Early Access to Terminal 5 ORD
Sep 10, 2014, 9:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 715
Early Access to Terminal 5 ORD
I’ve been doing the CX807/CX806 roundtrip, ORD/HKG, every few months. Been flying J… trying F next month.
Home is DTW; fly Delta to ORD.
I need to arrive at least three hours early in order for Delta to transfer my checked bag to Cathay. (At least that’s what they tell me when I’m checking the bag in Detroit.) And I want to have a little extra buffer so if Delta cancels a flight, I can still get on the next one, and not miss my connection. So I am usually arriving ORD 4-5 hours ahead of the flight.
Unfortunately, Cathay only has the one counter in ORD Terminal 5. They don’t staff it all the time; I think they open it 2-3 hours before the scheduled departure.
Here’s the problem: Cathay stopped allowing online check-in. So I can’t get a boarding pass to gain entrance into Terminal 5. I’m stuck waiting in line at the counter. Stuck for a LONG time.
Of course, I have access to the Delta SkyClub, and can enjoy potato chips for a few hours. But I’d much prefer to wait in the CX partner lounges, but I can’t get into the terminal without a boarding pass! I also have Priority Pass, so I even have my choice of lounges in Terminal 5. But I can’t get into the terminal!
Any suggestions on how to gain access to terminal 5?
Home is DTW; fly Delta to ORD.
I need to arrive at least three hours early in order for Delta to transfer my checked bag to Cathay. (At least that’s what they tell me when I’m checking the bag in Detroit.) And I want to have a little extra buffer so if Delta cancels a flight, I can still get on the next one, and not miss my connection. So I am usually arriving ORD 4-5 hours ahead of the flight.
Unfortunately, Cathay only has the one counter in ORD Terminal 5. They don’t staff it all the time; I think they open it 2-3 hours before the scheduled departure.
Here’s the problem: Cathay stopped allowing online check-in. So I can’t get a boarding pass to gain entrance into Terminal 5. I’m stuck waiting in line at the counter. Stuck for a LONG time.
Of course, I have access to the Delta SkyClub, and can enjoy potato chips for a few hours. But I’d much prefer to wait in the CX partner lounges, but I can’t get into the terminal without a boarding pass! I also have Priority Pass, so I even have my choice of lounges in Terminal 5. But I can’t get into the terminal!
Any suggestions on how to gain access to terminal 5?
Sep 10, 2014, 11:51 am
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
I’ve been doing the CX807/CX806 roundtrip, ORD/HKG, every few months. Been flying J… trying F next month.
Home is DTW; fly Delta to ORD.
I need to arrive at least three hours early in order for Delta to transfer my checked bag to Cathay. (At least that’s what they tell me when I’m checking the bag in Detroit.) And I want to have a little extra buffer so if Delta cancels a flight, I can still get on the next one, and not miss my connection. So I am usually arriving ORD 4-5 hours ahead of the flight.
Unfortunately, Cathay only has the one counter in ORD Terminal 5. They don’t staff it all the time; I think they open it 2-3 hours before the scheduled departure.
Here’s the problem: Cathay stopped allowing online check-in. So I can’t get a boarding pass to gain entrance into Terminal 5. I’m stuck waiting in line at the counter. Stuck for a LONG time.
Of course, I have access to the Delta SkyClub, and can enjoy potato chips for a few hours. But I’d much prefer to wait in the CX partner lounges, but I can’t get into the terminal without a boarding pass! I also have Priority Pass, so I even have my choice of lounges in Terminal 5. But I can’t get into the terminal!
Any suggestions on how to gain access to terminal 5?
Home is DTW; fly Delta to ORD.
I need to arrive at least three hours early in order for Delta to transfer my checked bag to Cathay. (At least that’s what they tell me when I’m checking the bag in Detroit.) And I want to have a little extra buffer so if Delta cancels a flight, I can still get on the next one, and not miss my connection. So I am usually arriving ORD 4-5 hours ahead of the flight.
Unfortunately, Cathay only has the one counter in ORD Terminal 5. They don’t staff it all the time; I think they open it 2-3 hours before the scheduled departure.
Here’s the problem: Cathay stopped allowing online check-in. So I can’t get a boarding pass to gain entrance into Terminal 5. I’m stuck waiting in line at the counter. Stuck for a LONG time.
Of course, I have access to the Delta SkyClub, and can enjoy potato chips for a few hours. But I’d much prefer to wait in the CX partner lounges, but I can’t get into the terminal without a boarding pass! I also have Priority Pass, so I even have my choice of lounges in Terminal 5. But I can’t get into the terminal!
Any suggestions on how to gain access to terminal 5?
Sep 10, 2014, 12:39 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 715
Flight departs 15:30 Chicago time. So if 12:30 is still accurate, then 3 hours before flight. I arrive 4-5 hours before flight.
Sep 10, 2014, 1:21 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
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Is it possible to get a TA to ticket the DL tag on a CX ticket? And will DL check you all the way in? Not sure, just an idea.
Is it possible to get a TA to ticket the DL tag on a CX ticket? And will DL check you all the way in? Not sure, just an idea.
Sep 10, 2014, 1:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
I'm surprised. The MCT applies both to people and to bags. And I don't believe the dom-int MCT is 3 hours, but unfortunately I cannot find an authoritative source to tell me what it is..
Sep 10, 2014, 4:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver/ows, CX AsiaMiles (not even GR anymore!) missing my GO days
Posts: 1,581
Early Access to Terminal 5 ORD
If DL is able to through-check your bag to HKG, as a J/F pax on CX you also have the option of killing time in the AA lounges in T3. These are accessible airside from the terminal DL uses. I don't know if you'd find these better or worse than the SkyClub, but it can give you a place to wait. In terms of space and natural light, I find this preferable to the BA J lounge in T5 (although lack of free food is annoying).
Sep 10, 2014, 5:28 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
AA has always been able to print CX boarding pass for me. Wouldn't Delta do the same for you? Especially if they can tagged baggage all the way through, they have to give you a boarding pass because of new rules about "bag/pax" have to stay together. I don't think you will have any problem getting a boarding pass from your origin of departure.
Sep 10, 2014, 5:46 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Austin, TX USA
Programs: BA, CX, LH, WN
Posts: 211
Someone here MUST have been in this situation and should be able to give more info.
Curious but why cant you do OLCI?
Sep 10, 2014, 6:36 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver/ows, CX AsiaMiles (not even GR anymore!) missing my GO days
Posts: 1,581
AA has always been able to print CX boarding pass for me. Wouldn't Delta do the same for you? Especially if they can tagged baggage all the way through, they have to give you a boarding pass because of new rules about "bag/pax" have to stay together. I don't think you will have any problem getting a boarding pass from your origin of departure.
Sep 10, 2014, 7:10 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,817
Minimum connection times at ORD DL to CX
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
I'm not sure that Delta would be able to issue a CX boarding pass. Why doesn't the OP fly AA to ORD and book all of this together on one ticket and then be protected in case of a misconnect? AA should be able to issue the CX boarding pass if on one ticket at DTW.
Also there was a problem with online check-in with CX with a mobile boarding pass not being generated; most people could still print a boarding pass though. OP, have you tried printing a BP?
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Minimum Connect Times: Connecting at ORD Incoming airline DL Outgoing airline CX Flight type Domestic to International STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I. ONLINE .50 1.15 1.30 1.30 OFFLINE .50 1.15 1.30 1.30 ** OR * ARE ALL **-CX DI 1.30
Also there was a problem with online check-in with CX with a mobile boarding pass not being generated; most people could still print a boarding pass though. OP, have you tried printing a BP?
Last edited by jerry a. laska; Sep 10, 2014 at 7:16 pm
Sep 10, 2014, 7:56 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver/ows, CX AsiaMiles (not even GR anymore!) missing my GO days
Posts: 1,581
I echo the AA suggestion. The schedules look good for connecting to/from 807/806, and even if you book on separate tickets, both AA and CX are generally pretty good about accommodating misconnects if you're connecting between oneworld carriers.
Sep 10, 2014, 9:53 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Makati City, Philippines
Programs: Delta Skymiles DM, CX GO, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,361
What lounge options are there in T5? Wife and I will be doing pretty much the same thing in December. MNL HKG ORD in J on CX, then ORD PIT in F on DL.
Considering getting a hotel the day of arrival at ORD and flying out on DL the next morning, same in reverse, fly PIT ORD on DL, overnight at a hotel, then ORD HKG MNL the next day on CX J.
Any thoughts? Easier or more hassle? FWIW, DL Diamond, making the switch to CX for all my TPACs. I fly MNL NRT ATL PIT about once a month on DL business class. Excited to try CX J.
Considering getting a hotel the day of arrival at ORD and flying out on DL the next morning, same in reverse, fly PIT ORD on DL, overnight at a hotel, then ORD HKG MNL the next day on CX J.
Any thoughts? Easier or more hassle? FWIW, DL Diamond, making the switch to CX for all my TPACs. I fly MNL NRT ATL PIT about once a month on DL business class. Excited to try CX J.
Sep 10, 2014, 11:25 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver/ows, CX AsiaMiles (not even GR anymore!) missing my GO days
Posts: 1,581
What lounge options are there in T5? Wife and I will be doing pretty much the same thing in December. MNL HKG ORD in J on CX, then ORD PIT in F on DL.
Considering getting a hotel the day of arrival at ORD and flying out on DL the next morning, same in reverse, fly PIT ORD on DL, overnight at a hotel, then ORD HKG MNL the next day on CX J.
Any thoughts? Easier or more hassle? FWIW, DL Diamond, making the switch to CX for all my TPACs. I fly MNL NRT ATL PIT about once a month on DL business class. Excited to try CX J.
Considering getting a hotel the day of arrival at ORD and flying out on DL the next morning, same in reverse, fly PIT ORD on DL, overnight at a hotel, then ORD HKG MNL the next day on CX J.
Any thoughts? Easier or more hassle? FWIW, DL Diamond, making the switch to CX for all my TPACs. I fly MNL NRT ATL PIT about once a month on DL business class. Excited to try CX J.
Why not book the domestic flights on AA? The schedule allows manageable connection times in ORD, and you have the option of booking on one ticket through CX, which protects you in case of irrops. It makes for a long flying day in Y or PEY, but in J should be ok.
Sep 11, 2014, 1:27 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Makati City, Philippines
Programs: Delta Skymiles DM, CX GO, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,361
At the moment I believe your only option are the BA lounges unless you have Priority Pass or some other means of accessing other options.
Why not book the domestic flights on AA? The schedule allows manageable connection times in ORD, and you have the option of booking on one ticket through CX, which protects you in case of irrops. It makes for a long flying day in Y or PEY, but in J should be ok.
Why not book the domestic flights on AA? The schedule allows manageable connection times in ORD, and you have the option of booking on one ticket through CX, which protects you in case of irrops. It makes for a long flying day in Y or PEY, but in J should be ok.
How is the BA J lounge at ORD. Food options?
Sep 11, 2014, 1:48 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Silver/ows, CX AsiaMiles (not even GR anymore!) missing my GO days
Posts: 1,581
No status with AA, DIamond Medallion with DL, If we fly AA in F from ORD PIT ORD, would we have access to the AA lounges there at ORD? We already have our CX tickets, can the AA F tickets be added on if we purchase online? What type of equipment is AA using for ORD PIT?
How is the BA J lounge at ORD. Food options?
How is the BA J lounge at ORD. Food options?
If you're on a CX longhaul in J, you can use the AA lounges at ORD both coming and going without oneworld status. On the way to PIT, just show them your CX boarding pass and your onward AA boarding pass. On the way back to Asia, show them the CX boarding pass. (Although they've let me in in the past merely with a e-ticket receipt for the onward CX flight when I couldn't print out the CX BPs ahead of time.) They'll give you some chits for free premium drinks.
The BA J lounge is nothing to write home about. No windows and mediocre food selection. The food onboard will be ample, though. In your shoes, I'd stay in the AA lounge until 1.5 hours before departure then make my way to T5, where you get priority security.