General Info

[QUOTE=Edward M]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?[/QUOTE]
NOTE: This is for issuing GOL-tickets using Smiles milhas.
I know nothing about issuing AA-tickets using Smiles milhas.

It was a piece of a cake. :)
1. [url]http://www.smiles.com.br/smiles/index_html[/url]
2. Log into your Smiles account.
3. Choose "Issue your ticket".
4. You'll be redirected to GOL (who owns former Varig).
[url]https://compre2.voegol.com.br[/url]
5. Choose your cities, date etc.
A ticket within Brazil normally cost 10000 miles. On some routes there can be tickets available on reduced miles, 6000 miles.
6. Finish issuing your ticket.
You have to pay the airport tax, R$ 19,62. I did it online with my VISA card.

If you need assistance you could call Smiles Service Center.
Unites States:
• Open:Languages: English / Spanish / Portuguese: 24 hours
• Tel: 0800 121 121
• Fax:55 11 3127-9900

[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 wouldn't dare speak of the marvellous city, but i rented a car in curitiba (2006) and drove from there to guarapuava (my niece), blumenau (oktoberfest), and floripa (plus around the island). had a great time, no troubles. except getting lost in curitiba, twice, and being stopped at a policia post on br-101 and accused of speeding. (i wasn't; i was in the right lane, getting passed by everybody). i kept very-politely asking "did the officer get the license-plate? " until the officer reported by radio "the car had dark tinted windows" (mine were dead-clear, and that's when they let me go with an apology. i sincerely thanked them for working to keep us safe.)

as long as you're careful and leave your nascar impressions back home in the usa, i think you'll be able to do just fine.

I have rented a car a few times to drive outside of the cities (inside cities I usually take cab).
It was OK, helped in some cases by tomtom, no apparent danger.
I am fluent in Portuguese so this may help in case of hassle.

[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 can you retain your phone number? Unfortunately I have not been in brasil for 5 months (July1st), I am concerned that my number will no longer work when I arrive in january. Anyone know how long your number will last if you dont use your phone?

[QUOTE=Bravo]How long can you retain your phone number? Unfortunately I have not been in brasil for 5 months (July1st), I am concerned that my number will no longer work when I arrive in january. Anyone know how long your number will last if you dont use your phone?[/QUOTE]

If you charge it with enough aiirtime for 3 months it will be valid for another 2.

A total of 5 months is the maximum.

Fyi, for those planning on visiting Rio in the near future and HELP. Its done, its over. The quality of ladies have dried up and nonexistent. MP isn't much help. Best to do the GFE for a few days as opposed to looking towards HELP. Watched many people leave the place empty handed and talked to a few men who stated, save your $30 to $40 reais and don't enter. Many are asking where did the women go? The termas, the office, etc.

Good luck

[QUOTE=Sperto]
You have to pay the airport tax, R$ 19,62. I did it online with my VISA card.
[/QUOTE]

Thank you very much for all the info. One question though.

Are you sure you used a VISA card and not an AMEX ?

I keep an AMEX card only to use with them because as far as I know they only accept AMEX from foreigners. Unless they recently changed it.

Thanks

[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 rio to buzios and from there to vitoria and then to porto seguro. i got two tickets leaving buzios within 15 minutes from each other.first one 400 reais and the second was 800.
i thought the speed limit was 60km and was driving 58 but it was 50km/hr

so watch out for the lampadas with cameras and read the signs written on the surface of the road approaching them. slow down when passing them and you will be ok.

i now drive all the time i am in fortaleza with no problem.

the worst part was entering bahia. the road was full of holes and we changed tyres twice so make sure your spare one is in good condition,

i need an international driving licence for brasil. so check this out too before leaving home and drive with your shoes on otherwise you will get a fine.

also have always an eye on the car otherwise can be easily stolen.

good luck.

[QUOTE=El Greco]If you charge it with enough aiirtime for 3 months it will be valid for another 2.

A total of 5 months is the maximum.[/QUOTE]

Damn, that sucks, I have had that number for 8 years!! Looks like I will have to get a new one when i go back next month.

[QUOTE=Bravo]How long can you retain your phone number? Unfortunately I have not been in brasil for 5 months (July1st), I am concerned that my number will no longer work when I arrive in January. Anyone know how long your number will last if you don't use your phone?[/QUOTE]a few years ago I didn't return to brazil for 8 months and still retained my same tim number. I have had it for over 3 years now. But I am generally in brazil every couple of months.

[QUOTE=El Greco]Thank you very much for all the info. One question though.
Are you sure you used a VISA card and not an AMEX ?
I keep an AMEX card only to use with them because as far as I know they only accept AMEX from foreigners. Unless they recently changed it.
Thanks[/QUOTE]
Yes, I used VISA.
AMEX used to be the only international card that GOL accepted for buying tickets online. It has changed, now they accept VISA (and I think Mastercard as well).

I have also been able to use Visa on the Gol site since 2005. Before, on the main page, when buying a ticket, they were requesting a CPF, so the way around this was to select Argentina under country and then, I was able to complete the transaction. However, not only everything was in Spanish but the charge was also in Argentine Peso. Now, seems that they have wisen up and have made things easier for making reservations online for non Brasileiros.

If you look for a ticket with GOL at a cheap price it's worth checking the GOL-site several times a day.

I've been "missing" one ticket. Salvador-Rio on the wednesday (17 Feb) when the carnival finish. This is a hard day to find a ticket at a good price as many brazilians go back home that day. The prices on that day have been about R$ 600-1000 for the last two weeks. Suddenly tonight there were prices from R$ 189+tax 19 (to Santos Dumont). A busride (27 hours) cost R$ 260. Got me a ticket. :)

This phenomena with cheap prices on GOL-tickets suddenly turning up occurs every now and then. Nice!

Sometimes GOL and TAM have special promotions where you can buy tickets for just 1 real. I never got one of these super promotions, but they do exist. I have a brazilian businesspartner who bought tickets to four different destinations at the total cost of R$ 25+taxes.

I am trying to call a cell phone in Rio. I am dialing 011-55-21-xxxx-xxxx

I know that 011 is for international dialing from the US and 55 is for Brazil. The problem is the 2 digits before the 8 digit Cell phone no. Is the 21 for the land line or the cell phones as well?

I called this no. from my Claro cell phone, while in Brazil, without dialing any area code, just the 8 digit no.

So from US, if 21 is not right, what would I use instead? I have no idea what brand that SIM card is?

Thanks for the help guys

SM1

[QUOTE=Sexmachine1]I am trying to call a cell phone in Rio. I am dialing 011-55-21-xxxx-xxxx ... So from US, if 21 is not right, what would I use instead?
SM1[/QUOTE]

If your party is in Rio, then you are dialing correctly. The Rio de Janeiro local area code is 21. If you activated your Claro phone in Rio then it also would have a 21 prefix and you could dial within that area with only the 8-digit number. I suggest you just try your call later.