Will this Buenos Aires/Rio-London idea work?
May 10, 2024, 4:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 280
Will this Buenos Aires/Rio-London idea work?
Hello!
I'm planning a holiday from London to Argentina. Thanks to the current sale, it's much cheaper to return from GIG than it is from EZE.
Usually when I do something like this, I'd make sure to be back in the departure city of my London flight at least 24 hours before departure.
However, in this case as the plane from EZE stops in GIG, would it be safe to buy a separate ticket for EZE-GIG on the same day as the GIG-LHR flight - because if the plane doesn't leave EZE, it won't be leaving GIG? Essentially split ticketing, saving 500+.
I'm just trying to get an idea of risk in case of IRROPS - would I lose any right to rebooking the GIG-LHR flight because I won't be in GIG in time to get on it if it's delayed/cancelled from EZE?
The BA EZE-GIG flight is pricier than other AEP-GIG options so I'd happily get one of those the day before my flight to London!
Clearly I'm also assuming that the split-ticketing will work in the same way as it does when I buy London-York and York-Edinburgh train tickets to save money - ie I can get on at London and off in Edinburgh. Would it work the same way for this flight or would I need to factor in getting off to clear security or anything like that?
Thanks in advance for any insight!
I'm planning a holiday from London to Argentina. Thanks to the current sale, it's much cheaper to return from GIG than it is from EZE.
Usually when I do something like this, I'd make sure to be back in the departure city of my London flight at least 24 hours before departure.
However, in this case as the plane from EZE stops in GIG, would it be safe to buy a separate ticket for EZE-GIG on the same day as the GIG-LHR flight - because if the plane doesn't leave EZE, it won't be leaving GIG? Essentially split ticketing, saving 500+.
I'm just trying to get an idea of risk in case of IRROPS - would I lose any right to rebooking the GIG-LHR flight because I won't be in GIG in time to get on it if it's delayed/cancelled from EZE?
The BA EZE-GIG flight is pricier than other AEP-GIG options so I'd happily get one of those the day before my flight to London!
Clearly I'm also assuming that the split-ticketing will work in the same way as it does when I buy London-York and York-Edinburgh train tickets to save money - ie I can get on at London and off in Edinburgh. Would it work the same way for this flight or would I need to factor in getting off to clear security or anything like that?
Thanks in advance for any insight!
Last edited by The_Editor; May 10, 2024 at 4:33 am
May 10, 2024, 4:39 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,691
Personally I wouldn't risk the connection as you're proposing it.
There have been days when BA has cancelled the GIG-EZE-GIG shuttle at short notice for operational reasons which would leave you high and dry for your GIG-LHR connection.
Assuming all goes to plan and that you'll be checking bags, the BA gate is a long walk from immigration for which there could be queues. You then need to collect bags, process customs and then head back upstairs for check-in which will have likely closed by the time you get there.
How about an Avios redemption EZE-GIG the day before and spending 24hrs (or longer) in Rio before flying back to London?
There have been days when BA has cancelled the GIG-EZE-GIG shuttle at short notice for operational reasons which would leave you high and dry for your GIG-LHR connection.
Assuming all goes to plan and that you'll be checking bags, the BA gate is a long walk from immigration for which there could be queues. You then need to collect bags, process customs and then head back upstairs for check-in which will have likely closed by the time you get there.
How about an Avios redemption EZE-GIG the day before and spending 24hrs (or longer) in Rio before flying back to London?
May 10, 2024, 4:39 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL / GfL
Posts: 3,365
Two points to note:
1) If you are checking luggage, in theory the agent in EZE will only check your bag to GIG and will tell you to pick it up there and recheck for the GIG-LHR sector as they are 2 separate tickets and I am not sure if you have time for that. You may get lucky and have them checked the whole way through to LHR, but be prepared to go HBO for the return sector.
2) There is a remote possibility due to weather or other issues BA can cancel the GIG-EZE-GIG sectors and just return the aircraft from GIG back to London. Given you are on 2 separate tickets, you would be classified as a no-show for the GIG-LHR sector and BA would correctly tell you to buy a brand new ticket for that leg as their contract was to get you from EZE to GIG.
Pilot37
1) If you are checking luggage, in theory the agent in EZE will only check your bag to GIG and will tell you to pick it up there and recheck for the GIG-LHR sector as they are 2 separate tickets and I am not sure if you have time for that. You may get lucky and have them checked the whole way through to LHR, but be prepared to go HBO for the return sector.
2) There is a remote possibility due to weather or other issues BA can cancel the GIG-EZE-GIG sectors and just return the aircraft from GIG back to London. Given you are on 2 separate tickets, you would be classified as a no-show for the GIG-LHR sector and BA would correctly tell you to buy a brand new ticket for that leg as their contract was to get you from EZE to GIG.
Pilot37
May 10, 2024, 10:12 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, Bordeaux, Scottish Highlands
Programs: BAEC, Krisflyer
Posts: 110
Personally I wouldn't risk the connection as you're proposing it.
There have been days when BA has cancelled the GIG-EZE-GIG shuttle at short notice for operational reasons which would leave you high and dry for your GIG-LHR connection.
Assuming all goes to plan and that you'll be checking bags, the BA gate is a long walk from immigration for which there could be queues. You then need to collect bags, process customs and then head back upstairs for check-in which will have likely closed by the time you get there.
How about an Avios redemption EZE-GIG the day before and spending 24hrs (or longer) in Rio before flying back to London?
There have been days when BA has cancelled the GIG-EZE-GIG shuttle at short notice for operational reasons which would leave you high and dry for your GIG-LHR connection.
Assuming all goes to plan and that you'll be checking bags, the BA gate is a long walk from immigration for which there could be queues. You then need to collect bags, process customs and then head back upstairs for check-in which will have likely closed by the time you get there.
How about an Avios redemption EZE-GIG the day before and spending 24hrs (or longer) in Rio before flying back to London?