My husband and I will be traveling to Lima, Peru in September. United's partner on that route is Taca Airlines, which makes a stop in El Salvador.
Has anyone flown Taca? Is it worth the extra stop in El Salvador to accumulate miles vs. flying American?
My husband and I will be traveling to Lima, Peru in September. United's partner on that route is Taca Airlines, which makes a stop in El Salvador.
Has anyone flown Taca? Is it worth the extra stop in El Salvador to accumulate miles vs. flying American?
I've flown TACA on various occasions impressions I've had is that they are a good enough airline. The airport in El Salvador is probably the most modern in Central America, Its a good option. If you do take this flight and you have some time try to "Pollo Campero" fried chicken with a kick.
Flew TACA a few years ago on an award ticket JFK-Bogota going through Costa Rica. Business class was thoroughly average, like UA E+ seating. The crew was very nice. And we took a 7 day stopover in Costa Rica for no extra charge.
I've flown TACA several times, on revenue and mileage. I find them to be very attentive. I had one very special flight last year, 3 days before my birthday, where I flew to JFK on my miles, using a Business Class award. The Business Class from Guatemala to El Salvador was packed, but I was the only passenger in Business from El Salvador to JFK!! I felt like I was on my own private jet!! It was great! The best birthday present. Finding a good sleeping position on the 319 due to the curvature is a trial and error thing.
I flew Guatemala-CR-Colombia-Peru-Ecuador-CR-Guatemala. That was great, on C of course . . . Y, i don't think I want to know . . . . :P
If you're originating out of Chicago, GUA is the only city TACA flies to, and you will be impressed how much more modern GUA is. There is a nonstop flight from GUA-LIM. Try that out. Hope the info helps! Enjoy your flight. Enjoy Peru most of all. Peru is deep in my heart! I love going to Peru!
It's been a while since I've flown Y in TACA because I'm a big guy, and my previous experience in Y was like riding with the cattle.
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AA767Lover, HKG
Programs: QANTAS, United MP
I fly TACA every month. Connecting in SAL beats ANY US connection on the return. ANY , especially MIA. The prices are lower than AA by about 40% and the planes are newer. If you are in coach ( I fly Clase Ejecutiva) they feed you on longer flights for free.
SAL isn't the most modern airport in CA (MGA probably is now they have done all the renovations) but it is clean, open, and when you arrive (each way to and from ) and can go right to the next flight vs. through INS, Customs, TSA you will use it again or more accurately not use MIA ever again.
Note you may want to check on your flight bought from TACA vs. United. I suspect it will cost less and you'd still get your miles I think. For example TACA in C is $2500 less than United in B.
Note it is TACA not Taca. TACA is an acronym.
Note also they have about a 95% on time record - this is not due to magical powers as much as they really overestimate time per flight then come in 1/2 an hour to an hour early.
I fly TACA almost weekly and find their service and equipment way better than AA. FAs are younger and nicer also. El Salvador will get you connected and aside from SAP has the only VIP lounge for TACA in Central America.
GUA really does have a nice new terminal although they do not have the HVAC up and running yet, and the food choices on the secure side are very limited. The new section of SJO is very nice also, but it can get very crowded there and with rainy season, best bet for connections will be SAL.
Going tomorrow SAP-SAL-GUA-SJO, upgraded on all 3 segments
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: CO 1Pass since '88, WN RR, FL A+ Elite, UA M+ 2P, HH (D), BD*G
Posts: 738
I flew a "mileage run"/short weekend trip JFK-LAX (UA PS) connecting to TACA LAX-SAL-MGA and return over Memorial Day weekend, in Y. TACA pleasantly surprised me - the flights were all on time, the long flights included free beer and a meal (maybe a little better than a typical pre-deregulation meal in Y, but it's been long enough that I won't guarantee that statement - in any case the meals hit the spot). SAL was very convenient for the plane changes, with a modern feeling and a variety of shops & food options (most, if not all, accepted US$).
I would happily fly them again.
P.S. - I tried to see if they would sell upgrades to Clase Ejecutiva on the return, but the GA said no - I think they don't sell upgrades, but my Spanish is weak enough that maybe they were full in C.E. on that flight.
Going tomorrow SAP-SAL-GUA-SJO, upgraded on all 3 segments
Were these automatic upgrades or did you upgrade with miles, etc.? I reviewed their website and I believe I understood correctly that elites get automatic, space available upgrades, but I couldn't see to what fares this applied.
Adam, Sorry I didn't check back on this thread, but to answer your question, here goes.
Upgrades on Taca are provided on some sort of automatic/magic/luck/persistence basis. As a Platinum, I am to be automatically upgraded 72 hours out if space is available. Every so often this actually works on one or more of the segments. It always helps to send an email with your routes and Distancia Number to their elite (Horizontes) desk asking them to review the computerized process to be sure that you weren't left out, this can get you one more upgraded segment if that department answers your email before your flights. Then it is on to the battlefield where depending on the counter agent you may be blessed with an upgrade if they are in a good mood, or they may send you off to the gate saying that they have put you on the upgrade list that they never show you or explain what order they add to that list. At the gate the first answer is usually that the upfront cabin is completely full before they even check their monitors. After some prodding, it may be possible to sneak into a seat that "magically" opens up. If not, upon boarding you can go sit in your 23E noting that there 3 or 4 empty seats up front, and some of the others are taken by Silvers and Golds.
Of course these problems are only with-in Central America where SJO-MGA RT, or the TEG-SAL RT could be $500.00. If you are coming from LAX, SFO or JFK, you may get the upgrade because it is the first time you ever flew on TACA, and are laying out $299.00 RT.
Location: HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, Avis First, Varying Levels w/UA/CO/LH/SQ/TG/DL/QF/AF/ET Locations: DCA/IAD, and then JNB / MEM / TYS / ORD, and Where the Day Takes Me...
IMO TACA is not a bad airline, but it would be appreciated, if:
- they could finally decide to serve water or something on the GUA-Flores domestic runs,
- persuade GUA Airport Authorities to do something with the air con - it is often getting very, very hot inside the terminal building (and then you board a flight to Flores and do not get anything to drink, I know - the flights is a very short one, but taking the circumstances....)
Location: HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, Avis First, Varying Levels w/UA/CO/LH/SQ/TG/DL/QF/AF/ET Locations: DCA/IAD, and then JNB / MEM / TYS / ORD, and Where the Day Takes Me...
