Can I make this connection in ORD?? (to merge)
May 17, 2018, 1:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 45
Can I make this connection in ORD?? (to merge)
I booked an award flight from Dallas (DFW) via Chicago (ORD) and London (LHR) to Edinburgh (EDI) on June 11th. I was able to get business class on the Chicago to London segment, but only economy was available for the DFW to ORD segment. AA flight 1463 arrives from DFW in ORD at 7:32pm, connecting to BA flight 296 that departs at 8:55pm. Not being familiar with O'Hare, I assumed that would be plenty of time. However, after some research, I learned that I will arrive in Terminal 3 and depart from Terminal 5 and will have to go through Security again. (British Airways provides bus services between the terminals, but that stops at 7:30 pm, just as I'm arriving). Now that I'm 70 years old, I'm quite worried about being able to make that connection so I called AA and asked what could be done.
Basically, they gave me 3 options:
1. Keep the same reservations & hope I can make the connection.
2. Pay an additional 30,000 miles (yes, 30,000!!!) to book a flight from DFW that arrives ORD earlier on Monday.
3. Book a red eye flight that departs DFW on Sunday June 10 at 10:35 pm and arrives at ORD at 12:52 am. That would be business class. No additional charge for this.
Can anyone give me some advice about the best option and whether I can really make that connection?
Thanks in advance,
Carolyn
Basically, they gave me 3 options:
1. Keep the same reservations & hope I can make the connection.
2. Pay an additional 30,000 miles (yes, 30,000!!!) to book a flight from DFW that arrives ORD earlier on Monday.
3. Book a red eye flight that departs DFW on Sunday June 10 at 10:35 pm and arrives at ORD at 12:52 am. That would be business class. No additional charge for this.
Can anyone give me some advice about the best option and whether I can really make that connection?
Thanks in advance,
Carolyn
May 17, 2018, 1:54 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Connecting Traveler - O'Hare International Airport
" you can take a Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 and bypass the security checkpoint in Terminal 5. The Terminal Transfer Bus service is year round with operation hours as follows: 10:00 am - 8:30 pm"
Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) Terminal 3 Pickup Locations
Gates G17, K20, L24
I assume AA can arrange a cart to get you from your gate to a bus pickup location if you walk too slowly
This info is from the official Chicago Dept of Aviation website for ORD
(As an aside, I would consider buying a ticket rather than paying 30K miles to get from DFW to ORD. Is this for Anytime economy? I assume you have a Saver ticket. If you have status, AA might let you standby for an earlier DFW to ORD flight.)
" you can take a Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 and bypass the security checkpoint in Terminal 5. The Terminal Transfer Bus service is year round with operation hours as follows: 10:00 am - 8:30 pm"
Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) Terminal 3 Pickup Locations
Gates G17, K20, L24
I assume AA can arrange a cart to get you from your gate to a bus pickup location if you walk too slowly
This info is from the official Chicago Dept of Aviation website for ORD
(As an aside, I would consider buying a ticket rather than paying 30K miles to get from DFW to ORD. Is this for Anytime economy? I assume you have a Saver ticket. If you have status, AA might let you standby for an earlier DFW to ORD flight.)
Last edited by mvoight; May 17, 2018 at 2:10 pm
May 17, 2018, 2:14 pm
#3
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,036
The shuttle runs until 8pm, not 8:30pm, but either way you should be able to make it in time assuming your flight from DFW is on time and you go directly to the shuttle bus and don't dilly dally.
Even if you don't make the shuttle for whatever reason, you should still be able to make the connection using the ATS train:
- Upon leaving T3 go straight out the revolving doors, do NOT go downstairs to baggage claim.
- Once you're outside of the secure area you will need to go up one level to the ATS train and go one stop to T5
- Now that BA participates in TSA preCheck, make sure your number is in the BA res
It won't be a leisurely connection with lots of lounge time. But it is doable.
Even if you don't make the shuttle for whatever reason, you should still be able to make the connection using the ATS train:
- Upon leaving T3 go straight out the revolving doors, do NOT go downstairs to baggage claim.
- Once you're outside of the secure area you will need to go up one level to the ATS train and go one stop to T5
- Now that BA participates in TSA preCheck, make sure your number is in the BA res
It won't be a leisurely connection with lots of lounge time. But it is doable.
May 17, 2018, 2:26 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
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Posts: 21,422
The shuttle runs until 8pm, not 8:30pm, but either way you should be able to make it in time assuming your flight from DFW is on time and you go directly to the shuttle bus and don't dilly dally.
Even if you don't make the shuttle for whatever reason, you should still be able to make the connection using the ATS train:
- Upon leaving T3 go straight out the revolving doors, do NOT go downstairs to baggage claim.
- Once you're outside of the secure area you will need to go up one level to the ATS train and go one stop to T5
- Now that BA participates in TSA preCheck, make sure your number is in the BA res
It won't be a leisurely connection with lots of lounge time. But it is doable.
Even if you don't make the shuttle for whatever reason, you should still be able to make the connection using the ATS train:
- Upon leaving T3 go straight out the revolving doors, do NOT go downstairs to baggage claim.
- Once you're outside of the secure area you will need to go up one level to the ATS train and go one stop to T5
- Now that BA participates in TSA preCheck, make sure your number is in the BA res
It won't be a leisurely connection with lots of lounge time. But it is doable.
The original announcement said 8:00 PM (https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/...-at-ohare.html)
But the official airport site says 8:30 PM ( http://www.flychicago.com/ohare/myfl...s/default.aspx )
Should they be contacted to change the website info?
May 17, 2018, 2:48 pm
#5
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,036
Are you sure the time is 8:00 and not 8:30.
The original announcement said 8:00 PM (https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/...-at-ohare.html)
But the official airport site says 8:30 PM ( Connecting Traveler - O'Hare International Airport )
Should they be contacted to change the website info?
The original announcement said 8:00 PM (https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/...-at-ohare.html)
But the official airport site says 8:30 PM ( Connecting Traveler - O'Hare International Airport )
Should they be contacted to change the website info?
May 17, 2018, 3:08 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,927
May 17, 2018, 3:48 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
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Posts: 12,462
If you arrive right on time, 28 mins is more than enough time to make it to the shuttle. You will most likely be standing around for 10 or 15 mins waiting until 8pm.
May 17, 2018, 4:00 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 45
International flight - miss connection - what happens?
I booked an AA award flight to Edinburgh but very tight connection in Chicago. The Chicago to Edinburgh segment is on British Airways for which I paid a small fortune in surcharges & seats. If I miss the BA flight, what happens?
May 17, 2018, 4:08 pm
#11
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
If AA is late getting you to Chicago they will rebook you to Edinburgh. If you specifically want to fly BA metal you will need to ask for it (and wait for it, at your own expense).
May 17, 2018, 7:50 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
If her flight arrives on schedule, she will have 28 minutes to make it off her inbound and to the shuttle. If she does not, she will still likely be just fine even if she moves a bit slowly.