That's correct, I'm trying to book Sky. Flight times are just better, and I'd prefer not to waste another hour and a half on top of a 4+ hour layover if I can avoid it. I don't mind being a sardine for 45 minutes.
Originally Posted by
zpaul
Now, on to lounge access. If you book LATAM, you automatically have access to the LATAM Salon VIP because you're Sapphire (Platimun) and it's an international fight. Sky does not have a lounge, and all of LATAM access policies state that you must be on an onward oneworld flight for lounge access. You may get lucky, but I certainly wouldn't plan on it as Chileans are very by-the-book, even when it makes no sense.
Thanks, the by-the-book part is what I was looking for. I know the rules, but a little schmoozing has worked to get around those rules in some places. Not here.
The SCL AC is open all day, so if you chose not to book LATAM this would be your only option. There's nothing in the AC access rules that says anything specifically about access based only on your upcoming fight, and since the AC is usually dead during the day (except for when the IB and QF flights are going out) they certainly can't deny you based on capacity constraints. I certainly can't guarantee that you'll have access but it's a good bet IMHO.
This was also my assessment. Not nearly as nice as the LATAM lounge, but serviceable for a shower and a quiet place to wait if we can get in.
Overall, to have the most options and least hassle, I'd book the whole thing on one ticket on AA and LATAM. You might even be able to book the LATAM flight on the AA codeshare flight number and earn extras EQMs if that's important to you...!
Even if the flight times to MDZ worked, it's almost twice as expensive to book everything on one ticket as opposed to nesting the MDZ legs.
Thanks so much for the detailed response!