Mel to south america

[Sprucegoose]

We are looking at July/Aug trip to South America. Need to be in RIO early August. Hoping to fly on QF to SCL, and from there down to RIO. Away all up around 17 days, so apart from a week in RIO we will be free.

Has anyone done this to maximise SC's? Any advantages in booking all they way MEL to RIO or get into SCL and get a South American Air Pass (OW) if this is still offered.

Hoping to go J all the way, so the other option is on LAN on the new(isn) 787 - however i do want to maximise my SC's so this may not be the best way with QFF.

any insights appreciated.

RIO HOTELS - looking at Ipanema or Copacabana - need to be close to the lake, but a sea view would be ideal.

 

[Milboo]

Can't help on the SC optimising but you just missed a killer deal with LAN - they had a deal of $1599 to SCL a couple of weeks ago. I jumped on that and sorted it so I get the QF operated flights.

I have elected to book my internal flights - 6 of them - separately. I priced up the SA pass and for my flights within Chile and Peru, it did not work out beneficial price wise.

 

[quokka77]

We are looking at July/Aug trip to South America. Need to be in RIO early August. Hoping to fly on QF to SCL, and from there down to RIO. Away all up around 17 days, so apart from a week in RIO we will be free.

Has anyone done this to maximise SC's? Any advantages in booking all they way MEL to RIO or get into SCL and get a South American Air Pass (OW) if this is still offered.

Hoping to go J all the way, so the other option is on LAN on the new(isn) 787 - however i do want to maximise my SC's so this may not be the best way with QFF.

any insights appreciated.

RIO HOTELS - looking at Ipanema or Copacabana - need to be close to the lake, but a sea view would be ideal.

I would be patient. Air NZ has just opened AKL-EZE, so there will now be some more competition long haul from South West Pacific to South America. ANZ are actually selling this pair at $899 NZD each way in Y. Air NZ also had a launch sale of around $5000 return in J from Australia east coast to EZE, but it was for one day only (did include Christmas / New Year dates apparently). I seem to remember similar prices (if not a bit lower) from QF and LAN on discount J as well, although that was when AUD was a bit higher. I would think OW operated J seats will probably come on special again sometime, either through QF or LAN, especially as August may not be in particularly high demand for us here in the Southern Hemisphere -- happy to be corrected if I am wrong.

Not sure what the ANZ award availability is like, if it is anything like their US services, it will be terrible.

You can sometimes bag one or two J award seats on the QF and LAN planes, and if you have a few AA miles handy (?55K ?60K one way, can't remember sorry) that is probably the cheapest way to arrive in style.

 

[RooFlyer]

Can't help on the SC optimising but you just missed a killer deal with LAN - they had a deal of $1599 to SCL a couple of weeks ago. I jumped on that and sorted it so I get the QF operated flights.

I have elected to book my internal flights - 6 of them - separately. I priced up the SA pass and for my flights within Chile and Peru, it did not work out beneficial price wise.

Ditto. The oneworld 'Visit South America AirPass" seems good value at first, but my TA got me a better overall price by booking sector by sector (about 8 in total). As noted in that thread, the LAN/TAM airpass is hard to get and they are useless at selling it.

Sprucegoose: Hard to avoid LAN if you want to accrue OW SCs in Sth America! I'd just book MEL through to RIO and not worry about the AirPass (which I have a sneaking suspicion is only offered in whY anyway)

 

[eric2011]

RIO HOTELS - looking at Ipanema or Copacabana - need to be close to the lake, but a sea view would be ideal.

Stayed at the Porto Bay Rio International last year. its right on the beach at Copacabana Beach and is one of the nicer ones around the beach area. Quite safe to walk around during the day pretty much anywhere within 3-4 blocks from the beachfront but anywhere further back from the beach is getting a little scary.
I tried to upload a couple of photos of the hotel and the area and apparently the files are too large. If you want to PM an email address I could send them to you.

 

[Milboo]

I don't have personal recommendations for hotels as have not been before but here are three recommendations - Hotels in Rio de Janeiro - Jacada Travel

These guys have never given me a bad hotel and only work with luxury places they personally visit etc

 

[kremin]

Been to Rio 3 times. Highly recommend a seaview room at the Sofitel if in your price range. Amazing views of Copacabana. The have their own little private section of beach too ( at least they used too )

K

 

[Sprucegoose]

thnxs guys some good advice here.

 

[Sprucegoose]

As an update I picked up 2 companion J class QF fares on sale for a total of $10.4k from MEL to RIO, via a stopover in SCL.

I am happy with the value there. Will also pick up 525 SC's as well

 

[kpc]

For accommodation in Rio, consider the iconic Copacabana Palace. ..

 

[bismarck]

RIO HOTELS - looking at Ipanema or Copacabana - need to be close to the lake, but a sea view would be ideal.

Ipanema is a much nicer part of town than Copacabana TBH.

Just a really good vibe, nicer beach, easy access to some good eateries and watering holes.

We actually did airbnb when we there (was over New Years and hotels were crazy expensive) but I would probably do it again when we go back (SWMBO is Brazilian so we go regularly).

We stayed here - https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/342621 - which was comfortable and an easy walk to Ipanema beach and the main restaurant area without actually being in the centre of everything.

Obviously doesn't have the same facilities as a hotel, but perfectly comfortable.

Have also previously stayed at the Sofitel which was great (but we don't really value fancy hotels that highly, would rather do airbnb).

 

[RooFlyer]

As an update I picked up 2 companion J class QF fares on sale for a total of $10.4k from MEL to RIO, via a stopover in SCL.

I am happy with the value there. Will also pick up 525 SC's as well

Yes, really good value. I got a J sale fare SYD-SCL for 1 pax in late last year - $4K, so 2 to Rio for $10.4 is excellent!

 

[juddles]

As an update I picked up 2 companion J class QF fares on sale for a total of $10.4k from MEL to RIO, via a stopover in SCL.

I am happy with the value there. Will also pick up 525 SC's as well

That is a very good deal!! Also, you should get to try out the new SCL LAN lounge - meant to be great - sort of South America's best attempt at a Flounge I will be there next month to try it out

 

[quokka77]

Air New Zealand have $600 off return J seats at the moment (and $400 off return Y) from the Australian east coast to EZE, with the codes SAM600 and SAM400 respectively (via the Air NZ Australia website). Travel period is mid Jan to Mid Apr. Did a quick dummy booking J BNE-EZE return in J from $5.5K, BNE-GIG $6.5K (in AUD). The long leg is on the new 787, for what that is worth. For price, and connecting partner airline reliability, I would say Spruce's sale J tickets were a better bargain (unless you are firmly wedded to *A / VFF).

 

[Sprucegoose]

That is a very good deal!! Also, you should get to try out the new SCL LAN lounge - meant to be great - sort of South America's best attempt at a Flounge I will be there next month to try it out

You will beat me to it so I will look to your guidance !!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Yes, really good value. I got a J sale fare SYD-SCL for 1 pax in late last year - $4K, so 2 to Rio for $10.4 is excellent!

Yes the SCL RIO sector is similar to SYD PER both over 4 hrs

 

[Canny man]

Stayed at the Porto Bay Rio International last year. its right on the beach at Copacabana Beach and is one of the nicer ones around the beach area. Quite safe to walk around during the day pretty much anywhere within 3-4 blocks from the beachfront but anywhere further back from the beach is getting a little scary.
I tried to upload a couple of photos of the hotel and the area and apparently the files are too large. If you want to PM an email address I could send them to you.

I stayed at the Porto Bay last year and agree that it's pretty good. The room I stayed in was very spacious and had a great view over the beach. They also have a private bar over the road on the beach where you can have a pleasant drink. I'd stay vigilant though, there are obvious hustlers around and I wouldn't walk around carrying too much in the way of valuables after twilight.

Street kids had a go at our bags at lunchtime a couple of blocks back. They were 'playing' street football with an empty plastic bottle and started to crowd and distract. Fortunately my little party is pretty street smart (veterans of a lifetime of dodgy towns) and it came to nothing.