There is a connector between Terminals 1 and 2, but I'm not quite sure how you could access the AA lounge since the airline lounges are after security, and the terminals are two entirely separate buildings. The Varig/United lounge is in Terminal 2 (after security as well), but I do not know the United and US Air arrangement for use of the lounge. You could perhaps check with US Air to see if you qualify to use the Varig/United lounge?

Lounges at Galeão
 

(1) You cannot get access to the AA lounge in T1 because it is after customs. They wouldn't let you in unless you have a same-day oneworld flight.

(2) VARIG/GOL has pulled out of T2. GOL now has a frequent flyer alliance with AA, but lounge access is explicitly excluded.

(3) TAM is still in T2 and will soon be taking VARIG's place in Star Alliance.

(4) There is a Diners Club lounge in the arrivals area of T1. It has a few sofas and chairs, but not much of anything else. No refreshments except coffee and water.

ajnaro:

Does that mean that the Varig lounge in T2 is no longer in use? Is there another lounge that United uses now? Tks.

Sorry, but I don't really know (because I normally use AA or BA, both in T1, for international flights)

still no showers at GIG...
 

I just flew in from Rio (using the 290 tickets)... GIG still has no working showers, the front desk at GIG are very unfriendly and to top it off the club door is closed and is semi hidden... It's really a crappy place, better to wait and go into the lounge at GRU...
GRU showers are working OK, I went at 8.30 PM (Sunday night) no line for the shower even if it was in the middle of rush hour ;)
staff at GRU is 1000x nicer than the GIG staff :D

You must have been there on an off day. I've always found the agents at the GIG AC pretty nice.

I've never though the club was hidden though. It where it's always been, just past the duty free upstairs with the rest of the clubs. Free wi-fi, and the snack selection has improved over the last few months as well.

I'll be returning from JFK-GIG $300 fare number 6 tomorrow. :)

The food at GIG is quite pathetic. At least have some fruit or sandwiches. But I would agree with JFKEZE that finding the club if you don't know where it is can be a challenge.

What are the timings? Have they changed the 8:30pm closing from 2 years ago (from the initial few posts here) since flights to MIA are after 10pm?

I was there last night. The selection keeps getting better. They had sandwiches, hot soup, cheese, olives, nuts, cheese bread (pão de queijo), crackers, all kinds of stuff. There was even more food at GRU.

Spoke to the ladies at the front desk (which incidentally moved back in front of the door from being around the corner 2 weeks ago) and they said the showers should be ready in 2 weeks. So after the conversion to Brazilian time, they should open in about 2 months. :D

I'll be back for $300 fare #7 next week :D

I can assure you that the club will not close until the last flight departs. (That said, the current GIG-MIA flight depats at 8:15pm).

There are other clubs which are a lot harder to find (ex: MEX) than GIG, and also worst staff (ex: MIA). The ladies there I have found to be very nice.
The thing that I like the most about GIG, is the fact that it's never crowded.
Go Rio 2016!!

Showers are reopen at GIG.^ I was first the first one in the reopened showers tonight. Not much difference to me than before but very glad to have them back.

By the way, GIG staff was very friendly and accomodating tonight.:p

I used the GIG lounge last month and was quite pleased. It was spacious, uncrowded, and had a decent (not great, not as good as at GRU, but decent) food selection. I had no difficulty finding it at all and the staff was pleasant. No complaints here.

Thats what I figured. It would not make sense as there are two flights (GIG-MIA) scheduled for Dec at 10:10p and 11:35p.

100% of all AA flights out of GIG leave before 10:00pm. I'm curious as to which flight you are refaring to that leaves at 11:55PM.