LAX to EZE or BUE
 

hi all- this is my first post, so any help you can provide this newbie would be much appreciated! :)
i need to fly from LAX to BUE or EZE on january 6 with a flexible return date of around july 1 (i may or may not come back in july after a 5-month volunteer stint there). i am only finding flights for $1,100 on kayak... any suggestions on how to find something cheaper would be great! thanks!!

I can't imagine you'll find anything cheaper, considering the return is greater than 30 days, January is still in the high (southern) fare season, and the departure is only 3 weeks away ...

John

Agreed . . . . I can only find flights of $1300+ RT from Sacramento at this time.

When I check LAX-EZE on http://matrix.itasoftware.com, with one date in January and one in July, Continental offers the lowest fare of $1,090 RT including all taxes. All other airlines are at least $300 higher (and more like $360 or more higher for a one-stop flight like Continental's -- change in Houston).

That's a great fare. Snap it up before it goes!

I found a fare for $901.00 RT. Go to www.bookingbuddy.com and enter your travel dates. A page will appear for several different search engines. Click on cheapo air and it will display the fare of $901 plus tax on Air Canada with one stop.....It will prbably be lax to yyz to EZE....not the best routing.

Not quite ... with taxes and fees the final price is $1171.

I am surprised that you are finding fares of only 1100 for a return more than 30 or even 90 days. the 5 month return is what is driving your fare up. (for example flying out jan 6 and return march 1 on aa shows 839 ai it isnt the Jan 6 date that is the problem) plus dont forget the new possible visa entry fee after jan 1 and to complicate things your return is more than 90 days so "tourist visa" doesnt apply

The best way to go, is to find someone with miles who can book you an award ticket. If you have someone who is top level elite, they can often change awards for no charge.

There are also one way awards using BMI's frequent flyer plan, but you'd need someone to book it for you, or start a new account and buy miles. They have a half cash, half miles option that is quite nice.

If you're sure of your dates, the Continental fare is quite nice. If you're not sure of the return date, make sure you're cognizant of the change fees, and make sure it would be worth it.

I thought the final price seemed fairly high...but wouldn't the taxes and fees be added on to all fares...or is this site adding extra hidden fees?

There's also the slight possibility that you may be denied boarding in the US (if intending to enter Argentina as a tourist), if you won't be able to show onward travel before 90 days. The airline is quite within it's rights to do this. At least up till now, it's been easy to extend your tourist visa for another 90 days by going to immigration (there's an office in downtown BsAs) and paying a small fee. However as NYTango points out, with the upcoming reciprocity fee staring on Jan01, things might get more complicated.

No necessarily. On airline's own web sites, they often show the total amount upfront (e.g. UA).

John

I don't think that will be an issue since it is so easy just to tell them that you are traveling to other countries in SA. Also getting around the 90 day visa is a simple as taking the ferry to Colonia for the day as well. Sam

Wrong. Numerous expats have reported problems (with Delta in particular it seems), in not having returns booked within 90 days, or travel booked outside the country. Passengers have had to book refundable tickets out of Argentina before they were able to check in. Passengers with one-way tickets into Argentina have similarly been refused boarding.

As I said, it's only a slight possibility, but one that the OP should be aware of.