Cheapest Way to Buy Tickets to Colombia

Miguel says on Oct 29, 2004, 15:23:

My experience... I always buy directly from Avianca and now they offer e-tickets. I think you should talk to Avianca in New York AND talk to some travel agents as well as look at your previously listed options. When you travel also determines your price; $650 NY to Cali sounds about right for your trip.

john says on Oct 29, 2004, 15:29:

cant get any cheaper than that! For that time of the yr flying to CLO is the cheapest!
so go ahead and reserve your seat.

John

John

Miguel says on Oct 29, 2004, 16:47:

No Senor John Cheapest time is during the rainy season. This person is going to go close to the holidays and can't buy tickets till later on in the year; late purchase without finding deals on his links ain't gonna happen.

john says on Oct 29, 2004, 17:27:

Better safe than sorry!! If You are going to Cali, anytime after Feria season in january for $650.00 That's a darn good deal (AVIANCA -ida y vuelta none stop)----As far as the internet tickets if your are lucky you could get something less. keep in mind you could end up with la vaca that has more stops than the "Papagayo ruta 2" (public bus in Cali.)
Book it now dont wait Zuma it is!

John

John

Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 29, 2004, 19:00:

Direct from the airlines I've always found that booking direct from the airline sites or 800 #'s gets the best prices to Colombia. Recently Expedia and those were quoting me twice as much as the Continental and Delta direct sites.

Before you book Avianca from New York consider that there's a Continental direct flight to BOG that leaves from Newark, NJ. It's a nice flight on a more reliable airline. I also think there are a daytime and a redeye.

BxUnika says on Oct 29, 2004, 19:29:

Re: Mr. Hollywood "Before you book Avianca from New York consider that there's a Continental direct flight to BOG that leaves from Newark, NJ"


Well, for the amount I can afford it is about 90% certain that I will be stopping over in either Bogota or Medellin anyway. How much woyld a Continental flight cost? $700 or more would be too much.

"It's a nice flight on a more reliable airline. I also think there are a daytime and a redeye."

Yeah, I'm probably leaving in the morning (7-9 AM) but very early wouldn't be bad either. By "more reliable", what exactly do you mean? As I said, I'm a student and $700 is very expensive for me, so I'm looking for cheapness before frills. I don't care if I have to eat peanuts for 6 hours and sit on cement blocks, just that I get to Cali alive and within a reasonable amount of time.

Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 29, 2004, 19:55:

Why don't you go check? www.continental.com

My experience is that price and convenience often have very little correlation. Also, it's given that you're going to have one stop flying from NY to Cali but wouldn't you rather have one than, say, three?

Avianca also has a non-stop to BOG from Kennedy, so really, just compare the two prices and pick the one that's best. Avianca might in fact be better but sometimes they're more.

Good luck. Unfortunately there's no truely "cheap" way to Colombia.

BxUnika says on Oct 29, 2004, 20:35:

Honestly I would rather change at Bogota or Medellin (only maybe one of 8 are non-stop for that price) than spend $700 to $800. I will leave from Kennedy, I gather.

But as for Avianca, I've heard some people say they are really bad. What's the real deal?

Also, should I just go to Queens and buy it directly from the travel agency or is it better to buy on-line (price-wise)?

Another question. I'm really researching this out:

I saw on a sight an auction for Bogota starting at $1. Granted it doesn't go too high, how feasible would it be to get that ida y vuelta, then just pick the cheapest flights to/from Bogota-Cali to supplement it? I heard a rumor that buying two separate tickets, though cheap, is technically illegal? Any truth there?

Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 30, 2004, 08:05:

Where are you getting your info? Why would it be illegal to have two seperate tickets? There's no law that says you can't fly to a city on one ticket and continue on to the next city on another ticket.

If you can get a cheap ticket to BOG on an auction site it might work. Tickets from BOG to Cali run about $120 US.

Just a tiny observation: You're going to get better results by logging onto airline buying sites and playing around with scheduling (I assume your dates are flexible within reason) than you will wasting a lot of energy looking for some magic trick. Flights to Colombia just aren't cheap because there isn't the demand that there is for places like Costa Rica or Chile. The cheapest ticket I've ever seen from NYC to BOG was still more than $550 and you can realistically expect it to be $650.

Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 30, 2004, 08:07:

About Avianca There's nothing really terrible about Avianca, especially their interational planes, but they are in financial turmoil and do have some labor disputes still outstanding, which can certainly affect your flying pleasure.

CasaSol says on Oct 30, 2004, 09:36:

Air-Supply.com Try air-supply.com in New York. I purchased a ticket from them for a great price and service.

Ricolombia.com | The Guide to Colombian Culture, Crafts & Travel

Miguel says on Oct 30, 2004, 11:09:

Avianca I have had smooth as well as delayed flights with Avianca; there will be those equipment and weather related problems, but I enjoy flying with them.

BxUnika says on Oct 30, 2004, 19:21:

Thanks for the tips, guys. I have not been on a plane since age 6, no less have traveled outside the US. I like to see what others have to say and do things as cheaping and efficiently as possible. I'm also flying alone, so I'm a bit nervous about that.

a few other questions (I'm sure they'll be more):

I have read most of this site. Some people have mentioned "exit" fees that you pay in Bogota upon flying back to the US. What exactly is that about? I read that most airline prices (Avianca included) already include taht "tax" in the ticket price. Comments?

I will be taking a flight from JFK to Bogota, then to Cali. 1) Do you actually switch planes at that point or stay in your seats for the 45 minutes? 2) If you DO change planes, do you have to do your immigration/customs in Bogota or wait until Cali? What exactly does all this entail? 3) Do you do the baggae claim again again in Bogota or is it automatically forwarded to Cali? 4) When the itinerary says that i will arrive in Cali at 5 Pm, for example, is that 5 PM NYC time or Cali time?

Any other things I should know? Heck, talk to me like you are teaching a 5 year old to tie his shoes, because I know NOTHING about flying and even less about international trips.

Thanks!

Bill1243 says on Oct 31, 2004, 15:34:

BxUnika, try this All of the above is good advice, but the absolute cheapest way to go there is to fly on frequent flyer miles. I have a ton of them, so if you are interested I would sell you the amount needed for your trip. It takes 35,000 miles and I would sell them to you for $550 plus the taxes of around $25. I can route you to both Bogota and Cali. Email me at bill1243 at yahoo.com and I'll send you my phone number.

And if anyone else is interested, let me know. Much cheaper than a regular or consolidated ticket, especially if you are flying from the northern part of the country or are flying from a class B or class C airport... and the itinerary can be changed for no cost!

I have tons of references, so just ask if needed.

Mr. Hollywood says on Nov 1, 2004, 07:21:

You can do better than that, Bill. Bill, here's your chance to do a good deed: You frequently use this site to sell your miles at prices only marginally better than normal tickets. So why don't you bust out and give this girl (student, hasn't flown since 6-years old, doesn't have much money, going to visit her Colombian boyfriend...) a GREAT deal like $250 or $300 NYC to Cali. Or even better, give her one for free. Consider it a good marketing investment.

Bill1243 says on Nov 1, 2004, 18:47:

note to Hollywood, First of all, I haven't said anything about miles for a long time, and I only brought it up here because it directly related to the thread topic. And as I have always said, traveling on miles is best for people whose regular ticket prices are $700 or above. In addition, though, tickets purchased with miles allow unlimited changes and for free....which NO regular ticket allows. This makes it harder to compare them with regular tickets.

Next, the miles I have are my own and from many people I know who have them. I don't know why you think I should just give them away, let alone to someone I don't even know. You call it a good marketing investment, but you're the first one to attack me for even mentioning them. You try traveling 35,000 miles and then just giving them away!! I doubt you would do so.

My price of $550 is a great price, and beats any other price she can find. Plus, it allows for free changes....and a layover in Bogota. If she can beat that deal, more power to her. I have gotten tickets on miles for around 10 people from this forum, and every one of them has been totally happy.

Good day.

poco says on Nov 1, 2004, 19:45:

Miles - Time to cash in Not all frequent flier tickets purchased with miles allow free changes. Continental charges me $50.00 USD to make a change,, but I'm not on their elite program. Was when I worked but not now (drats).

Saved miles for years,, then 9/11 and shortly I thought,, gee,, 8 + thousand dollars worth of frequent flier miles could be worthless, overnight. I've been spending my miles. Programs are changing, more restrictions etc. Unless you are truly a frequent flier,, say 6 + overseas trips a year or 20 domestic you may not achieve the higher status levels of those the airlines seek. If you do get there,, the miles start rolling in and you will get treated like a king at the airports with access to quick lines, lounges etc.

Thought frequent flier miles couldn't be transferred or used by another person. Thinking about it,, I've purchased tickets with miles for myself and another person,, but I was with them.

Remember continental saying this was not allowed.

BTW: I’ve always thought anything between 850 and 1,000 USD between US to Cali (not Bogota) was an OK deal.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

caslug says on Nov 1, 2004, 20:18:

miles and miles... While BXUNIKA reason and situation for wanting to travel to COL maybe well and good, it's really not any more deserving than anyone of us. So why should BILL123 discount his price further. IRS charges you 2 cent/mile when calculating taxable income, I told my friend that I'll sell my miles to him for $800(versus him paying $1100 to goto COL), so Bill's price is VERY good. I really don't see anything wrong w/ Bill or anyone who selling our miles, it's capitalism at work, bringing buyers & sellers together. He's not doing this as a regular business so no harm there, unless PETER feels otherwise.

Mr. Hollywood says on Nov 2, 2004, 07:05:

Attack? "You call it a good marketing investment, but you're the first one to attack me for even mentioning them. You try traveling 35,000 miles and then just giving them away!! I doubt you would do so."

How did I attack you? I suggested you help the girl out a little more.

You don't know anything about what I do with my frequent flyer miles. However, you're the one publicly selling yours, so I don't think it's unfair for me to comment on it.

Killi says on Nov 2, 2004, 10:57:

I have used Bill now for 3 round trip tickets. A+ guy, worked dilligently with me, and helped me get a great price for my trips. In fact, I have used Bill to book the ticket for my fiancee to come here in December with her K1, which is the most important ticket i have ever booked. and he delivered. Saved me a few hundred per trip easily... so anyway, to each his own. and with these tickets, changing around is not a problem, if there is an open flight, Delta will put ya right in no problems

Gueyome says on Nov 2, 2004, 22:21:

Flights tickets I would like to know how cheap are the flights inside the country. How much would it cost for a flight from Leticia to Cartagena? I'm planning to take this flight in May, after my trip to Peru.

Guillaume

Bill1243 says on Nov 3, 2004, 00:09:

to Poco Poco, it matters not how many flights you have when it comes to using the miles. It simply takes 35,000 miles to get from the U.S. and Canada to Colombia, and it doesn't matter if you have 35,000 miles in your account or 2 million miles in the account.... the miles themselves are all treated alike, i.e., when purchasing tickets. Your status does matter if you are using them for upgrade to First Class from eligible coach class tickets. But for purposes of buying tickets with miles it simply takes 35,000 miles for a coach class ticket. And on my airline, the changes are FREE..... and the ticket is good for a full year. Seats are limited of course, but nowhere near as limited as flights to Europe, etc..

You are technically correct about not selling the miles, but they don't care at all if you give them to a friend. I have never had any problem doing this and many people have managed to save quite a lot over regular or even bulk tickets.

The $850 to $1000 to Cali is a lot of money to many people, so getting miles from me for $550 is a good deal, especially for people having to pay so much for regular tickets. And I don't technically give them the miles...I just have them book it and I apply the miles to it and get it ticketed...in their name....so easy.

I only do this for a few people, and the only reason I brought it up again here was because it related directly to the thread.... so hopefully Patrick will see the merit in it, since flying on Frequent Flyer miles is the best thing around!!

poco says on Nov 3, 2004, 08:48:

Frequent Flier Miles Bill:

My trip next week and two more will exhaust my frequent flier miles. I intend to take more trips and this topic was worth a web search.

Interesting, happens all the time and no one seems to care, other than then airline rules and they don’t check. Anyone that would say “I bought it�,, if asked would be a candidate for the Darwin award.

A flight for a $550 price is at about $300 cheaper anything I’ve found quoted,, the Bogota / Cali connection will increase price and connection thru Panama City is more expensive.

Continental charges a “TAX� when booking frequent flier miles. Very inexpensive,, about $17 USD, not sure if just intercontinental ???

Purchasing frequent flier miles directly from continental for $32 USD per thousand are a great deal, only $1,120 for ticket. (joking).

Didn’t do an exhaustive search but there are companies that buy miles / sell tickets,, the mileage sell price ranges from.1 cent to 1.6 cents (depends on amount you sell) and I’m sure this ranges vary. Tickets sold for ??? I’d guess 2 cents ? The price would then be $700.00 for a Colombian trip.

I am one of those many people who care about the cost and will research this more in the future.

This made me think,, I know people who have lots of frequent flier miles,, I’d bet they would give me a ticket.

brunito says on Nov 3, 2004, 09:12:

Why all the bad rep about Avianca? I've used it twice this year from Miami to Colombia (both Bogota and Cartagena) and both time I had no complaint at all! They certainly provide hot meals as part of the ticket purchase wich I can't say for Air Canada, Continental or American Airlines who want you to pay your hot meal...

Yes, Avianca is not as good as Aces used to be or Aerorepublica is but it's certainly better then American Airlines or Air Canada...

caslug says on Nov 3, 2004, 09:34:

AA miles I used my AA miles to goto COL and had absolute no problem(hot meal and all). You only have to pay the tax on ticket(usually about $50) plus some surcharge($10), however if you book your AA ticket LESS than 3 weeks, you pay an additional $50(that's where the AA is starting to make it harder to use miles). But you can change dates and cities without penalty as long as seats are available. I plan to use my miles for my trip to COL next next 3-4 weeks myself.

Peter (Moderator) says on Nov 4, 2004, 12:19:

note to Poco and Caslug Poco,

It sounds like you might be from one of the northern states, since you are quoting around $850 for a regular ticket. Miles work best when used from one of the northern states.

With miles, there is no need to pay more for a connection between Bogota and Cali. For instance, I can get you into both cities, with a layover in one of them, and all on the same ticket!

And all airlines charge taxes on miles tickets...but they are about half what the taxes are on regular tickets....sometimes less.

And yes, you would never want to purchase miles thru the airline....except when you need a few more to round out the block you are needing.

And you're right, there are companies doing miles brokering, but not only are they higher cost than what I do, but they are usually used for First Class tickets.

If you need more info on miles, feel free to write me any time....be glad to help. bill1243 at yahoo dot com


Caslug,

You are referring to what is generally called "rapid redemption fees". But it is usually hard, but not always, to find a seat that soon anyway. If there is a seat available, there is a way around this fee, but I'd have to explain it to you over the phone.

The trick with miles tickets are the following:

1) Go to places where most people don't go. Colombia certainly qualifies for this! But you still usually have domestic flight legs to deal with.

2) Book quite a ways ahead of time, and be flexible as to dates and times. But again, there are ways around this too.

It's quite a science... but so much cheaper than buying regular tickets, especially if you're from the northern states....or anywhere where the regular of bulk ticket rates are maybe $700 or more.

Poor but snappy

Peter (Moderator) says on Nov 4, 2004, 16:07:

want to travel to Colombia Hello guys,

I am interested in the frequent flyer miles. I would like to travel to Colombia this winter. I am in the state of PA and I would like to know if I can travel to Miami and then go from there to col, since tickets from NYC are very expensive.

It seems to me you are very good on this topic!

Thanks in advance.
Ricardo Sosa (riaso2000 at hotmail.com)

Poor but snappy

Peter (Moderator) says on Nov 4, 2004, 16:10:

one more question
One more question.

Do these frequent flyer miles work as a round trip ticket?

Thanks

Poor but snappy

caslug says on Nov 4, 2004, 16:35:

Ricardo, most people use FF miles... for round trip, but benefit is you can fly into Cali BUT leave from Bogota(which is what my plan is) and use the same miles as if you did a rountrip from LAX to BOG and back. Heck you can even have a different starting and returning city from the US. So you can fly from LAX to CALI, BUT come back from BOG to NYC, all for 35k miles(low season).

Peter (Moderator) says on Nov 4, 2004, 16:59:

thank you very much.

Where can I get the ff miles?

Can somebody help me to get them?

Bye,

RS

Poor but snappy

Peter (Moderator) says on Nov 4, 2004, 17:04:

During winter Can I use the ff miles? or only low season?

Thanks!

Poor but snappy

caslug says on Nov 4, 2004, 20:12:

miles and miles... FF miles can be earn via 1) flying(paid flight) or 2) get airline credit card or other promotion. For example if you fly for business from coast to coast, it's about 5k miles round-trip, add booking online, gives another "bonus" of 1k. If you spend $20k/year on credit card purchase, that be equal to miles if you have the airline card. Usually, the fastest way to earn miles is to be a business traveller.

High season, has a lot of "no seat available" for FF users. Example, I just try to book a trip to COL for in NOV, turns out they have 10 or so "no seat available" days, so I my choices where limited. I think from Mid Nov to early Jan, is very difficult to fly w/ FF miles, because of all the paid holiday traveller.

Bill1243 says on Nov 7, 2004, 00:11:

Caslug and Ricardo If your going to Bogota it is easier, even at high travel times. You can use "waitlisting" and usually get the flight you want, or near it.

And Ricardo, flying from NYC to Bogota is pretty cheap the regular way, so not really best for using miles. If you're flying from Pennsylvania, miles would probably be better. And it would not generally save you much, if any, over miles tickets, to fly to Miami and them fly to Colombia from there.

DannyRui says on Nov 8, 2004, 21:52:

Miami to Medellin? Cheapest prices out there from Miami to Medallo? Where and when? My dates are flexible. Ive bought before online for about 350.00. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Miguel says on Nov 9, 2004, 00:40:

Avianca Website Go there and register to receive their weekly newletter that shows you current discounted flights; for example, this week they feature RT from MIA to Lima, Peru, for $230 usd plus impuestos.

Bill1243 says on Dec 30, 2004, 15:22:

a hint There are ways around the rapid redemption fees and also ways to book at the last minute. I can help anyone with this if they need it.
bill1243 at yahoo.com