LatinPass: Who's Really Going?
 

Has anyone other than me actually booked a trip to get a LatinPass bonus?

I'll be earning 500k in 28 hours on March 11 and 12.

What's the itinerary? Should us fellow FTers be waving from the sidelines like the bearer of the Olympic Torch? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm waiting to see somebody actually do the trip *and* get the bonus, before I consider it. I've talked to my wife about it, and she might actually be the one doing the travelling. Again, though, I'd like a confirmation that the bonus is for real before setting out on my own. Good luck, UpgradeMe.

I bought my tickets yesterday. Two friends and I will be taking a GUA-CCS route for the 500k bonus. I was mighty tempted to go for the full 1M, but this plan seems less expensive per mile--at least when flying full fare or business. The full Y cost for this routing is under $1,200 (plus 25k AAdvantage miles to get in & out of South America).

We've got several days planned in Bonaire at the end of the trip. That gives us some slack if some of the flights get delayed or cancelled. If all goes as planned, we'll get the 500k miles in a fairly comfortable fashion and have a nice diving vacation to boot.

I'll take a $118 SFO-LAS-SFO trip on National for the partner segments.

If the miles post in the timeframe LatinPass promised, we might use miles from the first 500k to get the last 500k for under $1,000.

We're still looking at it since we'll be in AUA in April anyways?

If you don't mind please post the flights and times ($$$ too) for the 28 hours and GUA to CCS. I've been spending time on Travelocity and such to see how to do this in minimal time/cost.
Thanks!

UpgradeMe...I would also like to know the details/cost of your itinerary. If you'd rather not post it here, please e-mail to me.

Thanks...

My travel agent and I will be doing a 6 segment trip starting Mar 11th and ending the night of the 12th. If anyone is going around then feel free to e-mail me to see if we overlap. Total cost is $1200 in business class for 5 segments and full coach on 1 segment.

We could have ended in CUR for about 100 USD less, but decided that LIM would allow us to do a same day LIM-CUZ-LIM on Taca Peru if something went wrong with 1 of the flights midway through the trip.


rich

ps. has anyone investigated the locally collected taxes at various airports? Columbia I believe charges $25 to leave the country.


[This message has been edited by RichLond (edited 02-11-2000).]

I'm also still in the planning stage, but I am serious about it. I will combine it with a trip I have to do to Lima anyway (being based in London, UK I have to get to the Amreicas first). I am interested to see the experiences of others.

My itinerary was posted once upon a time in the really long LatinPass thread, but for those of you who really don't feel like wading through 180 posts:

Ticket #1:
3/11
TACA 514 MIA-MGA (qualifies as NICA)

Ticket #2:
3/11
TACA 514 MGA-SAL
AVIATECA 960 SAL-GUA
3/12
COPA 317 GUA-SJO (1-stop)

Ticket #3:
3/12
LACSA 691 SJO-BOG
AVIANCA 77 BOG-UIO
3/13
CO 1248 UIO-IAH
CO 1051 IAH-DFW

Not including the CO flights, this itinerary is less than $1900 in business class. (And since all of my flight coupons read either C or J, I don't have to worry about the ever-changing fare rules.)

I have to be in FLL on March 9 and 10, and in DFW on March 13, so this trip meshes perfectly with my other plans.

I know the trip can be done for less (even in business class), but I was unable to come up with a schedule that fit my needs any better than this one, in part because I will only be in Colombia for less than three hours.

I'll be in MCI for 24 hours on April 9, and I've already booked a MCI-STL r/t to cover the partner flights. Avis rentals (current President's Club member) and Marriott stays (current Marriott Rewards Gold) will not be a problem.

I may be joined on the trip by a good friend who is a well-known travel writer. So who knows, I may end up almost as famous as pudding guy.

BTW: All flights booked through TRIP.com for 3 miles per $.

Rich Lond: I'd love to see your itinerary. 5 b/c segments for $1200? Really?

That is truly astounding Rich. At these prices, coupled with the MEGAmiles, one might be tempted to just "take over" the entire series of aircraft on the route, at least in C, with FTer's.

Maybe a huge mileage party run could be planned in association with an upcoming event like the NYC or Montreal get togethers. It could well be a kind of an extention of the previous highly successful UA PIP flight. The only problem might well be too limited numbers of seats on these aicraft!

Upgrade me,

I will be on the same flights as you on 12th from SJO - BOG - UIO. Send me an e-mail and maybe we could have a drink the night before in SJO.

1 point i may not have made clear was that the 1200 dollars did not include flights to and from the US. Those are an additional 600 bucks on AA from DCA ($450 with VolumeBuy Vouchers) in coach.

The flights are as follows:

Ticket $138.99
TA220 SAL-SAP 08:30-09:15

Ticket 2 $570.00
CM311 SAP-GUA 14:15-15:00
GU911 GUA-SJO 18:25-20:00
LR691 SJO-BOG 10:40-13:45

Ticket 3 $503.80
AV77 BOG-UIO 16:15-17:40
VX521 UIO-LIM 21:35-22:45 < Coach

Total Cost: $1,212.79

rich


[This message has been edited by RichLond (edited 02-11-2000).]

Rich:

Not spending the night in SJO on 3/11, but maybe we can partake of the local custom during our 2 1/2 hour layover in BOG. (On second thought, let's skip the local custom and stick to alcohol.) Or maybe dinner in Quito during your 4 hour layover?

BTW, I don't think it's entirely coincidence that Rich and I selected many of the same flights. The trick for the cheap 500k (at least in business class) is to stick to Central America as much as possible. This is particularly true because Aces, Saeta and Aeropostal are all singles class airlines.

BTW, I selected UIO as my ending point only because CO's business class fare to DFW was hundreds of dollars less from UIO than it was from CCS, PTY or LIM. Because Avianca can get you to all of these places from BOG, it really depends how much it will cost you to return home.

Hi everyone.

I was going to go this thursday, but wife will be coming with me, so, we postponed to mid March. I gave up on the one million cause Saeta (flying, not flying, then flying again.......) 500k should be ok.
I came up with something better.
MEX/GUA/SAL/MGA/SJO/BOG/CCS/MIA- about $1100. Well one need to get to MEX and back from MIA (Was thinking in using FF award), is worth it.

I can recommend a GREAT Argentine steak house in Quito. I'll try and get the details.

I cannot speak for other Flyertalk event organizers but if anyone has any suggestions on any events tied to a F-T event could they PLEASE ASK THE EVENT COORDINATORS FIRST!!!

For my event, I want as few "main" events as possible to give everyone a chance to have free time to enjoy the sights of NYC.

If we have too many events then the whole thing will not be fun.

Thank you for your understanding.

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?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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.

leroy:

Called Thrifty about the car rental ages, as I might be taking the trip in June with a friend who is 19. Certain Thrifty locations will rent to 18+. The agent I spoke with at central reservations said that from her experience the 18+ locations tended to be in the East Coast. When I called the Thrifty counter at SYR they verified that they would rent to 18+ with a surcharge, I believe it was $20 or $25 per day, for 18-20's.

I called latin pass and the person told me that "connecting flights" did not qualify as multiple segments. She did not know the definition for a connecting flight. I asked her if they were on different airlines she didn't seem to know. She said that have had a lot of questions, but not many answers. The "official rules" are those the same as those posted on the web site. I figured they would have a longer version, with all the legal stuff. Anyway it looks like the best bet is to have each "segment" ticketed seperate, or would this be a big difference in cost?
Anyone get any better answers?

**Also NATIONAL AIRLINES does NOT qualify for the partner airline as they added to the program after the promotion started**

**Where is the other latinpass thread?

[This message has been edited by fabsco (edited 02-14-2000).]

I would tend to avoid overnighting in Caracas these days due to the upheavals from the bad weather. Although I got assurances from a local that the road fm downtown to CCS is now open, be careful...

Also reason for cheap flights from UIO is probably currency weakness...

jl

To add to the "segment" issue: my CS rep said that a one-way flight from LAX to MIA would count as one segment on USAir, whether you had a direct flight or went through Pittsburgh. One ticket = one origin and destination, no matter how many stops in between. But what happens if you fly two qualifying airlines on one ticket? This is still a very murky topic.

It seems to me that judging from LP's attitude to this whole promotion that they will NOT post the miles if they can possibly avoid it. I do not want to give them any excuse not to post my miles. What is a $200 saving by booking multiple segments on one ticket when you risk losing 500,000 miles or a million miles - in relative terms, it's nominal. Be safe and book each segment separately, IMHO.

To any under 24s out there: a very good way of getting the partner segments is to buy a US Airways Youth Flight Pak on the US Shuttle. It's about $230 for four coupons. Yes - I know it's more expensive than just 2 round-trips, but it's flexible. You just tip up when you want to at off-peak times. They do qualify for ff credit. I don't know about US, but on the DL Shuttle, you can stand-by at other times. Given that they're in direct competition with each other, this will probably be the same on US.

------------------
Cheers.

Leo.

I'm surprised the LP reps are sowing confusion on the issue of what qualifies as a segment. The mileage accrual rules on the website seem pretty clear:

But I guess it would be prudent to confirm everything with LP before actually ticketing a trip.

Hi there. I really would like to know who started the confusion with "what is a segment?". ANY frequent flyer program counts a "segment" as a flight for wich you require a separate flight coupon. Regardles if is a conecting flight /one way / round trip.......

I will be flying from MEX to CCS. Connecting in SAL / MGA / SJO / BOG / CSS it is a thru fare that means on the TKT next to each of the conecting cities there is an X indicating a conection, each of the segments is on a diferent airlines and I don't see the reason why each of the segments should not be posted on my account. The promotion reads: "fly an international SEGMENT on at least 6 of the airlines", Doesn't say: buy and fly at least one tkt for a one way fare on ...........

Well its not quite true that "ANY frequent flyer program counts a "segment" as a flight for wich you require a separate flight coupon. Regardles if is a conecting flight /one way / round trip......."

QANTAS FF credits Ansett NZ connecting flights made on the same day as a single segment regardless of changes in flight number or different flight coupons.

They can define it however they want but once they have defined it in there program guide (as LatinPass have) I don't think that they can then use the term in one of their promotions and rely on a different definition. Personally I don't think that they are trying to change the rules I just think that they haven't set things out clearly but that is not unique to LatinPass - Oneworld's promotion was equally lacking in detail and open to misinterpretation.

Have some concerns about the LatinPass organization and their rules. 3 issues are of concern to me at the moment.
1) Here is what the LatinPass website has to say about their program:
"LatinPass acts as an agent of the frequent traveler programs of the Latin American airlines stated in this document. LatinPass is not responsible for the failure of LatinPass airlines or partners to provide travel or services as indicated, or deficiencies in travel and services provided. Travel on any LatinPass airline will be subject to the appropriate airline's filed tariffs and standard contract of carriage. LatinPass airlines reserve the right to change award level mileage and conditions required without previous notice, and may cancel the program with six months notice. Participating airlines within the LatinPass frequent traveler program are subject to change at any time without notice. All travel award conditions may be subject to government regulations."
I'd hate to have to try and burn 1,000,000 miles in 6 months! Could this promotion break them?
2)Flights on TWA, USAir, and KLM must be booked through LatinPass. Their ticket agents can do nothing but refer you to LatinPass if you want to redeem LP miles. THese airlines recognize tickets bought through LatinPass using LP miles, but do not recognize the LatinPass mileage. If LP does go under (its a program that is less than 5 years old), what confidence can we have that any of the partner carriers would honor our miles.
3) Jesse, at LatinPass, says that to extend the expiration of your miles past 3 years, you must fly on a LatinPass MEMBER airline. Partners, hotels, car rentals will not do.

3) As usual, LP is contradicting itself!! From the web-site:

Mileage Expiration
Mileage does not expire for LatinPass members who remain active. If your account does not have at least one qualifying activity in a 36 month period, all mileage earned will expire. Qualifying activity is defined as accruing mileage credit on any LatinPass participating airline, as well as accruing mileage credit with participating hotels, car rental companies, and other service providers offering LatinPass mileage credits. Transfering mileage to a LatinPass account is not considered a qualifying activity.