Originally Posted by
Leahrrr
So I use google flight for my flight searches, and as I was planning for my upcoming Peru trip on May, I noticed that the flight tickets were much cheaper if I go through Peru LAN site. I ended up booking flights with no issues, entered all my info, paid with American debit card, done.
Today I asked my friend to do the same and she notices that it says some rates are only for the Peru residents. And if someone who is not, purchases the ticket for this price, there will be 178 penalty at the airport.
You would have seen this too if you bought on LAN Perú's site. I just did a dummy booking and it is pretty subtle now, used to be much more obvious. It is at the bottom of three alerts and if you don't speak Spanish then you would not have a clue what it says.
Originally Posted by
Leahrrr
I posted the same question on Reddit, and a few told me that they did something similar for LAN Columbia site, and didn't have any issue at the airport.
LAN Perú has a residency requirement. LAN Colombia has a point of sale requirement. If you go on LAN Colombia and buy a ticket then there is nothing to stop you flying it. If you go on LAN Perú, but a ticket and ignore the residents only warning then you have to pay $177 at the airport.
Originally Posted by
Leahrrr
Has anyone actually been charged or confronted this issue at the airport?
I am sure hundreds of people must get caught out by this.
Originally Posted by
carlosdca
If you don't have bags, you may try avoiding the counter by doing online-check-in but I don't know anybody that has tried that.
Yes people have tried this and it does work. Means OP has to travel without luggage of course as you point out. It's not bulletproof either. If LAN's gate agents check your residency and ticket for whatever reason then you are still paying or being denied boarding.