[FARE GONE] UA/JJ: SFO-SCL via GRU in Mar-May, $473 r/t (3.3cpm on UA metal)
Hi all, first MR posting here, happy to finally contribute one after getting quite a lot of use out of this board -- and let me know if I'm not doing something right. I got inspired by the the JFK-GRU-EZE thread and posted this there, but I figured I'd create a new thread because while the ex-JFK deal is dead this one is still alive -- and SFO people aren't likely looking there.
The routing is SFO-ORD/IAD-GRU-SCL-GRU-IAD-SFO, it tickets on JJ (TAM) stock (957-*), and it appears to only be bookable from onetravel.com. It isn't showing up on ITA or anywhere else, which is weird, but it tickets just fine! The GRU-SCL legs are on TAM and/or LAN and don't earn miles on UA, but the SFO-ORD/IAD-GRU-IAD-SFO legs are on UA metal. So that's about 14,200 raw miles just from the UA flights alone.
I booked one ticket from March 28th-31st and another from May 20th-26th. You don't have to use the multi-city trick, just search SFO-SCL on the preferred dates, and it looks like Thu/Fri-Mon/Tues are usually open. Onetravel gave me confirmation numbers immediately, which I could look up on united.com and add my MP number. According to united.com, the UA legs book into G class and the TAM legs book into W class -- even though TAM is, at least for the moment, still a *A partner, W fares don't earn any miles on UA. It took about 8 hours for ticketing and confirmation to happen.
I just did another search and while my Mar 28-31st flight is gone, the following dates are showing up with the fare: Apr 12-15, Apr 19-22, May 3-6, May 17-20, 20-26, and more. There are some quick turnarounds as well as week-long stays or longer -- I searched for May 1-27 and that also shows up as $473.
Keep in mind the Chilean reciprocity visa fee of $160 for US passport holders, but IIRC once you pay for it the fee is valid for the life of the passport. There are some long layovers in GRU that arrive around 9am and leave around 9pm, perfect for a quick day trip to Sao Paulo if you already have a Brazil multi-entry visa -- if not, it is probably not worth it. Also, connecting in IAD instead of ORD seems like it would be a longer trip, but it only gets you 100 extra miles for a disproportionately longer itinerary.
I am not sure the deal ever did die on Onetravel...
MIA-SCL $399
JFK-SCL $515
both found today for Sept '13 travel
I hesitated from the begining because of the non-accruing fare classes of TAM to UA
Programs: Most....Four elite air/ Four hotel higher levels - loved DEQMs - DL RWT alum
Posts: 1,087
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clincher
I am not sure the deal ever did die on Onetravel...
MIA-SCL $399
JFK-SCL $515
both found today for Sept '13 travel
I hesitated from the begining because of the non-accruing fare classes of TAM to UA
Here are the fare classes for accrual on UA, below. What class did you see?
Mileage Accrual Chart
Eligible TAM and TAM Mercosur fare classes MileagePlus Premier qualification
Class of service Purchased fare class Base miles Premier qualifying miles Premier qualifying segments
First F, A 150% 150% 1.5
Business C 125% 150% 1.5
Discount Business D, J, Z 100% 150% 1.5
Full Fare Economy Y, B 100% 150% 1.5
Economy E, U, S, M, H, K, G 100% 100% 1
Discount Economy Q, V, L 100% 100% 1
All other fare classes do not accrue mileage. United Airlines® and TAM reserve the right to change the eligible fare classes at any time without notice.
Here are the fare classes for accrual on UA, below. What class did you see?
Mileage Accrual Chart
Eligible TAM and TAM Mercosur fare classes MileagePlus Premier qualification
Class of service Purchased fare class Base miles Premier qualifying miles Premier qualifying segments
First F, A 150% 150% 1.5
Business C 125% 150% 1.5
Discount Business D, J, Z 100% 150% 1.5
Full Fare Economy Y, B 100% 150% 1.5
Economy E, U, S, M, H, K, G 100% 100% 1
Discount Economy Q, V, L 100% 100% 1
All other fare classes do not accrue mileage. United Airlines® and TAM reserve the right to change the eligible fare classes at any time without notice.
The TAM segment books into W, which does not earn miles. However it still earns 14,200 EQM as most is on UA metal.
Look around post 50-60 of the other (now gone) thread in the discussion forum or info on the $20 off. Just put in the code and apply it... really simple.
Programs: CO Silver; Hyatt Platinum (sort of fakery through credit card; generally too poor for Hyatts)
Posts: 306
Quote:
Originally Posted by soccerref750
The TAM segment books into W, which does not earn miles. However it still earns 14,200 EQM as most is on UA metal.
A remedial question--does anyone know how to find out fare classes for TAM-plated tickets on TAM metal purchased from onetravel? Apologies for my ignorance and advance thanks for any help (or lack of derisive words). I bought this for leisure travel, rather than mileage/status accrual, but any help deciding where to attribute miles would be welcome as a bonus.
Programs: UA 1K,Hilton MVP Diamond, National Emerald Exec., Starwood Gold
Posts: 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clincher
I am not sure the deal ever did die on Onetravel...
MIA-SCL $399
JFK-SCL $515
both found today for Sept '13 travel
I hesitated from the begining because of the non-accruing fare classes of TAM to UA
I just tried to book LGA-ORD-GRU-EZE-GRU-ORD-LGA for $615 in October on Onetravel and got to the payment screen and it wouldn't process.
