Author Topic: Booking buddy - your amigo (Read 8065 times)

papi · « **on:** February 25, 2007, 04:08:10 PM »

one of our more illustrious members was recently extolling the virtues of book buddy. Well, while I wrote earlier that I wasn't impressed, I can now see where it comes in handy. Lets say you want to get an idea of flights from say San Jose, CR to Colombia. Well, orbitz or travelocity won't give you international originations. But our amigos at book buddy will give us the flights. It will also combine carriers say for example Taca/Avianca when there isn't a direct flight. Has anyone ever purchased a ticket with them?

On a similar note, anyone found out how to send a few pesos to colombia? Western union is too expensive for sending pocket change

daytrader · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2007, 05:11:23 PM »

Glad to hear of your positive experience with bookingbuddy.com -- yes, they split tickets fine; I had a split ticket, Avianca from Cali to Bogota (domestic) and LAN from Bogota to Miami. I got one itinerary, two tickets, two confirmation numbers, one payment, no sweat.

DayTrader

daytrader · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2007, 05:20:21 PM »

Sending dinero to Colombia??? If you know someone in Colombia that has an American/European bank account, you can send them (the intermediary) dinero via PayPal, they only charge 2.9%. Then that person can withdraw the dinero via ATM and pass it on to whoever needs it.

Another scenario is if the intermediary has a WAMU account in the States, you can deposit dinero into that person's account, they can withdraw it with a 1% conversion fee to Colombian Pesos.

If you don't have a intermediary, this won't work. PayPal works in many countries but not Colombia (money laundering prevention for sure). PayPal might work for other LA countries, you can check their website for more info.

DayTrader

Planet-Love.com · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2007, 05:20:21 PM »

Parlay Rey · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2007, 05:28:42 PM »

Trying not to drift off subject but you can send up to a dime via MoneyGram to Colombia and it'll only cost about $12. Anything more than that draws too much attention. Just a heads up.

el_ruso · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2007, 06:43:07 PM »

PR,

how much can you send for $12 via Moneygram?

daytrader · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2007, 06:57:10 PM »

I'd be interested to know how MoneyGram converts USD to Colombian pesos...hopefully there is a good exchange rate. For $12 this might be a good, fast and simple deal with minimal hassle.

DayTrader

Parlay Rey · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2007, 07:51:45 PM »

It is a good, fast reliable way to send Money to Colombia. You don't lose much in the exchange, either. Of course they pinch their share for the transaction fee but it's convenient as my wife can get money from any Vivero in BAQ. I have Paypal as well and left her a debit card but haven't tried to move any there that way just yet.

You can send up to a dime (Vegas lingo $1000) without any hassle. Anymore than that (even one dollar) and you pop up on the Feds radar.

doombug · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2007, 01:30:41 AM »

Quote from: papi on February 25, 2007, 04:08:10 PM

On a similar note, anyone found out how to send a few pesos to colombia? Western union is too expensive for sending pocket change

www.ikobo.com

I've used them numerous times before.

They'll send her an ATM-like card, and email her a PIN.

Cheap, secure, quick, and reliable

daytrader · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2007, 04:16:49 AM »

Quote

re: www.ikobo.com

Wow! what a cool website design, pop in the amt, enter the receiving country, and BOOM!, the total fee, and it converts it to the receiving country's pesos with the exchange rate. Everything is above-board! Kudos to ikobo.com !!

Thanks Doombug!

DayTrader

catz · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2007, 12:10:10 PM »

We've been using Ikobo for over two years now and they have been great. When my wife came here we left the card with her mother as an easy way to send money when we need to. Only issue we have had is with the local ATM machines. Some charge very high fees to use the card. Just have to check around and try out a couple of ATM's to see which will give you the best return rate.

Catz

doombug · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2007, 11:09:49 PM »

Thanks, DT.

For those in the need-to-know, here's your head-to-head matchup between the big dogs (Western Union, MoneyGram) and the Chihuahua (iKobo):

Wester Union (245,000 locations)

Amount to send: $ 500.00
Money transfer fee: $ 25.00
Total estimated amount: $ 525.00

Estimated exchange rate 1 US Dollar = 2135.00 Colombian Pesos
Estimated local currency pay out = 1,067,500.00 Colombian Pesos

MoneyGram (100,000 locations)

Amount to send: $ 500.00
Money transfer fee: $ 14.99
Total estimated amount: $ 514.99 (Same day service)

Estimated exchange rate 1 US Dollar = 2170.00 Colombian Pesos
Estimated local currency pay out = 1,085,000.01 Colombian Pesos

iKobo (800,000 ATM locations)

Amount to send: $ 500.00
Money transfer fee: $ 20.00
Total estimated amount: $ 520.00

Estimated exchange rate 1 US Dollar = 2215.00 Colombian Pesos
Estimated local currency pay out = 1,107,500.00 Colombian Pesos

The Chihuahua wins. And, your money is wired instantaneously--not in minutes, or "same day" (whenever that might be), like the others.

Of course, it's still cheaper to just send your novia/esposa a second ATM card from your bank.

If your bank will even issue two.

Peace and salutations, dawgs!

papi · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2007, 06:40:25 AM »

Quote

Of course, it's still cheaper to just send your novia/esposa a second ATM card from your bank.

i opened a small bank account for my ex- visa dodger and gave her the ATM card. My plan was to keep her account separate from mine. Unfortunately, she dropped off the ATM card along with the ring with the bellman at my hotel...ouch still hurts! Expect the unexpected!

papi · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2007, 01:38:44 PM »

DT, just keep in mind you are paying for the service. i compared the exact same itinerary on bookbuddy vs continental.com and coming up 3% higher on your amigo.

Planet-Love.com · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2007, 01:38:44 PM »

daytrader · « **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2007, 04:08:25 PM »

I'd check your internet connection PP, I've always come out ahead. Maybe you have some Russian mafia on your ISP upcharging you! haha! I know I saved almost $250 on the split ticket from Cali to Miami; I couldn't get a flight out of Cali around January 8th for less than $680, I stayed a week longer and left on the 16th via bookingbuddy for around $440. ...bookingbuddy did it via Avianca/LAN.

Note: if you know your airline you should always try to book thru them directly first; and be sure to get your FF miles.

DayTrader

papi · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2007, 10:19:37 PM »

i called the airlines and they gave me a better price and times than i was getting online. so i went ahead and made the res. after giving him my credit card the guy says...oops, it is past midnight here and the price just went up about $70 and he is so sorry. What a bunch of BS!...so i said let me talk to the supervisor...he replies his boss only speaks spanish. i said, ok put them on i can speak spanish. the res guy said wait...and now i am holding. to be continued....

papi · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2007, 10:52:25 PM »

well, i got screwed...should be laws against this sort of bait and switch by the airlines. i was giving the bastard my credit card and the price changed

papi · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2007, 10:58:01 PM »

Dear Sirs/Madam:

I was quoted a price and was giving the res agent my credit card regarding Res #XXXXXX when he advised the price just increased after minutes earlier quoting me a lower price. I thought that things had changed under your new ownership and you were practicing good customer service. Please advise, papi

papi · « **Reply #17 on:** March 08, 2007, 07:36:33 AM »

hey, isn't anyone else outraged about this? i am calling Uribe today to file a complaint...they apparently fixed the ketchup shortage according to recent reports but i am still pissed with their airline

daytrader · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2007, 10:15:18 AM »

Quote

PP sez - hey, isn't anyone else outraged about this?

Price changed becuz of you qualify for the "Gringo Attempting Young Hottie Kidnap" program...significant last minute overcharges apply to you PP.

DayTrader

bigstew33 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 02, 2007, 01:56:23 AM »

probably not the best place to post this but try sending money thru www.xoom.com. seems very cheap. they can have pickup locations or deposit to a bank

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