Neither my car rental nor my hotel stays have posted yet.

I just had my 500K run from MIA booked and ticketed today for travel at the end of this month. My itinerary is:
MIA-BOG AV9 10-00am-1.30pm
BOG-SJO LR690 3.00pm-4.10pm
SJO-SAL TA560 4.50pm-6.09pm
SAL-GUA GU960 6.49pm-7.39pm
next day
GUA-MGA CM317 7.15am-8.20am
MGA-MIA TA515 9.55am-1.25pm

All booked in J or C class on one ticket, except the MGA-MIA segment, which is on a separate ticket and in economy (M class). Total cost of GBP921 (approx USD1380). The MIA-BOG on AV is a real bargain, at approx USD330 in business (would have been circa USD150 in economy), about half the price of the MGA-MIA on TA. This will leave me the four 'southern' airlines (Aces, Aeropostal, Saeta and Taca-Peru) and perhaps some tourism for another trip if I eventually decide to go for the 1M.

I noted RichLond's comments on connecting from CM317 to TA515 in MGA and UpgradeMe's warning on the need to be quick off the plane at BOG (thanks to both of you). The other thing I am slightly nervous about is the tight connections (40 mins) at SJO and SAL between LR/TA and TA/GU. Anybody knows whether the LR check-in agent at BOG will be able to check me though to GUA, since LR, TA and GU are all Grupo Taca airlines? Alternatively, anybody knows whether I can go to the check-in desks of LR and TA (and GU, if they have any) at MIA and check-in there for a flight later that day within Latin America?

I have not booked a hotel in GUA yet. I am thinking of booking a room at the Marriott, since (a) it is one of the Latinpass partners and a stay there will contribute to the 500K requirements and (b) it is not too far from the airport and provides a shuttle service. Any comment on this hotel or any alternative?

From one of Pudding Guy's messages, I understand that it could be helpful to speak some Spanish in difficult moments. I can more or less just about get by in ordinary Spanish but have no notion of air travel lingo (things like 'through check-in' or 'landside/airside', etc...). Anybody knows of an online source of air-speak Spanish vocabulary?

Also, did anybody come across any lower carry-on allowances than the 10Kg on GUA-SAL that Pudding Guy mentioned? With my itinerary, I definitely do NOT want to find myself having to check in any hold luggage.

Something which might be useful for those non-US nationals transiting via the US who normally rely on the Visa-Waiver programme to enter the US: you may want to check that the South or Central American airline you plan to return to the US with participates in the programme, otherwise you may well have to get a US transit visa. TA is OK, and I would suspect that LR is too, but I would not be 100% sure about Aces, Aeropostal or Saeta (if or when they resume UIO-MIA flights).

(apologies: duplicate message)

[This message has been edited by NickB (edited 03-15-2000).]

(and again...)

[This message has been edited by NickB (edited 03-15-2000).]

Nick:

Any Grupo Taca airline agent should be able to check you in for all Grupo Taca flights.

We stayed at the Marriott GUA. Nice hotel, especially at $95. Airport shuttle runs every 30 minutes. However, RichLond would probably tell you to save $30 and stay at the Radisson.

I see it is taking a long time to get LP partner activity posted. Anyone had any hotels, rental cars, or other airlines posted yet?? If so, how long did it take (and please mention the partner.)

I want to know how long to wait until I start to voice my concerns.

NickB,

that was our EXACT itinerary and you will be amazed at the service on the Avianca Business Class flight!! However, u will sweat all the extra calories off when u arrive in Bogota.

We were also worried about the tight connections, but had no problems what so ever. The Aviateca flight was actually held a few minutes for connecting passengers when our Bogota flight was delayed. You will be checked in for all your TACA flights in Bogota. They will also take all 3 of your TACA flight coupons.

I would strongly recommend the "All-Suite" Radisson in Guatemala. We were able to obtain a 65USD rate using a web saver. The taxi from the airport was 7USD and we took a free airport shuttle from the hotel back to the airport. There are some great places to eat right outside the hotel.

In reference to the Copa to Taca connection in MGA. I would strongly recommend you get the boarding passes at the GUA Taca desk. However that said, I am pretty pleased we got bumped. Sue and I were not scheduled to return to DC until Monday, so rather than sleeping at the Miami Airport Farfield Inn, we got to spend an extra day in MGA at a top notch hotel with all meals paid. The upgrade to business was a bonus.

Good Luck and have fun,
rich

RichLond, NickB
I was wanting to book the same itinerary but I need help.
In NickB's post, the 4th leg says GU 960 6:49 - 7:39
When I look that up, Flt 960 shows being an Aviateca @ 6:25 - 7:10
Grupo Taca shows Flt 514 6:49 - 7:39
Which airline is the 6:49 flight on?
Thanks

Tomphot,

You are right. The Aviateca flight is now departing earlier. This was not the case last week when we did our mileage run. My belief is that you would still be able to make that connection quite easily in SAL assuming no delays from SJO.

rich

Tomphot: on the date I am traveling in two weeks' time, the timing is still 6:49. The 6.25 departure seems to be a seasonal change for the spring/summer. I take some comfort from Rich's comment that Aviateca might be ready to hold the flight for connecting passengers. As this must be the plane's last rotation of the day and as the chances of there being passengers on the flight connecting to another flight out of GUA are limited, there is a reasonable likelihood that they would hold it if need be.

Rich, looking forward to that AV flight. On the MGA connection, I have factored in an extra day in MIA before returning to Ireland to allow for contingencies, so if everything goes well up to MGA, I could tempt fate. I am somewhat nervous that the next day flight might be full though, which would leave me in a pickle, so I'll probably follow your advice and get the boarding pass at GUA.

On hotels, the Radisson does indeed look good value. Can't get the USD65 rate, as I'll be there on a weekday, but they have a weekday rate of USD80 (compared with USD119 at the Marriott), so I may end up there. Apparently, you can get the shuttle from the airport to the hotel too if you ask them in advance.


[This message has been edited by NickB (edited 03-20-2000).]

Okay - I'm a little confused about this Aviateca flight. The Aviateca and TACA flights departing SAL for GUA around the same time in the evening around 630p - they're still separate flights and will be credited as Aviateca??

Thanks!!

Has anbody actually get bonus miles posted to their account yet? All the rules are so very vague and confusing as to be left open to interpertation. I live not far from their dumpy office and went there yesterday to have them look over my itinerary, they refused saying it was against the rules. I asked for my membership card, since it's been about a month since i've signed up, they said I have to wait another 2 weeks. LP has only been in business since 1995. I'd like to go for it, but I consider it a gamble.......perhaps I should head to las vegas?....might have some fun!

Pudding Guy--How did you like the Intercontinentals in MGA and CCS? We are planning a leisurely (4 Day) 500K run in June, and will be staying at the CCS, SJO and MGA Intercontinentals. Restaurants? Time to/fr airport? Thanks for any input.

Djlawman

NOT an attempt to boost my post count, just and inadvertent duplicate post.

[This message has been edited by Djlawman (edited 03-16-2000).]

Same

[This message has been edited by Djlawman (edited 03-16-2000).]