I'm at an internet cafe in Cuzco. I had to skip the helicopter to Maccu Piccu as I have been stricken by altitude sickness. I may try the train tommorrow, but the way I feel right now, I just want to get home ASAP !
BTW, the Monasterio hotel, where I am staying, tells me that the business is off over 50% due to political unrest. Cuzco does seem empty.

Rhinochaser,

I still haven't been able to get through to Mami Panchita. Do you have a phone number for the guest house?

Thanks

Spoke w/LP today found that Best Western offered much cheaper prices.BEWARE although BW is listed in the LP member-book as a partner LP said BW IS NOT!!!! COUNTED TOWARDS THE 1 MIL BONUS!!! so if anyone was counting on BW Id call LP and be prepared to find your closest non-BW B/4 the end of June.

[This message has been edited by craz (edited 06-08-2000).]

Just got back from a successful full million mile run. Can't thank everyone on this board enough, especially the early travelers, for posting all the info that made planning and taking the trip so easy. Luck was also on my side.

I'll try not to repeat what everyone else has already posted, but hope some of my experiences can be helpful.

Did the trip in 5 days, but could have been done in 4 if I didn't take an extra day to do Machu Picchu.

My route:
US BOS/CLT/FLL
Avis FLL
TA MIA/MGA (for Nica)
CM MGA/GUA
Radisson GUA
GU GUA/SAL
TA SAL/SJO
LR SJO/UIO
Hilton UIO
VX UIO/LIM (for SAETA)
TA LIM/CUZ (for Taca Peru)
Hotel Monestario CUZ
TJ CUZ/LIM (didn't count for bonus)
Holiday Inn LIM
VH LIM/GYE
AV GYE/BOG
VX BOG/MIA
US MIA/BOS

Every flight, except TJ, operated on time or early. I was in business class on all flights where available. Equipment and service on all carriers except AV was well above average. VX coach service beats business/first class service on many other airlines.

I'd recommend all of the hotels eventhough I didn't some of them use them for more than a shower and couple of hours of sleep.

At every immigration counter I started every conversation with Transito and it allowed me to avoid departure taxes at most airports. I had to pay it in Peru because of the overnight, and had to pay the minor domestic departure taxes twice.

Some of the airline agents at check-in counters tried to be "helpful" by switching me to non-stop flights so I wouldn't have to make connections. They didn't understand why "loco" Americans want to travel this way.

I followed everyone's advice for getting through I&C and staying in transit. The only time I didn't was in LIM - and I was sorry. Instead of being in the international transit area for 6 hours overnight, I ended up in the domestic area with blaring TV's, and maintenance staff moving each chair I tried to sleep on so they could clean the floor. If you do this connection, stay in International transit until at least 4am when the Taca Peru check-in counter opens.

Although you are constantly reminded to allow at least 2 hours for check-in, if you have a biz class ticket, an hour is enough, except for BOG. Some of the flights left up to 30 min early, so don't cut it too close.

The helicopter from CUZ to Machu Picchu & back is a spectacular 25 min flight through the mountains. The flight attendant provides lots of commentary and many photo ops out the helicopter windows. You can book the flight directly with Heli Cusco at +51-84-227283 for US$170 round-trip. If you book it through a tour operator it becomes about $250. Flight leaves CUZ at 8:30am and leaves Aguas Calientes at 3:00pm. Tour operators are also trying to sell the bus from Aguas Calientes to/from Machu Picchu and Machu Pacchu entry for $30-$50. The bus ticket is $6 and entry is $10. Lots of english speaking guides for hire too.

The last flight from CUZ to LIM is the 12:30pm TJ flight. It was only 30 min late, but locals told me sometimes it doesn't run. Lan Peru has a 12:25 flight that was booked full, but had lots of empty seats. I would double book so you don't get stuck there for an extra day.

Great knowledgable english speaking guide in Lima is Floriano Maguina - Tel: 5534026 or 9014425 (cell). Did a great city tour and the Museo de Oro in 5 hours.

I had an $85 confirmed rate at the Holiday Inn Miraflores. At check-in they wouldn't take a Prioity Pass or Latin Pass number for a rate lower than $109.

Had a lot of trouble getting my LatinPass number onto my US Air flights. The airport agents couldn't get it to happen, told me I had to call the Dividend Miles Service Center before the end of the day I took the flight. Called them between flights and spoke to a few people who said it couldn't be done, then finally to a supervisor who said she knew how to do it and would enter my number. It still didn't appear on my boarding passes, so we'll see if it posts.

After making copies, I took the originals of all of my boarding passes, ticket receipts, hotel bills and car rental bill to LatinPass on my return to Miami. They stamped a receipt for me and told me they wait 6 weeks to see if they post automatically from each carrier and partner. If not, then they put it in.

Now I wait to see when eveything posts and hope this part is as easy as taking the run.

After reading RLEWIS' recent posting I had a paranoia attack and called the hotels where I stayed. I signed up for the Hilton program in Caracas and the Marriott in Miami.On phoning them today neither had any record of my request for credit to my Latin Pass account, but entered the info into their computors so, hopefully it will post sometime.
So far I've not managed to talk to Radisson directly, only to Gold Points Rewards who said that one must be a member of this program to get awards and that they will try to credit it retroactively.
At each hotel I presented my Latin Pass card and told the desk that I wanted credit to LP.
I know it's a bit late in the program, but I suggest signing up for these hoel awards programs before leaving.

There is a bus from the airport in Caracas which drops off at the Hilton. It costs about $4.50 and gives a feeling of security in the Caracas traffic

MileSmiles:

I did the turnaround in CUZ on Taca Peru. Just go through customs and out the exit. When you get outside you will see a gated parking lot. Ignore all the people wanting to help you. Walk to your left and around the fence and enter the terminal where you can check in. It is about a 1 minute walk outside. When you get inside, tell the check-in counter and the taxman that you are in transit so you don't have to pay any departure taxes.

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I finally got my Aviateca flight today I think. As I posted earlier, I changed plans and spent the night in Guatamala City to catch the 6:55AM GU961 flight from GUA-SAL. Got up at 4AM to be sure and get their early. Received my boarding pass and went to gate 1 for the flight. There was another Grupo Taca plane at the next gate.

At 7:30AM, there was still no plane and I kept walking over to the other gate thinking that was my plane. They kept sending me back to gate 1. Finally a plane lands at the gate and the people get off. I'm thinking that this is OK since I left over 4 hours for my Continental flight out of SAL. Then they make an announcement in Spanish and everyone at the gate heads for the other plane.

I'm getting really nervous and then I talk to a gate agent who explains that we are all going to fly on Taca flight 515 (the other plane) to SAL. I started to get upset thinking they were going to give me a new boarding pass that read TA515 when I was taking 6 flights just to get 1 Aviateca flight, but they boarded us with our GU passes. So I'm hoping that I will get the credit as posted, but I have the flight coupon and a boarding pass that reads GU and my LatinPass number just in case.

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Foolishrunner, were you originally booked on Aviateca 960 SAL-GUA? From your earlier posting, it sounded like this was the flight. I'm curious because I'm booked on that flight next week. Based on your earlier posting I called both Aviateca and Distancia to be sure that I will get an Aviateca boarding pass, after looking at my record both reps told me I would get the Aviateca boarding pass.

Tomorrow my wife and I, depart on our quest for 500,000 miles each. We have made a vacation out of the journey; and may be doing one of the longer trips, as far as length of time is concerned. We do not get back until July, after the LP promotion has ended. We will complete all the required flight segments by June 25th however. We will spend three days in Quito, five days in Cuzco, seven days in Costa Rica, five days in Belize and three days in Guatemala.

I first discovered these boards in December of 1999, and initially followed in amazement as people began posting various ways to earn miles. I changed my telephone long distance carriers and was able to earn 50,000 miles for both lines. I moved money into mileage accounts and earned even more miles. I�ve donated money to the World Wildlife Federation and participate in click rewards. I now have a Diners Club Card and a Starwood Amex card to complement my old Continental Airlines Master Card.

But, I must tell you, when I saw the Latin Pass promotion first posted, my initial reaction was (WHAT KIND OF NUT WOULD DO THIS!). Then, I read in amazement as people posted their wonderful and exhilarating experiences, as they traveled Central and South America. After following the Latin Pass threads for some time, I became seduced by the LP postings. I could not wait to read the latest posting. I told friends and relatives about the promotion but they laughed; �You have to be cerifiably insane to journey to Columbia, Venezuela, or Peru, forget it: nobody ever comes back alive from those places� was the general consensus. Fortunately my wife did not think I was as unbalanced as most of our friends, and agreed to go on the journey with me.

We had joined the Latin Pass program in February, and were not affected by the March 20th cut off. In researching the Latin Pass trip I learned more than I ever wanted to know about fare classes. How to get hotel points to post? Car rentals, how many days, two companies or one? The postings of past participants have been extremely helpful to me. I know that the information about clearing customs and connection times will be very valuable as well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the Latin Pass links. Without you I would have never attempted this.

We will be in Quito this weekend, and Cuzco next week, maybe we will run into some of you. If not we will try to keep you posted about the trip. Thanks again.

Cy-gone, I hope that your & your wife have a great trip and come back with good stories! -Hiker Guy

Hi Foolishrunner,

Thanks for answering, just one quick question, do you go through customs when flying LIM-CUZ (Domestic flight)?
The reason why I asked about the LIM-CUZ-LIM same day is 'cause I remembered somebody said TA in CUZ told him the flight was closed when he tried to check-in in CUZ, I think he finally was able to get on the plane , but after a lot of trouble !! You did the same day return ?

Thanks again, MileS

MileSmiles,

Check in for the return before you leave LIM I did it. Slept on the way to CUZ and then endured the strange looks of the FA's when I reboarded and went back to sleep. Definately better than risking have the flight close and they will check you in in LIM. Also when you get off immediately look for the check-in, they don't keep the plane on the ground long and there is alot of aero-continente traffic around.

BSL

MileSmiles:

No, you don't go through customs, but you must exit at baggage claim. Yes, I got my boarding pass in Cuzco and then you have to go through security again where my bag was searched and I was searched twice. They wouldn't give me my return pass in Lima so I had to check in, but it's worth a try. With so many of us doing it, they may just go ahead and give it to you in Lima.

vindesante:

My original trip in early May was AV960 that left SAL-GUA at 6:25P, but this trip I was going to take the TA581 flight at 1:40PM-2:25PM and return on AV441 the same day 5:50PM-6:40PM and overnight in SAL for my next day trip back to Detroit. AV441 is a codeshare. The only actual GU flights are the GU960 SAL-GUA in the evening and GU961 GUA-SAL in the morning. The rules posted on LatinPass's website said most codeshare flights are not eligible. I wasn't going to waste 6 flights to screw up getting credit for 1 Aviateca segment.

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cy-gone, good for you and your wife! I too made a vacation out of my trip and spent two great weeks in Colombia, Ecuador, and Guatamala. Guatamala was actually my favorite place, it felt the most like Latin America, if you get my drift, whereas the S.A. countries felt more European. It seems like most flyertalkers missed out on seeing much of Guatamala while doing their runs, hopefully they'll go back back. I'd strongly recommend a visit to the old city of Antigua, it's even nicer than Quito, in my opinion. More Guatamala information is in my May 6 trip report, if you're interested.

Good luck on what I'm sure will be a great vacation!

I am at an internet cafe in Quito with Guillermo, a fantastic guide recommended by Texas Yankee. We hiked in the volcano, which is a beautiful natural preserve. We ate on the equator, saw both the real and tourist equator monuments, and have had a great day. If you are in Quito, even for a day, you really should call him on his cell phone at 593-09-815-847 Many thanks for the information on this board. Now that Im over the altitude sickness, my trip is going well. My change of schedule meens I will not meet Nick B or Cfrench as planned.

In a few hours, I press on to LIM, and on to GYE. I hope to catch my CO flight home a day early if I can make the connection in GYE.