Other North & South America Frequent Flyer Programs - TAM lounge for *A gold on domestic itinerary

Do *A gold members have any kind of lounge access for a domestic Y trip (GRU-GIG) on TAM?

Also, for those who have more experience of TAM @ GRU than me, how much prior to a 3pm flight must I go to the airport to check in for my flight?

Hi, FedUp2.

There`s two types of GRU-GIG. The first is a international leg, because the GRU-GIG sector is the final leg from a international fly. In this case, you'll board using international sector with have a *G lounge (called business class lounge).

The second case is GRU-GIG has a purely domestic fly. In this case you'll use the domestic sector. Since January/February 2011, TAM closes his domestic lounge.

Finally, for 3pm fly, if you are in Sao Paulo downtown you'll spend 40/50 minutes on traffic to the airport. Brazilian airlines require to check-in 1 hour before the fly, than you could leave downtown at 1pm ou 12:30pm.

Sao Paulo traffic is only getting worse by the week/month lately, and if you are here in the Brazilian summer it's a rainy season, with heavy showers coming unpredictably during the day and night. The drive from SP to GRU can easily pass 1 hour with traffic and rain, so I'd err on the safe side and treat this like you would an int'l flight.

40-50 minutes from downtown São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport only if the heavens open up, the lord descends from above and orders traffic to halt for you. PLan for 1h30min. São Paulo traffic is absolutely crazy.

What about domestic flights out of GIG to other destinations like FOR, etc. Are there domestic Star Gold lounges for TAM pax?

What about domestic flights out of GIG to other destinations like FOR, etc. Are there domestic Star Gold lounges for TAM pax?


Hi, SkyTeam777. Unfortunately, there is no domestic lounge at GIG. The domestic lounges from is located only at CWB, FLN, REC and SDU and internacional at GRU (one for biz class + *G and another to first class) and GIG.

40-50 minutes from downtown São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport only if the heavens open up, the lord descends from above and orders traffic to halt for you. PLan for 1h30min. São Paulo traffic is absolutely crazy.

Not to take this thread too far off-topic, but when will the express rail line to GRU be completed? Before the 2014 World Cup?

Hi, SkyTeam777. Unfortunately, there is no domestic lounge at GIG. The domestic lounges from is located only at CWB, FLN, REC and SDU and internacional at GRU (one for biz class + *G and another to first class) and GIG.

Thank you! Is there any way to access the AA club if I have entry with Priority Pass? I will be traveling to Fortaleza.

I also thought there was a landside TAM lounge at GRU, but am I understanding that it has closed as well? Will have 6 hour domestic connections at both GIG and GRU and would rather not venture into town since I have been many times.

Thank you! Is there any way to access the AA club if I have entry with Priority Pass? I will be traveling to Fortaleza.

I also thought there was a landside TAM lounge at GRU, but am I understanding that it has closed as well? Will have 6 hour domestic connections at both GIG and GRU and would rather not venture into town since I have been many times.

When you take a flight to Fortaleza you'll use the domestic departure area, so you can't access to Admirals Club, because it's located at international area.

For domestic flight I'm always using the Centurion Club, located at the end of terminal 1 (outside security area). If you have a Amex Gold, Platinum you can access this lounge.

GRU: The landsite TAM lounge at GRU is closed. There you can use the Centurion Club (same conditions as GIG) or Diners Club (for Diners Club card holders).

Not to take this thread too far off-topic, but when will the express rail line to GRU be completed? Before the 2014 World Cup?

Hi, ByrdluvsAWACO.

:o The answer is no. Last month, state government announced a regular suburban train to GRU. They will create the new Line 13 (or Jade Line). The line starts at Brás Station (on downtown, connecting to subway (Metro) system) and pass to Tatuapé and Engenheiro Goulart. This three stations belongs to Line 12 (Saphire Line). At Engenheiro Goulart, they'll construct a 11km line and three new stations: Parque Cecap (Cecap Park), Zezinho Magalhães and GRU Airport.

So, I don't recommend to use this line, except without baggage or to be adventures, because this cuts bad neighbors at Guarulhos city. I truly believe than this line will be used only for airport employers.