coach or BF to RIO?
 

I haven't had a chance to fly CO to South America before. Is it worth the extra 20k miles each way for BF to RIO? This is an overnight flight from EWR on a 767-200...

I'd say it is...

Yes. The comfort difference combined with the fact that both flights are overnight is well worth the extra 40,000 miles. You're a NW plat, so I assume you have a decent mileage balance anyway. You get more value per mile when you redeem for international J rewards. I say go for it.

I have done it both ways a few times, both coach and BF.

BF is nice and worth the extra miles - since the cost of a BF ticket is high (and generally not discounted - like the cheap BF to Europe). The flights leave late in both directions (10 hours long each) so the BF service is slightly abbreviated (combined starter/salad and pre-sliced cheese course).

With the late departure and 10 hour flight with minimal time zone change - it is easy to sleep.

If buying a ticket I thought coach was OK - by the time I knew it - I fell asleep and next thing you are in GRU. Different than Europe since you arrive before you are ready to awake.

Nice to be in BF on the return to get lounge access (SkyTeam Elite plus may not work - even though it should).

BF all the way regardless of destination, time, or equipment ^

Thanks for the advice. I think given that they are both overnight flights that I may just stick with coach and try to sleep this time and see how it goes. I will still have access to the lounges with SkyTeam Elite +, so it shouldn't be that bad.

One more question... ;) Any thoughts as to what seats would be best on the 767-200 from EWR-RIO? Right now I am booked in 16k outbound and 20A and 20B for the return.

See recent posts in this thread for seating information: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...=428507&page=3

Go for it
 

Since you are flying from EWR and the GRU-GIG connection is done by the aircraft from IAH, it makes sense. If you are in first you have the Air France launge pass, in case of a delay from the IAH metal (which is common).
This way, will you arrive ready for a caipirinha!
Boa viagem!

This is one of the few int'l routes I'd consider doing in Y because the timing is perfect for sleep, and the seats have a relatively generous 32" pitch.

Not necessarily. This may have changed - but in the past GIG lounges would not let you in if not in BF - and at GRU they WILL NOT let SkyTeam Elite Plus in the AF lounge. So be prepared if SkyTeam Elite Plus does not get in.

I think the wording on the SkyTeam website is Elite Plus get in most skyteam lounges .

Thanks for the quick reply. I found this thread after my last post...Should have searched first... :( Sorry about that!

Just got back from GIG after a long weekend there. Went IAH-GIG in BF both ways, and it was the best 50K miles I've ever spent.

Observations:

1. The service was obviously great, but being able to get a decent night's rest was good as well. I especially wanted BF going, as I only had 4 days in Rio and didn't want to be sleepy and dragging on my first day there. I was also able to sleep well and go home for a brief shower in the early a.m. before going to work on my return date. Had I been in coach I would have been absolutely miserable from lack of sleep.

2. Being able to get off the plane first in GIG was nice, as there was ONE line (ridiculous, I know) open that I had to stand in for 45 minutes with minimal air conditioning. The entire coach cabin was behind me in line, so I was glad to be near the front, even though I had a long wait.

3. Going home, you have to stand in a huge line after clearing security just to get on the plane, as they check your bags one last time in a search for liquids. Of course, you can bypass this line, but only if you're in BF. After leaving the Air France lounge late, this line was out the door, and I was glad (although I felt a little guilty) to bypass the line. Be careful in the duty free shops, as passengers were told by the shop employees they could carry on bottles of liquor that they had purchased, only to have them taken away before boarding.

4. The toothbrush and toothpaste that come in your amenity kit are nice to have during the 1 hour Sao Paulo stop, as you can't carryon toothpaste anymore. Trivial, perhaps, but it was important to me. Also, the bottle of water they give you in BF after dinner is nice to have when you wake in the middle of the night thirsty as hell. Since you can't carry this on anymore, that was huge!

Are the miles really worth it? That's still up to you, but it's a REALLY long flight and when I was bypassing lines and enjoying a 12 hour experience on a plane with plenty of room, I didn't regret spending them.

My vote: spend the miles and upgrade! You only live once!

I agree with the observations above except for item 1.

The routes to GRU/GIG tend to get a senior flight crew and while the service is good, I never found it great. With the late departure - half the BF customers get the executive all at once option - which delays the normal service. We have talked about this alot - so I will not go into anymore detail. Plus it seems rushed being served so late. While the FA are serving the normal starter, the exec meal folks are finisihed and generally only ate half the food - if that - so they are picking up trays etc.

Overall - the upgrade is worth it for the other items, and particularly today with the extra security. But I would not spend the extra miles - just for the dining experience. Better dining on an earlier flight say 6-8p to Europe.

Agree with Cova. The service was a bit rushed (I was stuffed from dinner and felt like they shoved the sundaes down my throat within seconds of taking my plate away). I should have prefaced my analysis with the fact that this was my first time to ever fly BF on CO, as I'm used to the AA Business service through MIA.

Save your $500 and fly coach.
 

Save your $500 and fly coach. You will have already had dinner by the time you board, so who needs another big meal? While I'm asleep, I don't know if its F or Y. Neither one are flat or really comfy.

Take an Ambien. Wake up there. Spend the $500 equivalent on something fun or souvineers.