AA: SFO/EWR/IAH/IAD/ORD to BOG $264+ ai rt
Sep 3, 2015, 12:40 pm
#76
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
Sep 3, 2015, 1:07 pm
#78
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
I am just about finishing up my trip. For those headed there one suggestion I have is to not exchange too much money into pesos(I did only $20 for local buses and museum entrance fees). Exchangers at the airport are bad and you get 2150-2750 pesos per dollar while exchange rate is 3150~. I heard Banks in city are also pretty bad in exchange rates.
The best way to take advantage of the fallen peso is to use US credit cards at every possible instance. I spite of any transaction fees by issuer you will get closer to exchange rate. Every time you use the card they ask for id and my us license was good.
I even used my US uber account for my trip from airport and the ride was $8.
The best way to take advantage of the fallen peso is to use US credit cards at every possible instance. I spite of any transaction fees by issuer you will get closer to exchange rate. Every time you use the card they ask for id and my us license was good.
I even used my US uber account for my trip from airport and the ride was $8.
You can take out money at the ATM too if you tell your bank in advance so they don't cancel your card. You'll get a decent rate that way, though many cajeros limit your withdrawl to 500,000 pesos per transaction meaning if you need to take out more you keep getting dinged by your own bank for the out of country fees.
But yea, money exchanging in Colombia generally sucks. If you go to the bank you've gotta bring a passport, photocopy, get it like sort of notarized, fingerprints etc, it's just a huge hassle. If I don't have any pesos left I usually order some at a terrible rate from my bank online, then when I get there I've usually got a Western Union transfer (from myself) waiting for me. Great way to bring cash in.
I love getting to my apartment in Medellin knowing that the next day, regardless of time of year the weather will be nice, not too hot, not too cold, just right! It's fun to leave work in YMM get to rainy home in YVR connect in hot but stormy IAH connect again in beautiful PTY and arrive home in the eterna primavera of MDE all in the same 24 hours in Nov-Mar.
Sep 6, 2015, 10:54 pm
#79
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVPG, HH Dia, PC Plt, Hyatt Plt, SPG Gld, Marriott Sil, Carlson Sil, Red Lion Plt
Posts: 74
I used the currency exchange on the right after exiting customs and the cashier pocketed 100USD from my transaction. I didn't notice this for a few days though. I still have the receipt. Does anyone know who I can contact about this since I'm back in the USA?
Sep 6, 2015, 11:12 pm
#80
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,879
Yeah, good luck with that as every exchange I've used advises you to check your money before leaving.
Sep 7, 2015, 12:15 am
#81
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YVR
Posts: 344
Totally agree!
This is OT, but it's strange that Scotiabank doesn't include Colombia with their other South American locations which all have ATM fees waived. Had they been, it may have been a decent alternative to having to do the money transfers and all that.
This is OT, but it's strange that Scotiabank doesn't include Colombia with their other South American locations which all have ATM fees waived. Had they been, it may have been a decent alternative to having to do the money transfers and all that.
Sep 7, 2015, 1:52 am
#82
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: Starbucks Gold
Posts: 185
Glad handle is appreciated...
indeed, we should be friends.
DEQ11 - I exchanged my money after customs in the extreme right counter right before the domestic connections door. Got the best exchange there but can't understand how you did not realize being under changed by 275000 pesos.? I agree there is no recourse now.
I used an Amex card all over and it worked. Including Juan Valdez cafes, restaurants, hotel, local tour company. Only used cash for transmilenio card and recharge.
DEQ11 - I exchanged my money after customs in the extreme right counter right before the domestic connections door. Got the best exchange there but can't understand how you did not realize being under changed by 275000 pesos.? I agree there is no recourse now.
I used an Amex card all over and it worked. Including Juan Valdez cafes, restaurants, hotel, local tour company. Only used cash for transmilenio card and recharge.
Last edited by Bob Saccamano; Sep 7, 2015 at 1:58 am
Sep 7, 2015, 8:59 am
#83
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 73
We landed in bog at 12:30 am from dfw.
On the way to immgrations, we walked passed the "connecting flight" area and it was dark.
Just wanted to report that just incase there are people who are doing turns.
The bog aa check in area opens at 11:00 am for mia flight.
On the way to immgrations, we walked passed the "connecting flight" area and it was dark.
Just wanted to report that just incase there are people who are doing turns.
The bog aa check in area opens at 11:00 am for mia flight.
Sep 7, 2015, 10:52 pm
#84
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: HH Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 137
We landed in bog at 12:30 am from dfw.
On the way to immgrations, we walked passed the "connecting flight" area and it was dark.
Just wanted to report that just incase there are people who are doing turns.
The bog aa check in area opens at 11:00 am for mia flight.
On the way to immgrations, we walked passed the "connecting flight" area and it was dark.
Just wanted to report that just incase there are people who are doing turns.
The bog aa check in area opens at 11:00 am for mia flight.
thanks.
Sep 7, 2015, 11:57 pm
#85
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: QF LTG
Posts: 1,200
I have just boarded the BOG-DFW flight after 36 hours visiting a friend in Bogota. Those planning long layovers in the LAN lounge shouldn't expect anywhere to sleep. It is a very comfortable lounge but no big couches or day beds.
Sep 8, 2015, 10:09 am
#86
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: HH Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 137
No problem, I can doze sitting up if I have to. I am just looking for assurances, and information, about getting to the lounge late at night after my AA flight lands at 12:30 AM. The previous reference to the international connections area being "dark" seemed a bit ominous.
Sep 8, 2015, 10:33 am
#87
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO, OAK
Programs: UA Mileage Plus 1K MM, IHG Plat, Accor Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 203
No problem, I can doze sitting up if I have to. I am just looking for assurances, and information, about getting to the lounge late at night after my AA flight lands at 12:30 AM. The previous reference to the international connections area being "dark" seemed a bit ominous.
Sep 8, 2015, 11:56 am
#88
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: QF LTG
Posts: 1,200
My friend from BOG thinks perhaps they close the intl connections section not long before the last international flights of the evening. Remember that flying DFW-BOG-MIA isn't a true international connection and they only stay open for people flying an itinerary like PTY-BOG-LHR.
Clearing immigration in Bogota was an absolute breeze, as was clearing security for my flight to DFW. I would just say you can enter the country then immediately turn back through security once you exit landside.
Clearing immigration in Bogota was an absolute breeze, as was clearing security for my flight to DFW. I would just say you can enter the country then immediately turn back through security once you exit landside.
Sep 8, 2015, 12:09 pm
#89
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: HH Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 137
OK, this is reassuring as a back-up plan. Thanks. Before I leave DFW, I will try to get my next-day BOG-MIA boarding pass so that if I have to exit landside in BOG I don't have to wait for the BOG AA check-in folks to open up their counter....
Sep 8, 2015, 11:31 pm
#90
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO, OAK
Programs: UA Mileage Plus 1K MM, IHG Plat, Accor Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 203