Exito Travel Official Blog !

It’s the same challenge for most groups: How to find a group airfare option that fits the total budget, without having to pay in full right away, or otherwise risk paying more later, as the fare, taxes and/or fuel charges continue to skyrocket?

In the current airfare market, there is an inherent risk of paying more tomorrow for what was quoted today. Even when a “guaranteed” group rate is available, this guarantee typically applies only the base fare, and not to taxes, or the ever-increasing fuel surcharges, which can be as much as $300 per ticket. A group fare booked today can end up being hundreds higher by the time the group is ready to issue tickets.

There is a refreshing exception. Exito group specialists can now offer a guaranteed rate on select group fares INCLUDING taxes and fees. Book today with a deposit, and lock in todays total price, even if the final purchase is months away. While other group bookings fluctuate from rising fuel costs and annual tax adjustments, Exito’s qualifying group rates stay put, allowing groups the chance of actually staying within a set budget.

Here’s how it works:

1. Contact an Exito Group Specialist and request a quote for a group flight, specifying an interest in a guaranteed total rate. Phone: 800 655 4054 . *Minimum group size is 10 people, traveling on an identical itinerary*

2. Once a suitable itinerary is confirmed for the group, pay a standard group deposit, up to $100 per seat, to lock in the space and the price for the group. Deposits are either refunded or applied to the purchase price, provided the group abides by the airlines stated cancellation and minimum utilization policy. Note: Flights departing within 90 days may have special deposit and payment requirements.

3. Provide all passenger names and payment by the airline’s quoted deadline; typically 30-60 days prior to departure. *No surprise fees or extra taxes will be charged on qualifying fares, according to the initial quote*

This option is available to groups of at least 10 people traveling together, on select airlines, subject to availability of group space and according to specific airline policies, which are subject to change. Round trip travel must originate in the US, and include select destinations in:

Mexico - Guatemala - Costa Rica- Honduras - Belize - El Salvador
Nicaragua - Ecuador - Peru- Venezuela - Chile - Argentina - Brazil - Colombia

Contact an Exito Group Airfare Specialist for further details and to find your guaranteed group fare, now.

Phone: 800 655 4054

Email: groups@exitotravel.com

After the Tragic accident on May 30, 2008 at Toncontín International Airport (MHTG) in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, TACA has reestablished flight service to/from Tegucigalpa trough San Pedro Sula, Honduras with 42-seat ATR type aircraft, The ATR 42 is a twin-turboprop short-haul regional airline built in France and Italy by the company known as ATR. The name “42″ comes from the aircraft’s seating, which varies from 40 to 50

All tickets purchased after June 1st for travel to/from Tegucigalpa on TACA will fly via San Pedro Sula, Honduras on TACA’s ATR service.

Beginning this July 22nd, LAN Airlines (Formerly known as LAN Chile) will begin offering service from Buenos Aires, Argentina to the city of Neuquén, Argentina. The service will be offered twice daily Monday through Friday and one flight per day on weekends.

Neuquén is the capital city of the Argentine Province of Neuquén. It is located on the eastern side of the province, at the confluence of the Limay and Neuquén rivers. The city has a population of more than 265,000, making it the largest city in Patagonia. This will be LAN’s 11th domestic destination served in Argentina.

LAN now serves the following cities in Argentina:

• Salta
• Iguazu
• Cordoba
• Mendoza
• Bariloche
• Neuquen
• Comodoro Rivadavia
• Puerto Madryn
• Calafate
• Ushuaia

It’s no secret that airlines are scrambling to cover costs this year. One of the most noticeable tactics to that end is the addition, and continual increase, of fuel surcharges. What may be less obvious is that airlines are also reducing the the number of low-fare seats available on any given flight. The result: Low fares still exist but are generally not as low as before, and, will be sold on a limited, first-come, first purchase basis.

What does this mean for your group? It might take some specific strategies to obtain the best group airfare deal. Here are some tips:

• Reserve in advance, up to 9 months in advance, and be ready to pay a deposit for every seat. Most airlines expect groups to be organized and confirmed to travel at least 3 months prior to departure. Anything later is considered “last minute”, and can result in fewer options, higher fares, and expedited payment deadlines.

• Simplify. With a limited supply of cheap seats, airlines will not double book, or otherwise offer multiple quotes for the same group. Focus your search by designating one group leader to work with one Latin America group specialist, who will negotiate the best group fare with each airline

• Consider paying in full, way ahead of time. Although the base fare on most group bookings is locked in with a deposit, fuel surcharges and taxes typically continue to rise, and will be calculated on the final purchase date. With rare exception, only paying in full will guarantee the total price.

• Reserve only the number of seats needed, ideally within at 10% margin. If an airline has, say, 20 seats available at the lowest fare, requesting 30 seats can result in a higher quote for everyone in the group.

• Be flexible. Consider traveling during off-peak travel dates, or be ready to pay a premium.

• For larger groups, consider spreading the group onto separate flights on the same dates, when a reasonable option is available.

For more details about group airfare visit http://www.exitotravel.com/flights/group_flights.htm or contact an Exito Travel Group Specialist at 800 655 4054.

As part of Delta’s ongoing expansion into Latin America, Delta Airlines has announced new service from New York (JFK) Airport to Bogota Colombia.  The service will begin August 19, 2008.  The US Department of Transportation officially approved the new service to Bogota.  This will complement Delta’s current serice from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.  Connection service is available to Bogota on Delta through either gateway.

The service will begin August 19th.

TACA Airlines has announced that as of July 1st 2008, they will start new services from their Lima Hub to the beautiful city Rio de Janeiro. The once capital of Brazil, Rio is much more than an exciting city that never sleeps. Its a city full of culture and history.

As part of Delta’s ongoing expansion to markets throughout Latin America, Delta is now offering non-stop flights from New York’s JFK airport.  These flights offer some competition to Continental’s nonstop service from Newark Liberty Airport.  The new routes will be added as follows:

Guatemala City ,Guatemala - Dec 14, 2007

Liberia, Costa Rica - February 16, 2008

Panama City, Panama - December 13, 2007

San Jose, Costa Rica - February 15, 2007

Besides offering many non-stops flights from it’s hub in Atlanta and New York, JFK, Delta also offers many non-stop flights from Los Angeles  International (LAX).