PHL or ORD Which would you rather change through?
Oct 28, 2017, 4:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: So. California
Programs: BA, AA, Azamara, Princess, RCI & more
Posts: 165
PHL or ORD Which would you rather change through?
Trying to decide which flights to take to/from Venice. We can either go through PHL or ORD. We have GOES for re-entry into the US. Which airport would you rather change through and why?
Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the help!
Oct 28, 2017, 4:14 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 861
If I'm connecting, I tend to pick whichever airport has a Plan B if there are any issues with flights....from your home airport to either ORD or PHL and from ORD/PHL to VCE. Neither airport is particularly worth specifically selecting or avoiding IMHO.
Oct 28, 2017, 4:15 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
What class of service are you in? Do you have any elite status with AA? (matters for lounge access.)
Without that info:
I'd take ORD on the way to Venice, PHL on the way back.
The international to domestic transfer process at ORD is my least favorite airport experience in the US. The international terminal at ORD is a completely separate building and involves a unpleasant train transfer after leaving the international terminal (T5). The baggage reclaim process at T5 is painfully slow in my experience, and I've been selected for secondary customs screening (even with Global Entry) more times at ORD than any other US airport.
PHL is much easier.
Without that info:
I'd take ORD on the way to Venice, PHL on the way back.
The international to domestic transfer process at ORD is my least favorite airport experience in the US. The international terminal at ORD is a completely separate building and involves a unpleasant train transfer after leaving the international terminal (T5). The baggage reclaim process at T5 is painfully slow in my experience, and I've been selected for secondary customs screening (even with Global Entry) more times at ORD than any other US airport.
PHL is much easier.
Oct 28, 2017, 4:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA (GGL G4L), AA (Gold), HH (Diamond); Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 3,011
PHL will have the new Amex centurion lounge, and ORD has the new flagship lounge... which would only be a factor if you have an Amex platinum card or are flying in business class. PHL has the minute suites if you have a long layover. Both airports have a few decent dining options.
Oct 28, 2017, 5:08 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: So. California
Programs: BA, AA, Azamara, Princess, RCI & more
Posts: 165
We'd be in Bus. Class both ways.
Here's my dilemma:
do we sit around & wait until the 2:50pm flight out of VCE (sitting in the airport for 4.5 hrs. and I've heard VCE doesn't have a bus. class lounge) and go through ORD
OR
spend 4 hrs. 45 mins. in PHL and leave VCE earlier?
Also, I understand the flights between VCE and ORD & PHL aren't "approved" by the government yet. Anyone know when that will happen or IF?
Here's my dilemma:
do we sit around & wait until the 2:50pm flight out of VCE (sitting in the airport for 4.5 hrs. and I've heard VCE doesn't have a bus. class lounge) and go through ORD
OR
spend 4 hrs. 45 mins. in PHL and leave VCE earlier?
Also, I understand the flights between VCE and ORD & PHL aren't "approved" by the government yet. Anyone know when that will happen or IF?
Oct 28, 2017, 5:18 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: So. California
Programs: BA, AA, Azamara, Princess, RCI & more
Posts: 165
...I'd take ORD on the way to Venice, PHL on the way back.
The international to domestic transfer process at ORD is my least favorite airport experience in the US. The international terminal at ORD is a completely separate building and involves a unpleasant train transfer after leaving the international terminal (T5). The baggage reclaim process at T5 is painfully slow in my experience, and I've been selected for secondary customs screening (even with Global Entry) more times at ORD than any other US airport.
PHL is much easier.
The international to domestic transfer process at ORD is my least favorite airport experience in the US. The international terminal at ORD is a completely separate building and involves a unpleasant train transfer after leaving the international terminal (T5). The baggage reclaim process at T5 is painfully slow in my experience, and I've been selected for secondary customs screening (even with Global Entry) more times at ORD than any other US airport.
PHL is much easier.
I appreciate everyone's help!
Oct 28, 2017, 5:35 pm
#7
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
We'd be in Bus. Class both ways.
Here's my dilemma:
do we sit around & wait until the 2:50pm flight out of VCE (sitting in the airport for 4.5 hrs. and I've heard VCE doesn't have a bus. class lounge) and go through ORD
OR
spend 4 hrs. 45 mins. in PHL and leave VCE earlier?
Also, I understand the flights between VCE and ORD & PHL aren't "approved" by the government yet. Anyone know when that will happen or IF?
Here's my dilemma:
do we sit around & wait until the 2:50pm flight out of VCE (sitting in the airport for 4.5 hrs. and I've heard VCE doesn't have a bus. class lounge) and go through ORD
OR
spend 4 hrs. 45 mins. in PHL and leave VCE earlier?
Also, I understand the flights between VCE and ORD & PHL aren't "approved" by the government yet. Anyone know when that will happen or IF?
Oct 28, 2017, 8:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, DL GM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,266
I think I'd probably choose ORD both ways. Even with the T5 arrival saga on the return - at the end of the day it's a longer flight in business class, a 787 and much nicer lounge at ORD during the connection. Not sure where your final destination is but I'd prefer a shorter domestic flight and longer TATL flight.
Oct 28, 2017, 8:11 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS DL
Posts: 9,038
I think I'd probably choose ORD both ways. Even with the T5 arrival saga on the return - at the end of the day it's a longer flight in business class, a 787 and much nicer lounge at ORD during the connection. Not sure where your final destination is but I'd prefer a shorter domestic flight and longer TATL flight.
Oct 28, 2017, 8:20 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,516
I'd probably go ORD both ways to use the new Flagship lounge both ways. Admittedly, I lived in Chicago from 2009-2013 so I got to know and not hate ORD (you just have to know how ORD works, or doesn't work, in varying conditions and go with the flow....much like the NYC airports I tolerate now).
If OP did not have Global Entry, I would probably change my answer for the return. ORD mid-afternoon T5 immigration mayhem is what made me get Global Entry in the first place. But since OP has GE, the train transfer from T5-T3, while not ideal, really is rather simple and quick and would not sway my answer.
If OP did not have Global Entry, I would probably change my answer for the return. ORD mid-afternoon T5 immigration mayhem is what made me get Global Entry in the first place. But since OP has GE, the train transfer from T5-T3, while not ideal, really is rather simple and quick and would not sway my answer.
Oct 28, 2017, 8:23 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Oct 28, 2017, 11:12 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
A shower after a long flight is the sweetest amenity in the entire frequent flyer realm. For that reason, I'd chose ORD over PHL. When PHL installs some showers, it might be a game changer.