I almost never use travel agents or pre-paid tours (and the story below helped me confirm why I don't) and my tale of woe is not very extreme, but surely I am owed some money and I am asking the advice of you savvy travelers who may have had similar experiences the best way to go about getting it.

I recently attended Cow Do II in Buenos Aires. I had a great time and encourage folks to plan on next year's event.

Once I signed up for the do, I discovered that a couple of my oldest friends were planning a trip to Buenos Aires and Rio, with a stop at Iguazu Falls in between, which coincidentally was scheduled right after the do in BsAs. Perfect. I decided to join them on the Iguazu Falls portion of their trip, which included visits to both the Brazilian and Argentine national parks and the hotel on the Brazilian side.

One of those aforementioned friends has an aunt who happens to be a part-time travel agent. At any rate, my friends used her to book their South American adventure. So, I contacted the aunt to see whether I could join my friends for a couple days and be added to the same itinerary - hotel, tours, etc. - so I could spend time with them, as well as see the falls. The aunt used Brendan Worldwide Vacations of California to put together a package, which in turn, apparently contracted with South American Tours - SAT Brazil of Rio to handle the transfers, hotels, national park entrance fees, etc.

A package for me, at a price that was satisfactory, was developed within a couple of days which would allow me to join my friends and I pre-paid it about a month before leaving for EZE. I also paid $100 for a Brazilian visa.

When we arrived at the airport in Iguazu, we were told that there was a problem - that the bridge between Brazil and Argentina was closed that day, and our tour guide, who was from the Brazilian side, was delayed. As we later learned, she had to take a boat and go through Paraguay to get to us, but she made it after about an hour's delay.

We transferred to the Argentine park and had a nice tour, lasting most of the day. At the end of the day, we found that the bridge remained closed and we would be unable to get to our hotel in Brazil. We were taken to the Sheraton Iguazu and told that WE would have to pay for the hotel (and later be reimbursed) and hopefully, in the morning, the bridge would be open and we could proceed with our Brazil portion of the trip.

The following morning, I received a call, telling me that the bridge was still closed and they would be happy to take me back to the airport later in the day for $30 for my return to EZE. I later learned that I could take a taxi (and did) to the airport for AR$35 (about $11). (For those who are interested, my friends, who were leaving for Rio from the Brazilian airport couldn't get there either, and had to fly back to BsAs, transfer to EZE and fly from EZE to Rio.)

BTW, the bridge was allegedly closed (according to our Brazilian tour guide) by the Argentine President because of some disagreements with Brazil. I later read in the Buenos Aires Herald, that Brazilian protestors had blocked the bridge to vehicular traffic (it was open to pedestrians) who were unhappy with some Argentine price increases that applied to Brazilians only.

I am hopeful that the travel agent will be able to secure a refund for the unused portion of my visit (including either the cost of the Brazilian hotel or reimbursement for the Sheraton). However, does anyone have any suggestions, if she is not successful, as to what my course of action should be and what I need to do and how quickly to preserve my rights? Additionally, am I owed the cost of the Brazilian visa? (I was unable to validate as is required, within 90 days, because I was told the bridge was closed - however, I could have walked across it and had the passport stamped if I had known.) Or, alternatively, would the nice folks at the Brazilian consulte in Chicago stamp my passport for me? Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Did you pay by credit card?

Actually, a Visa debit card.

Ops, that prevents what I was going to suggest. By the way, did you enjoy one if not the greatest spectacles in the world and I believe the largest hydoelectric project of the ages?

At any rate, I wish you well in "getting whole". What can the "aunt" do to assist you?

Good luck

Sounds to me like you are due some money, but it all depends on what your contract states. Time to read the fine print!

Also, as has been previously noted (subtly), don't pay for things like this with a debit card. Use a card that has travel protection of some sort.

Also, did you purchase travel insurance? For such a grand trip with so much in someone else's hands, it was a must in my book. Maybe the TA included it?

Good luck!

I didn't realize I had any responses to this because, for whatever reason, the "subscription" service here sucks beyond belief.

At any rate, I did not have travel insurance - the total I paid for this excursion was only a little over $300. I used the debit card because I had some extra money in my checking account, and I get miles for use of the card. If I this had been a substantial amount of money, I would certainly have used a credit card. Of course, then I laid out a couple of hundred more on the hotel I had to pay for myself. If I don't get anything back, it's not that big a deal. I'm still waiting to hear from the "aunt."

I enjoyed the spectacle - I have seen some of the amazing sites in South America (including the Amazon, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands), but this went right to the top of the list. I can't wait to go again in the hot weather and take one of those boats that get up close and you end up drenched!