Lounge Access in South America

[Homer]

In March I will be flying to Buenos Aires on QF before flying with LA and LP in Peru.

I am not expecting very much, but I was wondering what lounge facilities might exist, if any at all, at the main airports that I will be flying into, viz EZE, LIM and CUZ?

 

[docjames]

EZE have AA, an Amex Platinum Charge Card lounge, along with a few others that I didnt really take note of.

I'm guessing you're on QF or LAN so AA is best. (Dont fly Aerolineas Argentinas!)

The lounge is a reasonable size (dont know what it would be like with a full 747 as QF wasnt flying there when we were there but there were AA flights going and it was not very full). Has internet, free drinks but the snack food is useless. didnt take note but I'm pretty sure there are showers etc. It's fairly quiet although they had the tv on WAY too loud.

Immigration were really slow too on departure (ok on entry) so be prepared for that.

Off to Machu Pichu?

 

[Homer]

I'm guessing you're on QF or LAN so AA is best. (Dont fly Aerolineas Argentinas!)

Yep, QF from SYD-EZE and then LA to LIM before LP to CUZ.

Off to Machu Pichu?

We sure are. We are spending about a week in Argentina, including a few days in Buenos Aires and a visit to Iguazú Falls, before Cuzco and the "lite" trek to Machu Picchu for my Australian brother-in-law's wedding. Then we'll finish with Lake Titicaca and come home via the UK and Europe (with a side trip to DXB to keep the status numbers up).

Do you happen to know if there are there any lounge facilities at LIM?

 

[comint]

You may find that this link is useful - oneworld - Search for a oneworld Lounge

 

[ColinP]

From the Oneworld website:


Lima, Peru
"VIP Club Sumaq Location details: 1st Floor beside 1st Duty Free shop
Opening hours: Daily 24 hrs
Operated by a third party on behalf of: Iberia, LAN"

 

[docjames]

Sorry, havent been to LIM.

SCL has a nice LAN lounge, plus a whole host of other lounges.

You'll have noticed that the Iguazu flights go from the other airport which is heaps closer to the city.

Are you staying in BA for any time?
If so, highly recommend the "private cabs" from the airport - you buy a ticket after customs, before you enter the "public" area. Note that it ends up basically the same price as a taxi from the rank, but is WAY safer (road conditions notwithstanding!). Both end up a bit pricey as the airport's a fair way out. We stayed near Recoletta which was a great place to stay btw.

If you've not flown them before, LA are excellent (LP is the same airline!).

Enjoy the trip!

 

[Homer]

You'll have noticed that the Iguazu flights go from the other airport which is heaps closer to the city.

Are you staying in BA for any time?
If so, highly recommend the "private cabs" from the airport - you buy a ticket after customs, before you enter the "public" area. Note that it ends up basically the same price as a taxi from the rank, but is WAY safer (road conditions notwithstanding!). Both end up a bit pricey as the airport's a fair way out. We stayed near Recoletta which was a great place to stay btw.

Thank you. We'll be in BA for 3 nights and yes I was aware that the domestic flights go from the other airport. Based on TripAdvisor (which rarely lets me down) I was planning on booking the boutique Tailor Made Hotel in Las Canitas. While that's about a 40 minute taxi ride from the main international airport (EZE), it is very close (about 10 minutes apparently) to the airport for the flights to Iguazu.

Safety is a concern - lots of people have warned me about hailing taxis, etc. So any other tips you have would be warmly received...

 

[drron]

We used the LIM lounge in August 08.It is a 3rd party lounge so based in our case on flying LAN J.OW status need not be recognised.Reasonable lounge.Not a wonderful food selection.Free Wi Fi.Nice outdoor section.No views.
LIM was undergoing major renovations when we were there.

 

[docjames]

Safety is a concern - lots of people have warned me about hailing taxis, etc. So any other tips you have would be warmly received...

Well, we stayed very close (across the road basically!) from the Recoletta and we wandered around without any concerns.

During the day - it felt no less safe than Sydney in any major cbd area.

You'll have looked at maps - we walked during the day from hotel in Recoletta, to Florida mall, to waterfront / docks (lots of restaurants) to main plaza and then in evening to 5th avenue and didnt feel concerned at any time. We didnt stray too far at night, but if the hotel you are in is decent, they'll put you in a prober cab (usually a car like the one i've described @ the airport) and you can make an agreed time for the driver to come and collect you. Basically, we were careful, but did not feel scared at any time (despite being a bit nervous on arrival).

The concierge/driver should also be able to tell you cost (which should be agreed upfront).

If you apply usual travel advice (stay away from demonstrations, dont get falling over drunk, dont buy drugs from random guys in the street - ie. dont be stupid!) you'll be fine!

If you have specific questions re: BA, PM me and I can answer whatever I can.

We stayed at Loi Suites Recoletta - it was fantastic and would stay there again without hesitation.

 

[dajop]

I used the LIM lounge some 2 years ago flying J on LP to LAX, third party lounge as pointed out above. Some OWE flying AA were denied entry, not sure if that also applied OWE flying LP. I had J so didn't matter.

Lounge was pleasant enough, better than the Admirals Club at EZE at that time. Three vivid memories:
- Entering the lounge and seeing Steve Bracks face plastered all over the biggish screen TV (it was grand prix time in Melbourne).
- Making fresh OJ in the orange juicing machine there.
- Having my partner use my towel after I showered as they only ever have two towels available and once they're used there are no more .... [I might add after a morning arrival into LIM, all day wandering LIM before a late night departure a shower was a necessity - at least for the pax seated around us!]

No lounge in CUZ then, not that you really need one.

Hope you enjoy the trip, it is certainly a special part of the world.

 

[qake]

My last experience was early 2006, in EZE, SCL, LIM and the most pressing memory was they still allowed smoking indoors. And how a "wall" of movable display boards 2m tall was meant to keep the areas separated still escapes me.
But I found the LA lounges (flying LA J) more than adequate for our needs.

 

[HardieBoys]

Travelling from EZE to SYD on QF, you'll only have the option of the AA lounge there. No showers, cough snack food, reasonable selection of drinks. There are about 3 - 4 computer terminals, and free wifi, though the wifi was down on the day I was there. Very limited range of newspapers and magazines (the majority of which were AA magazines). Not great at all, and the lack of showers was a real pain. I won't complain about the Qantas Clubs at Sydney or Melbourne again.

 

[Homer]

Travelling from EZE to SYD on QF, you'll only have the option of the AA lounge there. No showers, cough snack food, reasonable selection of drinks. There are about 3 - 4 computer terminals, and free wifi, though the wifi was down on the day I was there. Very limited range of newspapers and magazines (the majority of which were AA magazines). Not great at all, and the lack of showers was a real pain. I won't complain about the Qantas Clubs at Sydney or Melbourne again.

Thanks HardieBoys. For the record, we are flying in the other direction (SYD-EZE) however we will be departing EZE for LIM a week after arriving so your information about the AA lounge is very useful. I believe I do have another lounge option at EZE, namely the Centurion Lounge, but I haven't been able to find much information about this lounge online other than some comments on FlyerTalk that it isn't as good as the AA lounge!

 

[docjames]

Thanks HardieBoys. For the record, we are flying in the other direction (SYD-EZE) however we will be departing EZE for LIM a week after arriving so your information about the AA lounge is very useful. I believe I do have another lounge option at EZE, namely the Centurion Lounge, but I haven't been able to find much information about this lounge online other than some comments on FlyerTalk that it isn't as good as the AA lounge!

Is that the Amex Charge card lounge? It looked ok from the entrance (tried to sneak in with Plat Amex but got the "sorry sir"!) - it's way down one end of the terminal (not that it's taht big a terminal!), but looked quite large.

The duty free shopping is reasonable by the way.

 

[Homer]

Is that the Amex Charge card lounge? It looked ok from the entrance (tried to sneak in with Plat Amex but got the "sorry sir"!) - it's way down one end of the terminal (not that it's taht big a terminal!), but looked quite large.

The duty free shopping is reasonable by the way.

I read some comments online that pretty much any Amex from Gold up will get you in but maybe they have to be charge cards only? I also read that there is a Platinum section and a Centurion section so that might explain the size? Anyway if we get through EZE check-in fast enough and I have the time I will certainly check it out and post details.

 

[docjames]

Yep, charge card only - Creedit card no good.

They offered us to buy access (but we went to AA lounge instead!)

 

[HardieBoys]

I used the Centurion lounge in Sao Paulo recently (CGH), as it required only a Gold or Platinum charge card. They had a few PC terminals, a small range of complimentary drinks, and it was quite quiet and peaceful.

I've also noticed a few Diners Club lounges around the place, including Sao Paulo and EZE, so that might be an option.

The LAN lounge in Santiago is, like Chile itself, long and thin, but has about four showers, and a small selection of beverages and food. Overall, it's not too bad.