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-   -   Flight to Chicago (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-new-zealand-air-points/1945514-flight-chicago.html)

Beano Dec 12, 2018 8:36 pm
Flight to Chicago
 
Has anyone flown this sector and is willing to comment on the flight , ease to clear customs/immigration , transport into the city and the departure lounge (s) in Chicago (is it possibe to use the new Polaris lounge)

sbiddle Dec 13, 2018 12:04 am
I had a mate fly it back to NZ earlier in the week. I'm flying it R/T in about 6 weeks.

Access into Chicago itself is easy on the train.

As for accessing Polaris this will realistically not be possible as NZ operate from the International terminal which is a long way from the domestic terminals where the Polaris lounge is. Access between terminals is by tram which close at the end of the month for a refurbishment so will be replaced by buses. Unless you get there really early, have carry on only and check in online then you're not going to have time to visit it.

kiwifrequentflyer Dec 13, 2018 12:06 am
Haven't flown it, but re Polaris lounge, only if you're flying in J. Having *G isn't enough. If you have *G but not flying in J, you get access to the standard United lounge.

sbiddle Dec 13, 2018 12:26 am
Originally Posted by kiwifrequentflyer (Post 30530059)
Haven't flown it, but re Polaris lounge, only if you're flying in J. Having *G isn't enough. If you have *G but not flying in J, you get access to the standard United lounge.
There is no United club in the international terminal. BP/Koru/*G all use the SAS lounge.

bce1 Dec 29, 2018 1:17 am
Is a three hour transit onto United domestic likely to be enough time -barring disasters off NZ26? Last one of day and trying to decide if should overnight ORD?
Thanks

samyoull Dec 29, 2018 7:38 pm
Originally Posted by bce1 (Post 30584250)
Is a three hour transit onto United domestic likely to be enough time -barring disasters off NZ26? Last one of day and trying to decide if should overnight ORD?
Thanks
Separate tickets? Depends when and where from - if it's a regional airport in winter I wouldn't take that risk. Mainline flights in summer should be fine.

bce1 Dec 29, 2018 11:46 pm
Thanks - it was NZ arrival onto UA - seperate tickets as travelling with someone in R class and NZ wouldn’t allow R class with a ticket on non-NZ metal -hate it - already anxious a 5 months away!! OrD to MSP.

kiwicyclo Dec 30, 2018 5:22 pm
I’m flying up paid J on 18th January and back paid J on 25th January. Certainly looking at trying to use the Polaris lounge on the return.

Wanting the best bang for my nearly $14k return flight cost!

The SFO Polaris is pretty spectacular, having used it twice.


kiwicyclo Dec 30, 2018 5:25 pm
Originally Posted by bce1 (Post 30584250)
Is a three hour transit onto United domestic likely to be enough time -barring disasters off NZ26? Last one of day and trying to decide if should overnight ORD?
Thanks
I took the option of weekend of staying in Chicago before connecting onwards Sunday afternoon. January Chicago could be weather impacted. Especially later in the afternoon when they run out of de-icing fluid!

samyoull Dec 30, 2018 6:16 pm
Originally Posted by bce1 (Post 30587040)
Thanks - it was NZ arrival onto UA - seperate tickets as travelling with someone in R class and NZ wouldn’t allow R class with a ticket on non-NZ metal -hate it - already anxious a 5 months away!! OrD to MSP.
Should be fine, NZ's been pretty good arriving into ORD, if anything your onward connection is likely to be delayed.

WLGNZ Dec 30, 2018 6:34 pm
Originally Posted by kiwicyclo (Post 30589501)
I’m flying up paid J on 18th January and back paid J on 25th January. Certainly looking at trying to use the Polaris lounge on the return.

Wanting the best bang for my nearly $14k return flight cost!

The SFO Polaris is pretty spectacular, having used it twice.

Remember Air NZ leave from terminal 5 at ORD which is miles away and through separate security from the Polaris lounge.

samyoull Dec 30, 2018 7:04 pm
Originally Posted by WLGNZ (Post 30589683)
Remember Air NZ leave from terminal 5 at ORD which is miles away and through separate security from the Polaris lounge.
There's an airside bus, but yeah would still allow plenty of time to connect.

kiwicyclo Dec 30, 2018 9:03 pm
Originally Posted by WLGNZ (Post 30589683)
Remember Air NZ leave from terminal 5 at ORD which is miles away and through separate security from the Polaris lounge.
I have a fair bit of time to kill ..........

Beano Dec 31, 2018 8:07 am
Originally Posted by kiwicyclo (Post 30589501)
I’m flying up paid J on 18th January and back paid J on 25th January. Certainly looking at trying to use the Polaris lounge on the return.

Wanting the best bang for my nearly $14k return flight cost!

The SFO Polaris is pretty spectacular, having used it twice.

let us know after your flight how easy it was to get from terminal 5 (to get your boarding pass) then to terminal 1 (lounge) and back to terminal 5 fir your flight.

samyoull Jan 1, 2019 1:05 pm
Originally Posted by Beano (Post 30591285)
let us know after your flight how easy it was to get from terminal 5 (to get your boarding pass) then to terminal 1 (lounge) and back to terminal 5 fir your flight.
That sounds like a terrible idea, I'd only use Polaris if connecting from UA.


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