
Yes, this was the worst experience flying ever (I guess I was sheltered by flying Delta moderate to mildly delayed metal since 1995). When we arrived, we heard an announcement in sparse English to clear immigration, then re-check bags at the SAS Airlines counter. We all cleared immigration and there were no agents at the counter until 5am. We landed at 8pm, was on the tarmac until 12:30am. I cleared immigration with global entry at 1:00am and had all my 3 bags by 1:15am with priority handling. After waiting until 3.00am, a police officer came to us and announced that rooms were in a “first come first serve basis” at the Hilton. We took the shuttle to the Hilton and, lo and behold, what was supposedly our room, was a ballroom filled with cots and toiletries. I figured it was better than nothing and just banded with some fellow Americans to play poker until 6am. We returned to the SAS counter which had contract workers retagging our bags for JFK.
We get to the gate and didn’t board until 8:45am. No announcements were ever made after the unclear announcement when deplaning. We had to find all this info by calling or talking to officers at ORD. This was truly the worst experience flying any Skyteam airline (sorry if any had worse experiences but this sure was mine). I tried calling the China Number for CZ and they filed a “report” which I doubt will be looked at. Since I paid with my DL Platinum AMEX, will I get to claim this for trip interruption or delay?
Thanks, everyone, for your help. Happy new year