This is my wife's and my first trip ever to the Carribean; thanks for any advice and/or words of wisdom!

Did a search but, what there was, wasn't specific to CLT-PUJ and/or wasn't recent.

We are going on an all inclusive vacation at the Iberostar Punta Cana resort arranged thru Apple by our local travel agent.

Usually we do economy class award travel but since the miles for first class were the same as for economy; we are flying first class this time; ORD-CLT-PUJ (Chicago O'Hare to Charlotte to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic) on Jan 1, 2007 and back on Jan 8, 2007; have a 2 hr 5 min layover in CLT on the return. Due to the new restrictions that go into effect during our trip we do have passports. But, what should we expect concerning:

Check-in at ORD; is it really necessary (as US Air says) to arrive 2 hours early for our 7:30 am flight?

Meals/snacks/drinks/service for all segments (ORD-CLT CLT-PUJ and back)?

Lounge access in CLT; which lounge should we use? We have club passes if needed but will we be admitted without them since we are flying first class? Do we need to ask for lounge access passes or free drink chits; or just show our tickets?

Arrival at PUJ; we are aware of the need to get our "tourist card" before going thru customs and that we will need to be patient as getting thru customs at PUJ may take a while; shuttle service to and from hotel is included in our package so that's not an issue (we hope); any other advice?

Check-in at PUJ for return; again US Air says arrive 2 hours early for our 7:30 am flight; I suspect our hotel may be able to provide info here since they are also providing the shuttle service.

Getting thru customs at CLT on return with a 2 hr 5 minute layover; will we have time to enjoy the lounge? Does first class still get any type of priority pass for going thru customs (as was menioned in a two year old thread I found when I searched here for threads on US Air international travel)?

Thanks again for any advice/assistance!

Arrival at PUJ; we are aware of the need to get our "tourist card" before going thru customs and that we will need to be patient as getting thru customs at PUJ may take a while; shuttle service to and from hotel is included in our package so that's not an issue (we hope); any other advice?
Check-in at PUJ for return; again US Air says arrive 2 hours early for our 7:30 am flight; I suspect our hotel may be able to provide info here since they are also providing the shuttle service.
Getting thru customs at CLT on return with a 2 hr 5 minute layover; will we have time to enjoy the lounge? Does first class still get any type of priority pass for going thru customs (as was menioned in a two year old thread I found when I searched here for threads on US Air international travel)?

Couple of things for you, arrival at PUJ is an interesting experience to say the least. At least for me, the line for the photo upon arrival is longer than customs (not much of an issue if you're in F), and neither line is very long. However, they do attract some large aircraft (A330s, etc) from Europe, and I'd imagine that simultaneous arrival could make lines very long and the space very cramped.
It's an extremely compact terminal ...errr... hut, so not much walking at all. The buses are parked closely to the building, and you'll meet a representative upon emerging from immigration to direct you where to go.
Your hotel will arrange transportation that will get you to the airport at least 2 hrs in advance, if not 3 hrs. The US lines probably aren't going to be bad at all for checkin, but you might get a little nervous when you see the AA line stretching endlessly next door.

This is my wife's and my first trip ever to the Carribean; thanks for any advice and/or words of wisdom!

Did a search but, what there was, wasn't specific to CLT-PUJ and/or wasn't recent.

We are going on an all inclusive vacation at the Iberostar Punta Cana resort arranged thru Apple by our local travel agent.

Usually we do economy class award travel but since the miles for first class were the same as for economy; we are flying first class this time; ORD-CLT-PUJ (Chicago O'Hare to Charlotte to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic) on Jan 1, 2007 and back on Jan 8, 2007; have a 2 hr 5 min layover in CLT on the return. Due to the new restrictions that go into effect during our trip we do have passports. But, what should we expect concerning:

Check-in at ORD; is it really necessary (as US Air says) to arrive 2 hours early for our 7:30 am flight?

Meals/snacks/drinks/service for all segments (ORD-CLT CLT-PUJ and back)?

Lounge access in CLT; which lounge should we use? We have club passes if needed but will we be admitted without them since we are flying first class? Do we need to ask for lounge access passes or free drink chits; or just show our tickets?

Arrival at PUJ; we are aware of the need to get our "tourist card" before going thru customs and that we will need to be patient as getting thru customs at PUJ may take a while; shuttle service to and from hotel is included in our package so that's not an issue (we hope); any other advice?

Check-in at PUJ for return; again US Air says arrive 2 hours early for our 7:30 am flight; I suspect our hotel may be able to provide info here since they are also providing the shuttle service.

Getting thru customs at CLT on return with a 2 hr 5 minute layover; will we have time to enjoy the lounge? Does first class still get any type of priority pass for going thru customs (as was menioned in a two year old thread I found when I searched here for threads on US Air international travel)?

Thanks again for any advice/assistance!


Back in '04 when we flew PUJ-CLT the flight departed PUJ around 4PM. All Carib>PHL/CLT flights depart in the PM.

I am happy to see they have 2 daily flights CLT to PUJ. Back in the day they only had 1. Is BOS-PUJ still alive?

It's better to check in 2 hours early @ ORD, but not required. As CHOwahoo said, PUJ Terminal is a hut, everything is compacted, and this is the first place where you are going to experience the hot weather of the DR. Once you arrive, don't get distracted and go directly to the Tourism kiosk to get the tourist card, because I've seen long lines to get it as they work really slow, it's US$10 for each tourist card. Also, don't be surprised if a baggage handler says that he's thirsty and needs some bucks to get a soda, this is very common on the DR airports and you just have to ignore them. For the return, you are going to be able to check in on the first class line, but arrive at least 2 hours before because there are a lot of flights departing on the afternoon with a lot of travelers returning home from christmas break (BTW, the earliest US flight to CLT departs @ 2:40 PM so check your itinerary). You are not going to spend more than an hour on immigration / customs @ CLT cause they work really fast with the international flights. Meals, expect snack ORD-CLT and Chicken with pasta CLT-PUJ, same thing for the return. Excellent hotel choice.

I am happy to see they have 2 daily flights CLT to PUJ. Back in the day they only had 1. Is BOS-PUJ still alive?
No... They have a flight BOS-PUJ but with a stop in PHL.

It's better to check in 2 hours early @ ORD, but not required. As CHOwahoo said, PUJ Terminal is a hut, everything is compacted, and this is the first place where you are going to experience the hot weather of the DR. Once you arrive, don't get distracted and go directly to the Tourism kiosk to get the tourist card, because I've seen long lines to get it as they work really slow, it's US$10 for each tourist card. Also, don't be surprised if a baggage handler says that he's thirsty and needs some bucks to get a soda, this is very common on the DR airports and you just have to ignore them. For the return, you are going to be able to check in on the first class line, but arrive at least 2 hours before because there are a lot of flights departing on the afternoon with a lot of travelers returning home from christmas break (BTW, the earliest US flight to CLT departs @ 2:40 PM so check your itinerary). You are not going to spend more than an hour on immigration / customs @ CLT cause they work really fast with the international flights. Meals, expect snack ORD-CLT and Chicken with pasta CLT-PUJ, same thing for the return. Excellent hotel choice.


Snack ORD-CLT will be nothing more than ana ssortment of packaged chips, cookies, granola bars, etc. Nothing plated or fresh. You can make a meal out of it but its not pretty.

...Lounge access in CLT; which lounge should we use? We have club passes if needed but will we be admitted without them since we are flying first class? Do we need to ask for lounge access passes or free drink chits; or just show our tickets?...

You'll have to use your Club passes...unfortunately, there's no Club access when flying FC on US (only when flying Envoy)

I prefer the larger "C" Club (the dome ceiling in the back section is appealing, and so is the view). The "B" Club is a tad too cozy for me...

Thanks to all who responded with experiences and advice! I love these FlyerTalk forums and the people who frequent them!

Sounds like everything will be fine if we arrive early, be patient, and hurry asap to get our tourist cards .... hummmm .... hurry up and wait ..... where have I heard that before .... oh, yeah, 1966-70 in the Army ....

B7e7US,
Thanks for verifying that the Iberostar Punta Cana seems like a good choice. My sister and brother in-law were there last year and loved it. We booked there based on their recommendations (and pictures they brought back).

Thanks again, to all!