SCL -> EZE
 

Hey everyone, this is my first post, so please forgive me if I've missed a thread where this was already discussed.

I'm planning to fly into SCL from ATL in the fall, spend 6 days and then fly to EZE for 5 and then back to ATL from EZE (all via DL). However, I've been on Orbitz looking to book a one-way flight from SCL to EZE, and all of the directs seem really expensive.

AC has one flight on the day I want to leave for $353, which is way cheaper than LAN has for around $580. I would be fine booking the AC flight, but I'm worried since they only have one flight every other day that I could potentially be stuck if the flight were cancelled.

Does anyone have any recommendations for best thing to do? This 2 hr. flight is the only thing causing me to delay booking the rest of the trip.

Thanks in advance for your help.

JD

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

Welcome to FT!

Do you have, or can you get, miles in an FFP that offers one-way awards? For the 12,500 AA AAdvantage miles, you can get a Coach one-way on LAN from SCL to either EZE or AEP. Considering the fares on that route, that's a decent redemption value.

Thanks for the quick response. Unfortunately, all I have are Delta miles and I just checked and it doesn't look like they have any partners that fly that route. Thanks for the suggestion though. I didn't even think about checking that first.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

If you are a US resident and have good credit, it's easy enough to pick up the needed miles for next to nothing. Check the MilesBuzz! forum for information on sign-up bonuses for the Citibank/AA credit cards, or the SPG Amex card. Or, if you already have some Amex Membership Rewards points, you could convert them to a program that offers one-way rewards on the SCL-EZE/AEP route.

Thanks again. I already have both the Delta Amex and SPG Amex. Is there a way to use SPG points for AA miles to use on LAN??

I just noticed that round-trip flights to EZE or AEP from SCL are only around $300 on LAN. Do you think there would be any issues with me booking a round-trip ticket and purposely not taking the return flight to SCL and just flying on DL back to ATL from EZE?

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

Although it might violate LAN's contract of carriage (you'd have to check), the conventional wisdom on FT is that as long as one does not make a habit of it, the airline will not bother you. But frankly, even using 12,500 miles instead of paying $300 is still a decent redemption rate.

Are you using DL miles to get to and from S.A.? If you're paying cash, you might check what a "triangle" ticket -- which would include the SCL-EZE leg -- would cost. It might be considerably less than buying the leg separately.

Yes, using DL miles from ATL->SCL with return EZE-> ATL. I'm thinking I might just want to book the one way AC flight and pray it isn't cancelled at this point. Don't want LAN coming after me if I miss a return flight to SCL before trying to get back to ATL the next day or something. Really appreciate your help

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

Well, if you do book the AC flight and it cancels, AC might accommodate you on another carrier.

Just buy a round trip - ditching the return is not an issue if it's a one-off.

Try SCL-AEP.....AEP is the Buenos Aires city airport and fares seem to be cheaper.

Did you check Sky Airlines? They're a low cost carrier based in out of SCL. I've seen fares for less than $120 RT to BA. Not sure about buying outside of Chile though...

www.skyairline.cl

Pluna
 

check the fares on Pluna, the airline of Uruguay. www.flypluna.com

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help!

SKY is always cheaper than LAN. You might have to finish the transaction for buying the ticket on the phone but lots of people have reported successfully buying from abroad.

Just checking that you know that if you are a US citizen you are going to have to pay two hefty reciprocity fees both at SCL and either EZE or AEP if flying in on international flights.

Just did that very thing with LAN and am not planning to use the return (scheduled for next week). If you decide to go that route, book the return leaving from Montevideo and you will also avoid the "built-in" flight exit fee from Argentina (almost $40 pp IIRC) In other words, I booked us SCL-AEP-MVD-SCL for a total price of €97 pp (ca. $135)