tight international connection time at SFO, what if i miss it?
Feb 10, 2012, 1:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K MM, JL JMB SAPPHIRE, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,267
Very tight international connection time at SFO
Hi flytalkers,
I booked a YYZ-PEK-PVG-YYZ trip on UA, just found out these is a 84 min connection time at SFO during PVG-YYZ leg. I need to pick up my baggage, go through the immigration and re-check my bags, is 84 mins enough? I checked the minimal connection chart and is was 80 min, also tried to call United, they said it's a valid connection and refuse to rebook me for free. Guess I just have to try my luck, right?
What will happen if I miss the connection due to long line at the immigration? Will United rebook me for free? Can I ask them to rebook me on a later or next day flight?
Cheers.
I booked a YYZ-PEK-PVG-YYZ trip on UA, just found out these is a 84 min connection time at SFO during PVG-YYZ leg. I need to pick up my baggage, go through the immigration and re-check my bags, is 84 mins enough? I checked the minimal connection chart and is was 80 min, also tried to call United, they said it's a valid connection and refuse to rebook me for free. Guess I just have to try my luck, right?
What will happen if I miss the connection due to long line at the immigration? Will United rebook me for free? Can I ask them to rebook me on a later or next day flight?
Cheers.
Last edited by gokeeper; Feb 10, 2012 at 1:33 am
Feb 10, 2012, 5:29 am
#3
Join Date: May 2007
Location: variously: PVG, SFO, LHR
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA 1MM Gold, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 1,678
They will rebook you for free on the next available flight. International flights are rarely significantly delayed so you should probably be fine.
Feb 10, 2012, 9:32 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: OAK
Programs: UA-Plat AS-MVPG
Posts: 198
Don't you pre-clear customs at YYZ before getting on the plane? Since you go through US customs before getting on the plane it should just be a short walk from Terminal 3 to the international Terminal. I doubt you will even have to go through security.
That was the case the last time I flew from Toronto to SFO.
That was the case the last time I flew from Toronto to SFO.
Feb 10, 2012, 10:06 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Don't you pre-clear customs at YYZ before getting on the plane? Since you go through US customs before getting on the plane it should just be a short walk from Terminal 3 to the international Terminal. I doubt you will even have to go through security.
That was the case the last time I flew from Toronto to SFO.
That was the case the last time I flew from Toronto to SFO.
Since the SFO-YYZ leg is on AC, things might be a bit more complicated (you might need to talk to AC people at the gate), but you should be able to get home even if you miss your scheduled flight.
Feb 10, 2012, 11:00 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Phoenix
Programs: IC PC Plat; UA MP 1K
Posts: 17
Hi flytalkers,
I booked a YYZ-PEK-PVG-YYZ trip on UA, just found out these is a 84 min connection time at SFO during PVG-YYZ leg. I need to pick up my baggage, go through the immigration and re-check my bags, is 84 mins enough? I checked the minimal connection chart and is was 80 min, also tried to call United, they said it's a valid connection and refuse to rebook me for free. Guess I just have to try my luck, right?
What will happen if I miss the connection due to long line at the immigration? Will United rebook me for free? Can I ask them to rebook me on a later or next day flight?
Cheers.
I booked a YYZ-PEK-PVG-YYZ trip on UA, just found out these is a 84 min connection time at SFO during PVG-YYZ leg. I need to pick up my baggage, go through the immigration and re-check my bags, is 84 mins enough? I checked the minimal connection chart and is was 80 min, also tried to call United, they said it's a valid connection and refuse to rebook me for free. Guess I just have to try my luck, right?
What will happen if I miss the connection due to long line at the immigration? Will United rebook me for free? Can I ask them to rebook me on a later or next day flight?
Cheers.
Feb 10, 2012, 8:41 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: UA 1K, AA Exec Plat, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 68
Have you looked into the "global Entry" membership? I just got mine and it allows me to use the immigration kiosks, rather than waiting in the lines.. 84 min could be close in SFO depending on the line...
https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/go...gePreAction.do
https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/go...gePreAction.do
Feb 10, 2012, 11:23 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 1,267
Originally Posted by andrewwm
They will rebook you for free on the next available flight. International flights are rarely significantly delayed so you should probably be fine.
Originally Posted by jasonzhang
From my experience of PVG to SFO flights, 90% they are early by min 1/2hr. 80 min to should be good if you speed up a bit in the de-plane process. recheck bag is easy, after you step out from customs, there will be service team to help get them back in. Only thing that is unknown would be security check on your flight to YYZ...
Originally Posted by restlessinRNO
I'm sure there is a reason the OP booked this, rather than AC's non-stop flight PVG-YYZ. More miles perhaps?
Originally Posted by Tech1
Have you looked into the "global Entry" membership? I just got mine and it allows me to use the immigration kiosks, rather than waiting in the lines.. 84 min could be close in SFO depending on the line...
https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/go...gePreAction.do
https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/go...gePreAction.do
Feb 11, 2012, 12:15 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
Have you looked into the "global Entry" membership? I just got mine and it allows me to use the immigration kiosks, rather than waiting in the lines.. 84 min could be close in SFO depending on the line...
https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/go...gePreAction.do
https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/go...gePreAction.do
Feb 11, 2012, 5:22 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: KWI
Programs: I travel for fun these days.
Posts: 383
I have actually missed connections coming into LAX and SFO because I had to undergo secondary screening by customs*. Both times, UA re-booked me at no charge on another flight. The first time was when I was 2P, so it's not a status thing I think.
*Once you got that US work Visa in your passport they give you the proverbial rubber glove every time when entering from overseas... That GOES card is worth its weight in DEQMs.... ^
*Once you got that US work Visa in your passport they give you the proverbial rubber glove every time when entering from overseas... That GOES card is worth its weight in DEQMs.... ^
Feb 11, 2012, 7:34 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K MM, JL JMB SAPPHIRE, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,267
Thanks all, it seems United will rebook me for free if I miss the connection due to the immigration delay.
I just have another question, because my original flight from SFO-YYZ will arrive at YYZ at 9pm, so the following flight from SFO might arrive at 11pm or even 1am. Can I ask united to rebook me for a later over night flight which arrive YYZ at the morning? Or maybe early morning flight on next day (within 24 hours)?
I just have another question, because my original flight from SFO-YYZ will arrive at YYZ at 9pm, so the following flight from SFO might arrive at 11pm or even 1am. Can I ask united to rebook me for a later over night flight which arrive YYZ at the morning? Or maybe early morning flight on next day (within 24 hours)?
Feb 11, 2012, 8:19 pm
#13
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,852
...I just have another question, because my original flight from SFO-YYZ will arrive at YYZ at 9pm, so the following flight from SFO might arrive at 11pm or even 1am. Can I ask united to rebook me for a later over night flight which arrive YYZ at the morning? Or maybe early morning flight on next day (within 24 hours)?
Feb 11, 2012, 8:29 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
I had maintenance delays 'upgraded' to WX by ground folks in SFO and had to insist on my 1K privilege in order to be provided with a motel...
Feb 11, 2012, 8:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
I never check bags and have global entry, so it takes me about 20 minutes from the time I leave the airplane until I get to my connecting gate. Most of that time is walking and in the security line.