Brazil World Cup 2014
May 26, 2014, 8:13 am
#226
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BTV
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 486
For anybody who has the T-Mobile US Simple Choice plans roaming in Brazil is free and works as well as does any other solution. Bizarrely, perhaps, I use that also whenever I pass my Vivo capacity limits. This deal is the bargain of the decade for me.
http://www.t-mobile.com/optional-services/roaming.html
I will I could offer better guidance but, alas, I cannot.
The 3G and 4G coverages are improving without a doubt but several stadiums are, if reports are true, unlikely to have decent service. Many public networks are very likely to be saturated.
http://www.t-mobile.com/optional-services/roaming.html
I will I could offer better guidance but, alas, I cannot.
The 3G and 4G coverages are improving without a doubt but several stadiums are, if reports are true, unlikely to have decent service. Many public networks are very likely to be saturated.
I'm going to be in Brazil for 8 days, have an unlocked iPhone 4, and want whatever sim/plan will be cost effective (and convenient) for data. This was posted earlier and is very appealing rather than having to deal with getting a local SIM... my primary phone is AT&T and their international data plan is abysmal.
May 26, 2014, 8:58 am
#227
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
FWIW, I use Vivo but not prepaid. A couple of acquaintances do use Vivo Pré and generally seem to like it enough that they stay with it. I have stayed with them for several years because their internet coverage is more reliable than any other I have tried, and the prices are fairly modest by our standards.
http://www.vivo.com.br/portalweb/app...martphone.pre#
http://www.vivo.com.br/portalweb/app...martphone.pre#
May 26, 2014, 8:29 pm
#228
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,305
Hi Stimpy-
Here now, and using an Oi chip on our all-band mobile for the next month. So my mobile is no longer a cell phone, but in the local patois, an " Oi's. "
Cellphone service varies city by city. You might check which city your chip was actually issued in, as technically that is where all you calls will be to, and from.
If for example the chip was purchased in Rio or Sampa, it could be expensive using it much up in Bahia. I would suggest that you consider buying your chip in Bahia, if most of your time will be there.
We on the other hand are making the venue rounds, and our calls will be limited to emergencies. No multitude of selfies, and goals that can't be seen for the distance or heard through the noise.
Stay safe and enjoy the fun !
Here now, and using an Oi chip on our all-band mobile for the next month. So my mobile is no longer a cell phone, but in the local patois, an " Oi's. "
Cellphone service varies city by city. You might check which city your chip was actually issued in, as technically that is where all you calls will be to, and from.
If for example the chip was purchased in Rio or Sampa, it could be expensive using it much up in Bahia. I would suggest that you consider buying your chip in Bahia, if most of your time will be there.
We on the other hand are making the venue rounds, and our calls will be limited to emergencies. No multitude of selfies, and goals that can't be seen for the distance or heard through the noise.
Stay safe and enjoy the fun !
May 29, 2014, 1:26 pm
#229
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 27
Looks like there's still great availability to Sao Paulo for the world cup on AA! http://flymiler.com/2014/05/29/still...cup-heres-how/
May 29, 2014, 3:59 pm
#230
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Platinum MM; DL Silver; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Hilton Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 24,249
I have two Category I tickets in hand to the US v. Portugal game on June 22 in Manaus.
EDIT: not any longer; tickets claimed.
EDIT: not any longer; tickets claimed.
Last edited by SAT Lawyer; Jun 9, 2014 at 7:22 pm
May 30, 2014, 3:04 pm
#231
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 467
Anyone know the best way to get to Fortaleza from the US on award travel (after WC actually). I checked BA but they have no availability except the Direct AA flights from MIA on saturdays in Biz class (no economy). I've checked for several months of availability.
May 31, 2014, 9:52 pm
#232
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
I have two Category I tickets in hand to the US v. Portugal game on June 22 in Manaus. While I'd like to go, my wife would like me to sell; in fairness to her, I've already had one vacation in Brazil this year. Before I try my hand at posting these tickets on eBay, if anybody here would like to buy them from me, please make me a reasonable offer via PM.
(I am assuming she is also American.)
Jun 1, 2014, 11:11 pm
#234
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: SQ
Posts: 2,704
Really? 
I am so close to buying tickets to the USA-Portugal match, but am so worried about the accommodation.
Award availability to Manaus is a non-issue for some reason and the game tickets are $100 online.
All I can find is some resort for $700/night and a hostel for $150/night.....
I am so close to buying tickets to the USA-Portugal match, but am so worried about the accommodation. Award availability to Manaus is a non-issue for some reason and the game tickets are $100 online.
All I can find is some resort for $700/night and a hostel for $150/night.....
Jun 2, 2014, 10:11 am
#235
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Nice
Programs: Marriott Titanium, AA Concierge Key, Delta, United, Emorates, and others
Posts: 4,694
Proper short-term apartment rentals are not common in Brazil, but I assume during the cup you'll see more of them. The ideal situation would be if you know a local who has a friend-of-a-friend who can rent you his or her place. Expect prices to be exorbitant, as Săo Paulo already has very bad housing shortages. You can look for "flats," which are just hotels. They sometimes have a kitchenette-type kitchen.
Also bear in mind airfares will almost assuredly be stratospheric. I would not plan on being able to fly to the various venues. Bus travel or even car rental is viable for many cities in the south, but buy your tickets as early as possible. Brazil does not have the infrastructure to deal with itself on a normal day. The Cup and the Olympics are going to... stress the system a bit.
Also bear in mind airfares will almost assuredly be stratospheric. I would not plan on being able to fly to the various venues. Bus travel or even car rental is viable for many cities in the south, but buy your tickets as early as possible. Brazil does not have the infrastructure to deal with itself on a normal day. The Cup and the Olympics are going to... stress the system a bit.
Jun 5, 2014, 2:37 am
#236
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BRU / SCQ / LUX
Programs: Iberia, BAEC GOLD/ Priority Club : ROYAL Amb / Miles and More: SEN
Posts: 913
Really? I am so close to buying tickets to the USA-Portugal match, but am so worried about the accommodation.
Award availability to Manaus is a non-issue for some reason and the game tickets are $100 online.
All I can find is some resort for $700/night and a hostel for $150/night.....
I am so close to buying tickets to the USA-Portugal match, but am so worried about the accommodation. Award availability to Manaus is a non-issue for some reason and the game tickets are $100 online.
All I can find is some resort for $700/night and a hostel for $150/night.....
Jun 5, 2014, 5:08 am
#237
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BTV
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 486
Safety
I've been to SP and had no problems safety wise. There's lots of media suggesting WC tourists will be targets of robberies in Fan Zones, near stadiums etc. For what it's worth, there was similar press leading up to SA 2010 which was largely uneventful from a crime point of view.
So how careful do I need to be? Specifically, would brining my DSLR be asking for trouble? I'd love to take good pictures but don't want to lose my camera doing it. My wife even suggested possibly getting a cheap silver wedding band to wear instead of my platinum band in case I get mugged... are you guys taking any precautions?
So how careful do I need to be? Specifically, would brining my DSLR be asking for trouble? I'd love to take good pictures but don't want to lose my camera doing it. My wife even suggested possibly getting a cheap silver wedding band to wear instead of my platinum band in case I get mugged... are you guys taking any precautions?
Jun 5, 2014, 7:01 am
#238
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I've been to SP and had no problems safety wise. There's lots of media suggesting WC tourists will be targets of robberies in Fan Zones, near stadiums etc. For what it's worth, there was similar press leading up to SA 2010 which was largely uneventful from a crime point of view.
So how careful do I need to be? Specifically, would brining my DSLR be asking for trouble? I'd love to take good pictures but don't want to lose my camera doing it. My wife even suggested possibly getting a cheap silver wedding band to wear instead of my platinum band in case I get mugged... are you guys taking any precautions?
So how careful do I need to be? Specifically, would brining my DSLR be asking for trouble? I'd love to take good pictures but don't want to lose my camera doing it. My wife even suggested possibly getting a cheap silver wedding band to wear instead of my platinum band in case I get mugged... are you guys taking any precautions?
I would expect that the fan zones and stadiums will have a heavy police presence and probably not a small number of FIFA related security personnel and video surveillance.
Jun 5, 2014, 1:08 pm
#239
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BTV
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 486
Aaaaand transportation strike in Sao Paulo. Great.
Jun 5, 2014, 4:42 pm
#240
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 467
Aaaaand transportation strike in Sao Paulo. Great.