dupinort

I'm looking to book a flight with United miles from Europe to USA, but can only get an award seat on Austrian Airlines from Vienna to Chicago. The domestic leg isn't available with miles, but if I purchase it I know it'll be on a separate PNR. Will there be any kind of connection protection if I purchase the domestic leg on United? OneWorld used to do this--but no longer--and I'm having trouble finding any Star Alliance policy. Does "linking" the reservations do anything to help?

I would have a 2:20 connection, which I know should be plenty of time (I will have a checked bag but have Global Entry); I just don't want to be screwed if the Austrian flight is 2 hours late. Would any kind of travel insurance even help in the event the flight from Vienna was late due to weather or mechanical?

sexykitten7

No you are not formally protected. I think UA would be a lot happier to rebook you if your inbound was also UA but they probably would in this instance.

And I wouldn't consider 2:20 plenty of time for I-D!

dupinort

Well I guess 2:20 isn't tons of time, but I'm trying to rationalize it since the next flight would give me a 6:05 connection, which sounds far worse

Kacee

At ORD? With checked bags? Where you will arrive at T5? That's not even close to "plenty of time."

Fizzer

I would agree having recently connected at ORD to AC. Even with Global Entry it took almost 2 hours because the inter terminal train was down. Would they even check your bags to the final destination on a separate PNR or would you have to go to check in again for your UA segment? I have had AC link an award reservation with them followed by a paid reservation with UA and check bags all the way but that is in a small, relatively quiet and friendly Canadian airport, none of those adjectives describing ORD ( although credit where it is due I typically find UA agents to be more helpful and efficient than many of their AC counterparts).

Xyzzy

This is not any sort of "connection". It is two separate tickets. And as the previous poster noted, with checked bags and a T5 arrival 2:20 really is cutting things pretty close. Bag cutoff time for domestic flights is 45 minutes so you really have 1:25 to exit your arriving aircraft, clear customs, collect your bag(s) and change terminals. I'm not sure when your planned travel is but the train that connects the terminals is under maintenance and is currently not running Monday to Friday. Instead, shuttle bus service is being prvided. I'd suggest you investigate what alternatives are available.

dupinort

Thank you for your responses. I guess I do need to rethink this--I didn't realize the train was undergoing maintenance!

StuckinITH

If I were you, I would take the 6:05 connection and then when arriving go to the UA counter located just when you exit the passport control and luggage area to give your luggage and ask if you can SDC (Same Day change) to the earlier flight. There might be a fee depending on your status and fare class available. Since you will have checked luggage, I don't think that you can do standby.

rufflesinc

Not sure if it's feasible for OP, but the chase united credit card provides additional economy award inventory

TomMM

Is this the OS flight that arrives around 2PM? I've flown that flight last year in J and a 2:20 connection would be tight.

Often1

OP - This has nothing to do with PNR's but rather tickets. Separate tickets means no protection. Presuming that if there is a delay that it will be caused by OS, not UA and therefore it would be OS' duty to rebook (if you had a connection), you can absolutely forget about OS rebooking you.

It is possible that UA might help out here, but it does not even have an obligation to rebook if you purchased this as a connection.

The question for you is not whether you could make the transfer but whether you are willing to accept the risk of having to purchase a new ticket.

Far better to take a longer transfer and then try to SDC. If asked to pay, it's only $75 and you can make that judgment when you have your bags in hand and are through CBP.

sweetsleep

getagb

dupinort

I was just now able to find award availability on the following day connecting in IAD (Austrian to United) and would have a 2:10 connection. It would connect to the last flight of the day but would at least be all on one ticket and save the expense of purchasing the domestic leg.

I assume this would be a better option? I'm not familiar with IAD at all.

Thanks again for your help!

TomMM

Two weeks ago I flew FRA-ORD and there were UA agents in the jet bridge handing out orange priority vouchers to specific people with tight connections. Couldn't figure out what "priority" service they were receiving. Fast track through immigration? Private transportation to T1?