Ecuador Tickets # 4

by Gary | May 27, 2009 | Archives

Ecuador Tickets # 4

This series on buying tickets to Ecuador began with three articles at this site. If you missed part one see it at Buying Tickets to Ecuador.

See Ecuador Tickets 2 here.

See Ecuador Tickets #3 here.

Here is a rave from a reader about the series on Tickets for Ecuador: Great to know about kayak for Ecuador tickets——had tried it awhile ago but did not realize all the good features thanks so much. Good instructions, Merri……….and love all those Ecuador pics!

Here is another point about Kayak.com that a reader shared from our previous articles about Ecuador tickets.

One thing Merri may wish to mention about Kayak which I find tremendously useful, is that you get to choose the currency of your country for the prices. This is absolutely a fantastic feature of this website, truly international and very cognizant of the global marketplace that the web represents.

There are many reasons to buy an Ecuador ticket… like this three floor house on the beach for $110,000 asking.

1st floor

2nd floor

Modern

Merri’s information on Ecuador tickets continues here.

Award Tickets vs. Pay with Miles

I used to think that the highest thing out there in the “ticket” world was a free ticket! But look at the cost is of a “free” ticket with Delta!

Our daughter was here for 3 weeks from London before she returned for a year in Africa, and this was a more or less “instant” decision for her. Many fares from London were high…and I thought “Oh, let’s go for an award ticket”…

But just to show you how all the rules have now changed, I thought well, let’s make some comparisons…

Here’s what I found…Award Ticket round trip from London to Charlotte:

Mileage required 50,000 and up to 70,000.

Award available on most days, plenty of seats, etc.

Sounds good…right? A free ticket! Great for kids as there is no tax advantage and it’s there and red hot!

However, let’s look closer, the requirement for taxes was $316.23!! Other flights, taxes were $375.10. Wow!

Well, that’s not really a free ticket is it?

So…then let’s look at Pay with Miles (explanation later in this article):

Same flights, same days…ticket would be $94.43 and 50,000 miles…a big big difference…this includes all taxes and fees. I could have made it even lower to $40.43 if Gary had an extra 5,000 miles in his account.

Well, what would you rather have? A “free” awards ticket for 50,000 miles + $316-$375 in taxes or a Pay with Miles for 50,000 miles for $94.43 or even as low as $40.43?

Ecuador tickets will brings you rustic restaurants open air restaurants like this three table authentic pizza parlor complete with dog, cat and dirt floor.

But great pizza

Pay with Miles

How does Pay for Miles Tickets work? Well, there is a small catch that I discovered after recommending this to a client…she called me back and said “Pay with Miles does not appear on my computer”…

Here is that catch. It says very clearly that this is for Platinum and Gold Medallion Members. And of course, only people crazy enough to travel as much as we do qualify…but and this is a big BUT it is available to anyone with a Delta Skymiles number if that person holds an American Express Sky Miles GOLD Card, Platinum or Reserve Credit Card. I have provided links to learn more about how to get these cards at the end of this message.

The first year, the fee is waived and then can be as low as $55 annually…you’ll save that on your first purchase of “Pay with Miles”.

All of this is a bit lopsided…but as I said before “All the Rules have Changed”…and that means ALL the rules. When you order this credit card you’ll get a bonus 25,000 miles to start.

Gary and I (as you probably know) abhor debt, so we pay off our credit cards each month but we do love credit cards…because we can easily track our purchases for IRS purposes and also because of the Pay with Miles feature. It is possible to have free (that is really free) Delta Crown Room Use at all airports by showing your American Express Delta Reserve Card. This Amex card is a bit pricier but has more benefits because your miles are at times doubled and you have access to a Concierge desk when you really get into trouble (which I often do) and also don’t forget all those quiet times in the private rooms.

You don’t really need to be a road warrior who has hundreds of thousands of miles, you just need that little American Express Gold or Platinum card! Suddenly those magic words, “Pay with Miles” automatically appear on your screen, giving you a free ticket with no blackout dates, the use of any amount of miles you might have (award tickets have a premium minimum), as well as flexibility, AND no fees. This can be purchased for a group of people (if on the same itinerary) and can be used as often as you have miles in your account.

Pay with Miles is a great way to use those accumulated miles that is fast, easy, Internet friendly and instant. I just love bringing our kids from all over the world as we did Jake (on the itinerary and dates he chose) last year for $17!

Ecuador tickets can lead you to fancy restaurants in Bahia like at the Bahia yacht…

club or…