ok I have one for all of you - CCS - yes carracas - the deal here is to take advantage of the very very bizzare currency situation.

Currently the Venezuelan government has a fixed exchange rate with cuirrency controls- the current rate is 1599 bolivars to 1 US. Now the loop hole is that when you buy tickets they are priced in USD but the airlines are not allowed to accept USD cash - in fact if you pay in Cash you must pay in Bolivars - but if you change USD cash for Bolivars at the " unofficial rate" you should be able to get about 2,500 per USD - so do the math . say you buy a ticket that is prices USD 1,000 - that should cost 1,599,000 bolivars. but if you change you USD into Bolivars at the unofficial rate the ticket should cost only 1,599,000/2500 or USD 630. nice discount.

I was there 4 weeks ago and used this to buy aticket on Copa that should have cost $800 but got it for about 500.

This is not without risks but if you don't mind takign a few chances you might want to try this. i would suggest you call a OW ticket office in CCS first to confirm they will take cash but technically there is not reason that they will not. The all you ahve to do is change your money at the unofficial rate - should be no shortage of people interested in getting rid of there Bolivars for USD but again some risk here.

If you pay with credit card you get charged at the offical USD rate so don't bother tryign that.

Good luck