Argentina - Travel Information

[Admin]

Greetings everyone,

The Argentina Forum has been moved to:

www.ArgentinaPrivate.com

If you were a WSG Senior Member OR if you had ever posted in the Argentina Section of the WSG prior to April 1st, 2005, then you are already registered as a member in the new Forum.

If you are not already registered at ArgentinaPrivate.com, then you are invited to become a member. Registration is free, and new member activations are done every day.

Thanks,

Jackson

[Hobby Fan]

Use a local travel agent to get you the local price. Board recommended: mayrabrill@argentina.com

[Un_Circumcised]

Does anyone know if there is a way to bypass the steep markup this airline charges foreigners for its flights within Argentina? For example, Buenos Aires to Comodoro Rivadavia is $547 US round-trip for foreigners, but only $185 US for Argentinians. I've read of foreigners who have gone to Buenos Aires, then got the lower price from a random travel agency--but this was a few years ago. I'm considering flying to Comodoro on LADE's commuter-sized jet ($173 US r.t.), but would rather go on one of AA's 737s if it wasn't so expensive.

[Pelicano]

Here is another package thru brol.com, includes hotel and may be extended.

http://www.brol.com/promo/riobueno/riobueno.asp

I'm going to BA in a few weeks and want to go to Rio for a couple of days. Is it cheaper to buy the fare "here" through Travelocity or buy it in BA at a travel agent? Right now it's about $300 with taxes roundtrip from EZE to GIG on travelocity.

[Pelicano]

Try varig, they have a special on a flight that goes thru RIO and BSA

www.varigbrasil.com/english/

I'm going to BA in a few weeks and want to go to Rio for a couple of days. Is it cheaper to buy the fare "here" through Travelocity or buy it in BA at a travel agent? Right now it's about $300 with taxes roundtrip from EZE to GIG on travelocity.

Pelicano

[Jaimito Cartero]

Lan Peru (I think) has some decent prices to EZE out of LAX. Only some flights are eligible, but this seems a decent price. I think you can get AA miles on these too.

[JustGotBack]

I'm going to BA in a few weeks and want to go to Rio for a couple of days. Is it cheaper to buy the fare "here" through Travelocity or buy it in BA at a travel agent? Right now it's about $300 with taxes roundtrip from EZE to GIG on travelocity.

[JackDaniels]

Also worth considering if you are doing a few stops in Brazil is the TAM Mercosur airpass - their version of the well known airpass.

For example BA-Asuncion-Sao Paulo-Salvador-Manaus-Rio will be about $580. This airpass allows you 3 stops in addition to you entry and exit airports in Brazil. The above itinerary allows you another stop if you want it. It is mileage based. So another stop within the mileage band will not cost anymore. The airpass needs to be bought outside South America.

TAM do not appear to advertise and promote this, so the travel agents are not aware of this. Best to check and buy with TAM direct.

[Cachorro]

Gol airlines will be flying from Buenos Aires to various destinations in Brazil, starting later this month. Gol is Brazil's answer to the no frills airlines (EasyJet etc).

http://www.voegol.com.br/espanhol/

The paint is still wet on this one, so you can only see the new flights on the Portuguese and Spanish web pages, not the English pages.

Regular prices on Gol are really not that cheap, but sometimes they have interesting specials. The cheapest I can see is about 500 pesos round trip.

For best results, book roundtrips and use the most popular airports
Rio GIG and
Sao Paulo GRU

[Jaimito Cartero]

I was able to arrange through Mayra a flight from BA to Santiago to Lima to Buenos Aires for $380. The killer is that it is only 20 kg so I have to pay extra. I carry many books. Travel light. It looks like I will have to pay $150 extra. $520 is not bad in my book. I am using both Lan Chile and Lan Peru.

On airlines that have very tight luggage restrictions, I'd try carrying all your heavy stuff in your carryon. As long as it's a standard size, they may not weigh it.

The worst that could happen is you'd have to transfer it back to your checked luggage, I think.

[JackDaniels]

Just an addition to the post on the 2004 board on ATM´s. I used the Citibank ATM in front of Galleria Pacifico and got 700 + 300 = 1,000 pesos in two successive withdrawals. So try this if you find other ATM´s to be temperamental.

[El Ricardo]

Here's a special from Online Vacation Center that looked interesting for any of you contemplating a trip in February. There's a link at the bottom.
have fun!
ER

Buenos Aires Vacation Package
OVC Exclusive Winter Getaway

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Nights
Includes Airfare and Hotel!
DEPART USA: February 23 or March 2, 2005
Six nights from $639 including air!
http://www.onlinevacationcenter.com/...5B9&logid=6091

[Will Fore]

I found a great site for buying fares originating in latin america. This is a problem we all have and their pricing is the best by far. If you are under 30 it is even better, but you don't have to be for some of their best fares. I was having problems with stays over 30 days and they have tickets for this that don't cost a ton more like the others. I got a ticket for 60 days travel starting on December 26th from Buenos Aires to Washington and return 2 months later for $694. It doesn't match my usual fare from Washington to BA for $520 RT but it is better than anywhere else. They also have good fares between south american cities.

Spanish only website.

http://www.asatej.net/menu/intro.htm

[Big Boss Man]

I was able to arrange through Mayra a flight from BA to Santiago to Lima to Buenos Aires for $380. The killer is that it is only 20 kg so I have to pay extra. I carry many books. Travel light. It looks like I will have to pay $150 extra. $520 is not bad in my book. I am using both Lan Chile and Lan Peru.

[Sebascot]

Happy,

American is by far much more friendly when it comes to using your miles. If there is a seat available, it is yours. I use them to upgrade, and have never had a problem. Not to familiar with Untied, but if it is anything like Continental's program, it sucks.