theOtherHolmes

yyzgigi

theOtherHolmes

Seat13F_AC_CRJ

The delay yesterday looks like an anomaly, with most recent flights arriving close to on schedule. Remember that you will arrive as a domestic PAX in ORD with no security to clear. Even 30 mins should be enough to make a connection. Published MCT for ORD is 40 mins.

I would ask two questions:
1. Will having a short night and getting up very early help you sleep on the ORD-NRT flight?
2. What are the consequences for you of a missed connection in ORD? Prepaid hotel in NRT? Lost day of vacation? Have you plans B and C ready. I suggest you check the loadings for NH11 the day after your scheduled flight to see if there is space. There is also a later UA flight every day.
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13F

YEG_SE4Life

I believe the question you are asking relates to individual comfort levels. Only you can answer the question about which option you would be most comfortable with.

For me, well I normally arrive at airports within 1 hr of departure. I never plan to be there any sooner than that. I also wouldn't consider a 1 hour connection in ORD as anything out of the ordinary.

Full disclosure, I also leave connecting issues due to late arrivals in the hands of AC. I have had Boris meet me on an inbound and walk me to a 15 minute UA connection in ORD, He knows their gate staff.

rankourabu

Never rely on AC for a crucial connection.
Stay at ORD

YEG_SE4Life

Yeah, what does a FOTSG like me know? I only do it about 100 times a year.

TTC192Rocket

I have not checked recently, but I stayed at the ORD Hilton for just over $100 CAD this past March Break. That was to ensure that I made my early ORD departure. I did book nearly a year in advance, so YMMV.

It's connected right to the terminal, so one doesn't need to walk outside.
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yyzgigi

rankourabu

Yes, I m sure you do all the following 100 times a year
a) Rely on AC to get you on time to your separate ticket connection not on AC.
b) Fly without status
c) Fly NH F from ORD

YEG_SE4Life

Actually, many of my connections are on separate tickets. It helps me get below MCT. I don't think I am your best example and my post was only in response to the comment, that I quoted, that said to never trust AC. I, personally, would not hesitate to comfortably accept a 1:50 connection like the op's option and I would never fly the night prior to avoid a 1hr connection. I spend enough nights away from my wife.

Like I said, it comes down to personal comfort levels, and also personal situations. I get that. For someone who flies less frequently, an additional night on the road, for each trip, could mean one or two extra nights per year. That might not be significant. For me, it would mean one or two extra nights per week. I thought your reply was a great solution for the OP. I also thought the op could use an alternative opinion, so I shared my opinion.

Often1

The bottom line here is that OP is not connecting at ORD. Yet there are repeated references from experienced fliers as to what they prefer and others ought to do on connections.

OP is traveling on separate tickets. Thus, if he no shows for his onward flight to NRT, his ticket will be cancelled and the consequences of his no show will be determined by the ticket's fare rules. OP has not posted his fare rules, so we do not know. But, at a minimum, he will likely have to pay significant fees or even purchase a new ticket at walk-up prices, and spend some time at ORD or take a circuitous route to NRT.

For connections, it is about comfort levels. For separate tickets, it is about risk tolerance. In this case, OP is spending the night at a hotel, whether he does so at his origin or ORD. There may be smallish variations in room cost and amenities, but ORD presents not only comfort in an unhurried transfer including nice lounge access.

Beyond that, the question is what a delayed arrival at NRT means to OP. Is this a leisure trip where 24 hours is annoying, but inconsequential or a business meeting where the value of the trip is in being on time?

YEG_SE4Life

Nope, I didn't say, nor did I imply, that. What I did say, however, in direct contrast to your opinion, was that I frequently trust AC to get me to my connections on time. I have also been 100 percent transparent about the fact that, with my status, I do have people that look out for me. I also gave an example of a 15 minute connection from AC to UA in ORD, but qualified it by describing the service I received. Why do you twist the words of someone who is trying to be meticulously transparent? The op asked a question and deserves balanced replies.

rankourabu

Actually after re-reading, it seems that it is the same ticket and an Aeroplan award, its just weirdly worded in the OP.
In that case, I would book the 1.5 hour connection, since there is no risk of getting abandoned at ORD. Worst case scenario, get rebooked on LH F, revenue, in the afternoon

NH doesnt require a trek to T5.

And no, I would not trust the airline with the worst on-time performance in North America to get to me to a separate connection on time, these particular flights are well above the AC average at 86 and 68% on time (with significant schedule padding included)

yyzgigi