Any advice on SDQ to EZE (Buenos Aires) flights ?

[Formosano2000]

I'm planning my next vacation to Argentina. However, the coach fares I have been quoted are outrageous.

My preferred arrangement is:

Leaving SDQ early Dec/21 arriving EZE the same night
Returning from EZE on Jan/11 and arriving SDQ the same night

The most logical route seems SDQ-PTY-EZE. However, flight availability seems very low as the SDQ-PTY-SDQ segment is very full.

Another way is SDQ-MIA-EZE. However, the rates are far too high (US$1,500 and above).

I've been told that Lan Chile flies EZE-SCL-PUJ route, but I'm sure if I can book the flight leaving from PUJ and return. The rate on EZE-SCL-PUj-SCL-EZE seems reasonable at US$822. However, since I live in San Pedro de Macoris, the transportation to and back from Punta Cana could be burdensome.

I'm trying to find other alternatives that might work out. Are there flights to EZE connecting through, for example, Cuba, Venezuela, Peru..etc ?

The last time I went to Argentina in Dec/2001, I was able to use 20,000 OnePass miles on Copa, which really was a bargain. Apparently they caught on and raised the requirement to 30,000. Since I only have 26,000 miles, I'll have to purchase 4,000 miles for US$32 per 1,000 miles, assuming there is space. Righ now, Copa is telling me that mileage seating is very limited with earliest outgoing flight only on Dec/24 and earliest returning flight on Jan/16 !

Perhaps I'm too early in the game. Been told that space should free up when people cancel later.

Would appreciate any feedback from you knowledgeable folks !

[Papito_Chulo]

CCS EZE AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS
EZE CCS AEROLINEAS AGRENTINAS

583 USD

SDQ CCS SDQ AEROPOSTAL 280 USD

[Formosano2000]

Originally posted by Papito_Chulo
CCS EZE AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS
EZE CCS AEROLINEAS AGRENTINAS

583 USD

SDQ CCS SDQ AEROPOSTAL 280 USD

Thanks for the quick reply.

If you don't mind, could you list the departure/arrival time of each flight segment ? I'd like to know if the connections mesh well.

Thanks again !

[Papito_Chulo]

VH 825 SDQ CCS DC9 1420 1550 1***5*7
R7 421 SDQ CCS DC9 1545 1715 ***4**7
VH 801 SDQ CCS DC9 1535 1805 *234*6*
VH 823 SDQ CCS DC9 1540 1815 1***5*7


AR 1377 CCS EZE M88 2055 0555 1*345*7
AR 1376 EZE CCS M88 1130 1837 1*345*7


ALL CCS SDQ flights leave between 1000 and 1200

[Formosano2000]

Originally posted by Papito_Chulo


AR 1377 CCS EZE M88 2055 0555 1*345*7
AR 1376 EZE CCS M88 1130 1837 1*345*7


ALL CCS SDQ flights leave between 1000 and 1200

Thanks, Papito, for the schedule info.

It looks like I'll have an overnight lay-over in CCS because there is no more connecting flight to SDQ when the flight arrives from EZE. This worries me, not least because Caracas is not a safe city and I don't know what price level to expect for airport hotels there.

I guess I'll be patient and see if other options come up. Thanks again meanwhile !

[DeeDR]

Caracas is a safe and fun city if you stay away from demonstrations and dangerous areas, just like anywhere else.

The best thing is that you can obtain international airline tickets (and just about anything else) at a 30%+ discount if you change your dollars on the free market (aka black market). Hotels and travel agents are forced to accept the local currency, Bolívares, at the official exchange rate of Bs 1600 per dollar, but on the free market you get about 2600 Bs per dollar. The free market is very accessible, just go to any small shop in a shopping mall and speak with the owner.

A few weeks ago I got a ticket from Caracas to Buenos Aires (via Sao Paulo) for less than $400. The ticket mentioned by Papito_Chulo ($580) would cost you about $580 * 1600 / 2600 = $357 if bought with free market Bolívares.

Considering that you'd need to buy the ticket in Caracas, it might not be worth the savings if you're headed to Bs.As. but for larger trips you could easily save a few hundred dollars, even if you are stuck two or three days in Caracas if the flights are full. (You can probably avoid that by checking out flights for their expected fullness before you leave the DR.)

A night in a three star hotel costs about $25; a world-class five star hotel about $85. Caracas is cheap, the girls are beautiful, the food is excellent. It's worth a trip even as a main destination.

[Stanley Joaquín]

take a fly by Copa Airlines from Santo Dominto to Buenos Aires via ´´Hub de Las Americas´´ Panamá, only one airlines, can´t lost you flight for delay, and fly in 737-700W.

[santobonao]

i will like to travel with copa airlines it said is one of the best airline in latin america. people can used copa to panama and go to south america.