Thanks, Alex, I will reach out. Ever since I wasn't able to make it down for the Cow DO I have been eyeing BA. And since my dad has never been and enjoys a Malbec & a steak as much as anyone, I figured it may be nice to invite him along!

In response to the other poster, I am looking at 26-30Dec, so after Xmas but leaving before New Years eve.

That is good. Most everything will be open, save some small businesses/restaurants that will be closed for an extended vacation.

MIAEZE arrive 0430 on AR.
EZEIGR depart ~0800 on AR. Lately, this flight has been leaving from gate 24, per the AR website.

I can't seem to get a definitive answer. What is the transfer process at EZE and is gate 24 in an area where my family can access AR's lounge (or the American Express Centurion lounge)? In other words, how do we comfortably spend over three hours?

Many thanks in advance - Jamie

My pleasure... look forward to your PM and/or email.

Cheers,
Alex / Gaucho100K

You're also asking the same thing in, I believe, at least 3 different threads. Kindly keep it to one. We are trying to be helpful.

I respect that. But I can't get an answer. At this point, I'll be answering my own thread based on my experience in EZE.

Hi there jamiebaker, Let me take a stab at answering this. Since EZE will be your first point of entry into Argentina, you will be required to clear Argentina Immigration and Customs. After you clear Immigration/Customs there should be an AR Transfer Desk for you to recheck your lugguage on to Iguazu. I HAVE NOT done this before but I would assume their is a midfield way of placing you and your family back into the departure area. I beleive that all of EZE is connected airside (but unsure), so you shouldn't have any problem going to the lounge of your choice. Depending on arrival loads with Customs and Immigration you will still have time for the lounge.

Bear in mind, I have not done this but with over 25 arrivals I pretty much know the lay of the land by now :) I have no personal knowledge and just trying to assist (based on your post above) Remember..I just never transfered on arrival.. Perhaps a more seasoned person can add or correct as necessary..


MODS ( as poster above mentioned that poster may have requested information in several threads, please consolidate if necessary)

Thanks and Safe Travels

Jamie - unlike the US, Argentina has exit immigration for passengers leaving the country. You will not be able to enter lounges that are accessible to passengers that have cleared immigration.

When you arrive at EZE, you will most probably dock at a gate in Terminal A (this is where the MIAEZE flight currently arrives). You will proceed through immigration, pick up your bags, and then proceed through the customs X-ray stations (there are free baggage carts).

I believe you will have to take your luggage over to Terminal C landside (it's not a long walk).

Thank you for this. Sounds pretty grim. No facilities at the domestic terminal? We stand around for 3+ hours? Thinking I might route JFKGRUIGU instead, I had hoped to spare the expense of Brazilian visas as the entirety of our time is spent in Argentina. Mind you, I'm not complaining about immigration and re-clear, lots of places are like this. But no lounges? Grim.

(1) You may not do any better with domestic lounge access @ GRU.
(2) You will not be standing around for 3+ hours. You have 3.5 hours total ground time. You will be spending approximately an hour for immigration/baggage claim/customs/walk to C, bag drop. You'll then be at the gate at least 30 minutes prior to next departure. So you have 2 hours max potential lounge time.
(3) I don't know how big your family is, but you are proposing spending $600+ to $800 on visas for at most, 2 hours of lounge time, and dealing with GRU, an infinitely less pleasant experience than EZE.
(4) Tens of thousands of people every day spend hours and hours and overnights at airports and don't have lounge access. You're talking about less than 2 hours, max, "discomfort." Just camp out with your family at whatever informal dining establishment you might find by the domestic gates, spend no more than US$50, and you are set. I like a lounge as much as the next guy, but every so often I suffer the plight of not having access to one, despite my status and/or shiny front cabin boarding pass. It is not the end of the world, nor worth rerouting inconvenience nor spending many hundreds extra plus inconvenience of getting visas for 2 hours, max, of opulent splendor.
(5) Are you sure you don't want Brazil visas? Many people want to see the falls from the other side, and don't expect that Brazil will take a blind eye to your lack of visas.

Just an additional thought process. I have flown in and out of GRU ( I have not transfered), while the *Gold Lounge is very nice and a newly opened (I beleive a AA that is suppose to be on the same level) I cannot comment on an INTL to INTL transfer there as well. Albeit, I know this. If you have to transfer terminals you do need a Visa, and at $160 USD (for US Citizens) its an added expense and some time to get one.

Since none of us whom have replied have strong personal experience with this type of connection. I would explore a little more outside of this thread (unless someone comes here with definitive information). With that said, you certainly have mine and others interest piqued. (so please report back if you get definitive information)

Perhaps a Call to AMEX (Platinum Customer Service or Concierge may have the answer), or at least, they can research for you. After all its their Club you would like to accesss, perhaps they have some good data to share..

This is interesting, and I am sure you will find an answer with a little more digging. And hopefully some FTer here has the answer that you are seeking! Safe Travels

1) That's a good point, actually. Both GRU and GIG are pretty weak.
2) Good point.
3) Yeah, the idea of Brazil was a knee-jerk reaction.
4) As long as we have somewhere to cool our heels. I was imagining something like in San Jose, Costa Rica, waiting for our Sansa flight, we basically sat on the floor and there was only a small kiosk...which was closed. As long as there's some sort of dining and pleasant sitting area in the domestic area, we are set. Doesn't have to a lounge, per se.
5) I think the Argentinian side should suffice, no? We're staying at the Sheraton in the park. Is the vista from the Brazilian side worth the visas?

I truly appreciate your input.

Be well - Jamie

It'll be my pleasure, travel isn't until Spring so don't take my absence as a reluctance to close the loop. Be well - Jamie

Words of Wisdom below....... ^

You mean fall? ;)