Originally Posted by 747FC (Post 27870924)

My wife and I are anticipating our first visit to South America, one in which we would fly into Buenos Aires from someplace in the USA. We are UA flyers based in HNL, and that would mean connecting in IAH, however we are open to flights from other gateways/carriers (such as Dallas with AA or Atlanta with DL. We would be flying in J, and probably returning from SCL.

Any recommendations would be appreciated for carriers serving Buenos Aires that have good J seats, service, and reliability.

Many thanks!

Originally Posted by Eastbay1K (Post 27873053)

Given that you probably want lie flats or close to it on most of your trip, DL or AA may be your best bet. The new AA J seats are nice. Make sure you don't book an old 3 cabin 777 with the slantyseats. Service isn't bad. I've only taken DL once (to/from SCL) and it was pleasant on the ATL/SCL segments, but I didn't love the seat on the 767. Your other alternative is HNL/LAX on whatever carrier has a joint fare, connecting to LATAM. Southbound would be LAX/LIM/EZE and northbound is SCL/LAX nonstop (several days a week). I like their 787s a lot. 767s have very narrow J seats, but they are still lie flat. Food and beverage is usually decent. LIM transit is not difficult (transit security, but no other formalities). LAX Oneworld lounge is great. LATAM SCL lounge is one of the nicest J lounges in the Americas.

Originally Posted by iceblueshoes (Post 27870750)

Hello all. Needing some help again please.
Unfortunately my airbnb got cancelled (at least I got a lof ot lead time) and instead of risking another potential cancellation I'm leaning towards staying at a Sheraton due to my employee discount.
Unfortunately I'm not sure which hotel is in a better area: The Libertador or the Buenos Aires and Convention Centre. Both cost the same, so it's really down to location. I won't be renting a car and plan on walking and taking public transportation to explore the city.

Holiday Inn Express in Puerto Madero is also an option that isn't too much more, plus I need a points run anyways, but again, am not too familiar with the area.

Not sure if it makes a difference but I'll be arriving via ferry from Montevideo and then leaving on overnight bus to Mendoza, so getting to the airport won't be an issue.
Thanks in advance!

PS. and yes the Park Tower looks nicer, but it's just me travelling. I'm really simple to please when I travel.

Originally Posted by iceblueshoes (Post 27870750)

Hello all. Needing some help again please.
Unfortunately my airbnb got cancelled (at least I got a lof ot lead time) and instead of risking another potential cancellation I'm leaning towards staying at a Sheraton due to my employee discount.
Unfortunately I'm not sure which hotel is in a better area: The Libertador or the Buenos Aires and Convention Centre. Both cost the same, so it's really down to location. I won't be renting a car and plan on walking and taking public transportation to explore the city.

Holiday Inn Express in Puerto Madero is also an option that isn't too much more, plus I need a points run anyways, but again, am not too familiar with the area.

Not sure if it makes a difference but I'll be arriving via ferry from Montevideo and then leaving on overnight bus to Mendoza, so getting to the airport won't be an issue.
Thanks in advance!

PS. and yes the Park Tower looks nicer, but it's just me travelling. I'm really simple to please when I travel.

Originally Posted by Marambio (Post 27879999)

Never stayed at any of the Sheratons but I've been various times for lunch/coffee/meetings and the one in Retiro is nicer than the Libertador, although both are fine. The Holiday Inn advertises itself as Puerto Madero but it's actually in downtown, close to both Sheratons.

Location-wise the three are pretty close - it's hectic downtown during the day, during the nights you are a bit isolated from the rest of the city, you'll definitely need a taxi/Uber to get anywhere for dinner other than the bars in Reconquista/San Martín. The Holiday Inn and the Sheraton Libertador have better public transport than the Sheraton in Retiro - in order to catch a bus or the subway from the latter you'll need to cross the park and walk to Retiro train station.

If I had to choose I would stay at the Sheraton in Retiro because it seems nicer, but if the price difference is big the Libertador should be ok. Not a big fan of Holiday Inn myself.

Originally Posted by Eastbay1K (Post 27880159)

I can't say I was a big fan of the Holiday Inn Express, although it was a decade ago. I don't particularly like the street down there late at night. And of course, it isn't in Puerto Madero. It is as close to Puerto Madero (on the north end) as my place is to Puerto Madero (on the south end).

As far as the Sheratons, I've stayed at the Libertador several times (albeit the last stay was years ago) and it was a perfectly ok Sheraton. I like the location better than the main Sheraton / Park Tower - much closer to the Subte, even though it is a much more congested feel right out the door. Again, I haven't stayed there in over 8 years re: the condition inside.

Originally Posted by iceblueshoes (Post 27884490)

Sorry, Retiro? Do you mean the Park Tower?

Originally Posted by Marambio (Post 27884598)

Yup, I meant the Sheraton Buenos Aires (Park Tower, Convention Centre, etc etc etc), which is located in Retiro neighbourhood, close to Retiro train station.

Originally Posted by Marambio (Post 27978127)

Uber works just fine provided your credit card is issued somewhere other than Argentina. Last November I paid 308 pesos on Uber from Recoleta to the airport. Now I see Uber fares have gone up a bit (it is quoting 360 pesos for the same trip) but it still is by far the cheapest option from the city to EZE.

Originally Posted by Eastbay1K (Post 27980492)

UBER did not work with AX (US-issued) for me, twice. The payments wouldn't process and I was locked out of my account until I rectified the matter (when I contacted AX, they said that charges weren't even attempted).