Originally Posted by
GREAKLY
I tried to book SCL-IPC award ticket on ba.com and IPC was not offered as a destination at all. Then I looked at "paid" tickets (prices on LAN's English and Chilean versions seem to be the same) and found out that the "usual" USD 500-600 RT fare on this route is no longer an option. The ticket either costs as low as USD 265+ RT in the next few months (May-early August) or USD1500+ from September onward.
Is it something seasonal or a new LAN's marketing thing? Or are they trying to penalize early bookers (tourists who try to arrange their vacation a few months in advance?
September is a big holiday time in Chile (the 18th and 19th are official holidays; since they are Wed-Thur this year the government adds the Friday as another holiday, so people often take the full week or more). Not sure how much further out you're finding the US$1500+ fares, but I've rarely seen economy for more than ~US$650 for long periods of time.
There is also a push in Rapa Nui to limit tourism as the infrastructure is not able to handle the growing and constant numbers. Not sure if this could be a function of that (I doubt it, but they way things work there you never know). If you do go, bring all of the garbage you create back to the mainland and dispose of it there.
For award travel to IPC I've usually had to call to find space.