Should I use a travel agent for multi-country South America?

No. Most regional budget airlines don't work with traditional GDS booking systems. You are better off booking legs individually yourself.

Are flight delays common?

Yes, especially during the rainy season or in high-altitude airports like Cusco or La Paz. Never book two flights on the same day if you have a tight connection; allow at least 24 hours between legs.

Why is my credit card being rejected on airline sites?

Many South American airline websites have strict fraud filters. If your card is rejected, try using PayPal if the option is available, or use a virtual credit card service.

Booking Multi-Country Flights in South America

Avoid booking one long ticket across multiple airlines; instead, book individual one-way legs using regional budget carriers like JetSmart, Sky Airline, or LATAM. Use a meta-search engine to find the routes, then book directly on the airline’s own website to avoid third-party agency headaches.

Use search aggregators to map routes. Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to identify which carriers fly specific routes. South American air travel is often non-linear; you may find that flying from Bogotá to Buenos Aires is easier than trying to book a complex 'multi-city' ticket on a single legacy carrier.
Switch to local websites. When booking on airline websites like LATAM or Avianca, set the region/country toggle to the specific country you are departing from. Often, the ticket price will drop by 20-30% compared to the 'International' or 'US' version of the site.
Cross-reference with local carriers. Check regional low-cost carriers separately. JetSmart (Chile/Argentina/Peru) and Sky Airline (Chile/Peru) frequently beat the prices of major flag carriers on short-to-medium haul routes.
Prepare for ID requirements. When entering your passenger details, ensure your passport number and expiration date are entered exactly as they appear on your physical document. Some South American budget sites do not allow for easy post-booking edits.

Should I use a travel agent for multi-country South America?: No. Most regional budget airlines don't work with traditional GDS booking systems. You are better off booking legs individually yourself.
Are flight delays common?: Yes, especially during the rainy season or in high-altitude airports like Cusco or La Paz. Never book two flights on the same day if you have a tight connection; allow at least 24 hours between legs.
Why is my credit card being rejected on airline sites?: Many South American airline websites have strict fraud filters. If your card is rejected, try using PayPal if the option is available, or use a virtual credit card service.