GOL - no online checkin with Brazil Airpass ?

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Jan 9, 2015, 3:31 am

juan516

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2003

Posts: 224

GOL - no online checkin with Brazil Airpass ?

Good morning,

I have tried in vain on the GOL website to check me in using my Brazil Airpass issued in Germany on non-GOL ticket stock (issuing airline Hahn Air - my ticket no. commencing with 169-XXXXXXXXXXXX) within the 168 hours checkin time window GOL has indicated.

The answer of GOL on their US website is:

Unable to check-in for flights Interline.

Side question: Do GOL really enforce the 5 kgs. carry on weight limit for domestic sectors or can I get away with a heavier item - though not exceding the maximum dimensions (I had no problem while flying TAM in Domestic Brasil).

Thanks for all your inputs,

juan516.

Jan 9, 2015, 10:03 am

arthrod

Join Date: Oct 2013

Posts: 78

My experience is that they don't enforce at all, if it fits. Additionally, if you're flying Gol in the same international ticket, you have 2 bags of 32kg checked in for your entire itinerary, including the domestic part.

Jan 10, 2015, 2:56 am

juan516

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2003

Posts: 224

@arthrod: Thank you for sharing your experience regarding weight of carry-ons with me.

I still have my main question unanswered: whether online checkin is not possible for me because I am holding a Brazil Airpass ticket issued on Hahn Air ticket stock in Germany -as detailed yersterday.

Sorry for being so investigative: I would just like to know my odds with GOL online checkin.

juan516.

Jan 10, 2015, 6:53 am

qfrodo

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil

Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member

Posts: 1,407

Haven't had your exact experience, juan516, but when I purchase a ticket from United that includes a Gol domestic flight I have never been able to check in on Gol's web site. Always get the message to go to the airport as the itinerary includes an international flight. The opposite is true with TAM, can check in there with no problem. So I would suspect you will not be able to check in until you arrive at the airport.

Jan 11, 2015, 2:07 am

juan516

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2003

Posts: 224

Thank you qfrodo for sharing your experience !

So with my Brazil Airpass Ticket issued on Hahn Air ticket stock in Germany I have no alternative, but after arrival into Brazil must go to a GOL Domestic Checkin counter - or can I use one of the GOL checkin machines ???

Cheers,
juan516.

Jan 11, 2015, 3:48 pm

qfrodo

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil

Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member

Posts: 1,407

You haven't indicated what airline you are arriving on or which port of entry in Brazil you will be entering. If GRU, most international flights now arrive at the new Terminal 3. After going thru passport control, claiming any checked luggage, and clearing customs, there are signs that will direct you to a recheck area for your domestic flight in Brazil.

Jan 12, 2015, 3:22 am

juan516

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2003

Posts: 224

GOL Check in methods at GRU, transferring from T3 to T1

Thank you qfrodo for your clarification. In fact I plan to arrive at Guarulhos Terminal 3 with British Airways and redepart with GOL Domestic from Terminal 1.

Is it faster to queue at the GOL transfer desk at Terminal 3 arrivals to obtain my boarding pass or just walk to Terminal 1 and see a GOL checkin desk there or try my luck at one of the GOL Terminal 1 checkin machines ?

Jan 12, 2015, 11:53 am

qfrodo

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil

Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member

Posts: 1,407

Quote:

Originally Posted by juan516

In my experience it is better to use the transfer desk. And if you have checked bags you won't need to lug them over to Terminal One.

Jan 13, 2015, 4:46 am

juan516

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2003

Posts: 224

Walking time at GRU between Terminals 3 and 1

Thank you again qfrodo - i will try my luck at the Teminal 3 GOL Transfer Desk at Guarulhos.

Side question, because you mentioned checked luggage: can I walk from Guarulhos Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 and how long will it take ?

Cheers,
juan516.

Jan 13, 2015, 12:20 pm

#10

qfrodo

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil

Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member

Posts: 1,407

Yes you can walk from T3 to T1. It will take about 10 to 15 mintues depending on how crowded it is and how many people to dodge.

Jan 14, 2015, 1:39 am

#11

juan516

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2003

Posts: 224

@ qfrodo: Many thanks for all your advice and help - I am almost on my way across the pond and in some weeks will try to post my - hopefully positive - GOL experiences.

Cheers,
juan516.

Jan 25, 2015, 11:37 am

#12

juan516

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2003

Posts: 224

The entire trip has been perfect !

Again many thanks to qfrodo for sharing experiences: walking between Guarulhos terminals has been a breeze. Airport checkin with a Brazil Airpass was fast and all prior seat assignments have been honored. None of the GOL staff enforced the checking of luggage I preferred to carry on, because it was heavier than 5 kgs. - as long as it deed not exceed the set dimensions. Ontime performance was perfect - most flights arrived 15 mins. or more ahead of schedule. Seat pitch in the normal rows was wider than Lufthansa or Germanwings - and unlike the latter airline GOL is not a low cost operation. I look forward to my next trip with GOL.

Cheers,
Juan516.