Los ladrones de Avianca

paisa29 says on Jan 8, 2005, 11:38:

si tienes un tarjeta de credito VISA puedes comprar el tiquete con la tarifa económica en Colombia

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Lauthra says on Jan 8, 2005, 12:14:

Well, Their prices aren't that cheap for here either, that rate you got was for Bogota-Cali only, the other rate ($556.000 COP), is for the round trip, Bogota-Cali-Bogota. Aerorepublica's rate is the same of Avianca's Bogota-Cali, for the round trip. And yes their site's been down for quite some time now.
Nato
www.theburrow.co.uk

Nato (='.'=)

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Gator says on Jan 8, 2005, 12:18:

Seems to Work Fine for Me less than one minute ago: http://www.aerorepublica.com.co/

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Crazy4Cali says on Jan 8, 2005, 12:34:

VISA - it's everywhere you want to be Sí, paisa29, estás correcta. It worked when I used my VISA (after I made this month's payment, that is).

Y Lauthra, the Avianca agent told me, word-for-word, that both prices were for a round trip and the only difference was where the ticket was purchased. Whether $271.000 COP is cheap is a matter of opinion, whether it is less than $556.000 COP is a matter of math.

Anyway, I just wanted to point out the pricing differences for the next pour sucker, er, I mean customer.

Caveat emptor!

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Gator says on Jan 8, 2005, 13:01:

Price BOG/CLO
is about 230.000 with tax

AeroRepubuica has a toll free number IN Colombia 01 8000 911 101
always make that ALWAYS call for the most accurate prices and flights.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Lauthra says on Jan 8, 2005, 13:11:

That's Weird Cos I just got back from Cali yesterday, I flew Aerorepublica, and when I asked Avianca they told me that price $556.000 COP, and Im in Bogota, and would've bough the tickets here...

Nato
www.theburrow.co.uk

Nato (='.'=)

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 8, 2005, 13:30:

nato, I haven't been checking the prices lately, but the price quoted by you sound a bit high. Even though, the last time I flew Avianca between Cali and Bogotá one-way was a couple of years ago, and then I think I paid something in the vicinity of 200 000 Col pesos. That Col$230 000 still sounds like a one-way fare to me.
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Lauthra says on Jan 8, 2005, 14:08:

Hmmm Aerorepublica's round trip is 250.000 (rounding up), and Avianca was somewhere around 450.000, I checked 4 weeks ago. Maybe they raised their prices after the company almost went bankrupt, (or something along those lines, Tinto will give us more detailed and reliable info soon.)
Nato
www.theburrow.co.uk

Nato (='.'=)

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YEP says on Jan 8, 2005, 14:18:

Can any of you let me in on the round trip / tour pass secrets
by air in Colombia because the sure don't show up when you go the route of finding your way to colombia.

I bet they're hiding it way deep on their sites so one jumps to the full fare tickets ;-)


I'm hoping for some 3-4 cities ticket at some package price.


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Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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caslug says on Jan 9, 2005, 13:41:

YEP, Avianca does have airpass.. i check for last november, it's cost about $300 USD for 4 cities within a 30 day period. You MUST buy it OUTSIDE of COL, it's a little cheaper IF you fly Avianca TO COL. During the low season i seen it cost $220-250 USD for 4 cities. But since i fly AA, i would have to pay a little more. Maybe other airliens have the same deal.

In general in find that r/t from city to city in COL withou 7-21 day advance cost about $200-250 USD. In COL, I've bought ticket at the ticket office the day before my travel.

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YEP says on Jan 9, 2005, 15:30:

But judging from above it looks like you can get cheap
tickets inside Colombia if you buy in advance .... and as I have to plan a little bit up front I'd have to make some "calls" on how long I'd stay around in some area it wouldn't be that big a problem ordering from outside Colombia.

As Crazy4Cali states there's a lot to be gained.


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Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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Gator says on Jan 9, 2005, 16:12:

Discover Colombia Air Pass

Seasons: Low: Jan-May & Sep-Nov High: Jun-Aug & Dec

Maximum Stay

The airpass has a maximum stay of 30 days and all coupons must be used with that time.

How does it work

Travel must be undertaken in a logical geographical way around Colombia. No backtracking is allowed, except in the case of transit, where a passenger may transit a city more than once only in order to make immediate transfer connections. Example: Cali to Cartagena, as there is no direct flight available, it is permitted to transit via Bogota. In this case the passenger must stay in transit at Bogota and this would count as two coupons used. Stopovers in transit city are not allowed. All domestic routings are permitted with Avianca (AV) and Sam (MM). Domestic routings my still be allowed with Aires (4C): BOG to VVC, IBE, NVA and from CLO to NVA.

The Discover Colombia air pass can be a good deal if it fits YOUR travel plans.

Here is how it should work: The Avianca Pass is very complex and has a wide variance of pricing. The cheapest fares consist of flying Avianca to Columbia during the low season (January through May and September through November). Purchase a five-segment coupon for $250 off peak, $280 peak. You can get the pass on other airlines but you will pay $499 off peak, $529 peak if flying another airline to Columbia. These prices do not include travel to either Leticia or San Andres which adds additional fees. Travel for a maximum of 30 days if you fly Avianca into Columbia; 21 days if you fly on another airline.

The five-city pass does allow you to return to a city of departure but the KEY to using the Discover Colombia airpass is NOT to return to the same city twice. Anytime you land from any other city at a city you have been to before it will cost you a ticket on Discover Colombia so if you start your journey in Bogotá try to only return there to depart for the USA.

Let me "plan" a possible journey for you.
1. One of the keys to using the airpass, there are others, is to take Aviancia directly to Bogotá. Why Avianca? It is their deal so it is cheaper if you fly Avianca from USA-a LOT cheaper.

2. Then, using the airpass, fly to Bogotá to Medellin. (Any of the Avianca group which is SAM or Avianca. I also heard you can use the pass on Aires as long as it is a city not serviced by Avianca/SAM but I have never confirmed this.))
3. Then fly Medellin to Cartagena (Any of the Avianca group).
4. This is the key to make the airpass work for you. Only fly Avianca or SAM airlines who have direct flights and all do for your planned travel.
5. Then Cartagena to Bogotá
6. Then there is no problem catching the return Avianca flight to Miami and you have used only three tickets or segments minimum..
This is a good deal, make that a great deal, the five city pass $277+-. BTW, on the five-city pass you can add up to three additional cities for $50 each. That would give you EIGHT cities for under $500 BUT the pass is only good for 30 days. Round trip from Bogotá to Cartagena alone without the airpass would be $223 USD
If you start in Bogatá it is much less difficult simply because Bogatá is the hub of all airline travel in Colombia but to make this really work buy the five ticket Discover airpass. This really opens the door wide. Example- Bogotá to Cali, one ticket; Cali to Medellin second ticket; Medellin to Cartagena , third ticket; Cartagena to Bucaramanga, fourth ticket; Bucaramanga to Bogotá: fifth ticket.

You can go to Avianca's web site and look at the schedule(it is in English or Spanish, and play with the destinations to find what you like.
You can substitue cities like Medellin to Santa Marta, Cartagena to Pereira, etc. etc. Just remoember not to touch twice in the same city. Remember, high season starts May 31 so buy before then for the best price, You MUST buy before you leave the USA-cannot buy in Colombia.

CALL AVIANCA FIRST BECAUSE THINGS CAN AND DO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE(800-284-2622) BTW you will probably be issued what is called a Miscellaneous Charges Order (MCO). This is a coupon used by airlines and travel companies, including Avianca, as a general purpose voucher for services by their company. When you get to Colombian you go to an Avianca office with the MCO and book your flight(s)

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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YEP says on Jan 9, 2005, 16:41:

Many thank yous for that gold mine of information What I'm thinking of right now is (shot)

Barranquilla (Carneval and kick Elmo's as if he get his papers done).
Bogota (a couple of days to cool down if possible and see if I can catch a couple of the people from here).
Cali (ditto)
Medellin (ditto)

Where was Bucaramanga (ahh north .....) then dip there first and what else is up there ;-)

But entry to Colombia in Barranquilla (or do that happen via Bogota - stupid) and exit from Medellin or whereever possible.

If you know if you can enter Colombia via Barranquilla and exit via Medellin I'd like to know. Else I'll check their site myself.

I'll be comming from scandinavia to miami (I'm not from the US ;-) )

I thought every post of mine made that point .... else look below ;-)




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Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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Gator says on Jan 9, 2005, 20:04:

Yes "I'll be comming from scandinavia to miami (I'm not from the US ;-) )
I thought every post of mine made that point .... else look below ;-)
You made the point but you can still buy the airpass.



The international airports in Colombia are Bogotá, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Medellín, Cali and, I think, San Andrés. Carnaval in Barranquilla will be tough to book this late in the game, very, very, crowded. Bucaramanga about 650 k northeast of Bogotá.

My advice, if you are set on Barranquilla, couple of days there, then Cartagena, Medellin, Cali, then to Popayan, back through Cali to coffee country (Armenia/Pereira/Manizales) and end up in Bogotá with a side trip to Villa de Lleva. Some plane and some bus but you will have seen much of Colombia. If you would like, include Letecia in the Departmento de Amazonas. There is nothing in Amazonas but miles and miles of miles and miles BUT the Amazon River would make it worth while.

Enjoy the trip

A la orden

Gator

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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YEP says on Jan 13, 2005, 10:00:

One thing bothers me though ...... where the HELL
can one find the information in english at their site

http://www.avianca.us/default.asp?chapter=2


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Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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Gator says on Jan 13, 2005, 12:24:

Qué That link is in English

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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YEP says on Jan 13, 2005, 14:38:

Yup ..... I didn't check the "specials" when playing around
Stupid of me ;-)


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Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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