GRU or EZE?
Oct 15, 2006 | 6:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 2,588
GRU or EZE?
I am going to burn a few miles with UA and will choose either Rio or Buenos Aires for a vacation next year - and they are they 2 major cities where UA flys taht i haven't been. I have traveled extensively in Europe and Asia but not S America. Any thoughts on which destination might be better for a single traveler? I speak french and some italian - no spanish or portugese. I'll be routing ex SFO. Thanks!
Oct 15, 2006 | 6:41 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,245
Originally Posted by 1k-all-the-way
I am going to burn a few miles with UA and will choose either Rio or Buenos Aires for a vacation next year - and they are they 2 major cities where UA flys taht i haven't been. I have traveled extensively in Europe and Asia but not S America. Any thoughts on which destination might be better for a single traveler? I speak french and some italian - no spanish or portugese. I'll be routing ex SFO. Thanks!
Oct 15, 2006 | 6:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 930
a
I think OP meant GIG. IMHO EZE > GIG > GRU.
a
I think OP meant GIG. IMHO EZE > GIG > GRU.
a
Oct 15, 2006 | 7:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,245
Missed that. I was working off the airport codes. I agree with your formula, though. 
Oct 15, 2006 | 7:13 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Eugene, OR
Programs: Alaska MVP 100K
Posts: 628
EZE is safer, easier to negotiate, and has tons of charm. However, nothing beats GIG for romance and sheer drama! My advice would be; if you've got a week or longer, choose EZE, but if you want to have an unforgettable day or two, go to GIG, ascend the Corcovado, drink a coffee in a cafe in Ipanema, hike through the Jardin Botanico, and go home very happy.
Definitely don't go to GRU.
Definitely don't go to GRU.
Oct 15, 2006 | 7:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SNA
Programs: 1K, Marriott Plat, *Gold
Posts: 18
Originally Posted by 1k-all-the-way
I am going to burn a few miles with UA and will choose either Rio or Buenos Aires for a vacation next year - and they are they 2 major cities where UA flys taht i haven't been. I have traveled extensively in Europe and Asia but not S America. Any thoughts on which destination might be better for a single traveler? I speak french and some italian - no spanish or portugese. I'll be routing ex SFO. Thanks!
Oct 15, 2006 | 7:32 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 8,627
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)
My suggestion would be to do as I did last fall...a few days in GIG then a few days in EZE. It was a fantastic trip.
My suggestion would be to do as I did last fall...a few days in GIG then a few days in EZE. It was a fantastic trip.
Oct 15, 2006 | 8:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,082
Definitely not GRU. BA is great, but you have to check Rio off of your list. If you are going all that way, why not hit both? Get an award ticket into EZE or GIG, buy a flight between the two, and fly home from the other. They are both very worthwhile destinations. To/From SFO, I do not think IAD or ORD really make too much of a difference. I would try and see if you can get three-class equipment to/from IAD/ORD - SFO and go with that routing.
Oct 15, 2006 | 8:54 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
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Posts: 10,839
Originally Posted by UA840
Definitely not GRU. BA is great, but you have to check Rio off of your list.
I am again off to those three cities on Tuesday for couple of weeks.
Oct 15, 2006 | 9:03 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,082
Originally Posted by holtju2
It depends what one wants to do. The nightlife is excellent in Sao Paulo. Better than in Buenos Aires or in Rio de Janeiro.
I am again off to those three cities on Tuesday for couple of weeks.
I am again off to those three cities on Tuesday for couple of weeks.
Oct 15, 2006 | 9:28 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD BXG
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,665
For aircraft issues, CGH is entertaining. Take the GRU-CGH transfer bus to get into the heart of SP and see the constraints that a busy short runway and no over-run capacity imposes on movements.
Oct 15, 2006 | 11:27 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: United P1 and million miler
Posts: 164
EZE is an incredible bargain
Originally Posted by 1k-all-the-way
I am going to burn a few miles with UA and will choose either Rio or Buenos Aires for a vacation next year - and they are they 2 major cities where UA flys taht i haven't been. I have traveled extensively in Europe and Asia but not S America. Any thoughts on which destination might be better for a single traveler? I speak french and some italian - no spanish or portugese. I'll be routing ex SFO. Thanks!
Oct 15, 2006 | 11:41 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SFO, EZE
Programs: UA 1K 2.43 MM
Posts: 2,425
At least for EZE, your biggest problem is going to be award availability (unless you're prepared to spring for a standard award). Saver availability from SFO has basically been next to impossible this year.
I expect the availability for saver awards to Brazil will also be limited due to the recent meltdown of RG.
Maybe AC might have award space ....
John
I expect the availability for saver awards to Brazil will also be limited due to the recent meltdown of RG.
Maybe AC might have award space ....
John
Oct 16, 2006 | 7:18 am
#14
Join Date: May 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 146
I have done both EZE and GIG, and would recommend both. However, if you can't do both in one trip, I would recommend EZE first, followed by GIG. EZE has excellent food, very affordable, good shopping. Also recommend trip across river to Colonia in Uruguay. GIG has an unsurpassed view. Besides the usual, I would recommend the botanical garden.
Oct 16, 2006 | 8:06 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
Originally Posted by #10
IMHO EZE > GIG > GRU.[/COLOR]