What was supposed to be a seamless, eight-night romantic getaway to Argentina ultimately transformed into an exercise in patience and adaptability for accessible travel advocate John Morris and his new bride, Stevie. Armed with frequent flyer miles and hotel rewards accumulated over years of global travel reporting, the couple had meticulously planned a luxury itinerary. However, a cascading series of flight delays and cancellations upended their schedule, leaving them stranded at home for an extra four nights and forcing a layover in a Houston airport hotel.
By the time the travel disruptions settled, their dream vacation had been compressed into just four days and three nights on the ground in Buenos Aires. Yet, embracing a "glass half-full" mindset, the couple committed to making the most of their abbreviated trip, diving headfirst into the culture, cuisine, and unique accessibility challenges of Argentina’s vibrant capital.
Business and First Class Flights to Argentina Using Frequent Flyer Miles
Financing the journey required redeeming a total of 270,000 frequent flyer miles—comprising 120,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points and 150,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles—to cover the round-trip route from St. Louis to Buenos Aires. For the outbound leg, 60,000 Atmos Rewards points per person secured business class seats on American Airlines. However, following the initial wave of cancellations and delays, American ultimately rebooked the couple onto a United Airlines flight.
The pair flew in United’s Polaris Business Class aboard a Boeing 777-200ER. While the flight provided a comfortable journey, Morris noted that the seat presented specific accessibility hurdles, a topic he intends to explore in a forthcoming review.
The return journey from Buenos Aires to St. Louis cost 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles per person, upgrading them to Flagship First Class on an American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER. With the carrier actively preparing to phase out international first class in favor of expanded business class cabins, this flight served as a bittersweet, luxurious farewell to the product.
For disabled travelers, particularly those with a history of pressure ulcers, Morris emphasizes that lying flat and sleeping on long-haul intercontinental flights is far more than a luxury—it is a medical necessity. Beyond the physical relief of a flat bed, premium cabin tickets offered higher-quality inflight meals and lounge access, adding a celebratory touch to the honeymoon. Nonetheless, Morris pointed out that premium pricing does not guarantee an elevated level of accessibility service. Throughout the journey, he experienced a denial of preboarding, prolonged waits for ground assistance, and physical damage to his wheelchair, proving that accessible treatment in the air often mirrors the baseline economy experience.
Booking a Wheelchair Accessible Suite
Securing suitable accommodations presented another formidable hurdle. Finding wheelchair accessible hotel suites remains challenging even within the United States, and Argentina lacks legislation mandating that hotels provide adapted suites. Recognizing that finding a pre-adapted suite in Buenos Aires was highly unlikely, the couple scoured photographs of standard suites across the city in search of a room layout they could successfully navigate.
They ultimately settled on a Deluxe Suite at the Marriott Buenos Aires Downtown, praised for its prime location near the iconic Obelisk on Republic Square and the historic Teatro Colón opera house. The room featured a traditional layout comprising a separate bedroom, living room, and bathroom. While it lacked a balcony or sweeping views, the interior provided ample floor space to maneuver a heavy power wheelchair.
The bathroom featured a roll-under vanity with dual sinks and a large walk-in shower alongside a soaking tub. Although the bathtub itself was inaccessible, hotel staff sourced a chair for the shower. While the bathroom lacked traditional grab bars, Morris found his sturdy 400-pound power wheelchair reliable enough to manage independent transfers safely. Despite the imperfections, the suite delivered a comfortable and luxurious base for their shortened stay.
Getting Around in Buenos Aires
Navigating the sprawling Argentine capital required a pivot in transportation strategy. Years prior, Morris had reported on accessible taxis in Buenos Aires, but current conditions proved prohibitive. When he contacted local providers to arrange an accessible airport transfer, he was quoted inflated rates reaching into the hundreds of dollars. Unwilling to be exploited, the couple bypassed private transport entirely and turned to public transit.
Utilizing city buses and purchasing passes for the hop-on, hop-off tourist bus system allowed the couple to navigate Buenos Aires efficiently and economically. While public transit lacked the intimacy and romance typically associated with a honeymoon, it offered a practical and reliable solution. On the wheelchair-accessible tourist bus, they even enjoyed an automated narrated sightseeing tour of the city.
Wheelchair Accessible Tango in Buenos Aires
No cultural immersion in Buenos Aires is complete without experiencing tango, a dance born in the streets of Argentina and Uruguay in the 1880s and recognized on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Seeking out a premier dinner show, the couple selected Tango Porteño, a venue located just blocks from their hotel that advertised wheelchair accessibility.
They purchased VIP Dinner Show tickets, which promised the most extensive menu selection, complimentary drinks, and preferred seating. Upon arrival, however, they discovered that the elevated preferred seating area was entirely inaccessible to wheelchairs. Consequently, staff seated them in an alternative section located in the front row directly below and in front of the stage.
Despite the seating relocation, the performances by the vocalists and dancers delivered a breathtaking and deeply memorable spectacle. The accompanying dinner, however, proved less successful. While the food tasted adequate, an ingredient disagreed with Stevie, leading to sudden illness in the middle of the night. Review checks revealed no wider pattern of food issues, suggesting it was an isolated incident.
Michelin-Star Dinner at Don Julio Steakhouse
Buenos Aires boasts five Michelin-starred restaurants, including a long-time favorite of Morris’s: the iconic Don Julio steakhouse in the Palermo neighborhood, which earned its star after he had already fallen in love with the establishment.
Having booked reservations well in advance, the couple dined inside the historic brick building. The main entrance features a barrier threshold or "lip" measuring approximately 2.5 inches. While Morris’s mid-wheel-drive Permobil F3 power wheelchair managed the obstacle with relative ease, travelers using different mobility devices might find it challenging. Furthermore, the restaurant does not feature an accessible restroom. Morris has since contacted management to recommend installing a portable ramp.
Once seated, the couple enjoyed a meal that lived up to its Michelin pedigree, with every course—down to the artisanal bread rolls—reflecting exceptional culinary craftsmanship and preserving the quality that predated its star award.
Wheelchair Accessible Day Trip to Uruguay
The initial flight disruptions forced the cancellation of a planned excursion to Mendoza, Argentina’s premier wine region situated near the Andes Mountains. Seeking an alternative, the couple planned a day trip across the Río de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, whose historic Old Town is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Traveling round-trip aboard the accessible Buquebus ferry, Morris and Stevie explored Colonia utilizing an innovative mode of transit: a wheelchair-accessible golf cart rental provided by Thrifty Car Rental. This accessible vehicle enabled Morris to visit areas previously out of reach, including the Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos, a historic bullring recently converted into a cultural and tourist attraction.
Final Thoughts
Although their honeymoon deviated significantly from the original blueprint—sacrificing five precious nights, a trip to the vineyards of Mendoza, and a leisurely pace—the days spent in Buenos Aires were rich with shared experiences, laughter, and resilience. Confronted with logistical obstacles and imperfect accessibility, the newlyweds consistently sought workable solutions. Treating travel as an inherent adventure, they made the most of every moment, leaving the door open to a future return to Mendoza for a second honeymoon.
