Subtopic	Posts		Updated
	Archive 01	50		2003/06/27, 11:36 am
	Archive 02	50		2003/06/27, 11:36 am
	Archive 03	50		2003/10/23, 10:27 pm

try intratours.com - most flights are on american.

try priceline.com or hotwire.com, u should get a much better price, no FF miles though

looks like intratours ain't around any more...domain name was for sale when i checked...

Rexxx

try again, got quote today for rio. $100 to $200 less than other sites. www.intratours.com--consolidator based in houston. used them twice with no problems and got aa ff miles.

Sweetmesquite,

Have all the flights you've taken from Intratours been on AA? I fly exclusively AA for miles and don't mind paying a little more to get all those Rio miles. However, if I can get the same miles cheaper....I'm in.

Sterling

sterling- ffom houston yes. they will tell you airline after you get quote but before you actually book.

Sweetmesquite - I've used Intratours numerous times over the past few years. Consistently great prices and dependable service.

Just got a ticket from Priceline from LAX to GIG on the 14th for $523 RT. Check em out, think the fare is fair.

Not bad, You could have paid $642 on varigbrasil.com and got a whole bunch of frequent flyer miles.

FF are allowed with American Airlines with the fair.

If you got the ticket bidding on priceline, you will not be getting frequent FF miles. No if's and's or but's..

Dood,

Not true. I was once an avid user of priceline.com
I have asked and received FF miles from the airlines three different times.
Nothing is guaranteed but nothing is absolute either.
There is an exception to every rule.

In the last 12 months AA cleaned up their computer system to insure the priceline/hotwire users don't get FF miles.

The only trick around it is if your flight is overbooked and you take a bump to the next flight. When this happens your ticket gets re-booked into a different booking class that earns miles.

Just called AA to confirm that I will be getting miles for my travels and they indeed confirmed it. I purchased a ticket last year through travelocity and got miles from them aswell.

American has a sweet deal for next weekend. I just got roundtrip 7/22-7/25 for $607 out the door.

Last night, I tried offering Priceline $400 plus taxes for Los Angeles (LAX) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) on Sept 3 to Sept 18, 2004 (weekend pricing). They counteroffered at $445, or about $560 total with all their taxes and fees. I was seriously tempted to take it, but I was worried they would place me on that dreadful Delta Airlines trip. That one has you waiting like six to eight hours at Sao Paulo Airport for your transfer flights to Rio. I finally refused it. I bought the Varig fare from their web site, $732.50 roundtrip. This includes FF miles on United, and an itineary that does not require me to wait in a transit airport for 6 hours or so each way. As of July 31st, the Varig prices are rising $30 due to additional taxes. Has anyone bought LAX to GIG on Priceline? Were you satisfied with the results? Thanks!

I did the LAX GIG thing 2 or 3 times last year. FUCK PRICELINE because I hated them. I did meet Bobby_T from CH when we stopped in Caracas on an emergency.

Best to avoid Priceline unless you are a glutton for punishmentment.

MM

There are currently some cheap deals to Brazil on aa.com . You have to sort through there international fares and you can certainly check by the dates flexible option.

1.I have a comp pass for United red carpet club. Can this work in a Varig members club in GIG?

2. Leaving GIG to EZE on Varig. Will I be in the same terminal as leaving for the states. Thinking back, I caught argentina aero, leaving GIG to EZE and it was a shitty terminal.

Thanks,
Al

Ceenotes, all Varig/United international departures from GIG are out of the new terminal, which is fairly nice. The Varig club is very nice as well, although it was closed for some reason when I left back in November.

As far as using the comp at the Varig club, I doubt it. They wouldn't accept my US Air club card, even after they became full Star Alliance members. Luckily I was in business and they let you in that way, but I was a little surprised.

My co worker uses him AMEX platinum card to get in United and American members club. He only used it in the US so I don't know if it's accepted abroad. I guess you some perks by paying $350 for an annual fee.



CN

If you are a star alliance member and have executive plus status or second level of any star alliance member, you don't need a pass traveling internationally to use any of their lounges.

Coconuts,

Correct, they wouldn't accept my US Air stuff last April, when US Air was just getting integrated. It that point, the US Air club cards didn't yet have a United Red Carpet Club logo on them, and the US Air Dividend Miles cards didn't have the Star Alliance logo either.

No issues now, I haven't flown US Air in over a year, so once my club membership ran out in November, I just got a United membership and all should be good now.

I do use my Platinum status on American to use their clubs for international trips, though. Works every time.

How often do you guys get upgraded to business class for free when flying economy? I got upgraded to Narita but didn't get upgraded coming back. My friend got upgraded from SF to Narita both ways for free but didn't get an upgrade from Narita to BKK.

Does anyone know UAL's policy for free upgrades for executive plus members? I know they upgrade even if you are just an executive member if they oversell coach seats. Somebody said they used to upgrade automatically if they had empty business class seats but once I saw open seats in business class and I wasn't upgraded even though I was an premier exec.

I get comped the upgrade everytime when bus. is not sold out.

DM,

Are you an exec plus or 1K? Also do you get upgraded for all the legs, or just the international one. I don't normally get upgraded for domestic flights because biz or first class is full from people using their upgrades or miles.

UAL's policy is that they don't do "free" upgrades on international flights. Miles, SWU coupons (given to 1Ks), dollars, or op-ups (upgrades for operational reasons) are the only ways you can normally get an upgrade. The most common reason for an op-up is because coach is oversold. But they don't upgrade you just because business has available seats. There has to be a reason.

When I was a Premier Exec, I got an op-up on international flights maybe 20% of the time.

www.flyertalk.com is a great place to keep up on frequent flyer information.

exec plus. I get upgraded whenever room allows-- usually on the international segments for reasons you alluded to.

Strider-- the "policy" you mentioned is the same at aa-- however, that is not to say it doesn't exist. In fact I was just comped an upgrade last week when there was plenty of coach seats left...

I also just got 2 "free" upgrades from jfk-nrt and nrt-jfk just after they asked if I wanted to purchase and upgrade *chuckle*

There is no rhyme or reason...

I got a free upgrade once from BA to Miami on United. The flight was oversold in economy, and they upgraded me to business. Did not even have to ask. It has been a couple of years. I don't remember if they were in BK at the time they gave me the upgrade, but it does happen on United.

MM

The website Strider recommended is pretty good. www.seatguru.com is very helpful in picking seats for the different airlines.

Looked at latindestinations.com and intratours...
the package on the first one(airfare and hotel combined) seemed cheaper to the airfare plus hotel when purchased separate.

Any other suggestions as far as finding packages or separate flights?

Thanks in advance and please excuse my newbiness

Intratours ( http://www.intratours.com/Specials/Specials.asp?RegionSelected=4 ) offers a $499 fall/winter fare special (until 12-09-06 and then after 01-16-07) from Miami or NYC to Rio. The itineraries are good as they are late evening overnight flights on American Airlines. The same itinerary was priced at over $1000 I was looking to buy. You still get the miles and preferred seating if you have a status.
The peak times are blacked out.

It is the cheapest fare I believe exists even if it was e-saver fare.

For the discount, you must travel Mon-Thurs and change fees are pretty high ($250) compared to standard American fee of $150.

(Message edited by cincoleche on October 17, 2006)

Problems with Varig....

Is anyone else having trouble with Varig? There is no way to confirm my flight out to Rio tomorrow night--getting an automated response, and hearing word that ALL FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. That can't be right,

right?

Uhm...
Wrong. Varig had MAJOR cash problems and collapsed several months ago. Don't know if they were picked up and are flying now. Me thinks you is screwed. Sorry.

Pauly, how long ago did you buy your ticket? Varig has had problems for months now, I am surprised you havent double checked your ticket status, before this week.

Just back from JFK. Wow, I'm not going to Rio....

Oh, the preparation! 6 months of learning Portuguese. Reading every Rio trip report. Learning the Bwana Dik 2006 like King James. Working out, Visa & vitamin V & gift buying. Emailing dozens of experienced guys for insights...

How does something like this happen?

Booked the flight in March or April $650 fish. Great price, right. Never saw word in the news or on ClubHombre about this airline folding. Never received one email from the company about our reservations being not valid. Not checking in to confirm the flight til 48 hours before departure(who the hell checks a month in advance)...finding out when we did check in after Christmas that the airline isn't answering the phones anymore and that their booth at JFK hasn't been manned in months!

Unreal.

No options to Rio now(unless a 2,000$ flight strikes your fancy)...looks like my old standby, Costa Rica, for New Years.

My wingman T and I are moving through the 5 phases of death rapidly. Perhaps this was meant to happen.

We'll find a beach in CR to lay upon, an umbrella drink in hand, Brazilian white outfit and blonde baby to hold.

Thanks for the advice, gang.

Fui!

IT WAS DISCUSSED on HOMBRE........Several of us discussed the posibility of the airline going bankrupt. You apparently missed it....

It's probably for the best that you didn't get to Rio.

Copperfieldkid:

Are you referring to the "Varig bites the weenie" thread in SA chat started on June 21.

Or are you referring to the "Varig is going a bye bye" thread begun on June 23?"

Or maybe the July 30 "Varig" thread in which it was mentioned that all flights to/from the U.S. would be suspended on August 1? Or perhaps something else?

And yes, I probably have too much time on my hands.

You just had to get a couple Christmas shots in, didn't you Catocony and Copperfield...that's cool. It's 2:12am and I could give a....

The POINT is that the supposed national airline of Brazil shut down internationally and didn't let their customers know in any way shape or form. Several others folks were at JFK tonight, also completely in the dark that their trips were gone(including a travel agent!) We got our dough back though from Visa, and were booked to Costa Rica within two hours.

Missing Rio is so very upsetting. I will SAVE near $1,000 compared to the same 10 days I'll spend in CR. I will fuck 3X the amount of women you will for the same $$$. I will open my files to more GFE's in those 10 days than either of you pithy master mongers will have in a year. I will be on the best beach, in the top resort on the Pacific coast for $100 on New Year's Eve.

Freakin' idiots, godamn right it's for the best.

Here is the problem Pauly. In SA chat you posted:

"This is the post that I somehow never saw in Club Hombre.

"Varig is muerto.

"Just went out to JFK. Nobody has manned the Varig booth in months. Bought the tickets in April or so, never got one email from the company saying it had gone bankrupt. And despite reading this website 2X daily, never remember one post saying, definitively, that

VARIG IS BANKRUPT."

Although there is the possibility of a misunderstanding, many of us interpreted your post as somehow blaming the Club Hombre community for failing to inform you about Varig's demise. In fact, this topic was well-discussed here, and, in any event, even if it weren't your tone would have been unwarranted.

Pauly,

A guy who doesn't realize for SIX MONTHS that an airline he has a ticket on has gone bankrupt and stopped flying to his location SIX MONTHS ago, now really, who's the idiot?

Here's a hint for future travel - check in every once in a while with your airline's website. Also, for future destinations, drop the asshole attitude before you go. You were complaining about Rio as to how it compares to Costa Rica a month ago. Why were you even going in the first place then? You New York guys are a painful bunch of morons to deal with on a good day, if you didn't have something to bitch about I'm not sure you could continue living.

Enjoy your stay in Costa Rica, you know what's best and you're the smartest guy on the board. Right?

PV-

I'm sorry for your troubles, but it's true that you must be the only guy on the planet not aware of the problems with VARIG. There were stories in every major paper about Brasilians getting stranded in Europe during the World Cup because of their collapse. I've avoided VARIG for the past year because they were on the brink of collapse, and their demise was a surprise to no one.

You may want to consider dealing with travel agents in the future if you don't have the time to stay on top of things like this.

If you spent 6 months learning Portuguese, you should have used those skills to visit Yahoo!Brazil and read the headlines once in a while (it's also good to check the currency). The Varig news dominated the headlines for weeks on end. Frankly, I was getting tired of the story I heard so much about it, both from the Brazilian press, the US press (it was the only Brazilian news they were covering), the CH board and even people I know that don't even care that much about Brazil. I could understand how you might have missed it if you were in Montana, but NYC!

I was in Costa Rica June til September and saw no news of it. The other half dozen people at JFK last night must have missed the news too. For all that talk and press, the company itself was silent about it, no calls or email went out.

I started researching CH in October but it was trip/chica reports. We had our tix already--I thought--so why check the Varig thread?

Look, it's history, so let's move on. Brazil ain't going anywhere. I'll make it there, maybe with a 3X1 Dollar/Real, offseason sometime.

Have a great time anyone who's down there right now.

Ciao......

In Portuguese it's spelled "tchau".

Freakin' Catocony, just gotta get the last word, doncha dipshit?

Whatsa matter, small dick?

Don't bother responding cause this is my last post, so you see

I get the last word, period.

Go f--- yourself.

end of topic.

Ok. Have fun in Costa Rica.

I thought it was spelled "chow."

Jag

Actually, in Costa Rica it's spelled "adios." Go figure.

Purina Cat Chow? WTF are we discussing here?

Branquinho,

Right about now, I don't have a fucking clue as to what we're discussing here. After reading through this thread, I think I finally found the culprit. I don't want to point fingers, but Catacony started it all. Give him shit, please.

Jag

I think it was that other guy, Poster A.

Cat,

That's just like you, pointing fingers at someone to get them into trouble. Shame on you!

Jag

PV; I simply pointed out that Varig was discussed-fact; and I stated apparently you missed it-fact. This results in you calling me a frekin idiot-jeez I believe my comments were both neutral AND factual. Obviously your situation would be upsetting to anyone and it is regretable. Having said this I sincerely hope you CR trip is enjoyable - try and have a Happy New Year! PS:LAguy, yes to all the posts, and I don't know about too much time on your hands, better than something else tho- lol

No more flights on Continental from NJ to Brasil?

I am trying to book my vacations for Oct and January and I cant find any 10pm flights listed. It looks like Continental is forcing me to fly to Houston. The latest flight to Houston is 430PM, that sucks because it means I have to leave work early (Not sure how much the boss will like that one)


I liked the 10PM flight because I could work a full day and still had plenty of time to get to the airport by 8:30PM!!

If you don't mind JFK and AA, AA has a 9:30PM to GRU with a connecting flight to GIG.

or you can go LGA-IAD or EWR-IAD and get a direct, non-stop on United to GIG.

But...Continental is still flying from EWR-GRU-GIG. It just doesn't pop up on their worthless computer reservation system.

I am trying to get a flight from Miami, FL to Rio De Janiero, Brazil.

The average flight cost have been:
$1018 - American Airlines (non-stop)
$975 - TAM (1 stop in Sao Paulo)

I checked from now (9/19/07)to May 2008. The lowest cost including taxes is $950.

Therefore, my budget for 6 nights in Rio are:

Flight - $1020
Hotel / Apartment ($100/night) - $650

Termas (1session/day) $130*6 - $800
Help (1 session/day) $150*4 - $600
-------------------------

I forgot to eat - $200

Total budget: $3300 (This is a lot to budget for (1) trip.) Is this realistic budget? What prices are you guys getting for flights?

That budget should do it, although I would budget more for food/incedentals. You'll spend a lot more than US$200 in seven days for food, drinks, etc. And if you're there six nights you'll have 7 days, so bump up the budget accordingly.

I advise not taking TAM. You'll burn up a whole day getting down, then a whole day getting back. Do the redeyes on AA and get the full days in.

The Visa will be another $100. Entery fee for Help and Termas are another $10 per - $10*10 = $100. How are you going to get to/from the airport? It's $30 each way atleast. I'm thinking $150 for taxis for a week. And last but not least - In the last 2 weeks the $ has lost almost 10% vs the Real - so that $1600 you planned on spending 2 weeks ago is now $1440. Wait until next year and it could be another 50% drop.

You guys who continue to waste money on taxis going into Centro from Copacabana REALLY need to check out the Metro. Clean, relatively safe (daytime is fine I'm get concerned about late at night), as quick as a taxi and and whole bunch cheaper. I can't IMAGINE spending $150 on TAXIS. That money could be put to much better use IMHO.

EA

Metro down, taxi back drops your costs to around R$24 for a round trip. I've used the metro at night with no issues but usually just back from Botafogo, I would think the danger would be around some of the metro stops in Centro. The Carioca station is right on Rio Branco though, so getting on there shouldn't be a problem.

I agree even a newbie can use the metro. No line changes just a straight shot in and back.

I've metro'd back from Centro using all three of the Centro stations as late as 11pm without incident. There's always a crowd around Uruguaiana which makes it pretty safe. Carioca is right on Rio Branco, as is Cinelandia. The trickiest part, in my mind, is the trek from Cantagalo station back to the Terraço or my apartment once in Copacabana. I don't mean to imply that Centro is perfectly safe at night--it's not--but it feels safer than Copa at night.

If you make a trip a day to Centro and go via cab both ways, your bill for 6 days is in the neighborhood of $130-$150. If you make the same trips by metro, that'll set you back about $15. Your savings will buy you an extra program at 4X4.

I left Quatro several nights by myself sometimes as late as 10 and would always walk to the Carioca station. It just seems easier since it's a straight shot. I encountered no problems on the train. In fact, danger never occurred to me.

I agree that the trek from Cantagalo back to the Terraco area can be a bit iffy that late. I walk really fast, never wear flip-flops in case I need to run, try to walk with people, and exit the station out on Xavier because it is more populated with shops and restaurants than Miguel Lemos.

The metro is safe.... but if you are coming back from centro a more direct and quick route to Terraco or areas on the copa beach is the bus. Just pick the bus going to Barra da Tijuca from Rio Branco. They drive like maniacs back to Copa and pass Ipanema as well via the beach. You'll make it back from centro to Copa in about 20 minutes. The bus stops right in front of Balcony Bar and 'Help'. Safer then walking the neighborhoods from the metro station and much quicker!

You can also easily get to LLumo terma in Copa using the Metro bus. The metro bus stops almost right in front of the shopping center. Make a left from where the metro bus stops, then a right into the shopping center.

Also, traveling between Copa, Ipanema, and Leblon is super easy in a bus. Pretty much the majority of buses going to Copa pass N.S. Copacabana. Just a couple of block from the beach. Just look for any bus going to Rio Sul (Shopping).

Hell, I have taken girls home in a Van or bus from the front of 'Help'. Some still make fun of me for that :-)

There is also a bus that goes to and from the airport for only R$6.00. Leaving the airport is super easy, but taking that same bus to the airport takes more patience as it only passes about every 30-40 minutes along the beach. It is a big travel bus and can accomodate large luggage.

Yes, I have heard of buses getting robbed - but so far I have been lucky. Plus I never have too much money with me. So if the day does come and I get robbed, I have saved way to much money over time to make up for any losses.

Good airfare sites to try:

cheapoair.com
sidestep.com
kayak.com

LM,

If you're taking garotas home on the bus, I hate to ask what you negotiated for the program. That does send a message though.

I have a lot of respect for lovingmarvin. He has posted excellent information on regular clubs and stuff. He did his homework and I found his information to all be correct.

If safety is the issue, there is no problem on the metro. I never hear of issues on the metro. It is too difficult for crooks to get away so the crime rate is almost nonexistant there. In Centro at night your better off on Rio Branco then the side streets so Metro Carioca is the safest bet. Bwana's point about walking from Cantagalo is a legitimate concern.

I wouldnt recommend the bus though. I see news reports almost daily of robberies on the buses.

Thank you for the nice feedback!

I mostly pay R$100. I usually wait until the very late hours of the night and do not budge on my price (ideally R$100). Around 4:00am you can get some great bargains, even freebies...or minimal amounts to cover the taxi ride home the next day. Some girls live far away and do not have the money to go home in the taxi, so a stay in an apartment close by is a negotiating tool. I have learned early on a high price does not always equate to an outstanding session. I am cheap....very cheap, but have to be that way. I live in Rio for most of the year and cannot afford to maintain my lifestyle paying tourist prices day in and day out. Staying one or two weeks in one place and splurging is one thing, but just cannot be maintained over time. Also I like to train the girls....there is plenty of supply and someone willing to take me up on my price.

Unless negotiated upfront, I also never pay cap fare home - even if I only paid R$100 or less. I give them bus fare..when they complain, I tell them if the bus is good enough for me it is good enough for them :-)

I also very rarely buy drinks for the girls....maybe a beer! Once I like someone, I quickly move in talk to her, set a price point - if we agree, we are out of there. Why waste additional money for drinks at that point?

I am very playful with the girls and have found you can get away with quite a bit of stuff when you stay cool, friendly, playful but keep your wits about your money. The way I see it is they are there to suck every little penny out of you, its up to you to protect yourself from that. When they get pushy I immediately walk away!

Are there no taxis outside Cantagalo as there are at Siguero Campos stop? It would be a pretty short and inexpensive ride from Catagalo to TA, and certainly safer than the bus.