Connection through SCL to RIO with QF/LATAM

[fourohfive]

Hi flying friends.
So I'm in a bit of a pickle for an upcoming trip to Rio for the Olympics. (I know - poor me, right?) I have booked a return flight to Santiago from Melbourne, on Qantas (QF27 from SYD). At the time of booking, to go on to Rio on the same ticket was an additional $1000. I thought, yeh no thanks Qantas, ya ain't ripping me off today OK. I looked at the fares with Lan and Tam and they were $400 or so return SCL-RIO, so I thought, I will book the Qantas one and then come back later to get the rest of the ticket, which I figured I'd include some other stops in South America on as well.

In the meantime, I am yet to book that internal flight to Rio because I am umming and uhhing about which one to get with regards to connection times.
QF27 arrives into SCL at 11:10am.
There are direct flights with LATAM at 12:15pm and 5:55pm to Rio.
There are connecting flights to RIO via SAO at 12:45pm and 3:40pm.

My original concern was that the 12:15pm would be cutting it too fine. However 5:55pm means a 6-7 hour + wait at SCL. The other options connect in SAO and I'd really rather avoid the extra connection in SAO and they don't really save any time to be honest (the latter of the two gets in after the 5:55pm direct one gets in).

BUT tonight, I was looking at the latest Qantas fares, which now have return to Rio for $1300 on the same dates. AND they include connections to the 12:15pm flight SCL-RIO marketed under a QF number... making me think that I'd be in with a good shot of making it if other passengers are likely ticketed onto the same flight. However, assuming my only option is to purchase separately through LATAM, then I will not have a Qantas ticket (QF flight number) for the SCL-RIO leg.

So in summary: my questions are:
1) is 65 minutes enough time to connect in SCL?
2) Does one need to clear customs in SCL when en route to Brazil, or can you just transfer gates?
3) would Qantas likely check my bags through to RIO even if my second ticket is not purchased on a QF number?
4) If the connecting flight was missed, do you think that LATAM would treat us as good loving OneWorld customers and put us on next flight?

As added info, I am a QF silver member - hope they will treat me nicely.

Any thoughts on this are appreciated.

Many thanks to all.

 

[doctau]

1) if your flight is on time, maybe, but a small delay would probably make you miss the connection.

2) I don't know, but I didn't have to clear when connecting to Perú 3 years ago. If you bags don't go through, you'd obviously have issues - and then have to pay the fee for an Australian arriving into Santiago by air. However:

3) they should do, I've had the check through bags onto other OW carriers on separate tickets before, albeit not LA. Make sure you have the other itineraries printed and give them to the checkin agent.

4) in my experience, they don't have to unless it's the same ticket. You may get lucky though

 

[Mattg]

Since you don't have access to the LA lounge in SCL, I would probably go for the 12:45 flight via GRU. Gives you a little bit more connection time, while presumably arriving in Rio before the 17:55 direct flight.

I believe they will be able to check your bags all the way through from Australia if it's all on oneworld, so you shouldn't need to clear customs and pay the reciprocity fee in Chile.

 

[fourohfive]

thanks mattg and doctau. Much appreciated.
I think the best bet is going to be the 12:45 via GRU. Good advice.

With a bit of luck, maybe on the day we will arrive early and they will bump us to the earlier direct flight at 12:15. But I'd have more comfort knowing that I have a seat waiting on the 12:45pm.

 

[Tortuga]

Hi flying friends.
So I'm in a bit of a pickle for an upcoming trip to Rio for the Olympics. (I know - poor me, right?) I have booked a return flight to Santiago from Melbourne, on Qantas (QF27 from SYD). At the time of booking, to go on to Rio on the same ticket was an additional $1000. I thought, yeh no thanks Qantas, ya ain't ripping me off today OK. I looked at the fares with Lan and Tam and they were $400 or so return SCL-RIO, so I thought, I will book the Qantas one and then come back later to get the rest of the ticket, which I figured I'd include some other stops in South America on as well.

In the meantime, I am yet to book that internal flight to Rio because I am umming and uhhing about which one to get with regards to connection times.
QF27 arrives into SCL at 11:10am.
There are direct flights with LATAM at 12:15pm and 5:55pm to Rio.
There are connecting flights to RIO via SAO at 12:45pm and 3:40pm.

My original concern was that the 12:15pm would be cutting it too fine. However 5:55pm means a 6-7 hour + wait at SCL. The other options connect in SAO and I'd really rather avoid the extra connection in SAO and they don't really save any time to be honest (the latter of the two gets in after the 5:55pm direct one gets in).

BUT tonight, I was looking at the latest Qantas fares, which now have return to Rio for $1300 on the same dates. AND they include connections to the 12:15pm flight SCL-RIO marketed under a QF number... making me think that I'd be in with a good shot of making it if other passengers are likely ticketed onto the same flight. However, assuming my only option is to purchase separately through LATAM, then I will not have a Qantas ticket (QF flight number) for the SCL-RIO leg.

So in summary: my questions are:
1) is 65 minutes enough time to connect in SCL?
2) Does one need to clear customs in SCL when en route to Brazil, or can you just transfer gates?
3) would Qantas likely check my bags through to RIO even if my second ticket is not purchased on a QF number?
4) If the connecting flight was missed, do you think that LATAM would treat us as good loving OneWorld customers and put us on next flight?

As added info, I am a QF silver member - hope they will treat me nicely.

Any thoughts on this are appreciated.

Many thanks to all.

1. Yes an hour is enough - just try get a seat at the front of the plane so you can go through security quickly. In Santiago you will arrive then walk about 5 minutes and go through a scanner then up stairs and back 5 minutes to all the gates. It's very quick if you are one of the first off the plane - don't end up behind everyone. The Qantas flight out of Sydney to SCL is usually on time, if not they can make up a bit on the way. The problem is the LAN flight from Auckland to SCL - that is usually delayed.
2. No you don't need to clear customs - you just go through a security scanner for your carry on stuff
3. I think so but best to confirm
4. No idea - hopefully yes.

 

[juddles]

.......

So in summary: my questions are:
1) is 65 minutes enough time to connect in SCL?
2) Does one need to clear customs in SCL when en route to Brazil, or can you just transfer gates?
3) would Qantas likely check my bags through to RIO even if my second ticket is not purchased on a QF number?
4) If the connecting flight was missed, do you think that LATAM would treat us as good loving OneWorld customers and put us on next flight?

As added info, I am a QF silver member - hope they will treat me nicely.

Any thoughts on this are appreciated.

Many thanks to all.

fourohfive, I travel through SCL about once a month, from Australia or new Zealand and then on connecting flights up to Colombia. I am a traveler that tries to be cautious, so my advice is probably at the negative end of the scale...

1.- 65 minutes connection through SCL, if you have to clear customs and your bags are not booked through, is IMHO insane. Most travelers from Australia have to apy the reciprocity fee, which creates a lot of confusion and delays heading through customs/immigration. Despite what "should" occur, I have had many problems in SCL. Even with technically through-booked luggage. The QF / LATAM system is a nightmare - I have even had them bump me off connecting flights despite being issued an ongoing boarding pass in Sydney. If you do get issued a BP in Australia, make sure you immediately upon deplaning approach the LAN connection desk and report in.

2.- If you have a connecting flight and boarding pass, you should be able to stay airside. But again, approach the LAN desk and check.

3.- That is very hit and miss. I have had QF - LAN flights when they "could not" do it, but others QF - AV where it worked a treat.

4.- Again no reliability. If on separate tickets I would not expect any help But you may be lucky.

QF Silver? LAN have a hard time sometimes helping their own Commodoro Black (QF Platinum One equivalent)

I personally would take the 3:40pm flight and be prepared to sit around for a while

 

[fourohfive]

Thanks tortuga and juddles. All very worthy info. I have gone with the 1245 to RIO via GRU... At 95 minutes to change (provided that qf27 is on time)... Im hopeful that i should be good. But i will be crossing fingers and toes all the way that theres no delays.
really appreciate all the input on the answers to my questions. Cheers to all.

 

[infinity]

Fourohfive

I decided to take the 17.55 direct. Haven't been to SCL before so I figured I'd sneak into town and ensure back in good time fo rteh connection.

have my Tix on the one PNR