AC should be able to interline your bag through, but the problem may be the length of the connection, though I have had bags in transit for more than 12-hours at LHR. Just show AC agent your onward ticket, and when you check in for your LAN flight, show them the baggage checks from AC so they can confirm your bags are there and will be boarded with you.

That's a long layover, but you should be able to stay airside. I have also read that LAN sells day passes for their Lounge, so this could be an good way to pass the day: great Chilean wines, tappas-like food, TV and reading material. Not sure if they have showers though, or sleeping rooms as CX and SQ have at their home terminal lounges.

Thanks, davistev, for the update on the visa charge. It is valid for multiple trips and expires when your passport expires, so it is best if you have a relatively new passport. Upon discovering this charge on my first visit -- it is not mentioned in any guidebooks I have read -- I had to scramble to convert a number of currencies into enough US$s to pay it. I generally travel with a few $10-equvilent units of left-over bills from countries I have visited. I only had US$20, a couple of UK� notes, and some HK$s and SAfrican Rand. Was able to scrape together enough, was escorted into the Customs Hall to a Currency Exchange kiosk, and got enough US$s to make it. From then on, I have always had US$100 in various sized-US bills in my travel wallet for such little emergencies.

Be aware you will be on a 767 on the flight 92/93. and one way I had a horrific seat in J..... might be better on Varig??? Not sure.

Nothings better on Varig...........it is horrific , try it yourself and report back , I did 9 flights last year on them and they were worse than pathetic .

That's a one time problem..have been on the same flt and the seats were fine on AC

767 as in 767, 762, or 763?

Both 92 and 93 are on 763's, one being 1-2-2 and the other 2-2-1... I am sitting in the 1 seats on both... well, that is if nothing goes mechanical...

When I have transited through Santiago to Aregentine destinations I have simply had to pass through security and did not have to pass through immigraion or pay the visa fee.

Santiago is a nice city to explore.

If driving in Santiago, watch out for the busses. Since they privitized them and each bus is competing for passengers, they are a total menace.

If you are interested in Pablo Neruda and are heading to the coast you might want to take in a tour of his house. It is unique and interesting and provides some insite into his personality.

The lake district of Chile is beautiful, but I don't know how it will be in the winter as Chile gets quite rainy, like Vancouver.

Have fun!

which departure lounges can I use at SCL?
I'm guessing they don't have at least one SE concierge staffed there?

Edited to ask: Any arrivals lounge that I can use as well?

Don't know about arrivals lounge but the departure lounge is the AA one and is quite decent.

Thanks, Shareholder and dbyyz, for your helpful advice. I wonder if another board member can confirm Shareholder's info that Lan Chile sell day passes to their lounge? If they do, that would really solve my problem and save the cost of two of these expensive visas. Any further info would be appreciated.