Tomphot

Strangely, the GU flight has not been posted to my account (and , like you, nor has the Avianca flight, for that matter). Did your friend get the Radisson GUA stay credited yet? Mine had not, when I lst checked (last week).

Has anybody got KLM flights posted yet? Unlike what seems to be happening with the US partner airlines, The KLM UK check-in agent had no problem entering the LP number in the record but it still has not credited to my account a month later, though.

Just got back from my Million Mile trip.

Some things of interest.

I traveled to FLL instead of MIA to save $100 on airfare. Used Tri-Rail between FLL and MIA which cost $3.00 one-way and includes shuttle on each end connecting with the airport terminals.

Flew the first LatinPass segments on AV from MIA to BAQ to BOG. BAQ is a very easy airport to transit thru however you have to pay the domestic PFC in Columbian Pesos. It cost about $4.00. The BAQ to BOG flt was late and departed 40 minutes late which made me miss my VX connection to UIO. I arrived at the checking counter 20 minutes prior to departure but the flt was closed. I ran across the same freelance helper that some other have mentioned by the name of Frenando. He helped me get a seat on AV, go back to VX to have the ticket signed over, help me get a exemption on the departure tax, book a new ticket for the next day to fly UIO/BOG/UIO on VX to pick up the segment I missed and excorted me to immigration. He asked for $10.00 for this help but I gave him $20.00 for all the time he saved me.

On arrival in UIO right after Customs there is a taxi counter that offers free taxi rides to major hotels in UIO. I think the hotels reimburse the taxi company for this service. The return the next morning from the Hilton took about 20 minutes and cost $2.00.

I found the seating on VX is excellent. The seat pitch is about 36" and the service is good.

There is a Diner's Club lounge on the 2nd floor in BOG, ask at the information counter. Nice place to hold up for 6 hours but the drinks are not free. Charged $2 for 2 cokes.

In LIM, I found that it is possible to transit from VX to VH. Just follow the signs that say transit and show your ticket to the guard at the door. Then go to the boarding gate for VH and hand the ticket to the PAX agent. They will then walk out to the check-in counter and get you a boarding pass.

In GYE, it is kind of a zoo. You have to clear I and C then walk around to check in. Luckly I was traveling C class on CM and they assigned an excort to walk me from the Check-in counter to the VIP lounge helping me pay the $25.00 departure tax and relear I and C.

In PTY, becareful of gate changes. Notice on arrival that my gate was maked as my departure gate the connecting flt. Sat down and waited for a while. As departure time was approaching and no PAX service agent was at gate I decide to take a walk and look for a monitor with gate assignments. Found that there had been an unannounced gate change.

In LIM, outside of customs on the right hand side there is a shuttle bus counter. It costs $8.00 to take a shuttle to either the Holiday Inn or Doubletree. The Doubletree offers a free shuttle leaving at 4:30 AM for the airport which gives sufficient time to me the Taca Peru flt.

In CUZ, be careful about flts. Noticed my return flt on Aero Continente left 1 hour ahead of schedule. I missed this flt but was put on next available flt which left at my original schedule time.

In SAL, it takes about 3 minutes to make connections and they seem to hold flts for a few minutes for late arriving passengers. I arrived from SJO at the schedule departure time of my connecting flt to GUA and found my flt was still there at the next gate waiting for me and several other connection passengers.

In GUA, the Holiday Inn and Westin jointly offer a free shuttle to and from the airport. There is a hotel counter on the right side after customs but before you exit the terminal were you can get information. The first shuttle from the hotel to the airport leaves a 5am and about every 45 minutes after that. However the shuttle does seem to depart late. It take 5 minutes to get to the airport.

In MGA, if you are transiting on TA515 to MIA you will not be able to leave the airplane without clearing I and C. Make sure you have all boarding passes before you leave GUA or SAL for MGA. A pax service agent will pass thru the plane in MGA collecting MGA/MIA boarding passes.

Had a great time meeting and traveling with cesco.g from LIM to GUA to MIA. I saw several other people who looked to be on the hunt for a Million Miles.

Now the wait to see if the flights post to LatinPass.

Re: posting. Greets all.. I did my 500K back in late March (3-27 to 3-30). So far five of my six flights have posted (Aeropostal, Copa, Avianca, Lacsa, Taca) -- still waiting on Aviateca, my hotels, and the rental cars. All flights were coach -- all full Y except for Copa (Class Q) and Avianca (Class M), both of which posted, no prob.

I've decided not to complete the million, but cheers to everybody who did or is about to. Let's keep updating on how posting is going.

Cheers,
nsw

I just completed my 500k trip two days ago (and posted a trip report), and learned one interesting thing about taxes I'd like to pass on.

As most know, all tickets departing the US include various US government taxes in the ticket price. Exemptions are made for non-residents who are in transit for less than 12 hours. But foreigners who are doing the LatinPass trip and bought another ticket beginning in an American city might not be aware that didn't have to pay these taxes that are "hidden" in the ticket price.

In my case they added up to $70, and I don't think even my travel agent thought of this. I was in Boston for over a day, so I was out of luck. But if it had been less than 12 hours, I could have picked up a customs card when I drove across the border and then shown it when I checked in for my international flight.

Trip Report:

Freeflyer - Good to know you made it ok. How did you like BOG?

I will try to give some tips on my 500K trip, but be aware changes do happen.

MIA - CCS on Areopostal. Check in is in Area C (blue) behind some other check in areas. I was there 2 hours in advance and still long lines. Suggest you get there 2.5 hrs. ahead or longer. 40 min to get to agent and then 15 min. to check in. All manual including the "stickers" for gate assignments. LP # was written on boarding pass. Paid $7 tax. There is a baggage check area behind Areopostal and 100 feet to the right. $2 per day for small bag. Plane left from gate A5, about 10 minute walk. Slow boarding as they start from FRONT. Left 15 min late. Very crowded, but all went smooth. Lunch was ok - chicken pasta or shredded beef.

Carcaras Airport. Medium sized. One long row of gates. No A/C. There is a "tourist info counter" near middle of gate area - they call Avianca and advised that an agent would be at the "Transit" booth (in transit area) 2 hours before flights. If you transit to Avianca, there is a "Connexion" counter near the middle of the gate area. No need to go out thru Immigrations/Customs. They acutally opened up about 2.5 hours before departure and got boarding passes for flight to BOG and on to UIO (both Avianca). They checked my LP # in record, but not on the boarding passes. I had tried to get these at MIA, but they would not do it. AA Admirals Club near gate 15 - free drinks and snacks and phones. A small snack bar and bar on lower level as well as a few shops. Restaurant up the stairs (ok for airport)is out of the hubbub, as well as an open air balcony overlooking the runway. Felt very safe.

BOG - UIO Avianca changed gates 3 times. There was no monitor in the whole gate area. We left 1 hour late - a concern with 100 minute connect time in BOG. Had another meal. Upon arrival, the plane "searched" for a gate. Then parked on tarmac and we went down stairs to a bus. 1 minute ride to terminal. As I alread had boarding passes for UIO flight, did not need to go thru I/C. Did get frisked and X-rayed, but then direct to gate where flight was boarding. BOG seems to push all planes out to runway area and very slow. About 15 min. from gate to take-off even with no planes in front.

Quito (UIO) -- Arrived 30 min late, about 10:30 pm. Very slow immigration as they type all your info into a PC. So try to get off plane quickly. Keep your part of the Immigration form. Customs no problem. Lots of kids asking for $$. Also lots of taxis. We stayed at 4 Points (Sheraton). EXCELLENT. I called 5 days ahead with flight info and driver was there with signboard for pick up. 10 min to hotel (no charge). Hotel had drinks and snacks at reception. Huge room with fruit tray waiting. Mini bar (cokes $ .50). Robes, etc. Next am, checked out and van was ready to take us back to airport.

UIO - BOG on Aces UIO airport is small and old. Tons of people seeing off friends, but not allowed in gate area - but you have to push through them (watch wallets). There is an info booth before you get to gate area (good English). Checked in with Aces (far right). Lines was short 2 hours ahead, but other airlines looked long. Check in pretty good, no problems. Then to Tax Booth which has Big Blue sign. If under 24 hours, there is no tax, but still need boarding pass stamped. Then to Immigrations on far left where they type info into the PC again (slow). In gate area, a small bar/snack shop (they have breakfast) as well as some small shops. We met Freeflyer and others on the "run" here.

Aces flight to BOG. Was long walk out to plane, but, thank God, not raining. On time flight - 60 % full. Ok breakfast on plane.

At BOG -- We tried with an agent to get ticket area without going through Immigration, but couldn't. Finally went through immigration where they stamped the back our our ticket (receipt). BOG is fairly large airport, but lots of stuff broken (escalators, some toilets, etc.) You do not have to pay tax if in-transit if you go to the Tax Exemption desk along the windows and fill our form and get stamped. We waited for Lacsa gate to open. Gate area a mess. Went thru tax booth, but no problem. Got boarding passes fairly quickly with LP # on them. There are shops, ATM, food, telephones, etc. on 2nd level above ticket area (before entering security area). Once in security area, they check boarding passes, etc. then into the "Duty Free" store area. Lots of very nice shops, but no restaurant. A snack bar at the end. Then through X-Ray and Frisk to Gate area, where there are no shops at all. But AA Admirals Club near Gate 9 that is nice. Free drinks and some snacks. Plane left on time, but same slow push back process of the plane to taxi strip.

San Jose (SJO) Saw a brand new airport, BUT it was not going to open until 15 May(?). The old one is small and transfers should be very quick. We went thru immigrations (there is a $2 re-entry tax that you pay near gate area if just in-transit if you exit the gate area. If new terminal not open, don't bother leaving gate area as nothing much there. We thought AA Admirals Club there, but I guess it will be in new terminal.

SJO-PTY on Taca. A late evening, short flight, but still a sandwich and dessert. No problems.

PTY (Panama) Airport is fairly modern compared to others. We found we needed a temporary "visa" when we got to immigration. Agent held passports and I walked to baggage claim (50 ft.) to find agent to sell me ($5) stamped Visa form. Filled them out then back to immigration. 20 to get out even though we were first off the plane. You push a button at customs and if "red", but be checked. Got car at AVIS. Agent spoke no English. Slow process. Make sure they mark all scratches on car form. We did not see some on roof (dark), but fortunely when I returned car, I dirverted attention to those on doors and agent did not notice those on roof. We took the Corridor Sur (south) toll road to city. About 12 minute drive and ends 1 mile East of downtown, at business area. We stayed at Marriott (advance payment $75). Streets are hard to figure out, but lit sign on top helped a great deal. Free valet parking and very nice room. Modern hotel. Some nearby restaurants. Next day we drove to see Canal and the countryside. Driving (Sunday) was no problem, although streets not well marked. Back to airport where Avis check-in was slow, but this agent did speak English. Had no idea how to input LP#.

COPA check in was very slow. I think we had a new agent. Even though we had seats preassigned (checked it 3 times), they did not have it in computer. And we were there 2 hours early, but "no seats together". Boarding passes had LP #. Get Immigration Form at check-in and complete or else you will have to come back to get it (we did). I tried to get seats together at Service Counter - but "none available". PTY security is tougher than BOG. There is AA Club, but on other concourse than COPA, so we did not go. 2 X-rays and then looked though every carry on at gate area. A great COPA gate agent, Ernesto Castillo, asked us if all ok. I told him about seating. He took boarding passes and came back with Busn. Class seats as all Y class were already assigned. He talked to everyone and actually came on plane before take off and said "goodbye" to us. Excellent plane and food and service. Got to MIA on time.

Some observations: Everyone was very freindly, especially in Quito. I did not convert any $$ for local currency. Used U.S. $$ or Visa. I only paid airport tax once, at PTY where we stayed for a day. I tooks some of the new U.S. gold dollar coins for tips. They were a big hit as no one had seen them before. Expect delays. I usually had 3+ hours between flights. Not really needed, but kept me from worrying when things were running late. If in transit, try to get boarding cards at prior airport or without going thru the immigration, but not always possible. If not, see about tax exemption for in-transit status (TRANSITO). There was never any concern on carry-on bags. Every flight (and most were full) had people with the normal U.S. sized carry ons. We had small backpacks to guarantee against checking. We also took small camera and had picture at every gate area as proof of flight. Also kept receipts from airport purchases. We had food on EVERY flight - even the short, off - hours ones. Usually pretty good for airplane food.

Overall, no real problems. Friendly people and a good time. We felt secure, but did use common sense as to where and when we traveled. I scheduled a full day at end of trip in case of problems, but did not really need to.

I may head back for the last 4 segements and the 1 million if I get time.

CCS transit info...
Transit desks for Avianca, AeroPostal, ALM, and 1 other airline are located at Gate 22. We did a transit from ALM to AeroPostal in April without much problem.
Speaking a little Spanish would help as the
agents didn't speak English. They delayed giving us boarding passes until they called Aruba since they weren't familiar with the etickets I had from Aruba back to US. They said that Aruba required return tickets (no one in Aruba immigration ever asked on our 2 entries).

Tomphot / others... MIA Lockers...

I saw a post sometime ago (4/3) about Lockers at MIA. Do you (or anyone?) know how many days they can be used and the cost? Do they just take quarters or can you use dollar bills or credit cards?

Thanks! Looking at options.

This is Harvey's wife, Alice, speaking. We completed the million mile requirements. Stayed at the Quito Hotel, $35, heated pool, dry sauna, steam room, great service, generous with the bottled water and a fabulous view of the valley and mountains.

At at San Salvadore airport, if you leave the transit lounge you will be charged $10 U.S. to go through immigration to leave the airport and $25 airport tax even if you just walk out of the airport and walk back in a minute later. Some airlines allow only one small carry on and you must leave the transit area in order to claim your baggage. Then you have to walk outside in order to get to the terminal where you check in for your next flight. They are very tough about this. So it's best to just travel with a small carry. If I were to do it again, I would just pack some light weight baggy pants, light weight, underpants and blouses that you can wash out and put back on the next day. Re: Security, keep you valuables on your body and never let go of your luggage or let it out of sight. Keep all your bording passes and receipts with you at all times as you will have to turn them in to the Latin Pass. Make sure when you check in at Lacsa that they put your Latin Pass number in the computer and hopefully on your ticket & boarding pass preceded by LP for Latin Pass and not LT or LR (which ever it was), the abbreviation for Lacsa. Thank you for that Mike! It was an invaluable tip. Upon returning to Miami, we went directly to the Latin Pass office. There we dropped off our boarding passes and other receipts and they very kindly made copies of them for us. The Latin Pass office is located right next door to the Dollar Rent A Car and hence we took the Dollar lemo there and back. Eat at Govinda's in Cusco for a great hearty vegetable stew and a delicious rice plate. It's located right off the main square on Espadero Street. In most locations, you will be charged an extra 10% if you pay with a credit card. Exceptions are the super large hotels, etc. Mike, the only person we met who was also working on his 1MM has lived in Central & South America for 20 years and he says he carries his tooth brush and paste in his fanny pack around his waiste as a decoy. I carried a fanny pack but then I had a jacket tied around my waist as well. Security is a problem for tourists all over the world as is evident even in Santa Monica, CA. The best part of the trip for us was in Cuzco & Machu Piccu. The biggest surprise was Quito! The surprise in Quito was how accessible were the internet connections. Many cafes and restaurants have internet connections where for a nominal fee you can check your E-mail. Cuzco and Machu Piccu were great, but that's another story maybe for tomorrow.

------------------

Hello all from LIM. TexasYankee and I have ventured this far (met up in MIA with him) and all is smooth. In summary at this early time:

MIA-SJO Lacsa. Nice new Airbus 320, service was great, on time. Food was weak, but edible.

SJO same gate to depart as we arrived, met 2 other LP cruisers, not FTers, though. 1.5 hour layover, no problems.

SJO-BOG Lacsa. Again, nice Airbus 320, good service, miserable lunch (little sandwich), all on time. Hit some of the worst turbulence I have been in, including a 5 second free fall (downdraft)...but ended well

BOG thanks to all for their input. This airport was a breeze thanks to the good advice. A little chaotic at check in, lots of people. Diners lounge was perfect for a long layover, rest of waiting area was very busy, Diners empty. Pay for drinks, but we paid $2 USD for 2 beers and 4 coffees. Make sure that you say hi to Carolina (highly recommended), tell her I sent you and practice your spanish as she practices her English. The coffee was excellent, of course. Restaurant Dann in the airport was good and affordable. If you are lucky (we were), you can get through C&I, check in and back through C&I in 30 minutes, but we did see long lines earlier. Plan on a lot more.

BOG-LIM not as nice a plane, but on time and smooth ride (we slept). Food was best yet.

LIM Diners Lounge closed for 4 or 5 days (Dohhhh!), so we had to wait in transit lounge. Great place to use Internet for $1.5/15 mins right there (here I am). Already checked in for tomorrow Aces flight with agent. The other Diners lounge is past I&C, so have to pay departure tax ($25)if we go there.

That is it for now. I will be back online here in a few days after Quito.

To all LP travellers, try to avoid BOG or any other colombian city as there are political problems and two terrorist groups are making bombings and other threats, read US State Dept advise on travelling aboard.

If you are going for the 1,000,000 bonus miles, I do not see how you can avoid Bogota. After reading the Dept Of State travel warnings about Columbia you ask yourself why would anyone go there? You need to read between the lines. Colombia can be dangerous (as Lima and Cuzco and Quito) but if you keep your wits about you and don't do anything stupid you should be OK. It would be interesting to read what the Department of State would write about traveling to any large city in the United States.

Most of these travel warnings are written not only to inform you but to protect the Department of State from people coming back and saying "why did you not warn us!!!"

Next time you get ready to climb a ladder, read the long warnings posted to the sides about everything that might happen to you. Does this keep you from using the ladder????

Does anyone that's been to Lima know if there are any lockers in the airport that would hold a wheeled carry-on?

From what I have heard, Lima Airport offers a luggage check service. You pay by the bag per day for storage in a secure area.

re: Hotel Quito in Quito, Ecuador

E-mail is [email protected]
Web site is www.orotels.com

Mr. Luis Gonzales has been working there as a Taxi Driver for over 40 years. He was there the day they opened. He drove
us round trip to the equatorial line and gave us a little tour along the way for $25.

Hi SAPMAN, glad to see your trip ended well, as did mine. I spent three days in Bogota and had no major problems. As I noted in my trip report, I found Bogota to be a large, modern city which reminded me a lot of Miami. There were a lot of police and security forces around, especially in the scenic Historic Quarter.

I met a bunch of expatriates who lived in the city and loved it there. Everyone seemed to feel that Colombians in general and the people of Bogota in particular are very friendly, much more so than other Latin countries, including Ecuador.

The biggest problem in Bogota would seem to be robbery, which can happen in any big city. For instance, I met a woman who had had her camera and jacket stolen at knife-point, albeit in an area the guidebooks explicitly warn you to avoid.

The battles between the military, leftist guerillas, narco-terrorists, and right-wing paramilitaries happens far away from the trendy streets of cosmopolitan Bogota. It's a beautiful city and well worth a visit if one is passing through the area. Just practice a little common sense as you would in any large city and you should be fine.


[This message has been edited by freeflyer (edited 05-05-2000).]