But it will be 100% free for as many as 10 days if we use up our account balance for the reward night. For the same amount of pts, we can only have 5 nights at IC. So this is a consideration.

Thanks GUWonder. 15 min walk is fully acceptable. I presume it is equal easy to take either subway or taxi to Recoleta and Palermo?

I forgot about the Q fares not upgradable. Thanks for pointing it out.

The dilenma is, we need to start using an AA credit of $1700 for each of us, no later than Jul 08. So eventhough we have more than enough miles to fly F award, we really need to burn the credit instead of using miles.

The routing thru DFW and JFK definitely have the appeal of adding more than 2K miles to the bank, and at a cheaper fare to boot. Hence another consideration. Routing thru DFW seems to work better - as the flight from DFW to EZE would be shorter than the flight from JFK to EZE, not to mention Feb is not an ideal time to transit JFK, now this suddenly dawn on me...

Anybody has any ideas about Salta?

Salta is a great place to see both great sights (cultural and natural), and also visit some great wine producing areas.

Indeed. I was just there a month ago! I'd also recommend exploring the Jujuy province while you're in the area, in particular Purmamarca.

What mode of transportation recommended for Salta?
 

I remember reading someone wrote about driving a rental car. Not remember if they were driving from Boenos Aires or just having a rental car at Salta. It would be a very long drive if it is from EZE (and may not be a safe drive either.)

I know LAN serves SLA from EZE.

To explore the area, I gather a rental car would be much more convenient?

How do you compare Salta and Cordoba?

To Palermo I do the taxi from near the HI Express. To Recoleta I may walk when I have the time and conditions are good but otherwise take a taxi. Taxis come flying by rather often near the HI Express.

It is a VERY long drive from BA (1500km on slow, two-lane roads), and a car is essential for touring the area, particularly if you want to visit the Jujuy salt flats (about 100km, if memory serves, from the city of Jujuy).

I haven't been to Cordoba, so I can't compare the two, but Salta is certainly more pleasant this time of year given its more northern altitude.

Thanks. I looked up the map and realize driving from EZE is not a practical idea.

Therefore, it would be flying in, then rent a car at Salta. I do not realize there are salt flats in the mountain region.

The trip to Salta is mainly to get a taste of The Andes.

Well, keep in mind that Salta and Jujuy, being so far north and in a dry ecosystem, are more desert-like than anything else. They're more reminiscent of someplace like Sedona than mountain vistas, and they don't get cold weather or snow, even at high altitudes. Some areas may only get an inch or two of precipitation a year.

For mountain vistas and all that, I'd definitely go to Cordoba instead. Btw it's pretty inexpensive to fly to Salta or Cordoba via Aerolineas (though you'll have to brave BA's domestic airport and expect in advance that your flight will be delayed by at least an hour, probably more like three).

You wrote the above asking about staying in Puerto Madero. That is why I responded that Holiday Inn Express Puerto Madero is not in Puerto Madero. Frankly the name is misleading. You also asked about local hotels.
The Holiday inn is in a business district. (My opinion only) is that it is an ugly horrible area to stay in February..If you were going to do business in the financial area it might be a good location. Remember it is very hot at that time and the streets are crowded.

There are no subways to Recoleta or Palermo from that location. Taxis are cheap and best bet.

Flights what about one business award and one cheap but upgradeable fare +copay and miles will eat up chunk of the 1700. and also earn miles.

Depends on what you like. The area is all shiny skyscrapers and nicely free of buses (possibly the loudest ones on earth) and diesel fumes, but as already noted, there's no public transport to speak of and very little true "character." If you're familiar with London, it'd be the rough equivalent of Canary Wharf.

Personally, I'd stay at the Home Hotel in Palermo Viejo, but I'd also check out some hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.com for other mid-priced suggestions (and plan on booking ahead - the Home and other well-regarded small hotels fill up months in advance, particularly during high season). Btw Western chain hotels will almost invariably cost more than local ones (most of their visitors are American or European businesspeople on expense account), except for the famed five-star places like the Alvear Palace and the new Faena.

There are 2x 1700 credit - both need to be used before July - but can only be used separately, not combined as each with one name.
copay cannot be paid from the credit afaik.

Points well taken regarding the HIX and the taxi to Palermo and Recoleta.

Thanks for the analogy - now I have an idea about the "Centro" - the "nicely free of buses" part is a big draw to us. When we were in PPT a couple years ago, each time we went to town we cough a lot, due to the air pollution caused by the exhaust from the choked traffic and the diesel fume.

I will check out the Home Hotel also. Bear that in mind, even mid-range I would imagine about $100 a night, no? While we could stay at HIX free for 10 days at least. :-)

Also I stumbled some mentionings about renting a shortterm apartment - that could be an interesting idea for a 2 weeks stay. Though I am not sure if we need 2 weeks in EZE.

Oh, I did not know that, about the scenery of Salta and Jujuy. That is definitely different from the image in my mind. We like Sedona but do not need to travel that far to see something similar to AZ or UT...

Thanks a lot for pointing this out. I will research Cordoba.

LAN has a 463 peso r/t flight to Salta, I thought that is reasonable. So you say Aeoralineas is even cheaper?

KIRKER....... I Don't know why or how you posted the following. I NEVER SAID THIS this was posted by OP NOT ME. I never said nor would I have said this. Please Edit your post.

kirker
Quote:
Originally Posted by nytango
I could use pts to stay at US chain hotels, but rather prefer to try the good local hotels in mid price range in good neighborhoods. We would really appreciate some recommendations for local hotels. Also is Puerto Madero a good area to stay at because I just realize there is a Holiday Inn Express offers excellent point stay value.

..........

SECONDLY and more important.. the OP is talking about the HOLIDAY IN EXPRESS PUERTO Madero. I said correctly that it is not in Puerto Madero. and I said that it is in the CENTRO area near Puerto Madero. IT is not like Puerto Madero free of busses and traffic, do not confuse the issue. Please read posts and do not attribute false statements to me....

In Palermo Soho, I would recommend the BoBo Hotel stayed there for six nights earlier this year, staff great, nice bar and restaurant and lots of other good eating opportunities near by, Don Julio's parilla 100m right out the Bobo, just superb.

The Bobo is a boutique hotel with only IIRC seven rooms, often mentioned in same reviews as the Home Hotel. Like the Home, you have to book well ahead. 15 mins walk from Plaza Italia subway.