Miami layover -- leaving airport during connection
 

Flying back from South America in October, American has changed my return flight connection from 5 hours to 7 1/2 hours, about 1:30 pm to 9 pm. Will have lounge access (not Flagship, the lesser one) but it's still such a long time.

Options: The metrorail now runs to the airport, and has easy contactless payment in place. Could go downtown for an art museum (which?) or go to the Vizcaya estate which closes at 4:30. Intrigued by the estate, is this enough time? Will have global entry. I saw metrorail about 14 years ago and frankly it looked a little like an Indian commuter train, but recent photos look OK so I assume no issues taking it. Not really interested in people watching at South Beach or walking around the watery areas of town. Very much not impressed by big boats.

Another option would be to change the return to a connecting flight, 55 minute transfer in PHL, gets me home 2 hours earlier but introduces a third flight and that uncertainty, although there are lie flat seats on the MIA>>PHL flight.

Locals/frequent visitors will likely have specific suggestions for what is feasible. I've only connected through Miami a few times without going into the city (each time on American with lounge access)

It sounds like you'd have time, but whatever you end up considering -- don't finally decide until the day. Miami can be a zoo especially for international arrivals. Last time I flew in from Lima it was nearly 2.5 hours before my friend made it to the Admirals Club. There was a snafu at luggage collection before customs. I didn't check a bag so didn't have to wait so we agreed to meet up at the AC. Even w/o waiting for a bag, it still took me more than an hour.

Another time it was quick -- its a crap shoot.

Thanks. Also coming from Lima. Any idea which Admiral club is better?

I have flown in and out of Miami but it was a while ago. The people mover to the rental car structure had recently opened, and it looks like the rail station is right next the rental cars, actually 2 rail stations.

I 'think' I've only used the AC near Gate D30. Supposedly it is the better of the two. Its the one with Flagship Lounge/Dining attached. I honestly don't remember if I was in the D15 AC - if so it would have been 10+ years ago.

I used the Flagship AC in March and it's far superior to the regular one. I highly recommend it if you can get in.

That depends on the class you are flying . . . If you are eligible they will give you a pass when you check in to the AC. Unfortunately Peru is specifically excluded.

Yes, business class to Lima is not eligible. A lot of 6-7 hour flights have gone to single aisle jets, 321 neos or 737 maxes Recently done MSP>>ANC and MSP>>Reykjavik on these little planes, kind of a bummer, but it’s economical so I guess cheaper for everyone. At least Lima can be done as a day flight, and for me in opposite ends of the same time zone.

i thought Florida topics got good responses, usually. I guess the Vizcaya estate and art museums are not well visited.

Sorry, the above post is a bit cryptic. I read somewhere that whether the plane has lie flats seats determines business class eligibility for the Flagship lounge. AA Flights to Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru use single aisle planes without lie flat seating, so are ineligible.

I loved visiting the Vizcaya Estate. Since we enjoy historic homes and grounds, we probably spent more time, touring the house, walking in the grounds and having lunch, but if you will have at least a couple of hours there, I think it would be worth it.

We have a house in Florida, and often transit through MIA, so here is my advice.

First of all, I would not change to a three segment itinerary simply because the layovers seem inconvenient. An annoyingly long layover is better than a tight connection. Your first flight into MIA could be delayed, or even changed again, so it remains to be seen how much time you actually have in MIA.

Regarding the Vizcaya Museum, I assume you know that it's closed on Mondays? I would personally be prepared with a plan to go, and then I would make a game time decision about going, based on how I feel, and how much time I actually have. The Vizcaya is very close to the airport, so have you considered taking an Uber? October is actually a nice time in the area, weather-wise, so you could walk around the grounds and not become a pile of sweat.

Alternatively, there are some nice Latin type restaurants quite close to the airport. The food will be better than the soggy lettuce and watery soup in the Admiral's Club.

Regarding the lounges, I have only been in the Flagship One World Lounge (husband is a Lifetime Platinum), so I don't know which Admiral's Club is better. I suggest checking with a gate agent when you land, and find out the predicted departure gate, and then go to the Admiral's Club closest to your departure gate. It will be too early for your gate assignment to be up on the departure board. I prefer being close to the departure gate, so I can leave the lounge leisurely and not have to hustle to a faraway gate.

Enjoy LIma, the seafood is fabulous.

Highly Recommend Vizcaya
 

I live in Miami, but the museums are not much to recommend. I do love Vizcaya, but I wonder if you will have enough time. I am not sure realistically what time you can get there. I can give you no info on the metrorail which we never use (I think your first impression pretty accurate). If you have to go thru downtown, it may not be that simple. If not via Metrorail, at 4:30 there will be a lot of traffic during a weekday but certainly enough time to get back to the airport. Maybe find out what time is the last tour? Part of it depends upon your preferences and how long you like to spend at such places. We would rather relax in the lounge than run around to get 1-2 hours at a place I would spend 3+ if I had never been there before. Enjoy!

Thanks for all the thorough advice.

Will play it by ear, and if goes well consider taking an Uber to Vizcaya assuming we can arrive 1-1/2 hours before closing. Otherwise skip it and look at restaurants near the airport for a short getaway. I’ve considered this previously and it’s not a good strolling area, unattractive visually, but probably worth it for a good meal.

Last tour is at 2:30 so that doesn't work. I have been to Florida twice for work and 3 times on family vacations, Pensacola to the Everglades, and never intended to revisit. This visit is serendipity so likely either a short visit to Vizcaya now or no visit ever, although I suppose a long layover could happen again.

Follow up: The Lima origin flight was 6:30 am so with getting up at 3, felt in no mood to dash off to Vizcaya mid afternoon and besides it was raining. Immigration @ MIA was deserted when we arrived, first off the plane. Bags were delivered promptly so it was doable.

As a perk, the plane's approach to MIA was directly over Vizcaya, so got a good look that way.

Wouldn't you just know it -- MIA is working on all cylinders for once so you'd have the time, and the weather doesn't cooperate.

Never heard before I flew through MIA that even with paid-for business tickets we could not access any lounge of AA since I was headed for Merida, Mexico.
Is this just an AA thing? And why? One of the reasons to buy a business tickets is to get into the lounges.

Maybe the Admiral lounge was full, Mexico qualifies.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...lub-access.jsp

Mexico doesn’t qualify for the Flagship lounge.

. . . Unless . . . were you on Alaska?? Alaska passengers are specifically excluded. But I don't think Alaska flies to Mexico out of Miami. As tom_mm says, unless it was a capacity issue, other than Alaska, one is eligible with a business class ticket to Mexico.

ACs can/do close due to overcrowding.

I was on AA from MIA to Merida, Mexico. Passengers for Merida are not allowed into the lounges.

Curious. But in a way that does make some sense because it is a short flight, and not like most 'international' routes.