General Info

[JohnnyWalker55]

Spent 82 days already this year in Colombia and going back to Bogota next month to use all my 180 days for the tourist visa.

I have done this exact thing the past three years, and extended my visa online through the Colombian immigration website (prerroga de permancia) from 90 to 180 days with zero problems.

I have submitted the extension paperwork three times this past month, hoping it was just a disgruntled employee rejecting me, and each time received a "rechazo" (rejection) response from them with no other explanation.

Pretty annoying.

I even included my return ticket back to the states, along with my passport bio and entry / exit stamp from earlier this year in the documentation.

I'm going to have to go in person to the immigration office when I land for the visa extension, I hope to god they extend it.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks for your time as always.

JW.

[LatinaLover#1]

I'm trying to find how time in advance will be a lotted to complete the Colombian migration docs before departure?

Last I flew it was only 24 hours in advance and link was sent from carrier (JetBlue).

I almost missed my last flight because of the difficulties I had at airport trying to complete form at airport -.

If your not to hip with the phones and apps I would make sure you complete this before arrival at airport.

When it first came out the Check-mig was a pain in the ass. I once actually cancelled a trip to Colombia because I was so frustrated and returned a few days later once I got it down. For me. The form seems easier using my Iphone than my laptop.

[Fun Luvr]

When you access the site after selecting language and mean of transport the disclaimer pops up letting users know it can be done 72 hours before departure and up to 1 hour before the trip closes.

The site says 72 hours, but it's actually less than that. The drop-down box lists three dates, which includes the day you access it. It would be more accurate to say two calendar days before the day of your flight. It's just a technicality; but if I had a Wednesday morning flight, I would expect to be able to check in Sunday afternoon, which is not possible.

[SethMacfarlane]

Cartagena seem to have the drawback of higher (tourist) prices but maybe the benefit of a fun tourist-destination. Right?

Don't forget the ridiculous humidity in CTG, that and all the touts put it way behind BOG or MDE for me. But otherwise, a good time.

[SethMacfarlane]

Amex allows you a credit on baggage fees, but Spirit, Avianca, and Viva are not a part of their network, so you are stuck with those fees even if you use Amex. I have gotten around baggage fees by using a United credit card for United flights and having gold status with American in addition to having the Amex card. Thing is that even with the baggage fees Spirit and Viva are often way cheaper. Avianca seems just as expensive as the American airlines.

If you can get the global entry, do it. With the included TSA precheck and global entry, I get through security at most airports in less than 5 minutes and through American customs in less than 2.

If you travel more than 3 times a year, these perks are well worth it. They seem expensive until you are in a crowded airport for hours at a time.

Amex is the tits and definitely worth the price of admission. In regards to the baggage or seat selection, spirit is definitely an option. Used it a few times to CO and just used it this week for a domestic flight. I normally use it for the big front seat selection. Plus priority pass is fantastic In CO and Asia, or hell most places internationally compared to the crap we have stateside. Also, don't forget the clear credit on personal and biz platinum. Clear plus pre check is a god send when leaving the states.

[JjBee62]

I'm trying to find how time in advance will be a lotted to complete the Colombian migration docs before departure?

Last I flew it was only 24 hours in advance and link was sent from carrier (JetBlue).

I almost missed my last flight because of the difficulties I had at airport trying to complete form at airport -.

If your not to hip with the phones and apps I would make sure you complete this before arrival at airport.

You can complete it up to 72 hours in advance.

[Nypher]

I'm trying to find how time in advance will be a lotted to complete the Colombian migration docs before departure?

Last I flew it was only 24 hours in advance and link was sent from carrier (JetBlue).

I almost missed my last flight because of the difficulties I had at airport trying to complete form at airport -.

If your not to hip with the phones and apps I would make sure you complete this before arrival at airport.

I've never used the link from JetBlue and always went to the site directly.

https://apps.migracioncolombia.gov.c...reregistro.jsf

When you access the site after selecting language and mean of transport the disclaimer pops up letting users know it can be done 72 hours before departure and up to 1 hour before the trip closes.

I usually travel with my laptop and it makes it much easier than doing it on a phone and I normally fill it out the night before the flight before going out to party as I'm usually too messed up to want to do anything in the morning. So the more I do the night before while I'm sober the less I have to worry about I may have forgotten in the morning of when I'm hung over LOL.

I would suggest filling it out 48 hours before your departure date as it gives you one less thing to worry about on departure date.

I've seen many battle this hurdle at the airport in CTG after they pass the passport control and going to the Immigration Officer only to be sent back out to complete it and they are scrambling to try completing it on their phone or don't understand what they are supposed to do.

[Adinga]

I'm trying to find how time in advance will be a lotted to complete the Colombian migration docs before departure?

Last I flew it was only 24 hours in advance and link was sent from carrier (JetBlue).

I almost missed my last flight because of the difficulties I had at airport trying to complete form at airport -.

If your not to hip with the phones and apps I would make sure you complete this before arrival at airport.

[Adinga]

Avianca also charges $45 for a carry on. I purchased over the phone with credit card. The Avianca telecommunications system is a nightmare with 5 of my calls being disconnected in one hour. Its the SOS "please go to the website".

[Cucumber]

Thanks to all who replied to my questions about Southeast Asia vs Colombia. The Colombia thread seems friendly and helpful.

[Elvis 2008]

Thanks all for your insights. My home destination is Denver. Leaving MDE on September 29. I bought the Spirit with 6 h layover in MIA. I know I'll be tired enough to not willing to risk to miss the connection and have to fight during the night to find the a new one. In a 6 h layover I have 3 h for all the security checks and then only 3 h waiting idle on a seat.

Spirit is expensive on bags: Carry-On=$46.20 Checked bag=$40.95. The checked bag is only for 40 lb instead of 50. I guess they hope on travelers error to charge the extra at the airport. The one-way went up to $330, bought directly on their site.

I use Skyscanner for searching, are you aware of any better search engine?

Kayak allows you to do +/- 3 days on fares. It is not better than skyscanner as a search engine but it allows you to find different fares more easily. It also lets you more easily pick two one way fares more easily than skyscanner does.

As for your layover, Miami has a really nice Amex Centurion club, but you need an Amex Platinum to get in, and it is a $695 annual fee, but here is the thing. You can get 4 cards for $865 so you can get them for a little over $200 if you have people you can trust with a credit card.

The food at these clubs is great. They have a full bar, and time flies when you are there. $695 seems like a lot but when you add up all the perks it is quite the value: https://www.cnbc.com/select/is-the-a...inum-worth-it/.

The real kicker though is the points offer up front. https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-ca...rd/100k-offer/.

So if you use the card and get the points, that will pay for anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks of a free stay at a nice hotel in Colombia. In essence, you are paying nothing for the card the first year.

Unfortunately, FLL does not have a centurion club like Miami.

Amex allows you a credit on baggage fees, but Spirit, Avianca, and Viva are not a part of their network, so you are stuck with those fees even if you use Amex. I have gotten around baggage fees by using a United credit card for United flights and having gold status with American in addition to having the Amex card. Thing is that even with the baggage fees Spirit and Viva are often way cheaper. Avianca seems just as expensive as the American airlines.

If you can get the global entry, do it. With the included TSA precheck and global entry, I get through security at most airports in less than 5 minutes and through American customs in less than 2.

If you travel more than 3 times a year, these perks are well worth it. They seem expensive until you are in a crowded airport for hours at a time.

[Fun Luvr]

Thanks all for your insights. My home destination is Denver. Leaving MDE on September 29. I bought the Spirit with 6 h layover in MIA. I know I'll be tired enough to not willing to risk to miss the connection and have to fight during the night to find the a new one. In a 6 h layover I have 3 h for all the security checks and then only 3 h waiting idle on a seat.

Spirit is expensive on bags: Carry-On=$46.20 Checked bag=$40.95. The checked bag is only for 40 lb instead of 50. I guess they hope on travelers error to charge the extra at the airport. The one-way went up to $330, bought directly on their site.

I use Skyscanner for searching, are you aware of any better search engine?

Copa has a flight on September 29 for $392, which includes seat selection, carry-on bag, and one checked bag (50 lbs). You also get a hot meal. Connection is in Panama.

[Arthur62]

But only if you buy the Blue fare for about an extra 70/80 bucks. The base ticket called Blue Basic does not include any of that.

Thanks all for your insights. My home destination is Denver. Leaving MDE on September 29. I bought the Spirit with 6 h layover in MIA. I know I'll be tired enough to not willing to risk to miss the connection and have to fight during the night to find the a new one. In a 6 h layover I have 3 h for all the security checks and then only 3 h waiting idle on a seat.

Spirit is expensive on bags: Carry-On=$46.20 Checked bag=$40.95. The checked bag is only for 40 lb instead of 50. I guess they hope on travelers error to charge the extra at the airport. The one-way went up to $330, bought directly on their site.

I use Skyscanner for searching, are you aware of any better search engine?

[LatinaLover#1]

Not true at all. I flew JetBlue Monday last week from Cuba to Fort Lauderdale, FL and a carry-on bag was included. I did not have to pay for it and it was and international flight. I also flew Viva from Medellin to Miami and carry-on was included. Spirit does charge for carry-on as well as Frontier.

But only if you buy the Blue fare for about an extra 70/80 bucks. The base ticket called Blue Basic does not include any of that.

[MongerHunger]

Flew a lot on Jetblue they had good fares and did a great job but now under the new regulations they have become another Spirit. Pay for everything, carry on, check bag international, pay for a seat etc.

Not true at all. I flew JetBlue Monday last week from Cuba to Fort Lauderdale, FL and a carry-on bag was included. I did not have to pay for it and it was and international flight. I also flew Viva from Medellin to Miami and carry-on was included. Spirit does charge for carry-on as well as Frontier.