Originally Posted by thewoosh31

Hello, I am traveling unexpectedly with an elderly parent with checked luggage to visit family in Londrina. I would like your assistance in double checking our layover plans so that I can make things easier on my parent. I've looked through this thread, searched reddit, and even asked chatgpt for advice, but wanted to confirm if I'm not missing anything.

See added comments.

Our itinerary is IAD to GRU overnight via United landing in terminal 3. Layover from 1030AM to 525 PM departure. Then GRU to LDB via LATAM domestic in terminal 2. We bought the UA flights and LATAM flights separately. I have both Amex platinum and Priority Pass (CSR) at my disposal for lounge access.

1. We are flying into GRU from IAD on a United Airlines redeye, landing at 1030AM in Terminal
2. Go through immigration and customs
3. Collect our checked luggage (1 for each person) You collect luggage after clearing passport control, prior to going thru Customs.
4. Head to LATAM connection counters to re-check luggage near the Duty Free Exit in terminal 3. (If they're open? Latam's recheck was open last week when I used it coming off the IAH-GRU flight. I had a combined ticket. Unsure if we have access or not that early or based on our separate UA/LATAM tickets) Not a problem if you cannot recheck there as when you head to Terminal 2, the first check-in counters you come to are those of Latam.
5. Head to land side of Terminal 2 (domestic) to find lounges to access until 3 hours before checking in for LATAM flight (Urban Cowork or Plaza Premium seems to be popular and has showers or the Fast Sleep hotel if needed) Plaza Premium has a small land side lounge shortly after the Latam check-in counters. It is on the right as you head towards Terminal 2 security. You need to show a boarding pass for access. Been there once, but don't recall if they have showers.
6. Check in for flight (if you were able to recheck, this has already been accomplished, otherwise go to the Terminal 2 Latam counters prior to going to the Plaza Premium lounge.) and go through security and check luggage (this will have been done at recheck or the Latam check-in counters.) if we could not in step 4.
7. Go to one of the lounges available air side in Terminal 2 (domestic) until departure. (Plaza premium, W Premium Lounge West, Lounge SP, Advantage VIP) The Plaza Premium lounge is right there after you clear security, on the second floor. Steps or elevator for access. They tell you 3 hours, but I have never noticed them kicking anyone out and they don't check you when you leave.

Does this seem accurate?

For the day that we come back from LDB to GRU, my question is can we stay at any of the terminal 2 land side lounges (Plaza Premium one mentioned above. Others I haven't used for some time and are on the side of Terminal 2 away from Terminal 3) while we wait to have access to terminal 3 United check-ins? I don't think there are any land side terminal 3 lounges. We have an 11 hour layover starting at 11am and not leaving for IAD until 10pm or so. The earliest UA departure is to EWR at 9:30pm. three hours prior would be 6:30. The counters may open 4 hours earlier. So, you would get access to the Terminal 3 lounges then.

Also, is there also a connection counter to check our luggage prior to the 3 hour check in for UA? Do we have to goto the same on in terminal 3 or is there one in terminal 2? Not aware of any connection counter.

Also be aware of a couple of other things.
1. You mention an elderly parent. If over 60, they qualify to use the special lane for people that age or above, wheelchair, pregnant, handicapped, etc. They board this lane first in Brazil, both domestic and international flights.
2. Some lounges restrict access depending on method used for access. Never had a problem with Plaza Premium, did with the W lounge in Terminal 3 using Priority Pass.

Thanks in advance!