Aug 3, 2021, 9:19 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
2021
Star Alliance lounge at GRU closed on April 1st.
Statement from Star Alliance regarding its lounge at Sao Paulo GRU Airport
Star Alliance regrets to inform that it will no longer offer a lounge at Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport effective April 1, 2021, as a consequence of the GRU Airport authority’s decision to pursue its own lounge operations. We are encouraged by discussions taking place between member airlines and the GRU Airport towards a seamless transition of lounge services to avoid any impact on the premium customers of the Alliance. Star Alliance remains committed to its premium strategy, and to Brazil, and continues to offer a Star Alliance lounge at Rio de Janeiro Galeăo International Airport.
Please find answers to frequently asked questions here.
Star Alliance regrets to inform that it will no longer offer a lounge at Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport effective April 1, 2021, as a consequence of the GRU Airport authority’s decision to pursue its own lounge operations. We are encouraged by discussions taking place between member airlines and the GRU Airport towards a seamless transition of lounge services to avoid any impact on the premium customers of the Alliance. Star Alliance remains committed to its premium strategy, and to Brazil, and continues to offer a Star Alliance lounge at Rio de Janeiro Galeăo International Airport.
Please find answers to frequently asked questions here.
Consolidated GRU (Sao Paulo) logistics / connections / lounges
Apr 14, 2019, 10:29 am
#77
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,846
Apr 14, 2019, 1:13 pm
#78
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,215
With that said I would certainly not advertise what I was doing. You can sometimes achieve the same result with a smile. 😀 If asking with a smile to let in my 17 year old did not work, I would ask about purchasing access. Many lounges sell day passes. More than one way to skin a cat.
Jul 4, 2021, 3:03 pm
#80
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,154
Azul was very confused about how to check my bag for the return trip but I did check it in Rio and pick it up to clear customs in Houston with no issues... all three airlines have interline baggage agreements with UA and from my conversations when I was deciding on my options I didn't get the impression there was much difference between them for domestic travel.
Jul 11, 2021, 12:11 pm
#81
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil
Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member
Posts: 1,407
I find that GOL connections are often less costly that LATAM or AZUL. Sometimes that means doing a domestic connection to get to your final destination. But other factors can influence your decision, such as length of connection time. You didn't indicate where you were connecting to, but I recently read that LATAM has added a number of flights back to their schedule to various cities in Brazil.
Jul 11, 2021, 12:20 pm
#82
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 302
I find that GOL connections are often less costly that LATAM or AZUL. Sometimes that means doing a domestic connection to get to your final destination. But other factors can influence your decision, such as length of connection time. You didn't indicate where you were connecting to, but I recently read that LATAM has added a number of flights back to their schedule to various cities in Brazil.
i went with GOL as they had nice lounge in their terminal which accepts priority pass.
i am just wondering if GOL would accept my united bag allowance (3x32KG). my whole trip is booked on united tocket.
Jul 11, 2021, 12:26 pm
#83
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,783
Jul 11, 2021, 1:56 pm
#84
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil
Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member
Posts: 1,407
I normally have just one checked bag. When all is on a UA ticket. never had a problem when initially checking in with GOL, Azul, or LATAM. The 3X32 might be a different story. If all the computer systems are cooperating the day you travel, when you check in at GOL, they should be able to provide the boarding pass to UA as well. This could provide an additional benefit of allowing you to use the air side connection between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at GRU, if it is open.
Aug 3, 2021, 4:10 pm
#86
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Aug 3, 2021, 4:34 pm
#87
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,846
Have you tried the Star Alliance lounge finder? I don't know if it's still accurate. https://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-finder
Aug 3, 2021, 7:44 pm
#88
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 350
Star Alliance lounge at GRU closed on April 1st.
Aug 3, 2021, 7:56 pm
#89
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,846
Star Alliance lounge at GRU closed on April 1st.
Aug 3, 2021, 11:58 pm
#90
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: YYC
Programs: UA 1K, Accor Platinum, Marriott Gold, Delta Silver, Hilton Gold
Posts: 361
Back in May, I asked at the reception if Star Alliance Gold should have access and they said yes but I can't confirm because I was flying Lufthansa Business class. Pretty sure United will send you there if you're flying Polaris.
The lounge should grant access if you have Priority Pass or Lounge Key as well.
The AMEX lounge (right next to Safra lounge) is also open and accepts Priority Pass.
Both lounges have good food but the Safra lounge has a better space.