MilesBuzz! - I'm going to Costa Rica...I hope!

Hi. I've never asked for help with an itinerary before but I figure perhaps I can draw on the expertise/experience of my fellow FlyerTalkers to save some cash or miles. I'm trying to get 4 people from LAX to LIR (Liberia, Costa Rica) on August 9 (around noon) and back on August 16 (anytime), preferably using some AA (I have 150,000) or DL (I have 100,000) miles instead of the $3,004 my travel agent is telling me it will cost. Tickets on AA are $751 each, or 70,000 miles each. Theoretically, I could use 140,000 miles to save $1,502, but it doesn't seem like getting 2 of us to Costa Rica and having to use 140,000 miles (and another $1,502 for the other 2) is a great deal.

Any thoughts, advice, suggested itineraries? Thanks very much in advance!

Don in LA

I'm planning on making the same trip one of these days. I'm think that you can use your miles for a round trip LAX to FL then American has tickets for about $220-250 round trip from Fort Lauderdale or Miami to San Jose, Costa Rica or to Managua, Nicaragua (see San Jose and then 3-4 hour bus or drive to Liberia)?

You can also check Spirit Airlines from LAX to San Jose shows $220 round trip and flights are $150 round trip to San Jose from Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale

how about using miles one way?
You can use DL one way LAX to FL (not sure if DL does one way awards)
then pay one way for FL to San Jose (~$50 less than round trip)
then you can use the AA 140,000 miles for one way back from Liberia to LAX

I would stress with transfers on the way there and relax the way back

have fun

Be flexible!

AA has 35k (the lowest level) awards available for 4 on 8/8 and 8/10 and for the return on 8/17. One day difference and you're paying half the miles.

Or pay to fly into SJO for about $350 each. Not too far from LIB.

Watch out for the Honduran President while you're there.

Or pay to fly into SJO for about $350 each. Not too far from LIB.

Only 10,151 miles (http://www.world-airport-codes.com/dist/?a1=SJO&a2=LIB).:p

JetBlue has service to SJO from MCO on new E190's. Much better experience than legacy coach. Regular APEX fare is $119 (OW), promotional fare has been half that.