We have only 13 days to spend on a trip, and two of those days are spoken for in a business meeting in Mendoza. We're wondering if, by the time we spend another two+ days going down, coming back, does it make sense for the cost involved to do this for effectively 9 days of exploring? We originally were thinking maybe 3 nights in BA, then fly out to Easter Island for maybe 3 more nights, then finally 3 nights at Santiago.

Is this sounding foolish? We're leaning now towards simply splitting the 9 days between Santiago and the area south perhaps, and then still getting some time at EI.

Would we benefit by getting the LAN airpasses for this?

Comments? Ideas?
Thanks,

Are you from the US? Any flight into Santiago or BA on an international flight will mean a reciprocity fee for each of you of US$140. You can fly via Santiago to Mendoza and stay in transit, avoiding the fee. Then a flight to BA is domestic and no fee.
I think, given your time frame,that you would be shortchanging Easter Island with just 3 nights. Have you considered Iguazu falls instead? Two nights there is a good amount of time to enjoy them. If you want to do EI, take a day off Santiago.
A lot depends on when this would be. In our winter? In country destinations can be good or not so good depending on weather factors.

Thank you for your quick reply, Huentetu.
I'm glad you mentioned the fee. Is that only if you terminate in Santiago or BA? We were thinking of making our first leg from US to Santiago and direct out to EI that day... would that avoid the fee then? Also, we found that LAN charges non-residents higher fares... is that so? Any way around that?
Finally, your advice on the various airpasses available? It looks to me as though BA won't fit this timeframe, so we're really more likely to do EI-Santiago-Mendoza in that order if it makes more sense.
4 days required on EI?

This will be during Nov 1-13 2011.

If your business meeting is Mendoza, I would suggest you stay in Argentina for your additional 9 days, assuming you have not been there before. I've been to Iguazu, El Calafate, and Salta/NW all in November and found them lovely. Was also in Bariloche, but in fall rather than spring. I would think one or two of those would make a nice compliment to Mendoza and avoid the need to enter both Argentina and Chile by air. We spent 8 nights in the NW and it was great. The other places warrant more like 2 to 4 nights.

Haven't been to Easter Island, but it is a very long way for a short time.

You pay the reciprocity fee when arriving by air, not when crossing by land, at least for Chile. I've only entered Argentina by air, and just once since they had the fee.

We used the Lan airpass for Chile, but booking individual flights in Argentina seemed about the same price as the airpass.

Good luck.

You would pay landing in Santiago on an international flight. Easter Island is a domestic destination so you can't stay in transit and avoid the fee. You have to enter Chile. It is about a 5.5 hour flight to EI. You would have a half day when you arrive and another half day when you leave. So I think you want two full days on the island in the middle. It is a long way and not cheap to get there, so make the most of it. It is a unique destination.
The only way to get cheaper in country fares (available to anyone if bought here) is to get a local travel agent to get them for you. Flights to EI are always pretty full and fares rise as you get closer to the dates you want. Phone LAN in the US and ask about multi-city vs airpass. I don't really know the advantages or disadvantages.
November is a nice month for just about everywhere in Chile and Argentina. Still low season but good weather.