Flight to Chicago
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,303
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)
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,055
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.
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.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New Zealand (when I'm home!)
Programs: Air NZ Elite
Posts: 1,218
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.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,055
There is no United club in the international terminal. BP/Koru/*G all use the SAS lounge.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YYZ/SFO/AKL
Programs: NZ*G, back of the bus UA, corner of the MLL AC.
Posts: 373
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.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NZ
Programs: NZ*E, QF-G, EK-P
Posts: 591
Thanks - it was NZ arrival onto UA - seperate tickets as travelling with someone in R class and NZ wouldnt allow R class with a ticket on non-NZ metal -hate it - already anxious a 5 months away!! OrD to MSP.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Air NZ Koru, Air NZ ELT *G, IHG Spire Ambassador, Emirates, Flying Blue, QANTAS Club
Posts: 419
Im 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.
Wanting the best bang for my nearly $14k return flight cost!
The SFO Polaris is pretty spectacular, having used it twice.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Air NZ Koru, Air NZ ELT *G, IHG Spire Ambassador, Emirates, Flying Blue, QANTAS Club
Posts: 419
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!
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YYZ/SFO/AKL
Programs: NZ*G, back of the bus UA, corner of the MLL AC.
Posts: 373
Should be fine, NZ's been pretty good arriving into ORD, if anything your onward connection is likely to be delayed.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BLQ / TRG
Programs: NZ*E, UA*1K, QF Plat
Posts: 1,071
Remember Air NZ leave from terminal 5 at ORD which is miles away and through separate security from the Polaris lounge.
#12
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YYZ/SFO/AKL
Programs: NZ*G, back of the bus UA, corner of the MLL AC.
Posts: 373
#13
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Air NZ Koru, Air NZ ELT *G, IHG Spire Ambassador, Emirates, Flying Blue, QANTAS Club
Posts: 419
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,303
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.
#15
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YYZ/SFO/AKL
Programs: NZ*G, back of the bus UA, corner of the MLL AC.
Posts: 373