Majikow

Just chatted with Aeromexico and they were able to sign me an exit row seat. Thanks Maverick.

maverick17

I booked a flight from TIJ, much cheaper than LAX for me. If I wasn't going to be in LA, I woulda used Avios probably via DFW. AA has offseason miles awards to MEX if you're timing is right. But I think this fall is passed already, and not sure when they start again in 2014.

Most of you doing this as a MR? Anyone have a good itinerary for Argentina? I'm thinking to do Iguazu and maybe Ushaia, not spend much time in EZE.

jonk

i'm spending a couple days in EZE and then heading up to Salta for 3 days just for something different (booked using Membership Rewards --> Flying Blue --> Aerolineas Argentinas)

Salta: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/tr...tina.html?_r=1

maverick17

does booking with Flying Blue offer advantages over DL -> Aerolineas Argentinas or Avios -> LAN Argentina? i was thinking to burn up my skypesos as they allow an openjaw.

jonk

with DL it was a ridiculous redemption level. i'd imagine you could do quite well with Avios but iirc it wasn't showing as available on the dates i wanted or it wasn't flying to the right airport (i need EZE, not Newberry).

maverick17

thanks i'll look into flying blue a little then.

Majikow

I used MR transferred to Air France to book a direct roundtrip on Aeromexico IAD-MEX for 25k and $105. It was a PITA at first though cause Air France was having issues grabbing award seats on AM for the last week.

maskedmesothorium

I went to Salta, and I agree it would be a nice place to visit for a few days. Definitely hike (or take the tram if you must) up Cerro de San Bernando. La Quebrada de San Lorenzo was just okay, but you might have a better experience if you take one of the horseback rides. There's a castle on the road to the quebrada. It's a hotel and a restaurant, never tried it but it looks awesome. Castillo de San Lorenzo.

[Edit] I'm surprised that NYT article didn't talk about el tren a las nubes (train to the clouds). It's expensive but its one of the more famous attractions in Salta. Didn't do it myself.
Also, there's a really cheap train that runs from Buenos Aires to Rosario and on to Cordobá. Apparently it's a rough ride, but perfect if you're cheap and a masochist.

Iguaçu would be amazing. I haven't been there. I met a couple taking a 20 hour bus ride from Salta to get to the falls! If you like wine, might as well go to Mendoza. And you can take a bus over the Andes to Santiago. You don't have to pay the visa for Chile if you arrive by bus, or at least you didn't have to 6 months ago.

jonk

cool, thanks for the tips! i'll be working remotely from there so half of my days are gone; hopefully i can fit everything i want to do in!

maverick17

i got to MEX and am throwing away this ticket, unless someone with better fare rules knowledge than me has any tips on cancelling. some unforeseen issues back at home, it'll be a lot cheaper for me in the long run to just head home now.

for anyone interested in upgrades on AM, you might check out optiontown. mine cleared from TIJ the day before at around 30 bucks. luckily hadn't purchased yet for the two flights on this ticket. some forums say bad things about them, so buyer beware. i definitely wouldn't buy it months or even weeks in advance and float them the ca$h.

also MEX is a decent stop for the various ruins and museums. there is a Hampton for 10K points a night that is central and pretty nice that I stayed at.

PM me if you want to know anything else on my limited MEX and optiontown experience.

izzik

For those traveling Jan 18-Mar 31, UA and AA have some good deals to MEX (at least from ORD and WAS). Might want to check your city as well. $261 r/t ai from ORD, $199 r/t from WAS. Just keep in mind that if you are connecting to your MEX-EZE itinerary the same day, there is a terminal change involved from UA/AA to Aeromexico or LAN -- allow lots of transit time.

danielonn

I was able to book a one way from SFO-GRU for $474 via Mexico City to connect with a Trans Atlantic Cruise. Its for April on AeroMexico/TAM. Not as good as $138 but waaay better than $1750(:.

Its booked in M Class on AeroMexico and L Class on TAM and earns miles.

YYZC2

I had to cancel my ticket for Saturday.

Anyone know if it's worth fighting for the Mexican Airport Departure Tax (itemized as XD, ~50 CAD) or the Mexican Tourist Tax (itemized as UK, ~26 CAD)?

As my ticket was wholly unused, I'm wondering of these usage-based fees are due back to my FOP...

unleashlife

Any reports of how each of these segments are posting to AA?

I'll be flying it soon, hoping to squeeze every EQM towards my elite status this year.

jfkeze

I also need to cancel, positioning costs where too much for the long flight to EZE and could use the vacation days in a different location... was in EZE (hence the username) last month...