gq_dq
Apr 28, 12, 11:56 am
For a trip in October 2012, I ticketed REC-BSB-MAO using AA miles to arrive from Brasilia on G3-1130 into Manaus at 11:35 PM. I want to go further on G3-1991 Manaus to Santarem which leaves 01:01 AM or a connection of 1 hour 26 minutes in Manaus - however, AA could not "sell" me this flight using cash, and would charge me an additional 10,000 miles plus taxes plus $150 to put the flight in the same reservation which is already ticketed. So I booked the connection on GOL's website - but have not paid for the ticket yet. See why below!
Here is the issue: I chatted with an agent on GOL's website who said if the G3-1130 BSB-MAO flight is late then I am not protected on G3-1991 MAO-STM as they are on separate tickets. Then the agent noticed that my credit card payment was "pending" on the web booking I mentioned above, and asked me if I would like the payment declined which apparently would allow her to hold the reservation at the same fare until 00:00 AM which is 61 minutes before the MAO-STM flight. That way, she said, if the BSB-MAO flight is late, I would not be considered a NO SHOW for the MAO-STM segment. I agreed and so now that I have the MAO-STM on hold until October (!!), I need to understand a few things:
1) How small is the GOL connecting area in Manaus? Different terminals? I transited Manaus on an International flight several years ago and I can't remember if we had to exit security and re-enter. But that doesn't mean much because this will just be a domestic-domestic connection. I tried to find a terminal map on the web but could not find a helpful one.
2) I noticed last night's flight from BSB came in 45 min late at 12:20 AM which would have given me 41 minutes to make the connection, hypothetically. If I end up having let's say even 20-25 minutes from getting off to getting on, would that be OK? Does GOL close the door 15 min early?
3) October is far away, relatively speaking. GOL has already had 2 sets of cancellations and schedule changes in the 5 months since I ticketed the first reservation using AA miles. What else should I expect?
4) Should I just leave the MAO-STM rez unpaid for until I check in at REC for REC-MAO on the day of the flight? Or should I pay for it beforehand so I can check in for all flights on the web?
Here is the issue: I chatted with an agent on GOL's website who said if the G3-1130 BSB-MAO flight is late then I am not protected on G3-1991 MAO-STM as they are on separate tickets. Then the agent noticed that my credit card payment was "pending" on the web booking I mentioned above, and asked me if I would like the payment declined which apparently would allow her to hold the reservation at the same fare until 00:00 AM which is 61 minutes before the MAO-STM flight. That way, she said, if the BSB-MAO flight is late, I would not be considered a NO SHOW for the MAO-STM segment. I agreed and so now that I have the MAO-STM on hold until October (!!), I need to understand a few things:
1) How small is the GOL connecting area in Manaus? Different terminals? I transited Manaus on an International flight several years ago and I can't remember if we had to exit security and re-enter. But that doesn't mean much because this will just be a domestic-domestic connection. I tried to find a terminal map on the web but could not find a helpful one.
2) I noticed last night's flight from BSB came in 45 min late at 12:20 AM which would have given me 41 minutes to make the connection, hypothetically. If I end up having let's say even 20-25 minutes from getting off to getting on, would that be OK? Does GOL close the door 15 min early?
3) October is far away, relatively speaking. GOL has already had 2 sets of cancellations and schedule changes in the 5 months since I ticketed the first reservation using AA miles. What else should I expect?
4) Should I just leave the MAO-STM rez unpaid for until I check in at REC for REC-MAO on the day of the flight? Or should I pay for it beforehand so I can check in for all flights on the web?