Return via EWR or IAD?
Jun 27, 2015, 4:06 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
If weather is your concern book MCO-FRA on LH and then take a connecting flight or a train to HAM (an use your UA e-certs another time.)
If not that; then book UA MCO-EWR-HAM with a decent amount of a layover time in EWR.
SL
Jun 27, 2015, 10:47 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: UA S, Marriott P
Posts: 1,154
Jun 28, 2015, 5:27 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,931
If I were arriving in the U.S. with no checked baggage, IAD would unquestionably be my choice. The renovated IAB is twice the size of the old facility and pre-check in the main terminal rarely has a sizable line. Checked baggage? I would avoid IAD like the plague, thanks to the horrid midfield concourse that United and the MWAA refuse to replace.
Jun 28, 2015, 6:32 am
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 78
Return via EWR or IAD?
Ok, so, let me make sure I have IAD figured out properly.
It's possible that an international flight would arrive at one of the midfield terminals, passengers are then sent to the main terminal for immigration/customs clearance, and then have to go back to a midfield terminal for a connecting flight.
Do I have that right?
It's possible that an international flight would arrive at one of the midfield terminals, passengers are then sent to the main terminal for immigration/customs clearance, and then have to go back to a midfield terminal for a connecting flight.
Do I have that right?
Jun 28, 2015, 6:54 am
#38
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,931
B
With no checked luggage...
You have an option to choose midfield or main terminal clearance. You would choose the terminating in DC sign and take a bus to main terminal, then come back through security.
With checked through luggage, you must clear customs and recheck at midfield
As your luggage will be waiting for you at midfield baggage claim
Very rarely, midfield immigration is closed but that's an anomaly
Ok, so, let me make sure I have IAD figured out properly.
It's possible that an international flight wouvld arrive at one of the midfield terminals, passengers are then sent to the main terminal for immigration/customs clearance, and then have to go back to a midfield terminal for a connecting flight.
Do I have that right?
It's possible that an international flight wouvld arrive at one of the midfield terminals, passengers are then sent to the main terminal for immigration/customs clearance, and then have to go back to a midfield terminal for a connecting flight.
Do I have that right?
You have an option to choose midfield or main terminal clearance. You would choose the terminating in DC sign and take a bus to main terminal, then come back through security.
With checked through luggage, you must clear customs and recheck at midfield
As your luggage will be waiting for you at midfield baggage claim
Very rarely, midfield immigration is closed but that's an anomaly
Jun 28, 2015, 9:34 am
#40
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,879
Ok, so, let me make sure I have IAD figured out properly.
It's possible that an international flight would arrive at one of the midfield terminals, passengers are then sent to the main terminal for immigration/customs clearance, and then have to go back to a midfield terminal for a connecting flight.
Do I have that right?
It's possible that an international flight would arrive at one of the midfield terminals, passengers are then sent to the main terminal for immigration/customs clearance, and then have to go back to a midfield terminal for a connecting flight.
Do I have that right?
A UA international flight arrives. Connecting pax transfer through midfield immigration and customs facility (where there is no TSA Pre). Pax for whom IAD is final destination go to the main terminal for immigration and customs. If you are connecting, but do not have checked luggage, you can elect to go to the main terminal for processing, and then re-clear security there (where they have Pre), and then make your way back to the UA departure gates.
Jun 28, 2015, 6:02 pm
#41
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,931
Jun 28, 2015, 8:15 pm
#42
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,462
Jun 29, 2015, 3:12 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Not to mention that EWR has faster CBP processing than IAD
Jun 29, 2015, 3:59 am
#44
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SRQ
Programs: UA Gold, DL Gold, IHG-Plat Amb; Amex Plat-P, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 766
Take the option with least connections
I have connected internationally thru both IAD and EWR and they are both efficient, but I did use Global Entry thru both hubs.
The Midfield Immigrations, Customs and Security Re-Check at IAD can get horrifically backed up for non-GE passengers, especially early in the AM and around 2pm to 5pm. Baggage claim at IAD midfield is also a bit slow but I have never missed a connection because of international baggage re-check. UA gives you plenty of opportunities to miss your connections because of late arrivals at IAD. All in All the midfield Immigrations/Customs is pretty good. DO NOT under any circumstances go to the Main Terminal Immigrations/Customs with or without checked bags.
EWR seems to me a bit quicker on the Immigrations, Customs and Baggage re-check. EWR is the ONLY Port of Entry in the USA that charges arriving international passengers to use the baggage trolleys. So Tackey !! Other than that my experience with EWR international arrivals has been positive. If your are arriving on UA and connecting to UA you won't likely have to use the train to change terminals. Since you are flying to Hamburg and there is a nonstop EWR-Hamburg, I think it is a no brainer to use EWR.
Good luck and please share your post travel experiences.
The Midfield Immigrations, Customs and Security Re-Check at IAD can get horrifically backed up for non-GE passengers, especially early in the AM and around 2pm to 5pm. Baggage claim at IAD midfield is also a bit slow but I have never missed a connection because of international baggage re-check. UA gives you plenty of opportunities to miss your connections because of late arrivals at IAD. All in All the midfield Immigrations/Customs is pretty good. DO NOT under any circumstances go to the Main Terminal Immigrations/Customs with or without checked bags.
EWR seems to me a bit quicker on the Immigrations, Customs and Baggage re-check. EWR is the ONLY Port of Entry in the USA that charges arriving international passengers to use the baggage trolleys. So Tackey !! Other than that my experience with EWR international arrivals has been positive. If your are arriving on UA and connecting to UA you won't likely have to use the train to change terminals. Since you are flying to Hamburg and there is a nonstop EWR-Hamburg, I think it is a no brainer to use EWR.
Good luck and please share your post travel experiences.
Jun 29, 2015, 4:04 am
#45
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 383