Business Class to Brazil: TAM or AA?
 

TAM service from MIA to GRU is A-330, AA is 777. Which would you choose? TIA.

Is this revenue or award ticket?

Is this once a year type deal or do you fly more frequently?

Revenue on business. I'm largely ignoring the air miles as due to my location I haven't flown AA in 10 years and probably won't in the future, and I don't think TAM will get me any credit on USAir or Delta.

There's a chance I will return to Brazil on business, so I guess I could conceivably build up some AA miles, but I'd only consider this a slight edge.

Thanks.

Revenue business class on 1 r/t MIA-GRU and you have Platinum status with a challenge. Any and all following trips in 2008 will earn 100% bonus miles, earn upgrade stickers to be used for domestic flights. IMHO, it's something to consider. The miles add up very quickly with Plat or Ex Plat status. There are other perks as well.

AA is in the process of installing new business class seats on their 777s. They are about 60-75% done so you have a good chance of getting one of these. Fully flat but not horizontal (slightly angeled) seats come with full size pillow and a duvet. Dinner menu with a choice of 4 main dishes. Nice deserts with ice cream service. One of the best wine selections in the industry. AVOD (although it's going through some growing pains). They seem to be having some problems now and then with the system. Access to lounges in MIA on the outbound and GRU on your return.

Can't tell you anything about TAM J international. I only flew with them on a short domestic route in Y. There was a mechanical problem and we were sitting on the tarmac for 2-3 hours. That can happen to any airline so I understood and occupied myself with reading but the locals became very impatient and hot. There was almost a small riot on the plane. Fortunately I didn't understand what all the arguing was all about, as it was done in both, Portugese and Spanish. I was impressed with the crew. It took them a while and included the co-pilot but eventually they were able to defuse the situation and most of the yelling stopped.

Once we took off, the flight was fine. Just like any other domestic flight in Y.

I'm sure others can tell you more about their international J product.

Thanks AAFF, very helpful.

AAFF, what did you mean by "with a challenge"? Do I need to sign up for some promotion to get platinum? I've decide to take AA. Thanks.

You need to call the AAdvantage desk and ask to be signed up for Platinum Challenge. The challenges start on either 1st or 16th of the month so pick the closest date to your first trip. You will have 3 months to complete the challenge but with you flying revenue J to GRU, you will complete it on the first trip. In fact you should get the bonus miles on your return. You will cross the magic number of 10K <b>points</b> (not miles), during your return. You will get 1.5 points per mile flown, on a paid J ticket. You will get miles into your account as well but challenges are based on points, not miles.

If you complete the challenge before June 15 your status(lite) will only be good until 2/09 but if your trip is past that date then your status will be good until 2/10. The good news is that even if you don't requalify, AA will soft drop you to Gold for another year so you will still have status, although not as good perks.

If you are flying before 6/15 then the miles/points will count towards status (the honest way) but then you will need to get 50K miles or points (whichever comes first) before 12/31/08 in order to keep your status until 2/10.

Great. Thanks again for the helpful info.

Well, I've tried and tried, but I cannot get through the automated menus at the AAdvantage desk (800-882-8880) to ask to be signed up for the challenge. There's not a menu item that seems to apply, and it won't seem to allow me to zero out. Any advice? Thanks.

Are you trying &quot;Aadvantage services&quot; off the main menu? If nothing there, go ahead to the reservations line and ask for Aadvantage Customer Service. They should be able to switch you.

I tried, but I can't even get through to a reservations agent without inputting a fictitious departure and arrival city. Choosing Aadvantage Services won't seem to get me anywhere either. An e-mail to AA asking how to register for the Platinum Challenge has gone a few days unanswered. I think I'm going to give up.

brian...dial 800-843-3000......As soon as the automated agent (very courteous btw!!) asks for your Aadvatnage Number, say &quot;AGENT&quot;.....short pause...&quot;OK, do you wish to speak with an agent about reservations in the US, etc etc&quot;..answer&quot;YES&quot;...You are in like Flynn....

Thanks BeachBoi, I had to get a bit deeper into the menus, but that magic word, &quot;Agent&quot; did the trick. Thanks so much.