Mileage Run Deals - AA: SFO-GIG $697ai 4.9cpm

Limited dates in August. Bookable on AA.

All AA metal. My example included 8/19 - 8/26, but shorter options exist.

if DL matches ;)

Limited dates in August. Bookable on AA.

Outing all AA metal except GRU-GIG. Return flight all AA metal. My example included 8/19 - 8/26, but shorter options exist.

About $100 more from LAS, too. Should be available for other West Coast cities. Routing through DFW seems to have the lowest fare.

I'm seeing some availability into November. Example: 11/14-11/21 $721ai. Route through ORD-MIA for a few more miles. All AA metal.

if DL matches ;)

DL showing $785 for mid-August to mid-December about. United and US Air are also in on the action, so check your airline and possible dates. These fares have not been seen for quite some time now.

~$100 more from LAx but you can route it via JFK on the outbound

COPA: ORD-GIG for $650.

Variety of dates from late Aug into early December.

Limited dates in August. Bookable on AA.

Outing all AA metal except GRU-GIG. Return flight all AA metal. My example included 8/19 - 8/26, but shorter options exist.

is it easy to upgrade using evips in august?

~$100 more from LAx but you can route it via JFK on the outbound

Nice way to increase mileage.

is it easy to upgrade using evips in august?

I had no problem using two SWU's for 8/16 - 8/26. Although, unless you put something on hold, I'm only showing those dates remaining in August.

I had no problem using two SWU's for 8/16 - 8/26. Although, unless you put something on hold, I'm only showing those dates remaining in August.

Lately it seems if you can't confirm right away, they don't confirm.

Lately it seems if you can't confirm right away, they don't confirm.

?:confused: DFW-GRU or GIG-DFW are tough to upgrade ? ? ?

Does AA have a 24-hour cancellation policy like UA? The agent told me No.

?:confused: DFW-GRU or GIG-DFW are tough to upgrade ? ? ?

Does AA have a 24-hour cancellation policy like UA? The agent told me No.

I believe with AA you can put the ticket on hold for 24 hours.

Good out of IAH too ... limited availability.

I believe with AA you can put the ticket on hold for 24 hours.

You can put the flight on hold for free until midnight the next day on AA.com.

Does AA have a 24-hour cancellation policy like UA? The agent told me No.

I was under the impression that ALL US carriers are required to offer 24 refund policy :confused:

EmailKid

I was under the impression that ALL US carriers are required to offer 24 refund policy :confused:

EmailKid

Any Match from UA, any other Citys? EZE MVD MDZ?? Im going to look now..

Very tempting...but is the visa fee really $160 for U.S. citizens?!

I was under the impression that ALL US carriers are required to offer 24 refund policy :confused:

EmailKid

AA's way of complying with this is to offer the 24 hours hold. Apparently that is 'equivalent' to the policy requirements.

Darn, best I can find in August from SEA-GIG is $843.

SEA-DFW-GIG for 6.12CPM.

Very tempting...but is the visa fee really $160 for U.S. citizens?!

Yes, unfortunately it's a reciprocal visa fee. It's worth it to me because I really enjoy the country and their people.

As a pure run you could look for 1 day turns later in fall (their were none on AA). You might have to spend some considerable time in GIG though.

Yes, unfortunately it's a reciprocal visa fee. It's worth it to me because I really enjoy the country and their people.

As a pure run you could look for 1 day turns later in fall (their were none on AA). You might have to spend some considerable time in GIG though.

Is the visa still 5 year? I heard rumors a while back of a 10 year visa. It used to be single entry so $160 for multiple entry to a great destination like Brazil isn't bed, even for a MR.

Is the visa still 5 year? I heard rumors a while back of a 10 year visa. It used to be single entry so $160 for multiple entry to a great destination like Brazil isn't bed, even for a MR.

Good point. It is multiple entry and I believe with the World Cup on the horizon it's now 10 years. Mine issued in 2009 is 5 years.

Is the visa still 5 year? I heard rumors a while back of a 10 year visa. It used to be single entry so $160 for multiple entry to a great destination like Brazil isn't bed, even for a MR.

New ones may be longer duration. But my Brazil visa for my 2010 3x MRs SEA-JFK-GRU-GIG (including one trip for Carnival) on that great AA Biz fare (~$480 O/W in I, 4/6 upgraded to F via SWU) have me with a 5-year visa to Brazil. Gotta find some new fares at similar rate to use the visa more before expiration.

My most recent visa for Brasil, issued in July 2010, is good for ten years.

Any Match from UA, any other Citys?

LAX-GIG in August on UA $795 ai

Is the visa still 5 year? I heard rumors a while back of a 10 year visa. It used to be single entry so $160 for multiple entry to a great destination like Brazil isn't bed, even for a MR.

Just got mine 2 weeks ago, and it's good for 10 years.

Is the visa still 5 year? I heard rumors a while back of a 10 year visa. It used to be single entry so $160 for multiple entry to a great destination like Brazil isn't bed, even for a MR.

When I got my visa for the $233 a/i W fare SEA-GRU (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-discussion/1193898-fare-gone-co-ua-sea-lim-403-all.html), I was given a ten year visa..

About $10 more to go to Fortaleza. Beaches in NE Brazil are great if you've never been (have to get out of the city though).

(Ord-For $705, albeit that routing is through MAO which makes it 6cpm instead of 4.5)

Makes the CPH better too since routing is normally down and then back track.

[QUOTE=1k650;18839103Does AA have a 24-hour cancellation policy like UA? The agent told me No.[/QUOTE]

Not sure about international flights, but if it's the same as domestic (US), then the agent is correct.
I recently bought a (domestic AA) ticket thinking i could cancel within 24 hrs, but as the agent said to you - I could not; there was no cancelling.

Instead, they allow you to put a reservation on hold, for i'm guessing 24 hrs, or maybe midnight the next day.

About $10 more to go to Fortaleza. Beaches in NE Brazil are great if you've never been (have to get out of the city though).

(Ord-For $705, albeit that routing is through MAO which makes it 6cpm instead of 4.5)

Makes the CPH better too since routing is normally down and then back track.

CPH?

I was looking at visas but apparently

"Chancellery workers at Brazilian diplomatic missions worldwide to stage indefinite strike starting June 19. Expect delays in issuing visas/consular documents."

Anyone try applying for visa?

I was told yesterday that they are no longer on strike. I hope that is true cause I purchased a ticket for mid August and sent off my passport yesterday for a visa.

I was told yesterday that they are no longer on strike. I hope that is true cause I purchased a ticket for mid August and sent off my passport yesterday for a visa.

That fare is no longer available right? I tried mid-August but didn't see anything... then again I'm still a bit concerned about the safety issue.

Very tempting...but is the visa fee really $160 for U.S. citizens?!

Yes. Blame our government for the combination of charging Brazilians the same and being far more arbitrary in the visa issuance process.

Not sure about international flights, but if it's the same as domestic (US), then the agent is correct.
I recently bought a (domestic AA) ticket thinking i could cancel within 24 hrs, but as the agent said to you - I could not; there was no cancelling.

Instead, they allow you to put a reservation on hold, for i'm guessing 24 hrs, or maybe midnight the next day.

Yes, AA has a hold like UA used to. AA will usually let an EXP change their booking if they call quickly after realizing a mistake, but won't refund outright.

That fare is no longer available right? I tried mid-August but didn't see anything... then again I'm still a bit concerned about the safety issue.

What safety issue?

What safety issue?

I always heard about the safety of traveling in Rio is pretty high, so that is the reason that is keeping me from buying that ticket. Any thoughts?

I'm looking at going around mid-August at this point. Still monitoring fares as I missed the $697 earlier - right now it's sitting at around $900.

I always heard about the safety of traveling in Rio is pretty high, so that is the reason that is keeping me from buying that ticket. Any thoughts?

I'm looking at going around mid-August at this point. Still monitoring fares as I missed the $697 earlier - right now it's sitting at around $900.


No more dangerous than parts of Chicago or downtown Oakland... One just needs to exercise caution and common sense.

No more dangerous than parts of Chicago or downtown Oakland... One just needs to exercise caution and common sense.

+1. I'd take Rio over East Oakland any day (and I'm a Raiders' fan...)

Thank you both. But which parts of Oakland are we talking about? I normally just go around Jack London Square and that is fine...

I know a gal who has family out there, and she was telling me to keep things safe and perhaps even put the equivalent of $40 in one pocket - so that I can give it to them in case I encounter something.

Lastly, I was thinking about traveling alone. Would that make a difference?

Thank you both. But which parts of Oakland are we talking about? I normally just go around Jack London Square and that is fine...

I know a gal who has family out there, and she was telling me to keep things safe and perhaps even put the equivalent of $40 in one pocket - so that I can give it to them in case I encounter something.

Lastly, I was thinking about traveling alone. Would that make a difference?

Jack London is VERY safe. I lived on 61st and MLK (North Pole) and had no problems, but crime happens. East Oakland (inland from the Coliseum) and West Oakland, even areas of South Berkeley aren't the best.

Back to Brasil. I was in Rio for 9 days and other areas of Brasil for 4 more weeks. Violent crime on tourists is rare. The most common crime you will experience is pickpockets or minor robbery (usually at night). It never happened to me but I heard stories from travelers throughout Brasil. Carrying a 'fake wallet" with an expired credit card and $20 is not a bad idea. Keep a real credit card and some cash somewhere else on your body.

Traveling alone may slightly increase the chance of robbery (like anywhere in the world) but if you take the normal precautions you should be fine.

I would consider connecting with some locals and get the lay of the land. Brazilians are very warm people and in my experience love helping tourists. When I was in Pipa (North Brasil) we met some vacationers from Rio and they ended up showing us around for several days, even taking us on day trips outside of Rio. There is also Couch Surfing and other social travel sites where you can arrange meet ups with locals. I've done this dozens of times and cannot put a value on the knowledge I've obtained.

Jack London is VERY safe. I lived on 61st and MLK (North Pole) and had no problems, but crime happens. East Oakland (inland from the Coliseum) and West Oakland, even areas of South Berkeley aren't the best.

Back to Brasil. I was in Rio for 9 days and other areas of Brasil for 4 more weeks. Violent crime on tourists is rare. The most common crime you will experience is pickpockets or minor robbery (usually at night). It never happened to me but I heard stories from travelers throughout Brasil. Carrying a 'fake wallet" with an expired credit card and $20 is not a bad idea. Keep a real credit card and some cash somewhere else on your body.

Traveling alone may slightly increase the chance of robbery (like anywhere in the world) but if you take the normal precautions you should be fine.

I would consider connecting with some locals and get the lay of the land. Brazilians are very warm people and in my experience love helping tourists. When I was in Pipa (North Brasil) we met some vacationers from Rio and they ended up showing us around for several days, even taking us on day trips outside of Rio. There is also Couch Surfing and other social travel sites where you can arrange meet ups with locals. I've done this dozens of times and cannot put a value on the knowledge I've obtained.

Thanks very much for the insight! I will definitely look up the local meetups. That is definitely a great idea! Now to monitor the fares to see whether it would come down. My other option is to go to Iguazu, which is sitting at around $1,000 - which I believe is still a great deal as that route is normally valued at $150-200 at the lowest.

Thank you both. But which parts of Oakland are we talking about? I normally just go around Jack London Square and that is fine...

I know a gal who has family out there, and she was telling me to keep things safe and perhaps even put the equivalent of $40 in one pocket - so that I can give it to them in case I encounter something.

Lastly, I was thinking about traveling alone. Would that make a difference?


I will echo what jtmoore says in his post.

I spend a lot of time in Rio, and I can tell you that the south zone of the city ("Zona Sul") where the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema/Leblon are located, and thus the main tourist areas, is no more dangerous than your normal American city. Of course, if you go looking for trouble you will most definitely find it. If you stick to the tourist areas (which includes pretty much all of Copacabana and Ipanema/Leblon) and Centro (the downtown area) where foreigners are part of the landscape, do so at reasonable hours, and exercise the usual city "street smarts", there is no reason why you should be in any particular danger. It is wise to be on the lookout for pickpockets and the shoe-scam artists, but these really are irritants rather than situations of danger.

There are teeming favelas on the hills overlooking Copacabana and Ipanema/Leblon, and I have no doubt you could find yourself a little "out of your element" if you enter those areas unaccompanied, especially if you do not speak Portuguese. I know there seems to be a touristic fascination with these favelas, but I have never been able to find a good reason for visiting - what's the difficulty with seeing the same in most of the inner cities here if your interest is in seeing grinding poverty and dispossessed people?

Feel free to PM me if you need further information on Rio.

I will echo what jtmoore says in his post.

I spend a lot of time in Rio, and I can tell you that the south zone of the city ("Zona Sul") where the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema/Leblon are located, and thus the main tourist areas, is no more dangerous than your normal American city. Of course, if you go looking for trouble you will most definitely find it. If you stick to the tourist areas (which includes pretty much all of Copacabana and Ipanema/Leblon) and Centro (the downtown area) where foreigners are part of the landscape, do so at reasonable hours, and exercise the usual city "street smarts", there is no reason why you should be in any particular danger. It is wise to be on the lookout for pickpockets and the shoe-scam artists, but these really are irritants rather than situations of danger.

There are teeming favelas on the hills overlooking Copacabana and Ipanema/Leblon, and I have no doubt you could find yourself a little "out of your element" if you enter those areas unaccompanied, especially if you do not speak Portuguese. I know there seems to be a touristic fascination with these favelas, but I have never been able to find a good reason for visiting - what's the difficulty with seeing the same in most of the inner cities here if your interest is in seeing grinding poverty and dispossessed people?

Feel free to PM me if you need further information on Rio.

Thanks so much! I will definitely PM you in a bit! This is great info.

IS this deal still alive?

IS this deal still alive?


Seems to be gone. I have been looking for something around last week of August. It is all close to 1k now.

IS this deal still alive?

It's gone! ITA showing $1000+ for the rest of 2012 on all carriers.

It's gone! ITA showing $1000+ for the rest of 2012 on all carriers.

Actually, I'm now seeing $813 on AA 8/9 - 8/12 if anyone is interested. Not MR territory at this CPM but a good fare. Looks to be the only dates available at this price in Aug/Sept