traveller1underway
2/23/2020 18:43 EST
My husband and I, both over 65, are flying from Guayaquil to Quito in a couple of weeks. We understand that airlines give seniors a 50% flight discount but the tickets cannot be purchased online or at the regular ticket desk. Can someone tell us how we can purchase these tickets? Thanks for any help that someone can give us.
Traveller1underway
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kmoriarty45
2/23/2020 19:32 EST
If you are in Guayaquil, just go to the TAME ( I assume that's the airline you're flying on ) offices in Central and book purchase your tickets. Make sure you bring your CEDULAS as proof of permenant residence and age and you will be able to get your discounted flights. Bear in mind, the discount DOES NOT COVER TAX & AIRPORT FEES! You can try to get the Senior discount with just your passport, if you haven't received your cedula as yet but you will need to have proof of residence in Ecuador. The discount is only for Senior residents of Ecuador.
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traveller1underway
2/24/2020 08:25 EST
kmoriarty45, Thanks for your response, however, I don't think you are correct about the residency requirement. This was printed in International Living 2020. "If you’re 65 or older and looking for an incentive to retire overseas, take a look at what Ecuador can offer you. Ecuador’s constitution guarantees foreign residents the same rights as their citizens, so you can enjoy the same benefits as locals.
And the Ecuadorian Constitution actually guarantees those rights. Articles 36, 37, and 38 detail specific rights and protections for men and women 65 years and older—what Ecuadorians call tercer edad, or “third age.” There might be some problem getting it, but we are certainly entitled to it. Traveller1underway
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Kimac
2/24/2020 08:27 EST
Many travel agents will be able to give you the discount as well. Some will not, and I've had a couple try to bluff their way to a sale anyway, so be careful. Know what the price should be before going in.
There is also a $30 service fee whenever you buy tickets at an office, be it a travel agent or the official airline office.
For these shorter in-country flights, the savings might end up being only $5-10! It's on the overseas flights where you really want to exercise this option.
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Kimac
2/24/2020 08:30 EST
Just saw the OP's second comment and feel compelled to comment again:
The very passage the OP cites say's "resident'. This privilege is indeed available to all residents, foreign or native, but NOT to tourists.
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traveller1underway
2/24/2020 08:52 EST
kmoriarty45. I owe you an apology. I did not read my quoted source carefully and all other information available also states "residency". I think I was reading only what I wanted to see. Sorry about that. Traveller1underway
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kmoriarty45
2/24/2020 14:05 EST
Nooo! Internation Lying stated the obvious but in such a way as you are being led to misinterperet...
International Living states : "Ecuador’s constitution guarantees foreign RESIDENTS the same rights as their citizens, so you can enjoy the same benefits as locals.¨(Cap letters mine).
The emphasis is on being a RESIDENT of Ecuador and PROVING it! I said to be sure to bring your cedulas OR if you haven't received one yet, than your passport and PROOF of Ecuadoran Residency. Proof would be your temporary ( 2 year ) visa, an electric bill, a house/apartment rental receipt for example. Over the years, I have known people who were unable to get the discount because the could not produce evidence of Ecuadoran residency. Better to be over-prepared than disappointed.
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kmoriarty45
2/24/2020 14:08 EST
traveller1underway, Sorry, also. The other replies weren't up when I posted my second reply. Wasn't trying to be snarky. Hope you have a good trip.
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PARKV003
2/25/2020 09:47 EST
On JetBlue web site they offer a 50% discount (with point of origin in Ecuador) for citizens over 65 years. To receive the discount , you must purchase tickets at the JetBlue points of sale at Quito or Guayaquil airports between 9PM-12AM, and present your Ecuadorian ID
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