UA to Brazil - Medical Insurance & Intra-country travel
Oct 7, 2020, 10:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,164
UA to Brazil - Medical Insurance & Intra-country travel
I have a particularly long-term project with a global client who has offices in Brazil (Rio and Sao Paulo) due to complete in November requiring a physical presence early in the month. With COVID there was some question about it getting pushed, etc., but that has now resolved itself.
Two questions since I've not had any international travel this year and even in a normal year my international business travel tends to be limited to maybe a couple Canadian/Western Europe trips a year (in other words, I'm a domestic 1K)
Question 1: Looking at the declaration from the Brazilian government (both via Google Translate from the source and the US OSAC interpretation the only significant entry requirement for air travel is that
Given that the proof must be presented to "an airline agent prior to boarding" does anyone have experience with what UA will be expecting/looking for here and where it will be verified (assuming IAH)? Also if anyone has a particular provider that they know meets this requirement I'm all ears. I'm not so confident in usual "travel insurance" providers based on answers I've gotten from customer support. (In particular, Amex travel insurance looks like a great value/benefit but no one can tell me if they can provide proof of purchase that would be acceptable.
Question 2: I will need to be in both Rio and Sao Paulo (unclear as yet if I start in Rio and finish in Sao Paulo or vice versa). Any wisdom as to if I'm better off (for any reason other than pure costs) booking a single ticket with UA including the domestic segment, (e.g. US->Rio->Sao Paulo->US), an open jaw ticket with UA and the domestic segment with the operating carrier (e.g. UA ticket would be US->Rio//Sao Paulo->US), or open jaw and just drive the 6-ish hours from Sao to Rio (when we were originally discussing this project's logistics in December of last year I was going to try to do this trip without a rental car and walk/public transit/uber as needed, but given the current state of affairs I'm reevaluating that.
Two questions since I've not had any international travel this year and even in a normal year my international business travel tends to be limited to maybe a couple Canadian/Western Europe trips a year (in other words, I'm a domestic 1K)
Question 1: Looking at the declaration from the Brazilian government (both via Google Translate from the source and the US OSAC interpretation the only significant entry requirement for air travel is that
for a short stay of up to 90 days, must present proof of purchase of health insurance, in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, that is valid in Brazilfor the entire period of the trip with minimum coverage of 30,000 Brazilian reaisto an airline agent prior to boarding.
Given that the proof must be presented to "an airline agent prior to boarding" does anyone have experience with what UA will be expecting/looking for here and where it will be verified (assuming IAH)? Also if anyone has a particular provider that they know meets this requirement I'm all ears. I'm not so confident in usual "travel insurance" providers based on answers I've gotten from customer support. (In particular, Amex travel insurance looks like a great value/benefit but no one can tell me if they can provide proof of purchase that would be acceptable.
Question 2: I will need to be in both Rio and Sao Paulo (unclear as yet if I start in Rio and finish in Sao Paulo or vice versa). Any wisdom as to if I'm better off (for any reason other than pure costs) booking a single ticket with UA including the domestic segment, (e.g. US->Rio->Sao Paulo->US), an open jaw ticket with UA and the domestic segment with the operating carrier (e.g. UA ticket would be US->Rio//Sao Paulo->US), or open jaw and just drive the 6-ish hours from Sao to Rio (when we were originally discussing this project's logistics in December of last year I was going to try to do this trip without a rental car and walk/public transit/uber as needed, but given the current state of affairs I'm reevaluating that.
Oct 7, 2020, 12:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Paris
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 574
Travel insurance is no longer mandatory and TIMATIC/TravelDoc have been updated : problem solved !
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32725003-post17.html
I highly encourage you to have a proper coverage when travelling to Brazil though, because medical expenses can be huge there.
Regarding Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, I would not bother driving or sitting on a bus for 6 hours when you can take a 45 minutes domestic flight departing from both city centers (yes, CGH and SDU airport are very well located). It's very cheap if booked in advance (less than 30 USD). Check the brazilian website of the domestic airline you want to use (Gol, Latam, Azul) or book through expedia.com.br because in my experience it was cheaper.
As a foreigner, I would never bother or take the risk to drive in Brazil without speaking Portuguese and without a good knowledge of the places you are going (you might end up in dangerous places even with a GPS).
Use Uber, the metro, and domestic flights, it's the best advice I can give you. They are reliable and good ways to get around safely in Brazil. Also, Uber is super cheap. 15 minutes ride for something like 3USD due to the fall of the BRL, so really, don't bother renting a car...
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32725003-post17.html
I highly encourage you to have a proper coverage when travelling to Brazil though, because medical expenses can be huge there.
Regarding Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, I would not bother driving or sitting on a bus for 6 hours when you can take a 45 minutes domestic flight departing from both city centers (yes, CGH and SDU airport are very well located). It's very cheap if booked in advance (less than 30 USD). Check the brazilian website of the domestic airline you want to use (Gol, Latam, Azul) or book through expedia.com.br because in my experience it was cheaper.
As a foreigner, I would never bother or take the risk to drive in Brazil without speaking Portuguese and without a good knowledge of the places you are going (you might end up in dangerous places even with a GPS).
Use Uber, the metro, and domestic flights, it's the best advice I can give you. They are reliable and good ways to get around safely in Brazil. Also, Uber is super cheap. 15 minutes ride for something like 3USD due to the fall of the BRL, so really, don't bother renting a car...
Oct 7, 2020, 12:07 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,164
Travel insurance is no longer mandatory and TIMATIC/TravelDoc have been updated : problem solved !
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32725003-post17.html
I highly encourage you to have a proper coverage when travelling to Brazil though, because medical expenses can be huge there.
Regarding Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, I would not bother driving or sitting on a bus for 6 hours when you can take a 45 minutes domestic flight departing from both city centers (yes, CGH and SDU airport are very well located). It's very cheap if booked in advance (less than 30 USD). Check the brazilian website of the domestic airline you want to use (Gol, Latam, Azul) or book through expedia.com.br because in my experience it was cheaper.
As a foreigner, I would never bother or take the risk to drive in Brazil without speaking Portuguese and without a good knowledge of the places you are going (you might end up in dangerous places even with a GPS).
Use Uber, the metro, and domestic flights, it's the best advice I can give you. They are reliable good ways to get around safely in Brazil. Also, Uber is super cheap. 15 minutes ride for something like 3USD due to the fall of the BRL, so really, don't bother renting a car...
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32725003-post17.html
I highly encourage you to have a proper coverage when travelling to Brazil though, because medical expenses can be huge there.
Regarding Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, I would not bother driving or sitting on a bus for 6 hours when you can take a 45 minutes domestic flight departing from both city centers (yes, CGH and SDU airport are very well located). It's very cheap if booked in advance (less than 30 USD). Check the brazilian website of the domestic airline you want to use (Gol, Latam, Azul) or book through expedia.com.br because in my experience it was cheaper.
As a foreigner, I would never bother or take the risk to drive in Brazil without speaking Portuguese and without a good knowledge of the places you are going (you might end up in dangerous places even with a GPS).
Use Uber, the metro, and domestic flights, it's the best advice I can give you. They are reliable good ways to get around safely in Brazil. Also, Uber is super cheap. 15 minutes ride for something like 3USD due to the fall of the BRL, so really, don't bother renting a car...
Oct 8, 2020, 3:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Mexico City, MX
Programs: No airline/hotel status use, Chase UR, Amex MR, CapOne etc
Posts: 266
Question 1: I just got into Brazil last week and not only was I asked for insurance by both the gate agents and immigration they both gave it a hard look. My understanding is as of Oct 2nd its no longer needed but I would proceed as if it is. Just a document stating that you're covered should do the trick.
Question 2:
Unlike Mexico where the countryside is very dangeorus, driving through Brazil's countryside is not particularly dangerous, the crime is mainly in the cities, but its just not practical. Parking is a PITA, and ppl drive very crazy. That being side the highway between Sao Paolo and Rio is the best in the country, safe and easy to do, but like @IstKong said why bother when you can take a $30 flight. SDU is so close to zona sul you can bike there in 25 minutes, maybe 10 minute drive. Its also very easy to catch a bus and you can try to get the executivo seats that recline 150 degrees very comfy, but again flying is cheaper then dirt for that route even last minute. Regarding the open jaw or roundtrip option, either way probably gonna come out to be the same amount of points, but I might keep it open jaw. Why? Because say your plans change and you don't want to change or miss the domestic flight, its possible the rest of your itinerary will be cancelled.
Either way whether its a bus or a plane, you can always get from rio to sao paolo in a few hours, buying the ticket a week out might be $30, same day might be $50-$100, depending on the airport and time.
Uber is cheap as dirt, esp with the real in the toilet right now. 99 is a good alternative app to uber as well you should download. Public transport I wouldn't bother, you won't even be able to figure it out as a foreigner without porutugese (no offense). Plus public transport can be surprisingly pricy, its almost same to just uber. Also don't forget about all the bike stations peppered around zona sul in rio, you can unlock them using some app and great way to get around as well.
Don't rent a car, you will regret that so bad.
Question 2:
Unlike Mexico where the countryside is very dangeorus, driving through Brazil's countryside is not particularly dangerous, the crime is mainly in the cities, but its just not practical. Parking is a PITA, and ppl drive very crazy. That being side the highway between Sao Paolo and Rio is the best in the country, safe and easy to do, but like @IstKong said why bother when you can take a $30 flight. SDU is so close to zona sul you can bike there in 25 minutes, maybe 10 minute drive. Its also very easy to catch a bus and you can try to get the executivo seats that recline 150 degrees very comfy, but again flying is cheaper then dirt for that route even last minute. Regarding the open jaw or roundtrip option, either way probably gonna come out to be the same amount of points, but I might keep it open jaw. Why? Because say your plans change and you don't want to change or miss the domestic flight, its possible the rest of your itinerary will be cancelled.
Either way whether its a bus or a plane, you can always get from rio to sao paolo in a few hours, buying the ticket a week out might be $30, same day might be $50-$100, depending on the airport and time.
Uber is cheap as dirt, esp with the real in the toilet right now. 99 is a good alternative app to uber as well you should download. Public transport I wouldn't bother, you won't even be able to figure it out as a foreigner without porutugese (no offense). Plus public transport can be surprisingly pricy, its almost same to just uber. Also don't forget about all the bike stations peppered around zona sul in rio, you can unlock them using some app and great way to get around as well.
Don't rent a car, you will regret that so bad.
Oct 13, 2020, 7:56 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,164
Question 1: I just got into Brazil last week and not only was I asked for insurance by both the gate agents and immigration they both gave it a hard look. My understanding is as of Oct 2nd its no longer needed but I would proceed as if it is. Just a document stating that you're covered should do the trick.
Question 2:
Unlike Mexico where the countryside is very dangeorus, driving through Brazil's countryside is not particularly dangerous, the crime is mainly in the cities, but its just not practical. Parking is a PITA, and ppl drive very crazy. That being side the highway between Sao Paolo and Rio is the best in the country, safe and easy to do, but like @IstKong said why bother when you can take a $30 flight. SDU is so close to zona sul you can bike there in 25 minutes, maybe 10 minute drive. Its also very easy to catch a bus and you can try to get the executivo seats that recline 150 degrees very comfy, but again flying is cheaper then dirt for that route even last minute. Regarding the open jaw or roundtrip option, either way probably gonna come out to be the same amount of points, but I might keep it open jaw. Why? Because say your plans change and you don't want to change or miss the domestic flight, its possible the rest of your itinerary will be cancelled.
Either way whether its a bus or a plane, you can always get from rio to sao paolo in a few hours, buying the ticket a week out might be $30, same day might be $50-$100, depending on the airport and time.
Uber is cheap as dirt, esp with the real in the toilet right now. 99 is a good alternative app to uber as well you should download. Public transport I wouldn't bother, you won't even be able to figure it out as a foreigner without porutugese (no offense). Plus public transport can be surprisingly pricy, its almost same to just uber. Also don't forget about all the bike stations peppered around zona sul in rio, you can unlock them using some app and great way to get around as well.
Don't rent a car, you will regret that so bad.
Question 2:
Unlike Mexico where the countryside is very dangeorus, driving through Brazil's countryside is not particularly dangerous, the crime is mainly in the cities, but its just not practical. Parking is a PITA, and ppl drive very crazy. That being side the highway between Sao Paolo and Rio is the best in the country, safe and easy to do, but like @IstKong said why bother when you can take a $30 flight. SDU is so close to zona sul you can bike there in 25 minutes, maybe 10 minute drive. Its also very easy to catch a bus and you can try to get the executivo seats that recline 150 degrees very comfy, but again flying is cheaper then dirt for that route even last minute. Regarding the open jaw or roundtrip option, either way probably gonna come out to be the same amount of points, but I might keep it open jaw. Why? Because say your plans change and you don't want to change or miss the domestic flight, its possible the rest of your itinerary will be cancelled.
Either way whether its a bus or a plane, you can always get from rio to sao paolo in a few hours, buying the ticket a week out might be $30, same day might be $50-$100, depending on the airport and time.
Uber is cheap as dirt, esp with the real in the toilet right now. 99 is a good alternative app to uber as well you should download. Public transport I wouldn't bother, you won't even be able to figure it out as a foreigner without porutugese (no offense). Plus public transport can be surprisingly pricy, its almost same to just uber. Also don't forget about all the bike stations peppered around zona sul in rio, you can unlock them using some app and great way to get around as well.
Don't rent a car, you will regret that so bad.
Oct 24, 2020, 7:17 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP/1mm/Admirals,United Silver+Club (life),Marriott Titanium,Hilton & Accor Gold
Posts: 5,061
I posted in the other thread... I departed on 16OCT and was NOT asked for insurance (neither by American Airlines nor the Brazilian immigration authorities).
FWIW, I have enjoyed LATAM over GOL for domestic flying here. All of my flights have been in premium economy. GOL doesn't seem to hold to keeping the premium economy middle seats open like LATAM. On both airlines, I strongly prefer the bulkhead row for extra legroom and avoiding being reclined into.
FWIW, I have enjoyed LATAM over GOL for domestic flying here. All of my flights have been in premium economy. GOL doesn't seem to hold to keeping the premium economy middle seats open like LATAM. On both airlines, I strongly prefer the bulkhead row for extra legroom and avoiding being reclined into.
Oct 30, 2020, 11:34 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,656
I posted in the other thread... I departed on 16OCT and was NOT asked for insurance (neither by American Airlines nor the Brazilian immigration authorities).
FWIW, I have enjoyed LATAM over GOL for domestic flying here. All of my flights have been in premium economy. GOL doesn't seem to hold to keeping the premium economy middle seats open like LATAM. On both airlines, I strongly prefer the bulkhead row for extra legroom and avoiding being reclined into.
FWIW, I have enjoyed LATAM over GOL for domestic flying here. All of my flights have been in premium economy. GOL doesn't seem to hold to keeping the premium economy middle seats open like LATAM. On both airlines, I strongly prefer the bulkhead row for extra legroom and avoiding being reclined into.
Seat map shows LATAM PE to only have 2 seats per side (so no middle seat) - correct?
Nov 1, 2020, 9:16 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
I'm traveling to GRU over the Thanksgiving holiday. I'm a US citizen. Can you recommend where to buy travel health insurance for my trip?
Nov 1, 2020, 5:08 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,164
There are a lot of plans out there that appear to offer similar levels of coverage. Had it not been for the broker's recommendation I had a short list (that I've since discarded of a few different ones)
Nov 7, 2020, 8:06 pm
#12
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP/1mm/Admirals,United Silver+Club (life),Marriott Titanium,Hilton & Accor Gold
Posts: 5,061
Yes, there is enough space in the bulkhead. Trust me. If you are on the A319 especially, you want to sit in row one!
Nov 12, 2020, 8:59 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
I am not the right person to ask -- since this trip (hasn't started yet) is the first/only time I've bought any kind of travel insurance -- but our company's insurance broker recommended (but wouldn't/couldn't write policies for) GeoBlue and UHC's SafeTrip. As near as I could tell they offered identical benefits for my purposes and while I probably would have felt more "prestige" with the SafeTrip option their pathetic web presence turned me off -- it's 2020 but I have to call you to quote a policy?!? Are you going to try faxing the quote for me to review or do I need to wait for the carrier pigeon? -- I went the GeoBlue option.
There are a lot of plans out there that appear to offer similar levels of coverage. Had it not been for the broker's recommendation I had a short list (that I've since discarded of a few different ones)
There are a lot of plans out there that appear to offer similar levels of coverage. Had it not been for the broker's recommendation I had a short list (that I've since discarded of a few different ones)
Nov 12, 2020, 10:04 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,164
For what its worth, arrived in Sao Paulo this morning and customs/immigration was just like a typical (any country except Canada or China) pre-pandemic customs/immigration visit. Walked straight up to the "Foreigners" booth with a very bored looking official who took my passport asked tourist or business, number of days, stamped my passport and wished me good day.
So insurance definitely isn't something they care about at the moment (but I still consider my Geoblue policy at ~$70 for a 10 day stay a wise investment)
Lincoln
So insurance definitely isn't something they care about at the moment (but I still consider my Geoblue policy at ~$70 for a 10 day stay a wise investment)
Lincoln
Nov 13, 2020, 11:40 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Mexico City, MX
Programs: No airline/hotel status use, Chase UR, Amex MR, CapOne etc
Posts: 266
Would not recommend first row as 1. you can't lift the dividers 2. no storage in front and 3. the bulkhead is very close, enough for a tall person to be ok, but def not enough to stretch your legs
That being said PE (or economy+ on GOL/Azul) on is a solid upgrade because no Brazilian's pay for it, the front rows are usually totally empty even on full flights. I recently got upgraded for only $5US using their bidding tool. I'd say if you have a bag to check PE is practically a must to use the priority checkin unless you want to wait 45-60 minutes in line to check your bag.