Isn't it cheaper to buy a ticket from Miami? - Misconception vs. Reality

In many cases, the number of airlines you have to pick from increases if you begin your trip in Miami, due to the fact that Miami is the one US city that many smaller Latin airlines choose to offer service to. It is also closer to much of Latin America than any other US city.

Many guide books recommend that you check for airfare from Miami and try to book a discounted domestic ticket from your home city to Miami. About 10 years ago, this used to be often the cheapest way to go. Now that Continental , American, and Delta Airlines compete head to head for traffic from all over the US to Latin America the prices from Miami are usually only UDD 50-150 more than the cost of a ticket from Most Major cities directly to your final destination in Latin America

Several factors are involved in determining whether you will save money by flying to Latin America from Miami instead of from the major airport nearest your home.

1)How much will a flight or bus ticket or gas money, to Miami and/or parking in Miami cost you?

2) Is the ticket from Miami really cheaper than the cost of a flight from your nearest major airport?

3)Will you need to spend the night in Miami and what will that cost you? (It usually will cost you at least $75 per night plus tax)

4)Is your destination really serviced by additional Airlines via Miami? (In some cases it is, in others it isn't)

5)If I book my flight to Miami separately from my International Ticket, what happens if I need to make a change to my flight? (You guessed it... the change fees will apply for each ticket separately... doubling the cost of a flight change)

6) If my flight arrives in Miami due to a delay on my domestic flight, what do I do?  (Good luck! In this case you are at the mercy of the airline, because they do not have to re-accomodate you if your inbound flight on another ariline was delayed!)

7)Lastly, how much cheaper is the fare? By the time you add up Parking, Gas, Wear and tear on your car, and the cost of a hotel; you may not be saving any money at all.

There are some Latin Carriers who offer service to Miami and a few other Major US cities. Examples of these would be: Avianca: based in Colombia, Aero Postal: based in Venezuela, COPA: based in Panama, LACSA: based in Costa Rica, Lan Chile: based in Chile, LAN Peru: based in Peru, TACA: based in El Salvador and Lima, Tam: based in Brazil, GOL: based in Brazil,

SUMMARY: Will it be cheaper to fly from Miami? Usually not, but maybe. Use our handy booking engine to compare... or contact an agent who can do it for you!