www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Got back recently from a good trip. As stated here, LACSA has newer equipment and competent pilots. A couple of thoughts about flying LACSA:

1) They lost my original reservation. I didn't think that was possible with an airline these days, but LACSA managed to do so.

2) My trip was short and I planned to have my hotel launder my clothes so I could pack less and not check bags. I do this whenever possible. The lines at LAX were horrendously long for checking in bags. With no bags to check I got to the gate one minute after getting to the airport. That's the good news.

3) The bad news is that the restaurants in Terminal 2 close at midnight--long before the flight departs.

4) I have not received UA mileage credit for the return flight. Remember to keep your boarding passes and ticket receipt as credit isn't always given for TACA/LACSA flights. TACA told me this is a common problem.


5) If you are a fanatic about a special seat (I like aisles) you can go to the TACA office in Sabana at 8:00AM the day before your flight. The office isn't usually busy then and you can pick from the remaining seat inventory.

Overall I am not a TACA fan. They lost my reservation and gave me some bad info more than once. Also I don't enjoy the hassle of mailing my boarding pass and ticket receipt to UA for credit. I will say their planes are modern and I felt safe flying them. I would only use them again because they are the only airline to fly non-stop from LAX.

Allover,
For future trips I have a recommendation for you when flying TACA/LACSA:

Use online check-in @ www.taca.com. You can do it as much as 24 hours before your flight. You confirm your reservation and pick your seat, so there are no surprises when you get to the airport. You'll already have your boarding pass in hand. If you have to check in a bag, you just go to a special line for online check-ins, usually only 2-3 people on line.

All I can say is I've now flown Taca/Lacsa from LA to CR 16 times, and I'm one pretty happy camper. As Orange says, try to do your check-in on-line in advance. Also, once you accumulated enough miles for Distancia Plata status, there are loads of benefits - including priority check-in, free first class upgrades, liberal policies on using your miles, etc. So you may want to keep those miles with Taca...

BTW, you need to accrue 20,000 (flown) miles in one calendar year to move up to Plata level. Bonus miles do not count towards the 20,000 miles needed to become a Plata level member, only actual flown miles.

Another good reason to keep those miles with TACA is that often times discount class flight miles do not transfer…had this happen when they were partners with AA.

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"It takes a lot of good beer to make a great wine"

Allover,

Taca can be very frustrating the very first time you fly out of Los Angeles. Once you figure out their system it is very easy. I fly out of Los Angeles once a month using Taca and it gets easier every time. Yes there are cons, but the pros out way the cons.

The Airport closes the bars and cafes at 12 o’clock not Taca or the other airlines in Terminal Two. Depending on what time of year you travel the travel times change from 2 o’clock to 1 o’clock in the morning and all the cafe will be open before you board your flight. Also Taca is the only carrier that offers a red eye out of LA.

Also if you use the internet like Orange suggests for your E-boarding pass you will not have to wait in the long lines. If you do have to check in baggage go to the Clase Ejecutiva (business Class) line maybe one person in line. No one will question you and check in.

Trying to transfer your mileage to your United account is a hassle, sign up for the Taca mileage card.

You can also call 24 hours before your flight to confirm your seat and reservation without going to the Taca office.

Plus the free booze and snack helps on a long flight!

I hope this helps for your future trips.

Zeus

They now serve a full hot meal, plus the snacks. Oh, and it's all FREE

Thanks for the tips hermanos, this is the flight I will be taking the morning of the 30th of Aug.

I have grown weary of the limited availabilities of flights out of PHX, I decided to try this flight for a change of scenery.

Has anyone had any problems with checked baggage on Lasca? Are they real strict with the carry on size?

I am still torn as to whether I am going to pack light for a three week trip.

Input appreciated.

El BB

They are strict as far as the weight, 22lbs (11kg), but size has never been a problem.

Thanx Naranja, thats the info I was looking for.

The first time I flew Taca it was $302 round trip to CR. I think I drank 6 to 8 FEE Johnny Walkers each way. Friday the 24th at 2:25 am I will be on another Taca flight to CR out of LAX. $505 this time, More free booze...
Semper Fi

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A car moves your body, a Harley moves your soul.

Is there much of a different between Taca's economy and business class? With economy flights at roughly $600 it might be worth it to pay a little more for the business class (significantly more miles as well).

Thanks.

just booked january for 425 on travelocity. rates dropped from LAX like they always do on taca/lacsa

With their new fare classes, full fare coach is almost as much as business. I saw once the fare difference was about $100.

It's totally worth it. The seats are bigger and they recline back more. The meal is much better, and you eat on your schedule, not when the cart comes by. Plus you can ask for more drinks, they don't get pissed off like coach.

They have eliminated free upgrades for FF's when you pay the discounted coach fare. If you pay the full coach fare, they will bump you up (if space is available), but that's almost double the price and there's no guarantee there will be seats. Just book biz, it's not much more than the full coach fare.

Totally Agree with Orange's comments above. I was once upgraded to business class and it's a huge difference in my opinion for what oftentimes can be a very nominal increase in $$.