The first day of my trip to Ecuador didn’t actually start until evening. And it was nothing but airports and airplanes through the night.
Colorado Springs Airport (COS)
My journey started at the Colorado Springs Airport. I was surprised to find an affordable flight out of this small airport, especially with relatively short notice after canceling our trip to Egypt. Sierra had already booked her flight from Denver to Guayaquil, Ecuador and I wanted to join her by the end of her 8-day camp. I was relatively flexible on dates for that week. Most of the flights I found were nearly $1000 one-way from Denver and even more expensive from Colorado Springs.
But there was one flight during that entire week that was only $308 and it was from Colorado Springs. Jackpot! And, to sweeten the pot even more, I had a $197 travel credit that was expiring at the end of December. So, my flight to Ecuador only cost me $111. Can’t beat the price and, when it comes to airports, it doesn’t get much easier than Colorado Springs.
COS is a small airport with relatively inexpensive longterm parking. But, I didn’t have to worry about parking on this trip. My personal Uber driver, Tom, was happy to drop me off after we enjoyed a nice dinner at Paninos in Colorado Springs.
We pulled right up to the airport entrance at 5pm on a Thursday evening with only a handful of people and cars in sight. I walked straight through the security line without seeing a single passenger. Half a dozen bored TSA employees were ready to assist. If all airports were like this, I’d be a lot more enthusiastic about flying!
COS to DEN
Many, if not most, flights from Colorado Springs pass through Denver International Airport (DEN). It's less than 70 miles from Colorado Springs Airport as the crow (or airplane) flies.
I was in the air just long enough to see the last glimpse of daylight as the sun set behind Colorado Springs and the Rocky Mountains. From the air the 14,000 foot summit of Pikes Peak was just a little bump on the horizon. I lost sight of Colorado Springs as we climbed above a sea of clouds. Then, within minutes, we descended back down through the clouds just in time to pass the city lights of Denver.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
I landed in Denver at 7:30 pm and my next flight didn’t take off until after 11pm. After relaxing in the United Club for a few hours I boarded a red-eye to Central America. Next stop Panama City!
Slideshow
Here are pictures from Day 1 of my trip to Ecuador.
Expenses
If I wanted to get picky with expenses, I might include dinner at Paninos with Tom or even the new mask and snorkel I bought at the dive shop on the way to the Colorado Springs Airport. But, for simplicity, I’m starting and ending my expenses at the airport.
My entrance to the United Club was free because, the prior week, I signed up for a United credit card. I previously had a United credit card for years but, between COVID and retirement, I didn't really need it. However, when I was booking United flights for this trip, they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. The offer included a $300 credit, 25,000 miles and two one-time passes to the United Club. That alone may not have been enough for me to sign up for a credit card I didn’t need or want. But I remembered that most travel-related credit cards, including United's, have no foreign transaction fees… unlike my current credit card. So, even if I only use the United card for this trip, it will be worth it.
The first day of my trip should have cost $313 for my one-way flight to Ecuador and my non-complimentary drink at the United Club. But, thanks to my flight credit, it only cost me $116.
I'll do my best to track expenses in this spreadsheet.
Ecuador Fun Fact
The official Spanish name for the South American country of Ecuador is “Republica del Ecuador” which means “Republic of the Equator”. And, as you might guess, Ecuador lies on the equator.
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