Should I use an Online Travel Agency (OTA) like Expedia?

Avoid OTAs for regional flights in Latin America. If there is a schedule change or cancellation, the local airline will often refuse to help you, and the OTA will be impossible to reach.

Are budget airlines in Latin America reliable?

Airlines like JetSmart or Sky Airline are reliable but have very strict baggage policies. Always pay for your checked or carry-on bag during the initial checkout process.

Can I use miles for multi-city travel?

Yes, but prioritize Star Alliance (Avianca/Copa) or Oneworld (LATAM) partners to maximize availability across multiple countries.

Booking Multi-City Flights in Latin America

Use a combination of major search aggregators for long-haul legs and local airline websites for regional hops. Avoid booking cross-border regional flights on third-party OTA sites, as they often fail to pass passenger data correctly to local carriers.

Use ITA Matrix for planning. Use Google’s ITA Matrix to find the best routes and carrier combinations. Its 'Multi-city' tool is more powerful than consumer sites and identifies which regional airlines codeshare with your long-haul carrier.
Book long-hauls first. Book your transatlantic or transpacific flight into your first destination and out of your last destination using a single PNR (Passenger Name Record). This protects you under international aviation law if a delay causes you to miss a connection.
Book regional flights directly. Once you have your long-haul dates, go directly to the websites of regional airlines like LATAM, Avianca, or Copa. Use a VPN set to the country of the airline if you see significantly lower prices for local residents.
Check luggage requirements. Regional airlines in Latin America often sell 'Basic' fares that do not include carry-on bags. Check the specific airline's baggage policy before purchasing, as adding a bag at the airport can cost 3x more than during booking.

Should I use an Online Travel Agency (OTA) like Expedia?: Avoid OTAs for regional flights in Latin America. If there is a schedule change or cancellation, the local airline will often refuse to help you, and the OTA will be impossible to reach.
Are budget airlines in Latin America reliable?: Airlines like JetSmart or Sky Airline are reliable but have very strict baggage policies. Always pay for your checked or carry-on bag during the initial checkout process.
Can I use miles for multi-city travel?: Yes, but prioritize Star Alliance (Avianca/Copa) or Oneworld (LATAM) partners to maximize availability across multiple countries.