Regarding contacting Varig/Smiles by e-mail I suggest [email protected] they'll surely answer your question. Based on your status within Smiles Program it may take longer to get an answer.

Kawoh, with all due respect, the economy has nothing to do with an airline. Something like assuming the former excellent company Ansett, which I had the pleasure to fly and use their outstanding lounges where they even offered a continental breakfast for free, was solid just because it's in Australia...

In Brazil there are outstanding companies and others that... are not a reference.

Having said the above, I'd be cautious in piling too many mile within Varig, though I myself have too many that have to be used, as Varig can already be considered in the USA equivalent Chapter 11.

In Brazil Airlines are an industry that cannot go the 'Chapter 11' way. Eventually bankruptcy could unexpectedly be announced and surely the Brazilian government would very hardly bail out a dime. Banks are already protecting themselves by merging the profitable RG subsidiaries into RG...

A piece of good news is that either the Banks and Star Alliance (LH and AC) are helping Varig out.

Reminder :
pb9997 you should use those miles !!!

[This message has been edited by pb9997 (edited 09-02-2002).]