Should I book all flights at once or separately?

Book together if using airline alliances or if tight connections matter. Book separately if mixing budget carriers with full-service airlines, or if you want flexibility to change dates. Separate bookings mean no protection if first flight delays.

How do I handle different baggage policies across airlines?

Check each airline's baggage rules before booking. Budget carriers often charge for checked bags. If mixing airlines, pack light enough for carry-on only, or budget $50-100 extra per flight for checked bags on budget carriers.

What if I want to change dates mid-trip?

Book flexible fares if you need change options, or use airlines with reasonable change fees. Budget carriers typically charge $50-150 to change dates plus fare differences. Some airlines offer 24-hour free changes.

Are open-jaw tickets worth it?

Yes for longer trips. Flying into Mexico City and out of Cancun, or into Lima and out of Santiago, saves backtracking time and often costs the same as round-trip. Search 'multi-city' rather than round-trip for these options.

How to Book Multi-City Flights in Latin America

Book multi-city flights in Latin America by using airline alliances like LATAM Pass or Star Alliance, checking regional carriers like LATAM and Avianca for circle routes, or building your own itinerary with budget carriers like JetSMART and Viva Air. Expect to pay $800-1,500 for 3-4 cities depending on distances.

Check airline alliance multi-city tools first. Start with LATAM's multi-city booking tool or Copa Airlines' Hub of the Americas routes through Panama City. These often offer the best prices for 3+ destinations. LATAM covers most South American routes well, while Copa excels for Central America combinations.
Compare with independent bookings. Use Google Flights multi-city search to compare alliance prices with booking each leg separately. Sometimes individual flights on budget carriers like JetSMART (Chile/Argentina), Viva Air (Colombia/Peru), or Volaris (Mexico/Central America) cost less than alliance packages.
Consider hub-and-spoke routing. Route through major hubs: Mexico City for Central America and Caribbean, Lima for Pacific South America, Bogotá for northern South America, or São Paulo for Brazil and southern cone. This often reduces costs compared to direct city-to-city routing.
Book 2-3 months ahead for best prices. Latin American flight prices spike closer to travel dates. Book international segments first, then add domestic connections. Avoid booking during local holiday seasons (December-February, Easter week, July).
Build in buffer time between flights. Allow minimum 3 hours for international connections, 2 hours for domestic. Latin American airports can have delays, and some require exit/re-entry even for connections. Keep important flights on the same booking when possible.

Should I book all flights at once or separately?: Book together if using airline alliances or if tight connections matter. Book separately if mixing budget carriers with full-service airlines, or if you want flexibility to change dates. Separate bookings mean no protection if first flight delays.
How do I handle different baggage policies across airlines?: Check each airline's baggage rules before booking. Budget carriers often charge for checked bags. If mixing airlines, pack light enough for carry-on only, or budget $50-100 extra per flight for checked bags on budget carriers.
What if I want to change dates mid-trip?: Book flexible fares if you need change options, or use airlines with reasonable change fees. Budget carriers typically charge $50-150 to change dates plus fare differences. Some airlines offer 24-hour free changes.
Are open-jaw tickets worth it?: Yes for longer trips. Flying into Mexico City and out of Cancun, or into Lima and out of Santiago, saves backtracking time and often costs the same as round-trip. Search 'multi-city' rather than round-trip for these options.