sabdab

Hi there. My friend and I are planning to travel through South America in December. We are looking into getting an airpass as they have been said to be cheaper than booking individual flights. I'm just looking to hear of any firsthand experiences with these passes. How do they work exactly? The website isn't very clear and there aren't too many forums on them. I know they have to be purchased in our home country but once in South America, can we book our flights as we go? We will have some type of plan but we also want to have wiggle room if we want to stay in certain countries longer than others. Or is this something that needs to be completely planned out? Thanks!

IsabelaS

I can only speak to the passes for Brazil by TAM and GOL. Each flight is a leg. You have to book ahead when you purchase. However, in Brazil, December is high season and you would be wise to book ahead in any case. Also, domestic fares in Brazil tend to go up the closer to the date. In high season and when flying the longer distances across vast Brazil, a pass may be cheaper. In low season, or with shorter flights, individual flights may add up to less $$ than that number of legs on a pass. Often, the airfare is about the same as bus fare in Brazil.
As far as the Mercosul passes, I can't help, but assume they may be similar in many ways. Perhaps someone on the FlyerTalk forum for South America might have better info.

glover

We used LAN/TAM airpass this winter for travel in Argentina- lots of interior flights. We had to book all the flights in advance ..... It saved us money, and all the flights were fine - but it was tedious getting it booked - perhaps just because LAN and TAM were merging at the time. My husband ending up spending a lot of time on the phone with them to get it all worked out. The website wouldn't accept one of the flights for some reason, blah, blah. . . Patience may be required!!

sabdab

Thank you both! Your responses are very helpful and much appreciated! I will post my question on the FlyerTalk forum as well.

mlgb

LAN also has a South American airpass if your flight into the continent is on LAN or a partner airline.