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A word of advice about Avianca domestic ticket prices

This is for those that fly Avianca for domestic flights in Colombia. I have noticed on many occasions that the reservations call center seems to never give you the best prices for a given ticket.

Yesterday, I had to buy my wife a last minute ticket from Bogota to her city. I called the reservations phone line and was quoted a price of $278.000 COP for the one way flight. Although it was an outrageous price, I went ahead and made the reservation but did not pay for the ticket.

When we got to the airport, I went into the Avianca ticket sales office in Puente Aereo. I asked the counter agent if she could give me a better deal. She quickly looked in the system and came up with a price of $176.000 for the same exact flight. This has happened to me on several occasions. Last year, I made a reservation for a round-trip ticket from Bogota to Neiva and was quoted a price of around $450.000. I happened to be in Medellin and stopped by the Avianca counter at the airport to pay for the ticket. I asked the counter agent for a better price and he gave it to me for $350.000.

If you have the flexibility and the opportunity, it is worth trying to ask for a better price in person. I guess the phone agents just give you the first price they see and don't bother to look for a better deal.

CG

By ColombianoGringo on Dec 4, 2007, 08:09 in Travel tips.

Adanimal says on Dec 4, 2007, 08:34:

Good info! I take many domestic flights. Thanks!

You don't know your there until your there!

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Gator says on Dec 4, 2007, 10:01:

"Last minute" is the kiss of death.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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ColombianoGringo says on Dec 4, 2007, 10:26:

My experience is that there is little price difference if any when booking flights to less popular domestic destinations at the last minute. I mainly fly to Neiva and have always gotten similar prices whether I book the ticket the day of travel or months in advance. Flights to Neiva never seem to be even close to full. I have simply learned to always ask for a better deal at the airport. Obviously, tickets to more popular destinations such as Medellin, Cartagena or Cali fill up and the good fares will be gone a lot sooner.

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Timba says on Dec 4, 2007, 13:07:

Why don't you use the other airlines ?

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ColombianoGringo says on Dec 4, 2007, 15:41:

I do use the other airlines. However, not everyone flies to the smaller cities. Neiva only has service with Avianca, Aires and Satena. But as the title of this topic states, this comment was about Avianca.

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el flaco says on Dec 5, 2007, 02:20:

If possible go to a travel agent instead of the airline shop at the airport.

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travelingirl says on Dec 14, 2007, 22:12:

I too have noticed that the domestic flight prices (for Avianca) over the phone are quite a bit more than what they show online, or are offered in person. I'll never book over the phone again.

Around her hair she wore a yellow ribbon...

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christobeldawg says on Dec 14, 2007, 22:19:

only thing good over the phone is sometimes they will give you tips on how to find the best prices to book online. if you are really nice, and if they are in a good mood, and if you get someone who knows which end is up, and wants to help.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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