AA: RDU-GRU $447 (12,344 miles, 3.6 cpm)
May 20, 2015, 10:02 pm
#46
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Location independent
Programs: AA PlatPro, Asiana Diamond, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 287
Thanks OP for a great deal. I had looked at those fares yesterday morning when they were around $550, then saw your post and put one on hold for $442. I purchased it this evening.
On a US passport, I would not risk traveling without a visa, but a few years ago I traveled twice on an EU passport and did an immediate turn *without* going through Brazilian immigration and customs. Because of the EU passport, the lack of a visa obviously wasn't a problem when checking in.
I arrived at GRU in the morning and returned to MIA on the daytime flight. I had my return boarding pass printed out prior to leaving the US. Upon deplaning, I approached one of the ground staff meeting the plane, showed my return boarding pass, and asked if I could go to the departure area without going through immigration and customs. They were a bit perplexed at the situation at first - someone returning straight back to where they were coming from - but after a bit of discussion between some ground staff members, they opened the sliding glass door separating the corridor leading to immigration from the departure gate area and let me through. I later was called to the podium for some additional passport check and carry-on screening, but overall it was a fairly smooth process, and it worked twice within a few weeks.
On a US passport, I would not risk traveling without a visa, but a few years ago I traveled twice on an EU passport and did an immediate turn *without* going through Brazilian immigration and customs. Because of the EU passport, the lack of a visa obviously wasn't a problem when checking in.
I arrived at GRU in the morning and returned to MIA on the daytime flight. I had my return boarding pass printed out prior to leaving the US. Upon deplaning, I approached one of the ground staff meeting the plane, showed my return boarding pass, and asked if I could go to the departure area without going through immigration and customs. They were a bit perplexed at the situation at first - someone returning straight back to where they were coming from - but after a bit of discussion between some ground staff members, they opened the sliding glass door separating the corridor leading to immigration from the departure gate area and let me through. I later was called to the podium for some additional passport check and carry-on screening, but overall it was a fairly smooth process, and it worked twice within a few weeks.
May 21, 2015, 7:05 am
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: RDU
Posts: 735
No problem. I had bought one the week before @ $650 and thought that was a good deal. Felt better after I could pick up a couple of these. What dates are you travelling if you don't mind me asking?
May 21, 2015, 9:36 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: LAX_AMS_MNL
Programs: AS MVP, AA EXP - 1MM, BAEC BRZ, BVY GLD, Hilton DIA, Hyatt GLB
Posts: 749
Transfer without going through immigration
I ask cause ive got 2 turn around trips with a 1:15 connection.
Doesn't AA operate in and out of T3? If so doesn't this new facility have a transfer area?
Thanks
May 21, 2015, 10:16 am
#49
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CLT / AVL
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Kimpton IC; IHG Diamond Ambassador;
Posts: 319
Is it really true that GRU doesn't have a transit area? I have read in another thread that there IS a transit area for those that have an international transfer.
I ask cause ive got 2 turn around trips with a 1:15 connection.
Doesn't AA operate in and out of T3? If so doesn't this new facility have a transfer area?
Thanks
I ask cause ive got 2 turn around trips with a 1:15 connection.
Doesn't AA operate in and out of T3? If so doesn't this new facility have a transfer area?
Thanks
Not all AA flights are from T3. T2 is also used quite heavily during peak hours for USA Departures. AA, DL, UA and JJ all use T2 in addition to T3.
May 21, 2015, 10:48 am
#50
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: LAX_AMS_MNL
Programs: AS MVP, AA EXP - 1MM, BAEC BRZ, BVY GLD, Hilton DIA, Hyatt GLB
Posts: 749
Transit Area in GRU
The post below states that there is a "international connection"
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=24566224
Read Post 14
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=24566224
Read Post 14
May 21, 2015, 11:03 am
#51
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: RDU
Posts: 713
[
See my experiences in this earlier post. This was in 2012 and I believe is was in T2, but I'm not positive.
I completely agree with that, my comment was more on the "is it possible to transit without going through immigration" question. I actually have both an EU and US passport and started my trip in the EU, connecting through ORD and DFW. Since I need to enter the US on the US passport that did not have a Brazilian visa, the check-in agent at the airport of origin only checked me in as far as DFW. Once I got to ORD, an Admirals Club agent was able to swap the passport information to indicate I would enter Brazil with my EU passport and checked me in for the flight to GRU. When boarding the plane, I showed my EU passport.
Is it really true that GRU doesn't have a transit area? I have read in another thread that there IS a transit area for those that have an international transfer.
I ask cause ive got 2 turn around trips with a 1:15 connection.
Doesn't AA operate in and out of T3? If so doesn't this new facility have a transfer area?
Thanks
I ask cause ive got 2 turn around trips with a 1:15 connection.
Doesn't AA operate in and out of T3? If so doesn't this new facility have a transfer area?
Thanks
I completely agree with that, my comment was more on the "is it possible to transit without going through immigration" question. I actually have both an EU and US passport and started my trip in the EU, connecting through ORD and DFW. Since I need to enter the US on the US passport that did not have a Brazilian visa, the check-in agent at the airport of origin only checked me in as far as DFW. Once I got to ORD, an Admirals Club agent was able to swap the passport information to indicate I would enter Brazil with my EU passport and checked me in for the flight to GRU. When boarding the plane, I showed my EU passport.
May 24, 2015, 11:48 am
#52
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: USA
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA LT Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 956
Early this year, I was able to make a quick turn around at GRU without going through immigration. I had my onward boarding pass printed before the LAX-GRU flight. When I went to the GRU AC to ask the quickest way to go to city since I had a long layover, the AC agent found out that my Brazil visa was expired. For some reason, the agent who checked me in to the US then to Brazil missed to check the visa. Thus, I had to go to T3 from T2 via the airside walk way when I had to take the GRU-JFK flight. On a side note, Although, this thing happened, I don't recommend flying to Brazil with out a visa even with a quick return.
[QQUOTE=hogo74;24850067][
See my experiences in this earlier post. This was in 2012 and I believe is was in T2, but I'm not positive.
I completely agree with that, my comment was more on the "is it possible to transit without going through immigration" question. I actually have both an EU and US passport and started my trip in the EU, connecting through ORD and DFW. Since I need to enter the US on the US passport that did not have a Brazilian visa, the check-in agent at the airport of origin only checked me in as far as DFW. Once I got to ORD, an Admirals Club agent was able to swap the passport information to indicate I would enter Brazil with my EU passport and checked me in for the flight to GRU. When boarding the plane, I showed my EU passport.[/QUOTE]
[QQUOTE=hogo74;24850067][
See my experiences in this earlier post. This was in 2012 and I believe is was in T2, but I'm not positive.
I completely agree with that, my comment was more on the "is it possible to transit without going through immigration" question. I actually have both an EU and US passport and started my trip in the EU, connecting through ORD and DFW. Since I need to enter the US on the US passport that did not have a Brazilian visa, the check-in agent at the airport of origin only checked me in as far as DFW. Once I got to ORD, an Admirals Club agent was able to swap the passport information to indicate I would enter Brazil with my EU passport and checked me in for the flight to GRU. When boarding the plane, I showed my EU passport.[/QUOTE]
May 25, 2015, 3:29 pm
#53
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS, TK Gold
Posts: 304
I'm travelling to GRU on 23rd and will have 15 hrs turnaround. I will try to check in and board with US passport without Brazil visa just to see what will happened. I also have valid EU passport which lets me into BRA visa free, so I'm not risking anything.
I will report back to FT.
I will report back to FT.
AA agents at two locations, DFW D check-in and MIA AC D15, have refused to check me in without Brazilian visa in US passport after I showed then return itinerary which indicated 15 hrs. turnarounds at GRU. At GRU however, I was presented with an option to bypass immigration and proceed to international connection area after I showed my itineraries.
I stayed at Slaviero GRU. Good basic hotel with refillable shuttle service to GRU. Free breakfast was great considering the hotel price point; selection of pastries was excellent. Will be happy to answer any PMs.
May 25, 2015, 10:19 pm
#54
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: World
Posts: 1,647
I’m on a final stretch of nested run DFW-JFK-GRU-MIA-SFO-MIA-GRU-MIA-DFW.
AA agents at two locations, DFW D check-in and MIA AC D15, have refused to check me in without Brazilian visa in US passport after I showed then return itinerary which indicated 15 hrs. turnarounds at GRU. At GRU however, I was presented with an option to bypass immigration and proceed to international connection area after I showed my itineraries.
I stayed at Slaviero GRU. Good basic hotel with refillable shuttle service to GRU. Free breakfast was great considering the hotel price point; selection of pastries was excellent. Will be happy to answer any PMs.
AA agents at two locations, DFW D check-in and MIA AC D15, have refused to check me in without Brazilian visa in US passport after I showed then return itinerary which indicated 15 hrs. turnarounds at GRU. At GRU however, I was presented with an option to bypass immigration and proceed to international connection area after I showed my itineraries.
I stayed at Slaviero GRU. Good basic hotel with refillable shuttle service to GRU. Free breakfast was great considering the hotel price point; selection of pastries was excellent. Will be happy to answer any PMs.
? Was the hotel airside?
May 26, 2015, 9:04 am
#56
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold, Mariott Gold, AMEX Plat, US CP
Posts: 273
May 26, 2015, 10:12 am
#57
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS, TK Gold
Posts: 304
Yes, I used EU passport to get me through. Glad this exhausting trip is over now even though I flew in J except SFO-MIA segment. There is also a slight feel of regret for blowing 4 SWUs over one long weekend.