JSD
Jun 30, 02, 6:04 pm
This is my first ever trip report, so please forgive my wordiness... there is just so much to tell. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Hola from Santiago de Chile. I´m currently sitting in the LanChile lounge in SCL waiting for my AA departure back to MIA, just about to complete my weekend mileage run. Its been a great trip, so on to the details:
AA957 MIA-SCL 777 (C-class - seat 13J)
Went straight from work to MIA, arriving around 8pm for my 11:30pm departure. I was surprised to find that J check-in was empty... its usually a zoo at MIA. Headed over to the AC outside terminal E to kill 3 hours.
I took advantage of the showers in the AC and then headed to the bar, where I managed to stretch the *one* drink coupon the desk attendant had given me into four gin-and-tonics (thanks to the bartender, since the attendant refused to give me more than one).
Ended up chatting with a nice fellow from CT who turned out to be a VP with Save the Children, who was on his was to Lima to visit one of their sites. Turns out this guy does around 100K miles/yr, all international and all in coach. Talk about a trooper! I mentioned that I was on a mileage run, which piqued his curiousity. He was fascinated that people would travel just for the fun of it (well, and to get the miles and status). He said he would have to look into it, since he was probably going to come up about 10K short for EXP this year. Of course I told him about FT, so for all I know he could be reading this. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Our flight ended up being delayed until 12:15am due to incoming equipment, so I left the AC when it closed at 11:30pm and went through security, fortunately without hassle (although I did instinctively reach to take out my laptop, which I had left behind it the office - its nice to travel without the extra weight)
Our flight was probably only about 1/3 full. Only 14 of the 35 J-class seats were full and as far as I could tell there were only 2 people in F and Y looked to be quite empty.
We almost had 15 people in J... someone tried to sneak in. When he sat down across the aisle from me, I thought to myself that he looked a little sneaky (the body language perhaps), but didn't really think about it. Well, right before we are about the leave the gate, the FA started coming down the aisle, greeting everyone by name from the manifest. When she got to him (in row 13, the last row), she said something to the effect of "I'm terribly sorry sir, but I don't have your name on my list. May I see your boarding card?" He made a weak effort to talk his way out of it, but realized he was caught. So she asked him to move to his correct seat. Overall, I thought the FA handled it very well.}
The Santiago-based FAs were young and very pleasant (and forgive me for noticing, but also quite attractive). However, as it typical for AA J-class, the service was good, but not overly personal.
Food was a choice of lamb, chicken something, french onion soup and fish. I´ve got the menu somewhere, but I doubt anyone cares about the details. I had the french onion soup, because I love french onion soup and I'd never seen it on an airplane menu. Also it sounded light and I'd already had dinner. Well, all I can say is that it was about what you would expect out of french onion soup on a plane - okay, but not great. Anyway, I accompanied it with a glass of champagne to start, followed by Chilean Cabernet and then a glass of port with my cheese desert.
Following the meal, I changed out of my business clothes and put on my blue-checked Nautica PJs, which I only wear for overnight flights. I always seem to get strange looks from fellow pax when I do this, and I haven't the slightest idea why. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Slipped on my Boses and went right to sleep, only to be awoken about 5 hours later for breakfast.
Breakfast was nothing special - the choice was hot breakfast, which was a croque monsieur sandwich or cold. I went for the cold, which turned out to be the exact same cereal and fruit plate that AA serves on morning transcons, except the coffee comes in china instead of the big plastic mugs.
Approach to SCL offered awesome views of the Andes mountains out of the left side of the aircraft. Unfortunately, I was on the window on the right side of the aircraft. For who hasn't been to SCL before, get yourself an "A" seat for the flight down - it looked like the views were magnificent.
We touched down around 8am and I breezed through SCL immigration and customs. Well, sort of. Except the $65 reciprocity fee. Turns out that the American couple that had been seating in front of me on the flight didn´t realize they were going to have to pay $130 and they made a big stink about it. Much to the displeasure of everyone behind them in line, they took their time and kept exclaiming loudly that "this is rediculous" etc etc. Thanks to FT, when I got to the front of the line, I had my passport and $65 in exact change waiting. A quick "beunos dias senorita" and a "gracias" and I was on my way with the necessary piece of paper stapled to the last page of my passport.
I was greeted outside customs by a mob of taxi drivers seeking my business. My driver ended up being extremely friendly and helpful. The entire cab ride consisted of him pointing out various landmarks in Spanish and me attempting to understand and respond in my poor Spanglish mix.
San Cristobal Hotel Tower (Starwood Luxury Collection)
We arrived at the San Cristobal Tower Hotel around 9am. I was expecting that I would leave my bags with the bellman and then go tour the city until check-in time. However, they were more than happy to check me in, and even offered me a glass of champagne during the checkin process, which I declined since it was only 9am. The front desk manager offered me a choice of wines as my starwood platinum amenity and told me they had upgraded me to a suite.
Okay, now they didn't just upgrade me to a suite - this was the most magnificent suite I have every been in. Probably about 1500 sq. ft, 1BR, 2BA with a large living room and a dining room with a huge circular table. Beautiful views of downtown Santiago and San Cristobal (a big hill). Everything about this hotel was amazing and the service was excellent. They went so far as to set my dining room table with linens and flatware as part of the turndown service - they also set out a big tray with nuts, fruits and chocolates in the middle of the table and a finger bowl with rose petals. Without a doubt it was the nicest Starwood property I have every stayed at.
The only downside is that its a hike to get to downtown Santiago. After a short nap, I headed back downstairs and asked the concierge how to get to downtown. Its about a 45 minute walk to Plaza de Armes at a brisk pace. I spent the day in downtown Santiago wandering around. Since I don't speak much Spanish, I definitely felt the language barrier (much more so than major european cities), but I managed okay.
Santiago is a beautiful, clean city that in many ways feels european. I only wish that I had more than one day to adventure around. It is definitely a place that I would like to go back to for a longer trip - perhaps includes some side trips to ski the Andes, or visit the coast.
Anyway, my flight is boarding shortly, so I have to wrap this up. I´ll conclude by saying that out of the three clubs I´ve checked out at SCL - the UA RCC, AA AC and the LC VIP club, I would highly recommend the pisco sour at the LC club. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Beunos tardes...
Hola from Santiago de Chile. I´m currently sitting in the LanChile lounge in SCL waiting for my AA departure back to MIA, just about to complete my weekend mileage run. Its been a great trip, so on to the details:
AA957 MIA-SCL 777 (C-class - seat 13J)
Went straight from work to MIA, arriving around 8pm for my 11:30pm departure. I was surprised to find that J check-in was empty... its usually a zoo at MIA. Headed over to the AC outside terminal E to kill 3 hours.
I took advantage of the showers in the AC and then headed to the bar, where I managed to stretch the *one* drink coupon the desk attendant had given me into four gin-and-tonics (thanks to the bartender, since the attendant refused to give me more than one).
Ended up chatting with a nice fellow from CT who turned out to be a VP with Save the Children, who was on his was to Lima to visit one of their sites. Turns out this guy does around 100K miles/yr, all international and all in coach. Talk about a trooper! I mentioned that I was on a mileage run, which piqued his curiousity. He was fascinated that people would travel just for the fun of it (well, and to get the miles and status). He said he would have to look into it, since he was probably going to come up about 10K short for EXP this year. Of course I told him about FT, so for all I know he could be reading this. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Our flight ended up being delayed until 12:15am due to incoming equipment, so I left the AC when it closed at 11:30pm and went through security, fortunately without hassle (although I did instinctively reach to take out my laptop, which I had left behind it the office - its nice to travel without the extra weight)
Our flight was probably only about 1/3 full. Only 14 of the 35 J-class seats were full and as far as I could tell there were only 2 people in F and Y looked to be quite empty.
We almost had 15 people in J... someone tried to sneak in. When he sat down across the aisle from me, I thought to myself that he looked a little sneaky (the body language perhaps), but didn't really think about it. Well, right before we are about the leave the gate, the FA started coming down the aisle, greeting everyone by name from the manifest. When she got to him (in row 13, the last row), she said something to the effect of "I'm terribly sorry sir, but I don't have your name on my list. May I see your boarding card?" He made a weak effort to talk his way out of it, but realized he was caught. So she asked him to move to his correct seat. Overall, I thought the FA handled it very well.}
The Santiago-based FAs were young and very pleasant (and forgive me for noticing, but also quite attractive). However, as it typical for AA J-class, the service was good, but not overly personal.
Food was a choice of lamb, chicken something, french onion soup and fish. I´ve got the menu somewhere, but I doubt anyone cares about the details. I had the french onion soup, because I love french onion soup and I'd never seen it on an airplane menu. Also it sounded light and I'd already had dinner. Well, all I can say is that it was about what you would expect out of french onion soup on a plane - okay, but not great. Anyway, I accompanied it with a glass of champagne to start, followed by Chilean Cabernet and then a glass of port with my cheese desert.
Following the meal, I changed out of my business clothes and put on my blue-checked Nautica PJs, which I only wear for overnight flights. I always seem to get strange looks from fellow pax when I do this, and I haven't the slightest idea why. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Slipped on my Boses and went right to sleep, only to be awoken about 5 hours later for breakfast.
Breakfast was nothing special - the choice was hot breakfast, which was a croque monsieur sandwich or cold. I went for the cold, which turned out to be the exact same cereal and fruit plate that AA serves on morning transcons, except the coffee comes in china instead of the big plastic mugs.
Approach to SCL offered awesome views of the Andes mountains out of the left side of the aircraft. Unfortunately, I was on the window on the right side of the aircraft. For who hasn't been to SCL before, get yourself an "A" seat for the flight down - it looked like the views were magnificent.
We touched down around 8am and I breezed through SCL immigration and customs. Well, sort of. Except the $65 reciprocity fee. Turns out that the American couple that had been seating in front of me on the flight didn´t realize they were going to have to pay $130 and they made a big stink about it. Much to the displeasure of everyone behind them in line, they took their time and kept exclaiming loudly that "this is rediculous" etc etc. Thanks to FT, when I got to the front of the line, I had my passport and $65 in exact change waiting. A quick "beunos dias senorita" and a "gracias" and I was on my way with the necessary piece of paper stapled to the last page of my passport.
I was greeted outside customs by a mob of taxi drivers seeking my business. My driver ended up being extremely friendly and helpful. The entire cab ride consisted of him pointing out various landmarks in Spanish and me attempting to understand and respond in my poor Spanglish mix.
San Cristobal Hotel Tower (Starwood Luxury Collection)
We arrived at the San Cristobal Tower Hotel around 9am. I was expecting that I would leave my bags with the bellman and then go tour the city until check-in time. However, they were more than happy to check me in, and even offered me a glass of champagne during the checkin process, which I declined since it was only 9am. The front desk manager offered me a choice of wines as my starwood platinum amenity and told me they had upgraded me to a suite.
Okay, now they didn't just upgrade me to a suite - this was the most magnificent suite I have every been in. Probably about 1500 sq. ft, 1BR, 2BA with a large living room and a dining room with a huge circular table. Beautiful views of downtown Santiago and San Cristobal (a big hill). Everything about this hotel was amazing and the service was excellent. They went so far as to set my dining room table with linens and flatware as part of the turndown service - they also set out a big tray with nuts, fruits and chocolates in the middle of the table and a finger bowl with rose petals. Without a doubt it was the nicest Starwood property I have every stayed at.
The only downside is that its a hike to get to downtown Santiago. After a short nap, I headed back downstairs and asked the concierge how to get to downtown. Its about a 45 minute walk to Plaza de Armes at a brisk pace. I spent the day in downtown Santiago wandering around. Since I don't speak much Spanish, I definitely felt the language barrier (much more so than major european cities), but I managed okay.
Santiago is a beautiful, clean city that in many ways feels european. I only wish that I had more than one day to adventure around. It is definitely a place that I would like to go back to for a longer trip - perhaps includes some side trips to ski the Andes, or visit the coast.
Anyway, my flight is boarding shortly, so I have to wrap this up. I´ll conclude by saying that out of the three clubs I´ve checked out at SCL - the UA RCC, AA AC and the LC VIP club, I would highly recommend the pisco sour at the LC club. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Beunos tardes...