travelocity shows flights prices from SCL to PUQ to start at $600+ what is going on? How do I buy cheaper tickets from the U.S.?

That's what it costs. You might try the Lan Chile webpage (from www.lanchile.cl) (http://www.lanchile.cl)) and you may get a slightly lower price that way. It won't be much less, however. Don't forget that PUQ is far, and flights within South America are generally far. Also check out a few Chile travel sites - maybe www.gochile.cl (http://www.gochile.cl) (I haven't ever used them for air). Its a great place to redeem a 25K oneworld award for a domestic LA fight. Also, if you have a choice of times, take the 767 flight (1 stop PMC) - it doesn't operate every day, however.

There is a discounted J fare (which you can only get on the 767) which runs in the $700s. For 2 relatively short segments (1:40 + 2:10), its a very decent service. They use the F cabin sold as J seats (1 row of sleepers).

You will not be sorry you went.

You may want to do a google search on Chile Air Pass. It appears that air passes may still be available. I used this for SCL-PUQ-SCL a couple of years ago when visiting Torres del Paine.

Also, for good views, sit on the left going South.
Rich

Try the LanChile website. I booked SCL-PUQ,
PUQ-PMC, PMC-SCL for a little less than $200USD November 2002 flights

This is a little off-topic, but where would you recommend going on a 2 week vacation in Chile / Argentina in Feb 03?

Santiago, BA and Punta Arenas are currently definites.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mre2b9:
travelocity shows flights prices from SCL to PUQ to start at $600+ what is going on? How do I buy cheaper tickets from the U.S.? </font>

same high fares for flights from Beunos Aires to El Calafate (very south Argentina). I would assume that prices are cheaper IN Chile for locals (or using travel agent located in Chile that you can pick up the tickets at) just like the fares are much cheaper for residents of Argentina.

My travel agent, nor I, can get any cheap airfares for domestic Argentinian travel, I'm having her get me the names of some travel agents in Argentina that should be able to provide me w/the cheaper fares I'm looking for.

You didn't mention which dates you are looking for.

I checked the LanChile website ( www.lanchile.com (http://www.lanchile.com) ) and it is possible to get a round trip SCL-PUQ as cheap as $150 US including tax and web discount (restricted dates/times, of course). The next price tier above that is just over $200 US. And so on.

I recently used this website to book a three-segment e-ticket (Santiago-Temuco-Puerto Montt-Santiago) for only about $150 US. I was pleased with the price and the service. I was assigned seats at the airport, and was always given a window seat on the Andes side of the plane, without even having to ask! Took a few fairly decent pics of mountains and volcanoes from the plane.


Kathy

Bumping this after four years... :D

Facing same issues as OP.

I finally got fares below $600, but not great fares by any stretch of the imagination.

Santiago to Punta Arenas 12/26/06 7:30 am - 12:50 pm LAN Airlines
LAN Airlines

Punta Arenas to Santiago 1/01/07 4:25 pm - 8:40 pm LAN Airlines
LAN Airlines

Total ticket cost: $716.00
Taxes & Fees: $54.96
Booking Fees: $10.00
----------------------
Flights Total: $780.96This is for 2 pax.

Any ideas of how to get a better deal than this? I've held it until midnight tomorrow...

ExpertFlyer shows a Lan fare of $179 one way in H in September with a US point of purchase.

RT booked into Q drops to $202 when specifying purchase in Chile.

Thanks... yes, I must have been tired when I wrote my email. I forgot to mention that SITI fares in Chile are significantly cheaper, the $202+ roundtrip fare on LA is available with an SCL point of purchase. However, I can't see any good way to buy them online. It doesn't help that the Spanish I know could fit in a thimble.

I've been to the http://www.gochile.cl website and sent an enquiry but haven't heard anything back. They have an online booking form but in order to do a search they want all your personal details... name, passport numbers, all that. Not sure if I feel comfortable giving out that info just to do a search :confused:.

Well, all, I've just had a coup. I just bought my SCL-PUQ tix on LA for $220 each, when lan.com priced them for $692 each. It was too easy to be true. If you'd like the secret then PM me... I'd post it but it seems like every decent loophole that gets posted on FT gets busted.

Well, all, I've just had a coup. I just bought my SCL-PUQ tix on LA for $220 each, when lan.com priced them for $692 each. It was too easy to be true. If you'd like the secret then PM me... I'd post it but it seems like every decent loophole that gets posted on FT gets busted.

Am hoping that you can share your secret for obtaining such a low price on a flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas? I can only find flights for over $700!!

Thanks

This is a little off-topic, but where would you recommend going on a 2 week vacation in Chile / Argentina in Feb 03?

Santiago, BA and Punta Arenas are currently definites.

Andrew, I think you stick to the south of Chile and Argentina. Air schedulle in Patagonia is limited and distances huge. BA to Ushuaia is 4 hrs flying time. You can definitly include El Calafate to see the glaciars in Argentina or visiting Torres de Paine national park in Chile- one of the most spectacular national parks in the world according to UNESCO. You will definitly enjoy pristine nature at "the end of the world" in Patagonia.

Hey rhtoomey
when you find out, can you let me know. the onlyfare i can find is $368US oneway santiago-punta arenas.

cheers
craig



Am hoping that you can share your secret for obtaining such a low price on a flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas? I can only find flights for over $700!!

Thanks

...the onlyfare i can find is $368US oneway santiago-punta arenas...
When purchased as part of LAN's South America Airpass (http://www.lan.com/cgi-bin/log/go.cgi?loc=/promociones/data/norteamerica/us/todo_el_mundo/saairpass.html&tap=titular_saa_es&c=12166) SCL-PUQ is $133 o/w.