Hi All,

I want to do a mileage run before end of yr to South America. Anyone done a run to any of these locales? If so would love recommendations - I know flights land early AM and depart late PM. Anyone do one of these runs and hang out for the day and turn around and come right back? If so, what did you do all day?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Tommy Zee

Hi All,

I want to do a mileage run before end of yr to South America. Anyone done a run to any of these locales? If so would love recommendations - I know flights land early AM and depart late PM. Anyone do one of these runs and hang out for the day and turn around and come right back? If so, what did you do all day?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Tommy Zee

Welcome to FT.
I have not done a MR to anywhere but I can assure you that there are tons of things you can do in all 4 cities. If I have my pick, go for EZE. Its a $20 cab fare to the center, everything is within walking distance or short, inexpensive cab ride, food is great and wine plentiful. I would arrive on a Sunday morning, less traffic and there is a great market in San Telmo. For more information I would go to the South America forum.

Note that you need to request (and pay for) a visa for Brazil in advance. Also note that Chile charges $100 upon arrival for US passport holders, although the charge is only assessed once for the life of your passport. Just a couple things to know before you jump and buy a ticket.

Hi All,

I want to do a mileage run before end of yr to South America. Anyone done a run to any of these locales? If so would love recommendations - I know flights land early AM and depart late PM. Anyone do one of these runs and hang out for the day and turn around and come right back? If so, what did you do all day?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Tommy Zee

Just came back from 7 days in GIG and EZE. My thoughts:

GIG - First, you have the hassle factor of obtaining a tourist visa to visit Brazil plus the $100 fee. If you arrive on a weekday, traffic is pretty bad from the airport to the beaches (but then again, traffic in GIG is very congested most of the time). You would probably reach the beaches (Copacabana or Ipanema) by around 10am. I'd start at Ipanema beach, grab lunch in Leblon, then hit Copacabana (grab a midafternoon drink at Copacabana Palace), then go to Sugarloaf for sunset (which is best time for Sugarloaf; I'd skip Christ the Redeemer - best views of it are from Sugarloaf). Grab dinner near Sugarloaf and head back to airport. The food is decent in GIG - they are more on quantity rather than quality, although the juices/fruits are very tasty.

EZE - I'd actually recommend that you stay over one night in EZE. First, hotels are dirt cheap. Exchange rate in EZE is better than in GIG. You can stay at Claridge Hotel in Centro for about $116 including taxes. Second, most of the really good restaurants do not serve dinner until 7:30pm, which would not give you enough time to make your evening flight. After arriving in EZE, I'd head down to Claridge and leave bags until check-in. I'd then visit Boca and Recolata. Go for an early dinner (which is 7:30pm for them) at Cabana Las Lilas - one of the best steak houses in the world and then see a Tango show in San Telmo. The following day I'd check out Palermo Soho and some other trendy areas. Definitely go for a ride on the subway. I'd also pass on the leather jackets - the prices are good, but the quality was okay - I prefer Italian leather goods. A few stores in Palermo have good quality high end stuff, but it can get pricey. Give yourself plenty of time to make your evening flight - Airport is far from city center, and there are about 4 lines that you have to go thru at EZE - check-in line; departure fee tax line; security line; and then customs exit line. It is quite a mess!

You can't go wrong with either city. Both offer something completely different. GIG is stunningly beautiful (as are the people) whereas the food in EZE is amazing.

Enjoy!

I've done same-day returns to/from SCL and highly recommend it! Once you have paid the Chilean "reciprocity fee" of US$100, you can come and go as much as you want for the life of your passport. Note that the same FAs turn around with the aircraft (which sits on the ground during the day hours), so you will have the same FAs going and returning.

You will arrive at SCL in the early morning (I recommend the DFW-SCL flight because it offers a proper dinner service, and gives you more time to sleep because it is longer). Go through immigration and customs, then head out to see the city! The Centropuerto buses will take you downtown for just a dollar or two, while the Transvip and Turbus minibus services cost US$8 or so. All run constantly all day long. Spend the day enjoying this beautiful city in Andes! Just hope for a clear day for mountain gazing! I especially recommend the "funicular" train ride up to the statue of the Virgen in the Parque Metropolitano, and then the "teleférico" cable car ride across the mountain ridge. Lots of good food and wine are available at the base of the Parque Metropolitano in the eclectic, new-age neighborhood.

As an alternative, you can take the Centropuerto bus to the "Pajaritos" metro stop that has a bus station. Hop on a bus to Valparaíso and an hour and a half later, you will be at the gorgeous port city with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean! The last time I was there, I saw sea lions! Ride the historic "funiculares" and enjoy the local culture of South America's southernmost major port city.

Then, in the afternoon, hop on the bus to beat the rush hour traffic back to the airport. Check in for AA flights opens at 5:30pm, and you will want to arrive around then in order to maximize your time at the Admirals Club (arguably the best in the entire system, or at least second best after the new NRT club). The LAN Neruda lounge is nice as well and your AA PLT or EXP card (or OW Sapphire or Emerald card) will get you access.

The flights back to the States depart around 9pm (MIA) and 9:30pm (DFW) and both include a proper dinner service.

All in all, SCL is a wonderful MR opportunity! (especially if you already have paid the reciprocity fee)