LatinPass - Who's Really Going? (replacement)
May 31, 2000 | 8:04 am
#151
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Dallas, Texas, USA
Posts: 50
NickB,
Re domestic/international departure taxes in Peru. Yes, you have to pay them. Transiting from domestic to international (or vice versa) doesn't get you out of them.
Re accomodations in Lima: You might consider staying in one of the Diners Club lounges. There are free drinks & snacks, restroom facilities there. I slept on a sofa in one, and the attendant was even nice enough to give me a nudge when it was time for me to get up for my flight. A Diners Club card costs $80/year, but I found it was worth it in giving me access to the lounges in some of the airports. Plus, for the first year you get get 1k miles for every month you make a purchase. If you do this I would doublecheck with DC that the lounge is open all night on the date that you are there.
For what its worth, in two days I flew GUA-MGA-MIA-Maracaibo-CCS-BOG-UIO, and didn't get so much as a raised eyebrow from any official!
[This message has been edited by Hiker Guy (edited 05-31-2000).]
Re domestic/international departure taxes in Peru. Yes, you have to pay them. Transiting from domestic to international (or vice versa) doesn't get you out of them.
Re accomodations in Lima: You might consider staying in one of the Diners Club lounges. There are free drinks & snacks, restroom facilities there. I slept on a sofa in one, and the attendant was even nice enough to give me a nudge when it was time for me to get up for my flight. A Diners Club card costs $80/year, but I found it was worth it in giving me access to the lounges in some of the airports. Plus, for the first year you get get 1k miles for every month you make a purchase. If you do this I would doublecheck with DC that the lounge is open all night on the date that you are there.
For what its worth, in two days I flew GUA-MGA-MIA-Maracaibo-CCS-BOG-UIO, and didn't get so much as a raised eyebrow from any official!
[This message has been edited by Hiker Guy (edited 05-31-2000).]
May 31, 2000 | 8:17 am
#152
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Dallas, Texas, USA
Posts: 50
FYI for anyone using G class fares... A few days ago I asked whether G class fares accumulated LP miles on Aviateca. I sent an email to Distancia and they replied that G class was good for LP miles (the opposite from what they told me over the phone). So I was happy to find out today (from LP) that my G fare flight had posted.
May 31, 2000 | 9:31 am
#153
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: california
Posts: 241
Hiker Guy,
Congragulations! I guess you have cancelled "Operation Rescue Miles". A couple of questions. I have Diners club card but will be transiting from Bogota to Quito. Is Diners club lounge in International Transition area of Lima,or do you have to go to Domestic portion of airport. My flight lands from Bogata at a little after Midnight and my next flight departs for Quito at 6AM. Does Diners club allow guests in the lounge? I will be traveling with my wife and she does not have a card.
Congragulations! I guess you have cancelled "Operation Rescue Miles". A couple of questions. I have Diners club card but will be transiting from Bogota to Quito. Is Diners club lounge in International Transition area of Lima,or do you have to go to Domestic portion of airport. My flight lands from Bogata at a little after Midnight and my next flight departs for Quito at 6AM. Does Diners club allow guests in the lounge? I will be traveling with my wife and she does not have a card.
May 31, 2000 | 9:50 am
#154
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Glen Ellen, CA, USA
Posts: 5
NickB
Quito allows free transit if less than 24 hours.
Try the Hotel Quito for a day stay. I found them very friendly and they allowed me to extend my check out time to 6.00pm when I stayed there. They also pick up the taxi fare from the airport.
Quito allows free transit if less than 24 hours.
Try the Hotel Quito for a day stay. I found them very friendly and they allowed me to extend my check out time to 6.00pm when I stayed there. They also pick up the taxi fare from the airport.
May 31, 2000 | 9:56 am
#155
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Dallas, Texas, USA
Posts: 50
Cy-gone... yes, no rescue mission needed!
Re Diners... there's two lounges in Lima, both in the International Terminal One is outside of customs but the other is in the duty-free area (look for a staircase, I believe it is signed) so I think you can get to it while in transit. Guests are OK. For details, see
http://www.dinersclub.com/lounges/peru_2.html
Re Diners... there's two lounges in Lima, both in the International Terminal One is outside of customs but the other is in the duty-free area (look for a staircase, I believe it is signed) so I think you can get to it while in transit. Guests are OK. For details, see
http://www.dinersclub.com/lounges/peru_2.html
May 31, 2000 | 11:06 am
#156
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Latinpass Million Miler. BA Gold.
Posts: 3,544
Nick,
Having just done my 1M, the only very suspicious customs/immigration officials were in the USA - and this was even BEFORE I started my journey. Most S.Amer immigrations didn't really seem to care.
In Quito and GYE you don't pay the tax (I did the ACES one day return from Lima), and got stranded in GYE), but no chance of avoiding in Lima - 12 soles for domestic (or Cuzco for that matter). In Lima, I'd suggest a hotel closer to the airport - downtown Lima isn't the nicest place to be at night - even in a cab.
In GYE I got bored - everything was closed on the Sunday I got stranded - I just sort of wandered around. The riverfront is mildy okay (for about 20 minutes), and there are a few museums.
Enjoy
Henk
Having just done my 1M, the only very suspicious customs/immigration officials were in the USA - and this was even BEFORE I started my journey. Most S.Amer immigrations didn't really seem to care.
In Quito and GYE you don't pay the tax (I did the ACES one day return from Lima), and got stranded in GYE), but no chance of avoiding in Lima - 12 soles for domestic (or Cuzco for that matter). In Lima, I'd suggest a hotel closer to the airport - downtown Lima isn't the nicest place to be at night - even in a cab.
In GYE I got bored - everything was closed on the Sunday I got stranded - I just sort of wandered around. The riverfront is mildy okay (for about 20 minutes), and there are a few museums.
Enjoy
Henk
May 31, 2000 | 11:31 am
#157
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
Henk do you or anyone else know where the Holiday-Inn is located and is the area safe.I'll be coming in from UIO @ midnight and plan to use those DC clubs till my flight to CUZ, I do a turn around and will be back in LIM @ 9am time for some R&R since next flight isnt till the next day @ 6am to PTY(where I'm told to check out the canal to kill a few hrs). Anyone have any ideas for killing the day in LIM besides sleeping and the gym?
May 31, 2000 | 12:26 pm
#158
Suspended
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 1,604
We stayed at the Holiday Miraflores ($99/nt). Very nice room and close to the park where you can have a beer and lunch and watch the people go by. We weren't there very long but 10 years ago I visited the gold museum and found it interesting.
When we were at the airport in Lima the Diners Club was closed at night so it was the airport rest/lounge on the upper floor of international .
When we were at the airport in Lima the Diners Club was closed at night so it was the airport rest/lounge on the upper floor of international .
May 31, 2000 | 12:28 pm
#159
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Dallas, Texas, USA
Posts: 50
Craz, re Lima... I was there twice this year - the first time we talked to a person at the information booth who was able to arrange a driver and a van for $8/hr. The driver spoke no English so this was not a guided tour but he did take us to several places... we drove by Fujimori's palace, and he dropped us off for an hour at the National Museum, another hour at Franciscan monastery & church (that had a guided English tour), and the Miraflores shopping area.
The church/monastery made the biggest impression, but it may be a bit gruesome for some. The catacombs in the basement had been excavated - there were bins and vats fully of neatly and sometimes very carefully arranged skulls and other bones! Bizarre.
The last time I was in Lima (for my million mile run) I was greeted by a (evidently state) tourist bureau agent just past customs - he was very polite & helpful and passed me off to another agent who showed me the way to the DC lounge. But both agents asked about my schedule and whether I had tours set up in Cusco & Lima - I already had my schedule laid out in both places, but he was evidently prepared to help me get a tour in either city should I have needed one. Lacking specific recommendations for tours, you might choose to use a recommendation from one of these tourist bureau agents.
[This message has been edited by Hiker Guy (edited 05-31-2000).]
The church/monastery made the biggest impression, but it may be a bit gruesome for some. The catacombs in the basement had been excavated - there were bins and vats fully of neatly and sometimes very carefully arranged skulls and other bones! Bizarre.
The last time I was in Lima (for my million mile run) I was greeted by a (evidently state) tourist bureau agent just past customs - he was very polite & helpful and passed me off to another agent who showed me the way to the DC lounge. But both agents asked about my schedule and whether I had tours set up in Cusco & Lima - I already had my schedule laid out in both places, but he was evidently prepared to help me get a tour in either city should I have needed one. Lacking specific recommendations for tours, you might choose to use a recommendation from one of these tourist bureau agents.
[This message has been edited by Hiker Guy (edited 05-31-2000).]
May 31, 2000 | 12:36 pm
#160
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Dallas, Texas, USA
Posts: 50
Originally posted by drtravels:
When we were at the airport in Lima the Diners Club was closed at night so it was the airport rest/lounge on the upper floor of international .
When we were at the airport in Lima the Diners Club was closed at night so it was the airport rest/lounge on the upper floor of international .
There is also an all night bar / restaurant on the upper level of Int'l but it is outside customs. I don't know if there are any all-night restaurant/bars inside customs.
May 31, 2000 | 6:44 pm
#161
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 62
Just returned from our first run for the million (5 women) and we had a great time! In fact, one of the women I went with said that the "adventure" was such great fun that the miles are really just a "bonus." We had a few stressful moments including missing our Nica flight because our TWA flight was delayed 3 hours, someone mistakenly taking one of our carry-ons in Managua, and having our flight out of Caracas delayed because of a sick pilot (which caused us to miss our flight in Miami). But we met some terrific people, some "very cute" flight attendants, and 7 guys also going for the million (5 of whom had never heard of webflyer or flyertalk -- but they know about it now!)
We're all excited about our next trip to pick up the last 3 airlines in 3 weeks, which we'll do at a more leisurely pace. Thanks for all the great information on this board that allowed us to plan this "adventure."
A side note: The Grupa Taca employees were absolutely incredible - helping us rebook our flights and even suggesting a better connection in San Salvador that allowed us to enjoy a day in Costa Rica. They get an A+ in my book!
We're all excited about our next trip to pick up the last 3 airlines in 3 weeks, which we'll do at a more leisurely pace. Thanks for all the great information on this board that allowed us to plan this "adventure."
A side note: The Grupa Taca employees were absolutely incredible - helping us rebook our flights and even suggesting a better connection in San Salvador that allowed us to enjoy a day in Costa Rica. They get an A+ in my book!
May 31, 2000 | 7:14 pm
#163
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: BTV
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier Platinum, DL Gold, Lifetime Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 870
NickB- as David D has mentioned, you don't have to pay the departure tax in UIO if you're staying less than 24 hours. You should stop at the departure tax booth to get your exemption (in form of a receipt).
As far as UIO hotel, my recommendation is the Four Points Sheraton. They have a complimentary shuttle. You can call the hotel ahead of time to make arrangements. They will be there waiting for you as you exit the airport. The staff is very helpful and attentive.
If you have time, read my short UIO trip report at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000889.html
Best of luck on your trip!
As far as UIO hotel, my recommendation is the Four Points Sheraton. They have a complimentary shuttle. You can call the hotel ahead of time to make arrangements. They will be there waiting for you as you exit the airport. The staff is very helpful and attentive.
If you have time, read my short UIO trip report at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000889.html
Best of luck on your trip!
Jun 1, 2000 | 12:16 am
#165
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 101
Nick B & Vandykes:
With regards to a place to stay in Lima, I highly recommend a "guest house" called Mami Panchita. It is located about halfway between the airport and downtown Lima, so it is much closer than just about any other place you might stay. It is run by a Dutch man and his Peruvian wife. His name is Toon and her name is Monica. They run a travel agency on the premises (which is their main business), called Raymi Travels. I actually booked by flights in and out of Cuzco through them and picked the tickets up upon arrival in Lima. Mami Panchita also doubles as Toon & Monica's home. I felt like I was staying in a friend's house, rather than a "hotel". They charge US$12 per person per night, with a simple breakfast included. They can arrange to have a driver pick you up for US$15, or you can hire your own for about the same or a bit less at the airport. As Mami Panchita is in a residential neighborhood, I would highly recommend having their driver pick you up. As some of you may have seen in my earlier posts, I had a number of flight changes due to "broken" planes. Toon and his staff fixed me up and helped reconfirm my onward flights. I called him in the middle of the night and he sent someone to the airport at 6:00 a.m. to try to change a reservation for me so that it would be fixed before I landed that morning! I can't say enough nice things about him. You can e-mail them at "[email protected]" Just tell Toon that you are one of Ryan & Carrie's crazy friends who enjoy flying in circles for the weekend. If you want other recommendations, just check the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree. I've only heard good things from others, and he is the one that is consistently recommended for travel arrangements in Peru by Thorn Tree posters.
Happy Travels!
Rhinochaser
[This message has been edited by rhinochaser (edited 06-03-2000).]
With regards to a place to stay in Lima, I highly recommend a "guest house" called Mami Panchita. It is located about halfway between the airport and downtown Lima, so it is much closer than just about any other place you might stay. It is run by a Dutch man and his Peruvian wife. His name is Toon and her name is Monica. They run a travel agency on the premises (which is their main business), called Raymi Travels. I actually booked by flights in and out of Cuzco through them and picked the tickets up upon arrival in Lima. Mami Panchita also doubles as Toon & Monica's home. I felt like I was staying in a friend's house, rather than a "hotel". They charge US$12 per person per night, with a simple breakfast included. They can arrange to have a driver pick you up for US$15, or you can hire your own for about the same or a bit less at the airport. As Mami Panchita is in a residential neighborhood, I would highly recommend having their driver pick you up. As some of you may have seen in my earlier posts, I had a number of flight changes due to "broken" planes. Toon and his staff fixed me up and helped reconfirm my onward flights. I called him in the middle of the night and he sent someone to the airport at 6:00 a.m. to try to change a reservation for me so that it would be fixed before I landed that morning! I can't say enough nice things about him. You can e-mail them at "[email protected]" Just tell Toon that you are one of Ryan & Carrie's crazy friends who enjoy flying in circles for the weekend. If you want other recommendations, just check the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree. I've only heard good things from others, and he is the one that is consistently recommended for travel arrangements in Peru by Thorn Tree posters.
Happy Travels!
Rhinochaser
[This message has been edited by rhinochaser (edited 06-03-2000).]