New Years in Buenos Aires and Mendoza via American Airlines 772 Flagship First Class
you seem to be eating (and drinking) 24/7
Jan 8, 2014, 1:55 pm
#138
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Blue rate is currently 10 or slightly over.
I love this city!
You should fly down to Patagonia too, the glacier hiking made my trip!
Jan 8, 2014, 2:19 pm
#139
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LSED, could you point me to a primer on the easy way to get the blue rate?
Keep up the good work, SFO777. You're making me hungry for 3 steaks a day now.
Keep up the good work, SFO777. You're making me hungry for 3 steaks a day now.
Jan 8, 2014, 4:11 pm
#140
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Jan 8, 2014, 4:41 pm
#141
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Yup. I actually got 9.7 pesos per USD in BA on Calle Florida.
Which when I paid for my stay at the IC Mendoza, that came out to under $60/night
Full RA benefits. A nice suite upgrade. And a nice minibar.
BA IC was under $100/night when paid at the blue rate cash.
And a 350gr steak in BA was then about $18 USD if paid cash at the blue rate.
Which when I paid for my stay at the IC Mendoza, that came out to under $60/night
Full RA benefits. A nice suite upgrade. And a nice minibar.
BA IC was under $100/night when paid at the blue rate cash.
And a 350gr steak in BA was then about $18 USD if paid cash at the blue rate.
Jan 9, 2014, 8:51 am
#143
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After a short night and an very early 4AM wake-up call, our driver picked us up at 4:45PM for the 40 minute ride to Mendoza International.
Turned out we didn't need to arrive when we did as the LAN 3 hour before departure presentation was a bunch of nonsense. But considering this was our only flight option, I didn't want to chance it.
The LAN check-in counter was pretty much deserted when we arrived.
Since there is basically only one gate beyond security and they don't want to co-mingle pax from two different flights, we sat for a good hour out in the terminal before it was "our turn" to go thru security and passport control. The line for security...
By now, the LAN counter line was packed.
Gate 1 and 2 and a duty free shop.
LA 937
Mendoza MDZ to Santiago SCL
A320
7:40A-8:30A
January 4, 2013
Seats 2CJ
As a One World Emerald, I was able to select cross aisle "Preferred" (E+) seats in the first four rows and get Preferente on my BP allowing us to be the first to board. Our preferred seats had a few extra inches of legroom, and with both of us on the aisle, the 40 minute flight was OK.
Our personable FA. No beverage service on the quick up and down flight. Although like on our MAD-FRA LAN flight last year, the purser personally welcome me (well actually Mrs. SFO since she was sitting in my seat) and one other pax and thanked us for being OW Emeralds.
Turned out we didn't need to arrive when we did as the LAN 3 hour before departure presentation was a bunch of nonsense. But considering this was our only flight option, I didn't want to chance it.
The LAN check-in counter was pretty much deserted when we arrived.
Since there is basically only one gate beyond security and they don't want to co-mingle pax from two different flights, we sat for a good hour out in the terminal before it was "our turn" to go thru security and passport control. The line for security...
By now, the LAN counter line was packed.
Gate 1 and 2 and a duty free shop.
LA 937
Mendoza MDZ to Santiago SCL
A320
7:40A-8:30A
January 4, 2013
Seats 2CJ
As a One World Emerald, I was able to select cross aisle "Preferred" (E+) seats in the first four rows and get Preferente on my BP allowing us to be the first to board. Our preferred seats had a few extra inches of legroom, and with both of us on the aisle, the 40 minute flight was OK.
Our personable FA. No beverage service on the quick up and down flight. Although like on our MAD-FRA LAN flight last year, the purser personally welcome me (well actually Mrs. SFO since she was sitting in my seat) and one other pax and thanked us for being OW Emeralds.
Last edited by SFO777; Jan 9, 2014 at 10:10 am
Jan 9, 2014, 8:51 am
#144
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With a 10PM departure, we had half a day to kill in Santiago. I booked a room at the San Cristobal Hotel where we could sleep rest prior to heading out to the airport. But in the meantime, I had arranged with Roberto, the San Cristobal concierge, to be met by a driver and a guide for a three hours tour of Santiago prior to check-in. Attractive city that seems a lot cleaner and more prosperous than BA.
Our first stop was the historic Mercado Central.
At the city's center, Plaza des Armas is historic Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago with construction dating back to the 18th century.
Our first stop was the historic Mercado Central.
At the city's center, Plaza des Armas is historic Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago with construction dating back to the 18th century.
Jan 9, 2014, 8:52 am
#145
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One of Santiago's most beautiful cathedrals still featuring damage from the recent earthquake.
Palacio de La Moneda, the seat of the President of the Republic of Chile.
And the square facing it.
The National Library.
And then east to the more modern, glitzy and tony parts of the city.
By now at almost 1PM, we were tired, passed on the funicular and headed for the hotel.
Jan 9, 2014, 8:52 am
#146
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San Cristobal Hotel
A Starwood Luxury Collection Property
Santiago, Chile
As an SPG Platinum, I booked an inexpensive room at the Luxury Collection's San Cristobal Hotel, hoping for a upgrade on a slow weekend. Very attractive hotel that is adjacent to a Sheraton and shares some bar/resto facilities.
Talk about upgrades! Not bad for US$220.
And our view.
A nice feature of the San Cristobal is the top floor restaurant/bar with sweeping views of Santiago.
Unfortunately, by late PM the winds had shifted and smoke from a nearby forest fire had drifted over the city.
A Starwood Luxury Collection Property
Santiago, Chile
As an SPG Platinum, I booked an inexpensive room at the Luxury Collection's San Cristobal Hotel, hoping for a upgrade on a slow weekend. Very attractive hotel that is adjacent to a Sheraton and shares some bar/resto facilities.
Talk about upgrades! Not bad for US$220.
And our view.
A nice feature of the San Cristobal is the top floor restaurant/bar with sweeping views of Santiago.
Unfortunately, by late PM the winds had shifted and smoke from a nearby forest fire had drifted over the city.
Jan 9, 2014, 9:38 am
#147
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San Cristobal Hotel
A Starwood Luxury Collection Property
Santiago, Chile
As an SPG Platinum, I booked an inexpensive room at the Luxury Collection's San Cristobal Hotel, hoping for a upgrade on a slow weekend. Very attractive hotel that is adjacent to a Sheraton and shares some bar/resto facilities.
A Starwood Luxury Collection Property
Santiago, Chile
As an SPG Platinum, I booked an inexpensive room at the Luxury Collection's San Cristobal Hotel, hoping for a upgrade on a slow weekend. Very attractive hotel that is adjacent to a Sheraton and shares some bar/resto facilities.
Glad you seemed to enjoy Santiago on your brief visit.
Jan 9, 2014, 10:27 am
#148
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What a phenomenal trip. I've thought about visiting Buenos Aires before, but this really solidified that thought. Beautiful city. Thank you for sharing, as always, SFO777!
Jan 9, 2014, 10:30 am
#149
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Thank you so much for the great commentary and choice pictures. I'm flying J tomorrow on AA from LHR to DFW and I just don't think my chicken will compare 
.
I was in Argentina a few months ago. You're reminding me why I need to go back.
Thanks for the great report (all of your reports are quite impressive)!
.I was in Argentina a few months ago. You're reminding me why I need to go back.
Thanks for the great report (all of your reports are quite impressive)!
That's good question. It was an amuse bouche... I think some type of cream sauce/cheese with tomatoes. Maybe a variation of a gazpacho.
Yup. I actually got 9.7 pesos per USD in BA on Calle Florida.
Which when I paid for my stay at the IC Mendoza, that came out to under $60/night
Full RA benefits. A nice suite upgrade. And a nice minibar.
BA IC was under $100/night when paid at the blue rate cash.
And a 350gr steak in BA was then about $18 USD if paid cash at the blue rate.
Which when I paid for my stay at the IC Mendoza, that came out to under $60/night
Full RA benefits. A nice suite upgrade. And a nice minibar.
BA IC was under $100/night when paid at the blue rate cash.
And a 350gr steak in BA was then about $18 USD if paid cash at the blue rate.
Thanks worldtraveller73. We were fortunate to find avails at the last minute.
What day were you there? And yes, that is the "standard suite" upgrade in which I stay more than not. I am hoping that once after all these years I'll get to see a terrace suite, but I don't expect that will ever occur. Glad you seemed to enjoy Santiago on your brief visit.
Thanks so much, TexasTea. Definitely worth the trip but don't leave without going to Mendoza.
Last edited by SFO777; Jan 9, 2014 at 10:37 am
Jan 9, 2014, 1:26 pm
#150
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Great photos! Reminds me of my trip to SCL a couple years ago, though I stayed longer than a few hours. Will you actually use the return portion of your ticket? I know how this ends, I don't know if MrsSFO will be joining you 