I am planning a trip to Argentina and would like to fly Baires to Bariloche. LAN website quotes 500 pesos(165 US$) if you log from the Argentina website and 300+ US$ if you log in from the US website. Any suggestions? The website says the (cheaper) ticket is not valid if you are not a resident of Argentina - which I am not.

Did you try and book/price it from one of the other non AR non US sites? How were the fares, and were there residency requirements?

Did you try and book/price it from one of the other non AR non US sites? How were the fares, and were there residency requirements?

I went to the "other countries" site and the fare is the same as the US site. Thanks.

YMMV, but with respect to Argentina resident fares, you run the risk of a nasty surprise at check-in if you buy a resident fare. I don't think "I'm living at the Hilton Puerto Madero this weekend" when you produce a US passport will cut it.

nota bene: The last time I was on a domestic flight w/in Argentina (circa 2000), they didn't even check ID.

nota bene: The last time I was on a domestic flight w/in Argentina (circa 2000), they didn't even check ID.

Mrs PG and I flew AEP-BRC-AEP over the past two weekends, on AR.

Despite trying to find work arounds we ended up paying the "non-resident" fare and at both check-ins we were asked to show our passports. This was probably just for security, but could have pinged a non-resident problem if we didn't have the right ticket.

And.. you are doing the right thing trying to fly Lan Ar. they cannot possibly be as bad as AR. One 90 minuted time shifted flight and one cancelled was our AR experience..!

The price difference for residents vs. non-residents is most unfortunatatly true. Yes, as has been noted in many threads a non-resident may in practice book and ticket a resident-only fare but in that case you are rolling the dice.

While its also true that enforcement of this rule, at least with AR, is in my experience rather lax, if you have an unlucky day you may have issues at boarding. I dont know how tough LAN is with enforcement of similar rules.

On a final note, phreegreens is correct is saying that whenever possible, take LAN over AR for domestic flights in Argentina.

I dont know how tough LAN is with enforcement of similar rules.


The general culture at LAN (as in much of Chile) are "these are the rules." "These are the rules." "These are the rules." People who might be the sweetest people, when they have their workface on, enforcing rules, are not the same people. I don't know if this "culture" has affected the Lan Argentina staff, but I'd imagine it is the same if they want to keep their jobs. My few minor derivations from rules on Lan has been met with a lot of resistance.

I agree 200% with Eastbay1k, and while Ive not had the chance to try to bend the LAN rules, I would be willing to bet that flexibility for a non-resident traveling on a resident only fare will tend to be Zero.

thanks guys.
Never been to Bariloche but I suspect it is worth the extra 150 for the flight. Would hate to show up and be told my ticket is not valid and now I have to purchase a full fare.

I think this is the way in South America. If you are a resident your flights are cheaper. I was in Argentina and had to pay more for an Aerolineas flight than my Argentinean friend.

Never been to Bariloche but I suspect it is worth the extra 150 for the flight. Would hate to show up and be told my ticket is not valid and now I have to purchase a full fare.

Just got back from 10 days there, it is magnificent, some of the most wonderful scenery I have seen, anywhere.

Town of Bariloche is OK, especially if you have an addiction to things chocolate, beer from the small "Blest" brewery is well worth a try, but get out and around the mountains and lakes, you will never forget them.

Excellent advice above, in Bariloche, get away from the city center and enjoy the natural beauty. Downtown Bariloche that caters to the high-school student tourism is nothing to write home about.