Other North & South America Frequent Flyer Programs - Question re JJ's policy on through-checking of bags on separate tickets

Travelling EZE-GRU on JJ with immediate connection to AC GRU-Canada but on 2 separate tickets. About 4 hours in between.

Appreciate advice from more frequent JJ flyers on JJ's policy on through-checking of bags on 2 separate tickets.

Also, does JJ have a lounge at EZE or UA RCC is the only *A lounge there?

Many thanks in advance.

I just connected through GRU on a JJ flight from FRA - GIG. I know that this is fundamentally different to your circumstance because you will be an international transit PAX not entering Brazil.

Having said that however, the JJ ground handling at GRU is still chaotic, my flights were all on the same PNR and the bags were checked through to GIG. Even though this should have been a "cut and dried transfer" I had completely conflicting advice on what to do at GRU and it looked at one stage as if we had lost our bags.

If you are travelling on a passport that allows easy entry into Brazil (without a visa) then my instinct would be to check bags to GRU, collect them and take them into Brazil, then go to check in with them. This way they are less likely to get lost in the system at GRU. There is a transfer desk on the ground floor of GRU inside the public area close to where you exit customs.

Maybe I am being over cautious, but JJ ground staff at GRU did not seem to have a very good grasp of the situation. This may be because they are trying to reorganise things to fit better into the *A system. Whatever the cause, it does leave you utterly perplexed because you can get completely conflicting advice from each person you ask.

Thanks Ginger 50.

We have never been to SAO. So we are now thinking instead of spending 4 hours in the transit area of GRU, we may take an earlier flight for a one day excursion to SAO, some sight-seeing, shopping and dinner before returning to the airport for our 10:20PM flight.

Do you or any fellow FT'ers know of a reliable hire car company with English speaking driver for this purpose?

Many thanks again in advance.