How to Book Multi-City Flights for South America
Use the 'Multi-city' search tool on a global distribution system like Google Flights or ITA Matrix to piece together your legs in one ticket. Avoid booking separate tickets for each leg to ensure you are protected by the airline's connection policy if a flight is delayed.
- Map your major hubs. South America is vast. Pick 3 to 4 major hubs (e.g., Lima, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Bogota) that serve as regional gateways. Use these hubs to anchor your flight search.
- Use the Multi-City search tool. Go to Google Flights, select 'Multi-city' instead of 'Round trip'. Input your origin, then each subsequent flight segment. This keeps your itinerary under a single booking reference (PNR).
- Check airline alliances. Try to stick to one airline alliance (Oneworld, Star Alliance, or SkyTeam) for all legs. This makes managing the booking and baggage transfers significantly easier across borders.
- Validate baggage transfer. When booking, check the 'Change of airport' notice. Some cities like Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) have multiple airports. Never book a multi-city route that requires an airport change within the same city in under 6 hours.
- Finalize through the airline's direct site. Once you find the optimal multi-city sequence on a search engine, navigate to the primary operating airline's website to book. This makes it easier to handle re-bookings if a delay occurs.
- Is it cheaper to book flights individually?
- It might look cheaper, but if you miss a connection on a separate ticket, the airline has no obligation to rebook you for free. The extra $100-$200 for a single multi-city ticket is insurance.
- Do I need to clear customs at every stop?
- Yes, usually. If you are entering a new country, you must clear immigration and customs with your bags, even if you are staying in the same terminal for a connection.