Mileage Run Deals - Insel: CLT-BON (Bonaire) $166 RT a-i WOW but: 6-night min, dep. Saturday, overnights?

CLT-Bonaire (BON) $100 base $166 RT a-i on Insel Air International (hubbed in Curacao), fare code ISALE. The CLT-CUR flight is to link up with US Airways, but from what I can tell it's a standalone on FF miles (i.e. their own program but no partnerships; correct me if wrong).

In trying to book, I found a few obstacles that make it a no-go for me, but others might be able to use. A biggie: Thin schedule and effectively a 5-6 night minimum. Also only saw the fare for departures on Saturdays in April, May and June. ITA was giving me itins with overnights in CUR both ways, but if you go Saturday to Saturday and book on the Insel site it'll do same-day connections through CUR.

Sample: April 21 CLT-CUR-BON 2:55 p.m.-8:40 p.m.
and April 28 BON-CUR-CLT 7:45 a.m.-1:25 p.m.

$165.40 all-in.

Also, the bag policy looks reasonable, though with this itin you get the more restrictive Fokker 50 on CUR-BON and v.v., so effectively you might get just a 20kg checked bag and a carry-on free.

I s'pose this one could sell out or get pulled, so hurry hurry hurry...

CLT-CUR is pricing at a less-stellar $307 a-i, and they serve other destinations (including MIA in the U.S.). Couldn't find any other city pairs with such an out-of-the-ordinary fare, though, but maybe u can.

I should also mention that there may be a mistake element to this fare (could be intended to be low $300s) , so rule #1 applies: DON'T CALL THE AIRLINE. Don't try to involve humans while a deal is in play. Am noticing that not all Saturday-Saturday pairs are available (just some), so it's going fast.

If you go to Bonaire and don't scuba dive or snorkel, you're going to be really, really bored. Lots of iguanas and donkeys to follow around, though.

I loved that island.

Fare basis code indicates that the fare is a part of current INSELAIR SALE. If people are discreet enough (I doubt), you have time to book through Apr 5.

I am seeing two ISALE fares ... $100++ and $250++
The latter is more realistic.

It may be that the $166 can still be do-able with overnight layovers in CUR even after the same-day connections sell out. There's some discrepancy between ITA and what's being offered up on Insel site.

It may be that the $166 can still be do-able with overnight layovers in CUR even after the same-day connections sell out. There's some discrepancy between ITA and what's being offered up on Insel site.

Insel-Air's flight schedule is in flux since the weekend at least. CLT-CUR used to have Wednesday flights. That is no longer the case.

According to their own website (and orbitz, et al) the MDE-CUR flights changed days (as of the weekend) and their phone agents didn't acknowledge it until today.

They cancelled one leg of my itinerary, I didn't receive notification until I called in to ask what they are going to do for me. I either have to extend my trip 3-4 days or have them get me to MIA for me to find my own way home to CLT on my own dime.

If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't buy tickets so far in advance or make other non-refundable travel arrangements.

Phenomenal deal! Although careful with scuba diving destinations, we all saw what happened with Korean Air and Palau...

Phenomenal deal! Although careful with scuba diving destinations, we all saw what happened with Korean Air and Palau...

I got in on the CLT-Barbados thing Delta had a couple of years ago at $0 ($103 a-i). Was able to go, but they jerked a number of less time-flexible people around with schedule changes, so I s'pose the best thing is to get sooner dates rather than later and don't make hotel booking that can't be cancelled or changed.

I'm now seeing CLT-CUR at $156.40 RT a-i with April 7 (this Saturday) departure (2:55-7:10 p) and April 11 (Wednesday) return (9:10a-1:25 p). Wow. Wish I could do, but maybe someone can find it of use.

Yup, these are some amazing oddball fares to I guess what used to be known as the Netherland Antillies.

I also did the crazy CLT-Barbados fare a few years ago, and would do this one, too -- but the 3 available departure days (I've looked for others on ita) don't work for me!

BTW, are they codesharing with US? Otherwise, why on earth do these flights exist?

...BTW, are they codesharing with US? Otherwise, why on earth do these flights exist?

Was hunting around for availability on ITA, and saw itineraries pricing out for returns to PIT (via CLT and another city... PHL, I think?), so I guess they have some agreement with US, but attempting to ticket these on other sites failed.

Phenomenal deal! Although careful with scuba diving destinations, we all saw what happened with Korean Air and Palau...

I'm not sure what happened with those trips but for diving Bonaire is FANTASTIC. You can go out on a boat if you want but I recommend shore diving. Dive at your leisure almost anywhere on the West side of the island. Morning, noon, night? Can't sleep? Dive at 3am! I love it there. But if you want white sand beaches, jet skis and drunken party hotels this is not the place for you.

If this was out of Southern California I would be on it. :-(

I'm not sure what happened with those trips but for diving Bonaire is FANTASTIC. You can go out on a boat if you want but I recommend shore diving. Dive at your leisure almost anywhere on the West side of the island. Morning, noon, night? Can't sleep? Dive at 3am! I love it there. But if you want white sand beaches, jet skis and drunken party hotels this is not the place for you.

If this was out of Southern California I would be on it. :-(

Do they offer training and certification for beginners there?

Do they offer training and certification for beginners there?

Yep. There are any number of dive shops there you can get your training and open water certification done at.

Do they offer training and certification for beginners there?

Yes they do. I would recommend doing all class and pool work here and doing the open water portion in Bonaire. That way your not stuck in a room for a day or two while there. Check out Buddy Dive. There are many good places there but that is the one we used both times.

There is a $25 fee for diving (good for a year) that helps keep the island protected. it is a no take, no hunt zone on the entire island (except for lion fish).

Can you earn US Airways miles, or any other airline's miles, with Insel Air flights?

And can anyone speak of the departure tax at BON and CUR?

departure tax is $35 pp. It isn't easy to get to Bonaire. We use AA miles to Curacao and then a puddle jumper.

Tourism Bonaire

http://www.tourismbonaire.com/en/

Diving (+ snorkeling) and windsurfing are the true reasons to go to Bonaire.

I'm still trying to figure out the correct pronunciation for Kralindijk

If you need an internet connection Lilly's ice cream shop is the place to hang out.

Can you earn US Airways miles, or any other airline's miles, with Insel Air flights?

Neither.



And can anyone speak of the departure tax at BON and CUR?



http://www.curacao-airport.com/services-for-passengers/airport-departure-fee

Airport Departure Fee

Airport departure fees are assessed for International destinations of USD $32.00 (NAFL. 57,60) and USD $8.00 (NAFL. 14,50) for domestic destinations and USD $2,00 ( NAFL. 3,60) for transfer. Children under the age of two (2) are exempted of payment. Domestic destinations are Bonaire and St. Maarten. You can find the airport departure fee counters on the second floor just before passing through immigration. The airport departure fee is incorporated in the ticket price for passengers traveling with:

American Airlines
Continental Airlines
K.L.M.
ArkeFly
Air Berlin
Air Canada
Blue Panorama
Tiara Air

I'm still trying to figure out the correct pronunciation for Kralindijk

If you need an internet connection Lilly's ice cream shop is the place to hang out.

Crawl-in-dike. (Not being rude, that is how it's pronounced). And if Lilly's is the Gelatto place it is awesome!

Bobbe Jan's BBQ is great too. Only open 3 days a week I believe.

And try the Lionfish pizza at Pasa Bon Pizza. I was surprised at how good it was.

Gio gelato is even better -- the hazelnut is amazing. Cruiser bicycle rentals at Macho's are $55/week -- you can easily bike the 7-ish miles up North towards edge of reserve park and all the way South past Salt mines and slave huts -- great way to get around if you don't want to rent a car for the week.

Bring your snorkel gear as there are more than 30 sites along the coast where you can enter the water and the reef starts right off the water's edge, it's quite amazing.

Gio gelato is even better -- the hazelnut is amazing.

That's the place. It's black and white with chandaliers. The Black Cherry was really good too.

I want to go back soon.

That's the place. It's black and white with chandaliers. The Black Cherry was really good too.

I want to go back soon.

Yes but do they have free wi-fi?

It'll be on the list for the next visit

looks like the price doubled....$345.40ai for the month of may at least