Buenos Aires in October

Old Sep 10th, 2008, 12:15 PM
  #21  
 
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Check out both the following website and the comments about it (byt) in the forums:

http://www.byt-argentina.com.ar/

I would not expect them to have any significant extra fees, but some firms do charge a non-working day check-in extra fee.
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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 04:50 AM
  #22  
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Isabel hasn't acknowledged my e-mail yet. Granted, it's not even been 24 hours. I just e-mailed Wow Argentina and I got some automatically generated responses that say that they may not respond until late September.

Any other travel agents I should contact to try to plan the trip to Iguazu Falls? Thanks!
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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 04:58 AM
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Let me ask the question about Don Telmo's location again. It's on Mexico near Bernardo. Map here:

http://www.dontelmo.com/ubicacion_ingles.html

I did some research last night and found this thread on ThornTree:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...readID=1393536

I get the impression that it may be in a questionable location. However just a few blocks away is the Grand Boulevards hotel, which also gets decent reviews on TripAdvisor.

I do plan to be out at night and I think that I'll be walking around in the area if I can. I've checked some nightlife options and they are north and east (I think -- Puerto Madero and the water is east, isn't it?), and I may wander out as far out to the Callao subway stations.

Will I be ok? I guess I can try to find something further north or east or closer to Plaza de Mayo. I don't have a strict budget, but cheap and functional is good. I checked some of the more expensive hotels in this area and they are mostly booked.

I actually wouldn't mind staying in Ibis, but it's booked for the Saturday I arrive.

Thanks again!

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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 06:14 AM
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Granted I'm not an expert on the city since we were just there for a quick visit two years ago, but with everything I read from you, I am wondering why you aren't booking in Palermo Soho?? I believe that's where the nightlife is, and during the day there is great shopping as well. I wouldn't worry about access to the subte, because taxis are cheap! And if it's nighttime safety you're most concerned about, you won't even need them if you stay in Soho at night.

i believe that when we went we only hailed cabs on the street that had a phone number on them to indicate they were a radio cab.
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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 06:16 AM
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Answering your questions:

Isabel, who runs a one-person operation, could be swamped, but she should reply soon, anyway.

If she is unable to take on your business, you could simply book your flights on http://www.lan.com/country_selector.html
and book the Sheraton online, if you wish to stay there.

There are many other places where you can stay, but the Sheraton is the only hotel located within the park itself.

About your hotel in BA, it's a matter of taste, but I probably wouldn't stay in that area.

Perhaps a little more research on the subject would be useful.

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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 07:53 AM
  #26  
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Isabel just wrote me back. Now there's a fee of USD 150 for a solo traveler. She writes that hotel rates are the same or lower than what I can find by myself. She doesn't do packages.

She said my e-mail probably went to her spam folder. I still say that's very quick response and she seems very professional!

I decided to take a look at LAN again. Can I use the Argentine version of the LAN website to book tickets? It seems like the rates there are considerable lower than the US version. I should check again though.

Thanks!

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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 07:56 AM
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I'm sorry -- let me clarify. It's not that she doesn't do packages, but she doesn't quote a separate price. She quotes prices for each item separately and the itinerary is customized.
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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 08:12 AM
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It looks like local residents can indeed buy cheaper tickets. Why is this? I got this from the LAN website (which I translated with Google):

Las tarifas aquí indicadas están disponibles sólo para RESIDENTES de Argentina según artículo 4 de la Resolución 35/2002 de la Secretaría de Transporte del Ministerio de la Producción. En caso que alguno de los pasajeros no lo sea, éste puede comprar sus tickets en algunos de nuestros sitios internacionales de LAN.com. Durante el embarque se solicitará documentación que acredite la condición de residencia. Si no la tuviese, aquel pasajero con ticket en esta clase no podrá embarcar.

The rates listed here are available only to residents of Argentina under article 4 of Resolution 35/2002 of the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Production. If any of the passengers is not what it can buy their tickets in some of our international sites LAN.com. During the shipment will be requested documentation attesting to the status of residence. If you do not have, with one passenger ticket in this class will not be able to board.
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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 11:30 AM
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You were supposed to say your country is the USA, 111op

That's why I directed you to: http://www.lan.com/country_selector.html

Supposing the LAN system accepts that you are an Argentina resident and sells you a ticket at the prices reserved for locals, you are supposed to be caught when you check in, which may or may not happen.

According to the website, if you are caught, you will not be allowed to board the plane.

So, it's up to you.


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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 11:38 AM
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I've done this in other places -- the most notable is the Eurostar website where sometimes if you pretend that you're a UK resident the ticket is cheaper. I don't know if that's still the case.

Of course if I can do it with LAN, I would. Has anyone done this successfully? The warning is so explicit that I'm thinking that I should book as a US resident. (There's no such warning for Eurostar -- at least not that I'm aware, and I've never had a problem.) For what it's worth, Expedia quotes very similar prices to LAN US.
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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 12:00 PM
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111op: the point is what happens if you are caught and the outcome could depend on at what point of the check-in process you are caught.

Will you really not be allowed to board the plane, or will you just be told to go pay the difference and come back.

In other words, is the worst that could happen that you'd have to put up more money? If so, it seems a gamble in which the odds favor you.

If you are caught during the last part of the boarding process, will they just let it go, to save themselves the paperwork?

Will they write something in the computer, so they will make you pay upon your return trip? Who knows? LOL!!!
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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 12:06 PM
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Well I don't know. The Google translation is not very idiomatic. It sounds like they need to ship the tickets, but then aren't all tickets E-tickets by now? What does the Spanish say? I didn't click through to everything. It's conceivable that they will make me leave an Argentine mailing address though, which I don't have.

I don't know. The fare difference is probably around $150 to $200. Of course it's nice to save but if it's too much trouble I think I'll play nice.

For what it's worth, prices Isabel quoted are similar to the US resident prices. So if there's a trick, I think that she would know about it. But then, you never know.
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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 12:30 PM
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This matter has been widely covered in the forums. I'd say the bottom line is that there USED TO BE some kind of loophole, which does not exist any more.
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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 04:39 PM
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AV is right, as usual. There used to be a loophole, now closed. It is virtually impossible to pay lower prices than you find quoted on the website for US citizens.

The advantage to using Isabel rather than booking yourself--she will keep up with changes in flight times for you and keep you informed. She will also help with logistical problems making connections created by changes in flight times...and believe me changes occur regularly....
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Old Sep 11th, 2008, 05:44 PM
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Said drdawggy: "AV is right, as usual."

OMG! This is like getting the papal "imprimatur"! LOL!!!

I think I'm going to take a drink, to celebrate this!

For any new readers, the joke is that I don't drink. LOL!!!



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Old Sep 15th, 2008, 09:45 AM
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I really need to get on with the trip planning, but in the meantime I also have a reservation at Hotel Ritz for 3 nights:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...es/H58984.html

Does someone know this hotel? How's the location? I think it's better than Don Telmo's? Am I mistaken? It's pretty far west though. I can find a few positive reviews online but nothing on Tripadvisor.

I still prefer to spend part of my visit in this area, as I said, and I'll for a different hotel in Palermo (most likely) for later.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 08:39 AM
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My fare dropped $200! I guess now I know I booked too early.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 08:54 AM
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It could be related to oil and the markets, you know.....
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 09:03 AM
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The LAN airfares are about the same though. I'm a bit pissed. I don't like overpaying for something.

But then in the span of half an hour the fare went by significantly. I think it's because I kept pulling it up and I called Orbitz and AA and they also pulled it up.
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Old Sep 18th, 2008, 07:31 PM
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I stayed in the San Telmo neighborhood this spring on Chacabuco, at Mexico, and while it was lively and interesting, the sidewalks were rubble--- often difficult to navigate. This time, in October, I'm staying at an aparthotel that I read about called Ayres de Palermo. Despite the name, I believe it is in Barrio Norte between Recoleta and Palermo. From what I saw of these neighborhoods, the streets are in good shape and safe, the subte is nearby, and it should be easy to hail a cab.
I'm sure there are places to stay that are more charming, especially in Palermo, but I wanted a convenient location and a kitchen because I love to cook for my friends--- as well as eating out at the great parillas. Isabel recommended the Bel Air Hotel. But, alas, no kitchen!
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