Is open-jaw more expensive than round-trip?

Usually not. Open-jaw tickets often cost the same as round-trip fares, sometimes less. The main savings come from not having to backtrack to your original arrival city, saving time and internal flight costs.

What if I need to change my departure city?

Changes depend on your ticket type. Flexible fares allow free changes, while basic economy may charge $200-400 plus fare difference. Book flexible tickets if your plans might change.

Can I book open-jaw with miles?

Yes, most frequent flyer programs allow open-jaw awards for the same miles as round-trip tickets. American AAdvantage and United MileagePlus work well for South America open-jaw redemptions.

Should I book internal flights separately?

Book internal South American flights separately for more flexibility and better prices. Use local carriers like LATAM, Avianca, or JetSmart rather than adding segments to your international ticket.

How to Book Open-Jaw Flights for South America Travel

Book open-jaw flights by searching for multi-city tickets instead of round-trip, flying into one South American city and out of another. This saves backtracking time and often costs the same as round-trip flights when booked 2-3 months ahead.

Choose your entry and exit cities strategically. Pick cities that make geographical sense for your route. Popular combinations: fly into Lima and out of Buenos Aires, into Bogotá and out of Santiago, or into São Paulo and out of Quito. Avoid random pairings that force you to zigzag across the continent.
Search multi-city instead of round-trip. Use airline websites or booking engines like Google Flights, Kayak, or Momondo. Select 'Multi-city' or 'Multiple destinations' instead of round-trip. Enter your departure city to South American city A, then South American city B back to your departure city.
Compare with two one-way tickets. Search the same routes as separate one-way flights. Sometimes two one-ways cost less than a multi-city ticket, especially with budget carriers like JetSmart, Sky, or Avianca's promotional fares.
Book with the same airline alliance when possible. Stick to Star Alliance (United, Avianca, Copa) or SkyTeam (Delta, Aeromexico, LATAM) for easier changes and consistent baggage policies. Mixed airlines mean separate bookings and potential complications if flights are delayed.
Leave buffer time between your arrival and departure cities. Plan at least 10-14 days between your arrival and departure flights. This gives you flexibility if internal flights are delayed or you want to extend your stay in one location.

Is open-jaw more expensive than round-trip?: Usually not. Open-jaw tickets often cost the same as round-trip fares, sometimes less. The main savings come from not having to backtrack to your original arrival city, saving time and internal flight costs.
What if I need to change my departure city?: Changes depend on your ticket type. Flexible fares allow free changes, while basic economy may charge $200-400 plus fare difference. Book flexible tickets if your plans might change.
Can I book open-jaw with miles?: Yes, most frequent flyer programs allow open-jaw awards for the same miles as round-trip tickets. American AAdvantage and United MileagePlus work well for South America open-jaw redemptions.
Should I book internal flights separately?: Book internal South American flights separately for more flexibility and better prices. Use local carriers like LATAM, Avianca, or JetSmart rather than adding segments to your international ticket.