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New!   Fortaleza • Manaus • Recife • Salvador • Belo Horizonte

More direct flights from the US to Brazil is especially good news for groups

Cities in Northeastern Brazil are best known as the gateways to beautiful beaches, treasured World Heritage sites, and the lush expanse of the Amazon rainforest. Delta and American Airlines are adding direct service from their respective hubs in Atlanta and Miami to these diverse destinations, making them easier to reach, and harder to resist.

Previously, flying from North America to Northern Brazil involved at least 2 airlines and multiple plane changes. Most routings required flying to a southern city like Rio or Sao Paolo before changing to a local airline going north. Itineraries involving two airlines can obviously add travel time and inconvenience to anyone’s trip. For groups of 10 or more people, working with two airlines to make one trip requires double the number of bookings, deposits and payments, while doubling the potential pitfalls.

Direct flight options will now make arranging a group as simple as booking a flight across the nearest border.

Benefits for groups traveling on a single-airline:

• Fare: One fare from home to your destination, guaranteed in advance
• Routing: One connection, even no connection when traveling via Hubs in Atlanta or Miami
• Deposit: One deposit per person cuts the initial outlay in half
• Reservation: One booking keeps schedules and reservations synchronized
• Ticket: One ticket minimizes service fees and effort related changes or cancellation
• Baggage: One international ticket minimizes baggage fees, as well as avoids confusion if a bag is lost
• Service: One airline, one network means simpler solutions to unexpected delays or cancellations

Whether it’s for recreation or research, now is the time to make plans for your group to travel to Brazil.

CALL NOW FOR YOUR GROUP AIRFARE QUOTE:

1-800-655-4054

or CLICK HERE to submit your request online

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.