Originally Posted by
guv1976
PDX-SCL-DFW is $1,295 on AM for the OP's dates. One connection (at MEX) in each direction. Obviously, no through-checking of baggage at DFW, and no protection in the event of IRROPS, either. But AA does have an informal "flat-tire" policy for passengers who miss their flights.
Yeah, I did find that one flight through MEX is $400 cheaper. But means having to return back to PDX before flying back home to XNA. Affluent grandparents in Chile are paying for the international portion of the flight so I don't really see the benefit of doing this and forcing her to fly through MEX as opposed to the normal DFW-SCL nonstop flight we normally take.
The PDX - SCL - XNA open-jay round-trip paired with a separate XNA - PDX one-way 2 weeks earlier seems to give us the most direct flights and safest connections at a reasonable price with no risk of getting stranded on a two-ticket itinerary. She is 19 and this is her first solo international trip. Don't want to make it more complicated than necessary.