April 10, 2014

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In This Week's Issue:

Getting a Visa: What you need to know, from deciding between business and tourist visas, to using an agency to changes in application procedures

News from Our Partners

Travel News: Potential strikes at LAN Express, American to allow a second checked bag free on flights to South America, new hotels in Guadalajara and Mexico City, new Paris-Brasilia flights and more

Getting a visa: What you need to know

Business or tourist visa? Use an agency or apply directly? Get one in advance or upon arrival?

By Mark Holston

While it's become easier to obtain a visa in recent years - it often requires a few minutes on a computer - visa fees have gone up for most countries. The good news is that many Latin American and Caribbean countries require nothing more than a valid passport and a simple tourist card. And, if you are a Brazil-bound soccer fan, you qualify for a special no-fee visa.

Business Visas 101

Technically, anyone visiting another country for any kind of business-related reason is required to obtain a business visa. Even attending a conference or a trade show requires such a document. In Brazil, for example, the cost is the same as for a tourist visa, but the submission requirements are more complicated and will take more time. Applying to attend an event such as a trade show, for instance, requires both a letter of invitation and a letter from the applicant's firm.

For most other countries, including those with no-fee tourist entry requirements, obtaining a business visa entails submission of extensive documentation, including letters and photos, with an associated fee typically in excess of US$100.

Many business travelers do use tourist visas, answering, "to visit friends" when asked by an immigration official about their reason for entering the country. The decision whether or not to obtain a formal business visa if one is only attending, for instance, a conference, comes down to a personal judgment call. Those employed by major firms, however, will undoubtedly decide to play by the rules to avoid any possible, if highly unlikely, consequences.

If the purpose of the travel is to seek employment in the destination country, then a different and even more rigorous visa application is required.

From no-fee entrance to pricey visas

For 16 Latin American countries, stretching from Peru through the northern third of South America and Central America to Mexico, as well as virtually all of the Caribbean nations, Canada and Uruguay, some variant of a no-fee or low-cost tourist card will suffice for entering and staying, usually for 90 days. In most cases, a passport that's valid for between three and six months, depending on the country, is all that's needed.

Several other countries permit visas to be purchased upon arrival in the country. These include Chile, Bolivia and Paraguay. Argentina, which no longer permits visas to be obtained at the airport upon arrival in the country, is the only nation in the Americas that has taken the bold step of moving the whole process to an online transaction. U.S. citizens and residents, for example, must pay a "reciprocity fee" - Argentine citizens are levied the same fee for entering the U.S. - online in advance of departure. Proof of payment needs to be printed and made available at the departure gate for Argentina-bound flights leaving the U.S.

In-Person Applications for Brazil

For U.S. citizens, Brazil is the only country in the hemisphere that retains a cumbersome application process that requires a personal visit to one of the country's 10 consulates in the U.S. or the use of a private processing service. The country has, at least, lifted one irksome requirement: U.S. passport holders are no longer required to enter Brazil within 90 days of the issuance of a tourist or business visa.

Private Processing Services

Serving the visa needs of business travelers has become a big business for private document processing firms. An Internet search for such assistance will turn up many such companies, but not all are legitimate.

"Individuals should select a visa agency by using the same criteria that they would use to select any other professional service agency," suggests Todd Kaplan of mybrazilvisa.com. "Methods of checking up on a visa agency's quality of service or legitimacy might include Google searching the agency's name, checking online reviews, calling the agency to get a feel for their customer service and to determine when the visa can be expected back based upon their current processing timeframe."

Service providers that a traveler is already working with may also offer visa processing, either directly or through partners. Delta Airlines, for example, has become a player in the lucrative Brazilian visa application process, offering 1,000 bonus SkyMiles and a 30% discount off the processing fee with VisaCentral, a processing agency and the airline's "preferred partner" in assisting clients with their visa applications.

The best advice, whether using a processing service or going it alone, do your homework by visiting the website of a U.S.-based consulate of the destination country. Countries have varying visa requirements, as in the case of the Dominican Republic, which requires what it calls a "Criminal Record Certificate," notarized and translated into Spanish, certifying an applicant's lack of a criminal history. With time-consuming conditions like that, it's always recommended to start the application process well in advance of the planned departure date.

Joseph Blatter announcing 2014 World Cup in Brazil

World Cup Visas

In the U.S., Todd Kaplan, owner of the Beverly Hills, California-based visa processing firm he appropriately calls mybrazilvisa.com, is a busy guy these days. In 2013, Kaplan estimates that the Los Angeles Consulate-General of Brazil processed and issued approximately 20,000 tourist visas. This year, that number is up dramatically, adding an extra week or more to the complicated application process, and it's all because of soccer. He advises clients applying for a Brazilian visa to allow up to four weeks for processing.

"Currently, approximately 25% of travelers applying for visas through our agency are planning to travel to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup games," Kaplan says. Those traveling to attend the event, which runs from June 12 to July 13, will benefit from Brazil's decision to waive visa fees for soccer fanatics. "If someone has a valid 'proof of purchase' of a World Cup game ticket, they are eligible for a fee-exempt Special Temporary visa," Kaplan explains. It's a safe bet that Brazil will repeat the exemption when Rio de Janeiro hosts the next Summer Olympic Games in 2016.

Documents for Visa by blmurch; Joseph Blatter announcing 2014 World Cup in Brazil by Ricardo Stuckert via Wikimedia Commons

Which country or countries have you had to apply and purchase a visa for? Did you find the process to be easy? Difficult? Click to share your comments with the editor.

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Travel News

Strike Update

LATAM Airlines' LAN Express cabin crews went on strike on Wednesday after negotiations with the airline didn't lead to an agreement on salaries and working conditions. The company cancelled or rescheduled some 100 flights within Chile due to the strike.

Brasilia International Airport

New Airline Routes and Route Changes

South America

Air France now flies three weekly flights between Brazil's capital, Brasilia, and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

TAM Airlines now flies daily between Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport and Asuncion, Paraguay.

Mexico

Aeromexico began thrice-weekly flights between Morelia, Mexico and San Francisco, California (U.S.), and twice-weekly flights between Leon-Bajio, Mexico and San Francisco. On June 7, it will begin weekly flights between Morelia and Chicago (U.S.). The flights are part of Aeromexico Contigo.

Caribbean

InterCaribbean Airways will begin nonstop service between the Jamaican cities of Kingston and Montego Bay on April 16; it will run 16 weekly flights in each direction.

International Connections

Dublin, Ireland-based Air Lingus now flies five weekly flights between Dublin and San Francisco, California (U.S.).

Saudi Arabian Airlines began flights between the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and Los Angeles International Airport (California, U.S.). The flights, which have a stopover in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, run on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Airline Alliance News

US Airways' 28 trans-Atlantic routes are now part of the trans-Atlantic joint venture that includes American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and Finnair. The joint venture, which has been in place since 2010, includes revenue sharing agreements, schedule coordination and pricing cooperation on flights between North America and Europe. US Airways will be an affiliate member of the business until its operations are fully integrated with American Airlines.

Other Airline News

American Airlines has removed the charge for a second checked bag on flights to and from South America for all American flights booked beginning April 8; the policy goes into affect on April 23 for merger partner US Airways. Beginning April 30, fliers on either airline with a Citi AAdvantage card

or US Airways MasterCard with an annual fee of at least US$79 will receive one free checked bag. However, fliers using an AAnytime award or full-fare economy ticket will no longer be able to check a bag for free.

Delta Sleep Kit

Delta Air Lines now gives sleep kits to coach fliers on its long-haul international flights. Flight attendants will hand the kits out upon request, and they contain eyeshades and earplugs. Coach passengers on these flights will also receive a free bottle of water after meal service, and airline has introduced new snack options.

US Airways updated its First Class fresh meals options on most flights of 2 hours, 45 minutes and longer. The airline also added amenities for international Business Class customers, including Bose Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones and entertainment options

Gogo will raise prices for its monthly Traveler in-flight Wi-Fi access pass. Reports say that after April 13, the price will rise to $49.95 (from $39.95) per month for the pass, which grants Wi-Fi access on all enabled flights on any single airline.

Travel Documents Update

Chile will become the first Latin American nation to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program on May 1, which will allow eligible Chilean passport holders to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. Travelers must still apply for authorization to enter the U.S. Via a U.S. Department of Homeland Security website, and must have a machine-readable passport with an integrated chip.

Loyalty Program Updates

Program Changes

As part of the merger between American Airlines and US Airways, Dividend Miles members will be able to book last seat availability awards travel year-round with no blackout dates, beginning June 1. AAdvantage members will be able to book AAnytime award travel during more than half of the year by redeeming as few as 20,000 miles one-way (the previous minimum had been 25,000 miles); during the rest of the year, redemption rates will begin at 30,000 one way for last seat availability.

For travel booked after April 7 on American Airlines or after April 22 on US Airways, the airline will give AAdvantage Gold and Dividend Miles Platinum and Gold members one fewer free checked back.

Bonus Offers and Deals

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all bonus offers or special deals require registration.

Between May 1 and May 31, American Airlines AAdvantage members can earn double miles for qualifying flights booked on TAM, including for codeshare flights operated by TAM but booked with an American Airlines flight number.

US Airways is offering bonus miles to Dividend Miles members who fly on multiple different oneworld airlines, through June 30. Bonus awards range from 500 bonus miles for flying on two oneworld airlines to 25,000 miles for flying on six or more.

Through June 30, American Airlines is offering 1,000 bonus miles to AAdvantage members for every round-trip American Eagle flight booked between New York City's LaGuardia Airport and 10 different U.S. cities.

Through May 14, Wyndham Rewards members can earn a 5,000-point bonus for every stay at participating Wyndham-branded properties.

Best Western Rewards members can earn double Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Points for certain stays at Best Western properties in Canada, the U.S. and the Caribbean, through May 27.

Hotel News

The 260-room Hilton Mexico City Santa Fe opened in the Samara mixed-use complex in Mexico City's Santa Fe neighborhood. The hotel includes an executive floor with its own lounge, extended-stay suites and traditional hotel rooms and suites. It also has on-site restaurant and rooftop bar, as well as 8,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts opened the 142-room Aloft Guadalajara Las Americas in Guadalajara, Mexico. The select-service hotel includes a 24/7 food marketplace, a bar and lounge as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the property. It has six meeting spaces, the largest of which is 1,389 square feet (129 square meters).

The all-inclusive, beachfront Riu Playa Blanca opened on the south Shore of Panama in Cocl� province. The 573-room resort includes four restaurants, a garden and pool area and a 175-square-meter conference room.

Panama Metro

The Holiday Inn Express San Juan Condado hotel opened in San Juan, Puerto Rico, across the street from Condado Beach and five miles from Luis Mu�oz Mar�n International Airport. The select-service property includes free Wi-Fi, work desks in each room, an outdoor swimming pool, business and fitness centers and a complimentary breakfast bar.

Ground Transportation

Panama City opened Central America's first subway system, which will waive its fees for the first few months it's open. The 13.7-kilometer (nine-mile) Panam� Metro runs from Albrook to Los Andes and has 13 stations.

Brasilia International Airport by Daderot via Wikimedia Commons; Delta Sleep Kit, courtesy of Delta Airlines; Panama Metro by AnelGTR via Wikimedia Commons

Resources from Latin Trade Group

Editor: Rochelle Broder-Singer email Rochelle

Editorial Assistant/Production Manager: Leslie Guti�rrez

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