business award ticket.[/QUOTE]With UAL you can upgrade discounted tickets but not award tickets. Sometimes for a lower fare it takes more miles to upgrade but not the gozzilion miles it takes to get a Biz award ticket. I think a call to the Medallion desk (if they have one) or their 800 number will quickly answer the question.

I think the only upgrade you might get on an award ticket is an op-up. NW gives free upgrades to Gold and Plats for domestic portions on a space available portion.

I think the normal thinking is that if you wanted a FC award, you should have booked it. Strange, eh?

Speaking of which, I just burned some miles on a RTW award, and am wondering if Air France from Paris or Alitalia from Milan is a nicer trip to EZE.

[QUOTE=Moore]There must be a way to do this being platinum but without having the 90,000 miles needed for a business award ticket.[/QUOTE]Normally 90,000 miles will only get you a SkySaver Award ticket on Busniess Elite, meaning capacity controlled. It costs 180,000 for non-capacity controlled SkyChoice Award ticket on Busniess Elite to South America from CONUS.

I couldn't use my miles this time because even though there were still 33% of the seats available, there were none available for us using miles! I asked if they had reduced the number of seats for us because I have always made plans no more than 3 weeks out and was able to use them. Of course, they avoided giving me an answer so I guess they did answer, huh?

They did say I could use my miles but only if I was willing to spend 90k of them. They're nuts! So I paid but it worked out because this was the lowest price I have ever seen with AA to Argentina. So I get 18K more miles so my next 2 trips are free!

3.5 days and counting.

Suerte,

Stowe

[QUOTE=Stowe]I couldn't use my miles this time because even though there were still 33% of the seats available, there were none available for us using miles! I asked if they had reduced the number of seats for us because I have always made plans no more than 3 weeks out and was able to use them. Of course, they avoided giving me an answer so I guess they did answer, huh?[/QUOTE]Again I only know UAL does it. Yield managment decides how many seats can be booked as upgrades. I have no idea how they come up with it but I see flights with premium seats open and can't book them as upgrades. Domesticly you can stand by for upgrades for any empty seat I've never worked international flights so I don't know upgrade policy. As a non-revenue traveler I can only hope the policy is tight as hell:)

Ive just checked the Airfares to Buenos Aires and I'm coming up with numbers that are just out of site.

There talking $1,500 and $1700 hundred dollars round trip on the internet of both Delta & American.

Does anybody have any ideas. I realize that travel has gone up since this oil price rise but thease numbers just don't fly.

Thanks.

Exon

Hi,

Continental just started direct flights from Houston, Ticket ran be $920, and try a travel agency. Traveland. Com is a good one or gateway travel. They both get good deal with package prices. Man I can wait to get back to heaven.

[QUOTE=NewOrleans]Hi, Continental just started direct flights from Houston, Ticket ran be $920, and try a travel agency. Traveland. Com is a good one or gateway travel. They both get good deal with package prices. Man I can wait to get back to heaven.[/QUOTE]These don't start until December 14th.

What are your dates, Exon?

Flights from your city seem to be around $950 plus tax if you pick the right dates. You can save about $275 by flying out of LAX. It would probably be cheaper to fly from your city to LAX.

If you have some patience, I've seen flights in the mid $400 range out of LAX, but probably not until January or February.

Flying out of your city, I see AA flights for $1025 including taxes. Dates until the 22nd of December. Just fly Monday through Thursday to get these rates. There might be a few days around Thanksgiving that are blacked out.

Thanks Buddy, check your PM's.

Exon

And I am sure many of you will. But I have been toying with the idea of flying my Colombian Super GFE amiga (known on the WSG forum as My Maria) out to BA for a few days while I am there. She has never been to Argentina. Before you tell me that I am nuts (probably true) does anyone know of sources for reasonable airfare? I am not rich, and everything I see through standard sources seems to be pushing 700 USD. This would seriously deplete my Buenos Aires Exploration Fund (BAEF) After all, there are so many places to see, so many chicas to meet:)

Any ideas? I have seen LAN Peru and TACA flights. Will check Avianca direct.

[QUOTE=Tbird]And I am sure many of you will. But I have been toying with the idea of flying my Colombian Super GFE amiga (known on the WSG forum as My Maria) out to BA for a few days while I am there. She has never been to Argentina. Before you tell me that I am nuts (probably true) does anyone know of sources for reasonable airfare? I am not rich, and everything I see through standard sources seems to be pushing 700 USD. This would seriously deplete my Buenos Aires Exploration Fund (BAEF) After all, there are so many places to see, so many chicas to meet:)

Any ideas? I have seen LAN Peru and TACA flights. Will check Avianca direct.[/QUOTE]You are clearly thinking with the wrong head.

[QUOTE=Tbird]And I am sure many of you will. But I have been toying with the idea of flying my Colombian Super GFE amiga (known on the WSG forum as My Maria) out to BA for a few days while I am there. She has never been to Argentina. Before you tell me that I am nuts (probably true) does anyone know of sources for reasonable airfare? I am not rich, and everything I see through standard sources seems to be pushing 700 USD. This would seriously deplete my Buenos Aires Exploration Fund (BAEF) After all, there are so many places to see, so many chicas to meet:)

Any ideas? I have seen LAN Peru and TACA flights. Will check Avianca direct.[/QUOTE]You don't bring sand to the beach.:)

On the other hand, if you have miles on NW, CO or Delta, you should be able to get a Copa or CO award to EZE. I know that CO will start flying soon, but I think you'd have to connect in the US, which would end up costing a ton of miles.

I show 20k miles for a standard coach seat, from Northern South America which is a nominal value of $400 for the ticket. I think this will be for just Copa. Probably 50k or 70k for CO.

CO has announced a bonus of 5000 miles for their new flight to EZE.

Earn 5,000 bonus miles to Buenos Aires.

Earn 5,000 bonus miles to Buenos Aires. Our new service between Buenos Aires and Houston and continuing on to New York / Newark begins December 14, 2005. Register to earn up to 5,000 bonus miles through March 31, 2006, on qualifying round-trip flights between Houston and Buenos Aires.

Register using Promotion Code 58032.

I'd keep my eyes open, as Delta, AA or others may start to get aggressive on pricing after Christmas. $400 fares would be nice.:)