International Transfer in SCL
Jun 11, 2023, 10:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 90
International Transfer in SCL
Hi everyone - I have some questions about and international transfer in Santiago. I am flying from NYC to Buenos Aires. My final destination is Buenos Aires but the only flights I have booked right now are LATAM business from JFK, arriving in SCL at 7AM. I used Alaska miles and this was the only availability. I am planning on booking a paid economy ticket for the SCL-EZE/AEP segment.
There are several options and I am wondering:
1. How much time should I allow at SCL?
2. Should I stick with LATAM flights because of the higher likelihood of getting my checked bag tagged through?
3. Will I have to pick up my checked bag to go through customs anyway? And if so, should I just book another carrier (as long as I allow for plenty of time on the ground)?
Any advice would be appreciated. This is for early November if that makes a difference. Thanks!
There are several options and I am wondering:
1. How much time should I allow at SCL?
2. Should I stick with LATAM flights because of the higher likelihood of getting my checked bag tagged through?
3. Will I have to pick up my checked bag to go through customs anyway? And if so, should I just book another carrier (as long as I allow for plenty of time on the ground)?
Any advice would be appreciated. This is for early November if that makes a difference. Thanks!
Jun 12, 2023, 5:16 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 865
If you are on the same carrier for both flights with the same ticket, your bag will be checked through to Argentina
With two separate tickets, it is unlikely unless you get a very friendly check-in official who is looking to go the extra mile.
It really is a hard one to call - if your first flight is late arriving , you will miss your short flight .
How much risk do you want to take?
With two separate tickets, it is unlikely unless you get a very friendly check-in official who is looking to go the extra mile.
It really is a hard one to call - if your first flight is late arriving , you will miss your short flight .
How much risk do you want to take?
Jun 13, 2023, 8:40 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SCL
Programs: LH FTL, LATAM Platinum, KL Silver, UA Premier Silver
Posts: 121
If you are travelling on separate tickets / PNRs, LA will NEVER check through your luggage, even if the connection is on their own metal.
Hence, you will have to clear immigration in SCL and pick up your bags from the JFK flight.
During these busy morning hours, where many flights from North America and Europe arrive at SCL, I would at least allow 2 1/2 hours until the connecting flight to EZE / AEP. This could be on LA, AR, KL or on H2 or JA, if you fancy a low-cost option. KL is the only one that offers proper C class on this route, but is not flying every day, if I am not wrong.
Hence, you will have to clear immigration in SCL and pick up your bags from the JFK flight.
During these busy morning hours, where many flights from North America and Europe arrive at SCL, I would at least allow 2 1/2 hours until the connecting flight to EZE / AEP. This could be on LA, AR, KL or on H2 or JA, if you fancy a low-cost option. KL is the only one that offers proper C class on this route, but is not flying every day, if I am not wrong.
Jun 13, 2023, 11:43 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 90
Thank you both malagajohn and SenSCL for the advice. The SCL-Buenos Aires flight will definitely be a separate ticket so it's helpful to know that my bag won't be checked through. I'm happy to clear immigration and pick it up in SCL, but that does that mean I need to pay the immigration fee for Chile?
Last edited by jdhnyc; Jun 14, 2023 at 7:41 pm Reason: typo in Buenos Aires
Jun 14, 2023, 8:15 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: LATAMPASS Silver, SkyMiles Silver Medallion
Posts: 449
Thank you both malagajohn and SenSCL for the advice. The SCL-Bueons Aires flight will definitely be a separate ticket so it's helpful to know that my bag won't be checked through. I'm happy to clear immigration and pick it up in SCL, but that does that mean I need to pay the immigration fee for Chile?
Jun 15, 2023, 9:06 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 865
Jun 15, 2023, 9:29 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 865
Jun 15, 2023, 10:59 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,644
There were still a handful of countries - the flags kept getting blacked out on the Reciprocity Fee signs each time another one dropped off.
Jun 16, 2023, 9:20 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: US expat somewhere south of Valpo, Chilezuela
Programs: On the way to lowly LATAM Gold, AA, MiClub Lider
Posts: 853
Jun 16, 2023, 11:49 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 865
Certainly possible if Chilean tourists overstay their welcome......beyond the 90 days.
Argentina removed the Visa Fee in a bid to regain VISA WAIVER status . But with no joy.
Right now , no signs of an introduction as those tourist dollars are vitally important .
Argentina removed the Visa Fee in a bid to regain VISA WAIVER status . But with no joy.
Right now , no signs of an introduction as those tourist dollars are vitally important .
Jun 17, 2023, 3:40 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: my heart is on the shores of the north Italian lakes
Programs: LX Senator Lifetime, Relais&Chateaux Club5C, ex ! "Amanjunkie", ex LHW LC, hate chain hotels
Posts: 2,515
Chile has a shortage of labour, especially in the hospitality sector.
Imposing reciprocity on US citizens is only fair and will reduce the flux and hence the cultural impact. Just look what happened to Brazil.
Jun 19, 2023, 4:14 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: LATAMPASS Silver, SkyMiles Silver Medallion
Posts: 449
Related:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...am-2023-06-16/
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/off...-crime-in-o-c/
Jun 19, 2023, 5:17 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,644
More than overstaying, it seems the issue is that Chile is not sharing criminal records automatically with the US, so it seems some Chileans with a criminal record are able to enter the US
Related:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...am-2023-06-16/
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/off...-crime-in-o-c/
Related:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...am-2023-06-16/
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/off...-crime-in-o-c/
Jun 20, 2023, 12:57 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: US expat somewhere south of Valpo, Chilezuela
Programs: On the way to lowly LATAM Gold, AA, MiClub Lider
Posts: 853
Typical narrative of the English speaking left international media. This issue of organized Chilean criminals obtaining passports from the inept if not corrupt Registro Civil of Chile started in the last part of Chanchalet 2 through Piraņa 2 and now Burric whose government has been the weakest on crime of the three.
Before the VWP, my wife was denied a US tourist visa and now may be again locked out as with all the other legitimate tourists and visitors from Chile.
Disculpe, nothing to do with international transfer (except in regards to the reason for the reciprocity fee in the past).
Before the VWP, my wife was denied a US tourist visa and now may be again locked out as with all the other legitimate tourists and visitors from Chile.
Disculpe, nothing to do with international transfer (except in regards to the reason for the reciprocity fee in the past).
Jun 20, 2023, 2:08 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: my heart is on the shores of the north Italian lakes
Programs: LX Senator Lifetime, Relais&Chateaux Club5C, ex ! "Amanjunkie", ex LHW LC, hate chain hotels
Posts: 2,515
(two pet peeves of mine). And yes, reciprocity is the only way to go.