LATAM.com (AR site) significantly cheaper. Any catch?

[SYD]

I think I saw a similar question elsewhere but couldn't find the thread. Anyway, I need to book one way flights AEP or EZE to MDZ. The LATAM (AU) site and from what I can tell, all the OTAs and Google flights are quoting around A$280 pp one-way (note: booking a return is just double the one way fare - so no one way penalty and from what I can see, no option to dump a return sector).

However, ITA Matrix shows around $1400 (AR pesos) or approximately A$120 for the flight I'm after. Sure enough, changing the LATAM site to Argentina allows you to book this fare (albeit in Spanish...).

Is there a catch if I book this? No crazy CC surcharges/conversation fees?

Interestingly, you have the option to pay in different currencies. Selecting anything else hikes the fare back up by around $150pp to be about equivalent to the $280 fare.

Is this some kind of non-residence tax?

 

[trooper]

Are non residents able to book these fares? Does a foreign CC lead to an error message when paying?

 

[SYD]

Are non residents able to book these fares? Does a foreign CC lead to an error message when paying?

I haven't got that far but curious to know!

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Are non residents able to book these fares? Does a foreign CC lead to an error message when paying?

I can't answer the OPs question as I don't fully understand how it all works but booked a number of flights to USA and Sth American destinations with Latam when in Colombia last year. Definitely got the locals price and no problems using my AUD CCard

 

[Mattg]

Do you get a warning (it would be in Spanish) that you need to be an Argentinian resident to access that fare? You do get such a warning if trying to book a fare on the Peruvian version of the LATAM website, but not the Chilean one, for example.

If there's no warning, you should be fine.

FWIW, I booked a LATAM flight last year using the Chilean website and paying in pesos - I didn't experience any problems.

 

[SYD]

I'll give it a go later and report back.

I've booked internal flights previously without any problems. But that was a while ago - before the silly currency shanigans - and probably also just the default LAN.com at the time.