Lounge access with LATAM domestic flights departing Santiago

[fuelforlife]

I've read the blog regarding lounge access for Qantas FF with gold or platinum status flying on LATAM flights without a QF number. but does this apply to domestic flights? The blog says that Qantas FFs can use LATAM lounges if they are operated by LATAM (ie not partner lounges) but does this only apply to international flights? Our domestic flights are premium economy, but I think LATAM premium economy passengers only get lounge access for international flights.
Has anyone had experience with LATAM flying domestically within Chile or to Buenos Aires?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

It's my understanding that LATAM does not have any domestic lounges. All of their lounges are on the international departures side meaning you would need to hold a ticket for a flight departing from the international terminal. So my "solution" as my partner and I had a number of domestic sectors ( GRU > FLN on LA, XAP > PFB on AD, PFB > GRU on LA) was to make use of the lounge membership perk that comes with my AmEx Platinum card. So it might make sense to look around and see if you can get a cheap (or better yet no annual fee) card that gets you lounge access through Priority Pass or a similar such program. Keep in mind too that not every airport will have a lounge. There certainly wasn't a lounge in PFB.

-RooFlyer88

 

[SYD]

The LATAM website doesn’t differentiate between International or Domestic lounge access for QFF WP/SG flying LA flights.

Santiago Lounge | LATAM Airlines

Discover an unique experience while enjoying gastronomy, resting areas, unlimited Wifi and much more in our lounge.

www.latamairlines.com

Domestic flights out of SCL depart from T1 and new T2 handles all International flights. The original (and very nice 2 level LATAM lounge was in the T1 section). Unfortunately, I don’t know if it still operates nor if you can access the T2 Premium lounge on a domestic ticket. When I passed through earlier this year, I was only flying “International”.

 

[fuelforlife]

It's my understanding that LATAM does not have any domestic lounges. All of their lounges are on the international departures side meaning you would need to hold a ticket for a flight departing from the international terminal. So my "solution" as my partner and I had a number of domestic sectors ( GRU > FLN on LA, XAP > PFB on AD, PFB > GRU on LA) was to make use of the lounge membership perk that comes with my AmEx Platinum card. So it might make sense to look around and see if you can get a cheap (or better yet no annual fee) card that gets you lounge access through Priority Pass or a similar such program. Keep in mind too that not every airport will have a lounge. There certainly wasn't a lounge in PFB.

-RooFlyer88

Thanks for that. I was hoping they may have domestic lounges in larger airports like Santiago or Buenos Aires. I wonder whether the flights from Santiago to Buenos Aires are considered domestic or international? We do have access to Priority Pass lounges through AMEX but try to avoid them as they are usually pretty sub standard!

 

[SYD]

Thanks for that. I was hoping they may have domestic lounges in larger airports like Santiago or Buenos Aires. I wonder whether the flights from Santiago to Buenos Aires are considered domestic or international? We do have access to Priority Pass lounges through AMEX but try to avoid them as they are usually pretty sub standard!

SCL to EZE/AEP are “international”. No issues there getting into the Premium lounge.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I wonder whether the flights from Santiago to Buenos Aires are considered domestic or international? We do have access to Priority Pass lounges through AMEX but try to avoid them as they are usually pretty sub standard!

Generally speaking any flight that crosses an international border will depart from the international terminal. The size, economic status or popularity of the route plays no role in which terminal it departs from.

 

[SYD]

Generally speaking any flight that crosses an international border will depart from the international terminal. The size, economic status or popularity of the route plays no role in which terminal it departs from.

Tell the USA that….

But for OP, LA flights to/from Argentina depart/arrive from SCL T2 (which hosts the LA “Premium Lounge” and accessible by QF WP/SG flying LA. It’s actually defined as OWE/S members of QF, JL and IB FF programs.

@kangarooflyer88 there’s also a “WorldMember” Lounge! But a WP card won’t work there.

The nicer “Signature” lounge is reserved for LATAM / Delta top tiered members and paid J PAX flying LA.

 

[fuelforlife]

Tell the USA that….

But for OP, LA flights to/from Argentina depart/arrive from SCL T2 (which hosts the LA “Premium Lounge” and accessible by QF WP/SG flying LA. It’s actually defined as OWE/S members of QF, JL and IB FF programs.

@kangarooflyer88 there’s also a “WorldMember” Lounge! But a WP card won’t work there.

The nicer “Signature” lounge is reserved for LATAM / Delta top tiered members and paid J PAX flying LA.

Thanks for all the responses. Sounds promising for our Santiago - BA sector anyway. We'll just have to prepare for the worst for our other flights within Chile!

 

[SYD]

Thanks for all the responses. Sounds promising for our Santiago - BA sector anyway. We'll just have to prepare for the worst for our other flights within Chile!

Please report back on what IS the arrangement in T1 now for LA domestic flights?

You’re definitely fine for a lounge in SCL pre flying to BA. I was there earlier in the year flying to MVD on LA (as QF WP). There’s also a LA lounge in EZE you can use flying back to SCL. Not sure what’s at AEP these days but there never used to be an LA lounge there.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Please report back on what IS the arrangement in T1 now for LA domestic flights?

It’s my understanding that LA doesn’t operate any domestic lounges and at SCL specifically, the lounges they operated are in T2. So you wouldn’t have access to the lounge on account of it being in a different terminal.

 

[SYD]

It’s my understanding that LA doesn’t operate any domestic lounges and at SCL specifically, the lounges they operated are in T2.

That is what I was able to deduce, but since neither of us have been to T1 since T2 opened, better someone who will be report back on the actual situation.

As I said earlier, the original LA lounge was in the T1 footprint. Odd / a shame if they’ve closed that completely.

So you wouldn’t have access to the lounge on account of it being in a different terminal.

This would be another thing to report back on.

I’d assume you can’t move freely between T1/T2 and back. But haven’t tried.