Hello Everyone, long time member of Flyertalk that posts little on other areas and first time posting here on LX forum...

So, let me jump right in:

I have a GIG-GRU-ZRH trip next month:

GIG-GRU - LX 4099 - operated by tam in Y
GRU- ZRH - LX 093 - Swiss in "Z" (paid business)

Some questions:
1) Will I be able to use a lounge in Rio while waiting for the initial flight? If so, where is this lounge and how "good" is it?

2) I doubt I will have much time to use the lounge in GRU, but if I do, I will check it out. Is it usually "close" to the departure gate, or a long walk? (I remember in the old terminal it was usually a nice walk depending on gate assigned...)

3) When I arrive in ZRH, even thought ZRH is my final destination, am I allowed to use the lounge there for food/shower? (as I have to kill some time before I can check in to my hotel) And if I can, what do I do about my checked in luggage? pick it up first? use SBB option to send it to Zurich HB or another final destination I might have (Zug maybe...)? Other suggestions?

4) What are the odds of when online check in opens up I can see / assign a good seat in the mini cabin / solo seat? ... currently, ALL single seats are shown as busy.

5) Last but not least, considering that the return flight home will be LH: ZRH-FRA-GIG on "L" class (discounted economy), WHERE SHOULD I credit my miles? Miles & More? TAP? other program? I would like to get the most I can, and having the "L" fare scares me... ;-)

Thanks for all valuable input.

The last time I took this trip was GIG-CDG-ZRH-CDG-GIG on AF. (Business on the outbound and Premium Economy on the return. ...honestly, I was not that impressed with either, but wanted to try it out... )