General Info

[QUOTE=Sprite13]Very interesting that info about the free shuttle between GRU and Campinas. Anyone knows how long is that ride? Just curious.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]Sprite13,

As I mentioned in a previous post, my info on the Azul shuttle was wrong. Here's some info on bus shuttes available from GRU to Campinas if interested:

How to get to Campinas

For those arriving at the São Paulo International Airport (Guarulhos/Cumbica):

? There is a shuttle bus at Terminal 2, Wing see (Caprioli enterprise). The timetable can be seen here for the São Paulo Airport to Campinas Bus Station trip. The ticket costs about R$ 35, and it will take about 90 minutes to arrive in Campinas Bus Station. There are are $8 shuttles from Campinas Bus Station to Viracopos Airport in Campinas.

For those arriving at Viracopos Airport, in Campinas:

? There is a shuttle bus from the Airport to Campinas Bus Station. The bus timetable can be seen here. The ticket costs about R$ 8, and the ride takes about 20 minutes.

? Another option is to take a taxi straight from Campinas Airport to the venue. It takes about 25 minutes and costs about R$ 45, 00.

Caprioli is a bus company that I know of that provides both services. Hope that helps. Sorry again about misinformation I originally received and reported here. I usually head to Viracopos directly from my home in MG. Occassionally I take a shuttle from GRU to Tiete Rodoviario (R$8) then a bus to my home (approx. $35. $40). (Note: I also just started exploring SP more and there is a Metro station at Tiete. So if you bus into Tiete you can get out into SP by Metro)

[QUOTE=Hughdad]... ... ...I do, I am off to Rio again in a few days![/QUOTE]
No need for hard feelings.

Sprite13 asked for info on the shuttle. An interesting question. A quick look at the AZUL site gave the answer he was looking for. The shuttle don't pass GRU.

You wrote that the airline shuttle was for shopping trips. It seemed a bit strange to me. A correction seemed useful. After all the forum is for exchanging info. Incorrect info might cause problems to others.

[QUOTE=Sperto]No need for hard feelings.

Sprite13 asked for info on the shuttle. An interesting question. A quick look at the AZUL site gave the answer he was looking for. The shuttle don't pass GRU.

You wrote that the airline shuttle was for shopping trips. It seemed a bit strange to me. A correction seemed useful. After all the forum is for exchanging info. Incorrect info might cause problems to others.[/QUOTE]My apologies to you. A perfect example of me needing to keep learning the language. I quickly looked on the Azul website and interpreted the Onibus page (with all the pick-up's at shopping sites) to mean that they took passengers there during lay-overs. And I thought you were just being sarcastic. And I normally really enjoy good sarcasim (which you are really quite good at)- I can be sarcastic as hell myself. I was just trying to be helpful, as you were. Apologies again. And thanks again for the mountains of useful info you have provided here.

Hughdad and Sperto,
Thanks for both you for all the info provided. After, it seems that the most convenient and easiest way to get from GRU to Rio is to take a flight from GRU to GIG. I also heard that West Jet offers a flight from GRU to SDU. I was under the impression that the only flights going from SP to SDU were from Congonhas and not form GRU. Now this flight from GRU to SDU with West Jet was cheaper than both Tam and Gol. Now this is something to keep in mind, specially with the close proximity of SDU to the Zona Zul and even closer (even walking distance?) to Centro! Will definitely keep that in mind!

[QUOTE=Sprite13]Hughdad and Sperto,

Thanks for both you for all the info provided. After, it seems that the most convenient and easiest way to get from GRU to Rio is to take a flight from GRU to GIG. I also heard that West Jet offers a flight from GRU to SDU. I was under the impression that the only flights going from SP to SDU were from Congonhas and not form GRU. Now this flight from GRU to SDU with West Jet was cheaper than both Tam and Gol. Now this is something to keep in mind, specially with the close proximity of SDU to the Zona Zul and even closer (even walking distance?) to Centro! Will definitely keep that in mind![/QUOTE]Yes, I have walked to Centro and the Metro to go down to Copa from SDU with a light bag. I did it during the day. I still am leery about walking around Centro at night when alone. I am usually with others.

[QUOTE=Sprite13]Hughdad and Sperto,
Thanks for both you for all the info provided. After, it seems that the most convenient and easiest way to get from GRU to Rio is to take a flight from GRU to GIG. I also heard that West Jet offers a flight from GRU to SDU. I was under the impression that the only flights going from SP to SDU were from Congonhas and not form GRU. Now this flight from GRU to SDU with West Jet was cheaper than both Tam and Gol. Now this is something to keep in mind, specially with the close proximity of SDU to the Zona Zul and even closer (even walking distance?) to Centro! Will definitely keep that in mind![/QUOTE]Depends on where you are in SP....Congonhas is relly in town and insome cases you go through much less traffic problems than GRU (not that I say that driving to Congonhas is traffic-free!) But something is making 5km in bad traffic and something is making 15 or 20!

Anyone have experience driving around Brazil? Is it safe? Specifically the route from Rio to Florianopolis. Should I be worried by myself in a car? Thanks....

I'm in Rio every month and I always rent a car. I'm a new york driver so I am accustomed to traffic, yet brazil seems to take the cake in terms of total anarchy on the road. Yet once you get your me FIRST mindset you should be ok. Thus far I only been in one accident, a drunk driver with a tranny passenger at like 2 am. I can not speak in terms of safety from violence as I never experienced and hope to never, yet the police seem very helpful esp with a little propina, LOL.

Now that Varig and AA are partners has anyone tried to book flight on AA using their Varig miles? I called AA a two weeks ago and they claimed not to have heard about the partnership but gave me the number 800 468 2744 to call Varig. I got a lot of static and could barely hear but they said they were Varig and, yes, they could book AA flights for me with my Smiles miles. However, the number no longer seems to work. I just get a dead line.

I went to Varig's site and after some searching I found the number 55 11 3127-9900. I am not sure how much it will cost calling this number but would prefer a US number.

[QUOTE=Jon32]Anyone have experience driving around Brazil? Is it safe? Specifically the route from Rio to Florianopolis. Should I be worried by myself in a car? Thanks....[/QUOTE]
How long is a piece of string. Do you have much knowledge of Brasil? Have you travelled interstate? Is your Porto good enough to navigate interstates? If so, and you're happy to cross the usual Brazilian hurdles, I suppose, why not. But I never have, so can't tell you yes. Personally, I would drive in somewhere like Belo Horizonte but not in Rio (tho some board members have). I'm quite an adventurous driver. I've driven in many countries including developing ones. On coastal routes in Brasil though, I don't think highjacks are a worry. I'm more concerned with potholes and crazy drivers.

[QUOTE=Edward M]Now that Varig and AA are partners has anyone tried to book flight on AA using their Varig miles? I called AA a two weeks ago and they claimed not to have heard about the partnership but gave me the number 800 468 2744 to call Varig. I got a lot of static and could barely hear but they said they were Varig and, yes, they could book AA flights for me with my Smiles miles. However, the number no longer seems to work. I just get a dead line.

I went to Varig's site and after some searching I found the number 55 11 3127-9900. I am not sure how much it will cost calling this number but would prefer a US number.[/QUOTE]
0800 121 121
[url]http://www.smiles.com.br/smiles/content/faleconosco/centralsmiles.htm[/url]

They also have online help/chat.

I used Smiles (Varig) milhas last week for issuing tickets with GOL. I did it on their website and it worked great.

[QUOTE=Jon32]Anyone have experience driving around Brazil? Is it safe? Specifically the route from Rio to Florianopolis. Should I be worried by myself in a car? Thanks.[/QUOTE] Have no reservations about driving anywhere. Just watch out for Burracas, prepare for roadhouse style hotels, get insurance, think twice about driving at night. And, take the hubcabs off and stick them in the trunk before you go.

[QUOTE=Sperto]0800 121 121
[url]http://www.smiles.com.br/smiles/content/faleconosco/centralsmiles.htm[/url]

They also have online help/chat.

I used Smiles (Varig) milhas last week for issuing tickets with GOL. I did it on their website and it worked great.[/QUOTE]Thanks Sperto. Can you elaborate? Did you do everything online without making a phone call? What web site, Varig or Gol? Is that 0800 number a US phone number?

Mongers-
As of today, Smiles miles CANNOT be used to book tickets on AA and AAdvantage miles CANNOT be used to book tickets on GOL. However Smiles miles can be EARNED on AA flights and AAdvantage miles can be EARNED on GOL flights. As of right now, this is the full extent of the AA-GOL partnership. In the near future you can expect the relationship to grow to include elite qualifying miles and redemption of miles, and possibly codeshare. To avoid confusion, remember that when GOL bought Varig they took over their Smiles frequent flier program; so in reality, Varig is dead, all former Varig flights are now GOL flight numbers and staffed by GOL pilots and flight attendants, and the former Varig website now redirects to GOL's website. The only remaining vestige of Varig are the 737-800's that still bear Varig livery. If you can get on the Varig 737-800's do it because they are roomier and more comfortable than the GOL 737-800's. These planes are still flown on the EZE-GIG, EZE-GRU, and EZE-FLO routes, among others.
Suerte,
Rock Harders

[QUOTE=Jon32]Anyone have experience driving around Brazil? Is it safe? Specifically the route from Rio to Florianopolis. Should I be worried by myself in a car? Thanks....[/QUOTE]
I drove from Belo Horizonte to Ouro Preto and back, and around both cities, although Ouro Preto is really a big town with a lot of tourists. There is a modern 4-lane highway between the two cities with a grassy median strip, similar to an interstate highway in the US, but with less traffic. No problems. Personally I would not drive in Rio, what with drivers running red lights and other crazy things, but that's just me.

[QUOTE=Edward M]I went to Varig's site and after some searching I found the number 55 11 3127-9900. I am not sure how much it will cost calling this number but would prefer a US number.[/QUOTE]
If you are going to call Brazil, it's best to get an international calling card at Walgreen's, CVS, Walmart, etc. Otherwise, the phone companies will gouge you.