LAN LANPASS - Booking USA LAN site vs Argentina LAN site

More a LAN booking question than a LANpass question...

I'm going to be spending some time in Argentina in November, and want to include a side trip to Mendoza. In looking at the LAN USA site the round trip is in the flexible fare category only . However, if I book the same itinerary on LAN's Argentina site, the lowest fare available is less than half of what it is on the US site. ($206 v. $472). I found the situation similar on the sites for Aerolineas Argentinas.

Has anyone booked on the "cheaper" site and run into problems? I realize the lower fares come with restriction and may not earn miles, and that's fine for this part of the trip.

My issue is the distance is the same as SEA-SMF, and $472 seems steep for that length of a flight. I know this is comparing apples to oranges, because ANC-SCC is also about the same, and that flight runs nearly $900 in the cheap seats, but lets just say it is more than I am accustomed to paying.

The fares you are finding are probably Argentina resident fares. If they are, and you are caught, you'll be charged the difference when you try and board the plane.

Consider (1) a South America airpass, or (2) adding MDZ to your main ticket, where it will likely cost a lot less than the $472 to your EZE fare. Also perhaps consider MDZ at the start or end of your trip, via SCL in one of the directions. That may (or may not) help.

not. :P Ticket to EZE is already booked, and I'm not using LAN southbound. I tried, but they only thing they offered me was AA metal (ick).

I was able to do this on NZ CHC-AKL. It was about a third of the cost. $200 is a lot to save for beef and wine.

Do they need a cédula? Does it have to be an Argentinian one, or is any Mercosur country ok? Reason being that in about 3 months I'll have my Uruguayan resident cédula. And may want cheap side-trips!

Do they need a cédula? Does it have to be an Argentinian one, or is any Mercosur country ok? Reason being that in about 3 months I'll have my Uruguayan resident cédula. And may want cheap side-trips!

I have been checking the same thing for my next trip. Only Argentinian cedula is valid altough the rule isn't always enforced especially if you avoid human contact...

Artículo 4° — Las tarifas establecidas en los artículos 1° y 2° serán de aplicación exclusivamente para viajes de ida y vuelta de usuarios que justifiquen ser residentes en la zona de influencia del punto de origen de cada vuelo, acreditando tal circunstancia mediante documento nacional de identidad o cédula de identidad y para pasajes cuya reserva y adquisición se efectúe exclusivamente en el aeropuerto de origen o bien en las oficinas comerciales de las líneas aéreas en las respectivas zonas de influencia. La COORDINACION EJECUTIVA DE TRANSPORTE AEROCOMERCIAL dependiente de la SECRETARIA DE TRANSPORTE del MINISTERIO DE LA PRODUCCION ejercerá la fiscalización correspondiente, a efectos de garantizar el cumplimiento de la presente resolución.

Hi,

I live in Buenos Aires. The lowest fare is for Argentinian residents and can only be booked if you have an Argentinian ID (DNI, cedula de identidad, etc). If you're a foreigner and you book this fare and get caught, they will charge you the non-residents' fare. To avoid this, you don't have to have any contact with staff at the check-in counter, this means not checking-in baggage and doing the online check-in at LAN.com. When going through security and when boarding they will not ask you to show proof of residence or anything like that.

Hi,

I live in Buenos Aires. The lowest fare is for Argentinian residents and can only be booked if you have an Argentinian ID (DNI, cedula de identidad, etc). If you're a foreigner and you book this fare and get caught, they will charge you the non-residents' fare. To avoid this, you don't have to have any contact with staff at the check-in counter, this means not checking-in baggage and doing the online check-in at LAN.com. When going through security and when boarding they will not ask you to show proof of residence or anything like that.

I own property in Buenos Aires and hence have a DNI number. Is this enough to make me eligible for the lower fares?

I own property in Buenos Aires and hence have a DNI number. Is this enough to make me eligible for the lower fares?

I'm not sure if you mean you have DNI number or valid Argentinian ID with DNI. Anyway, DNI number itself isn't enough, you need to show a valid ID issued by Argentinian government.

I own property in Buenos Aires and hence have a DNI number. Is this enough to make me eligible for the lower fares?

If you have a DNI card to show as evidence then yes.


Just a note for the OP. Despite what some people will tell you I wouldn't in your situation chance using a resident fare unless you're willing to accept the penalties involved....which could be costly. It's clearly stated on the site that it's a resident fare you're buying so you cannot plead ignorance.
Resident fares are usually but not always the cheapest. I've sometimes seen cheaper fares offered through travel agents using a search with Kayak.

I own property in Buenos Aires and hence have a DNI number. Is this enough to make me eligible for the lower fares?

Hence, you probably don't. You have a CDI.

Hence, you probably don't. You have a CDI.

A CDI....what's one of them?

Cow Do Invite maybe? :D