Flight Review: LAN 767-300 Premium Business Class MIA-SCL
One of the aspects of my Mother's Day Trip to Chile, I was most looking forward to was flying LAN's Premium Business Class from Miami to Santiago, which I had gotten for $900 a ticket thanks to an amazing deal back in February.
My mom and I flew from LGA to Miami, and our first stop at the Miami Airport was the Club America lounge, which was rather disappointing. The snacks were downright odd - cold cuts, olives and maraschino cherries, yuck. But we weren't going to let that ruin our trip.
We decided to head to the gate since boarding was beginning and I wanted my mom to be one of the first passengers onboard.
This was my mom's first trip in international business class and she was excited to see what all the fuss was about. We were flying one of the airline's 37 Boeing 767-300's, which they use on their long-haul routes (though the airline also has A340-300's and is planning on getting some 787's soon), and Premium Business is their flagship product.
The Premium Business cabin has 30 seats in a 2 x 2 x 2 configuration - though two of these are usually reserved for pilots to rest and they are curtained off from the rest of the cabin. These seats are sort of like those in Korean Air or Qantas's business class and are armchair style that then recline to a horizontal lie-flat. However, they are only 20 inches wide and when fully reclined, only stretch to 73 inches - just 6 feet 1 inch - so they're not that roomy and I had a hard time sleeping scrunched up and on my side.
I hope when the airline refurbishes its plane it considers putting in a new configuration more similar to Delta's BusinessElite or Cathay's reverse herringbone business class that gives each passenger more room and gives the folks on the sides of the plane more privacy and all passengers direct aisle access.
Shortly after take-off the crew began the dinner service. I've hear mixed reviews of LAN's service, but I have to say that our crew was friendly, attentive and on the ball. Plus the menu of courses for dinner was delicious, and not just because we were starving from a day of travel!
I started with a garden salad and sun-dried tomato soup with capers. It was a nice tangy way to start the meal.
For my main entree, I opted for the steak and asparagus with saffron couscous with peppers. By contrast to the starter, my steak was very bland as were the veggies. But I was impressed with the airline's wine program, which is overseen by Hector Vergara (no relation to Sofia as far as I know!), the only Master Sommelier in Latin America. I really enjoyed the Torrontes I had with my first course, and followed the wine pairings suggested for each dish.
After dinner, I decided to relax and watch part of a movie on my personal 15.4-inch screen, and there were dozens of films, TV shows, games and albums to choose from for entertainment options.
Before long, though, I got sleepy, so I decided to reline my seat and snooze for a while. I primped for bed with the Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kit, which contained all the essentials like eye shades, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, lip balm and lotion before reclining my seat to its lie-flat position and trying to some sleep.
My mom and I decided to opt for the express cold breakfast option which was served 40 minutes prior to arrival, so we could try to maximize on our sleep and hit the ground running in Santiago.
I wasn't expecting much, but I was still disappointed by the prepackaged muffin and orange juice from a box we got. Not even a quick cup of coffee was offered! That said, it was still so early in Santiago when we landed, I didn't really care that much since we could grab breakfast later.
All in all, the flight experience was pleasant enough, but nothing remarkable. After having experienced American Airlines' new flagship First Class and Business Class aboard its new 777-300ER from JFK to Sao Paulo, I'd much rather fly that service, especially since I didn't really fit into the LAN seat when it was fully reclined. That said, this was still a terrific bargain for $900 a ticket!
Have you flown LAN Premium Business? How was your experience? Stay tuned for further trip reports from my time down in Chile with my mom.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.