Catman: So if I understand you correctly, FT'ers who happen to be in Quito on 3/12 should not meet for dinner because it might somehow interfere with your NYC event?

No, but someone suggested linking this Latin Pass mileage run with my cat-Man-do-2.

I want to keep my event as simple as possible without side events or parties or stuff like that.

The dates for my event are March 17-19 so it won't interefer with your dinner in Quito or elsehwere.

And have a great time!!!

In response to a question about airport taxes. When I was in GUA a couple of months ago, I remember having a tax of about US$30 CASH(either US$ or GUA Quetzal) that I had to pay before checking in. This was in addition to any taxes charged in my ticket already. I was already running late (last person to check in), out of cash and the first ATM I went to didn't work(I believe there are only two in the airport so expect a line).

As to hotels in CCS, I remember a clean, safe hotel right on the beach that was only 15 minutes by bus(US$0.50 if that much). There were two restaurants basically connected to the hotel that overlooked the water. The hotel was about US$25. The beer there was cheap and pretty good. I will try to find the name and address of the hotel and another one in GUA and post it.

In order to get around the tax, if we are only connecting in a certain airport (but using our next/seperate ticket) in what countries would we still have to pay the airport tax that is charged at the counter. We would still have to check-in but it might possibly be inside of customs/immigration. If one were doing the 1,000,000, the taxes if US$25/ticket would add up to a significant amount....any advice?

Taxes... Yet another question on departure taxes...

1. When is it charged? i.e. Yes on departure
but is this only if you stay overnight
i.e. leave the airport. I assumed it wasn't charged if your are just an intl
transit e.g. transferring in BOG from a
CCS flight to another International flight
to SJU ?
2. Does anyone know what is being charged
these days for AUA, PTY, SJO , CCS ...

Having fun yet? Thx !

Don't know about the departure taxes in Central America, but Peru and Ecuador are both $25 (not for transit though.) However, if you're doing a domestic trip to Cuzco and Machu Pichu, you will have to pay obviously.

Mark- No intention of stepping on any paws here Catman! The only aspect intended to relate to ANY event, not just NYC, was that FTers from different areas might well have possibly wanted to consider using ANY upcoming event as a possible starting and/or finishing point where a group could get together for a great fun run! Of course these would've been separate from your NYC hosting and naturally I'd have spoken to you if I'd planned to connect it directly. I hope you'll accept my sincerest apologies. In retrospect, my choice of the words in association with, was indeed a poor choice! Again apologies all around.

MileSmiles: Try Starting with Lacsa , LAX-MEX at 12:30 AM Six days a week.

[This message has been edited by Sydneyjb (edited 02-13-2000).]

Milesmiles-
sounds like you found a good itinerary. Can you give the breakdown on times and airlines for the flights? Is this Coach on all flights?

"MEX/GUA/SAL/MGA/SJO/BOG/CCS/MIA- about $1100."
Thanks

After reading this and the other Latinpass thread, I've come to the conclusion that this offer is just too good to pass up, considering I'm planning on going to Europe and Asia this year, my parents to Australia next year.

I'd be interested in flying to Miami in March with my father (US Airways, $200) and then doing the 500k trip for around $1,200 with a stop-over somewhere nice where we could relax for a week and perhaps take advantage of the hotel and car rental requirements at the same time.

I have no idea, however, where to spend this vacation. I'm not looking for sand and sun, rather some place with interesting city life, history, culture, etc. Was leaning towards Peru, if it can fit within the $1,200 range. Costa Rica also sounds nice. My dad speaks Spanish and is pretty adventurous, so we're flexible.

I've already started doing my homework, but any suggestions from you Latin American experts on location or itinerary would be much appreciated!

I am wondering if the car rental requirement effectively excludes children from this offer. If so, does anyone see a way around this?

dhacker:

My brother had that problem. People under 21 are basically excluded. He e-mailed Guy Booth wanting to substitute more flights for the car rental. He wouldn't budge. Thrifty will rent 21+, Avis 25+. He is going to have his father post a rental on his LP account. It should work. He's had his father's Hertz rentals on his DL account in the past.

Thanks. I don't think I'll chance that work around with my 6 and 9 year olds!

Just a note for those waiting to see how the first intrepid Fters fare on this one: I spoke with Latin Pass CS today and they said that miles will be calculated after the July 1st end date and post 4-6 weeks later. Still, I'm also thinking that this deal is too good to pass up.