SkyTeam airlines KLM and Air France are teaming up with Avianca, LATAM and Copa to offer you fantastic business class deals to Bogota, Rio de Janeiro and Cali. Prices start at €1,374 and almost always feature one or two layovers in either Paris or Amsterdam and another airport in Central or South America, depending on your destination.
Big thanks to our reader Michael who notified us about this deal via our “report a deal” section.
Search & Book
According to the fare rules, this offer will expire on December 19, 2019. It’s valid for travel commencing between now and April 30, 2020. The minimum stay has to be at least 6 days or a night from Saturday to Sunday. The return flight can be up to 3 months later.
Google Flights is your best friend in finding suiting travel dates (instructions). You can then go ahead and book either with a cheap online travel agent via our Travel-Dealz search or book directly with KLM or Air France.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
Tickets are issued in booking classes J (feeder flight) and O (long-haul). While J will give you a pretty decent mileage accrual with many SkyTeam programs, booking class O can only be credited to Delta’s program or directly with FlyingBlue. Here’s an example mileage accrual to Rio de Janeiro:
- 19,845 RDM + 3,968 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
- 18,821 Miles on CSA OK Plus
- 18,821 Award Miles on Etihad Guest
- 17,796 Miles on MEA Cedar Miles
- 17,796 Miles on Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
- 16,771 Miles on Aerolíneas Argentinas AerolíneasPlus
- 16,771 Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- 16,771 Miles on Korean Air Skypass
- 16,396 Award Miles + 400 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 12,089 Miles on GOL Aéreos Smiles
- 7,174 Miles on Saudia Alfursan
- 6,546 Award Miles on Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- 5,124 Miles on Aeromexico Club Premier
- 5,124 Miles on Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
- 5,124 Miles on Air Europa Suma
Hotels
It always makes sense to compare prices, location, reviews if you are looking for good hotel deals. We would recommend using booking.com for that:
Also make sure to check out our up-to-date hotel coupons and vouchers:
Information & Tips for Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the second largest but especially for tourists probably the most important city in Brazil. Famous for its carnival, Cristo Redentor statue, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Copacabana, Rio offers visitors a variety of experiences and sights.
The city has excellent flight connections to Europe. Fares are generally around €400 to €600 with the occasional steal of less than €400.
The Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Rio is between December and March. At this time of year, the weather is warm but moderate, and the water temperature is perfect for swimming. Carnival takes place in February.
From the airport to the city
Express buses with air conditioning and lots of space for your luggage will take you to the city in about half an hour for the equivalent of €3. The taxi ride costs between €14 and €25. Make sure that you only take licensed taxis!
→ All Dealz for Rio de Janeiro
Cover Picture: © ekaterina_belova - fotolia.com