Transiting through DFW

[Vee711]

I've booked a flight from SYD to DFW (QF) and am looking to transit from DFW to ORD (AA). Both bookings are made through the Qantas website.

First leg is due to arrive at 1400 and the second leg is due to depart at 1545. Is this cutting it too close? I haven't been to DFW and unsure how busy it gets. Haven't even factored in possible delays.

Qantas told me they can't transfer the luggages between the two legs and that I will have to check out baggage and check in again for the second leg as it is being operated by a different airline (AA).

The alternative option is to stay a night in DFW and fly the next morning.

Happy to hear thoughts.

 

[Quickstatus]

Qantas told me they can't transfer the luggages between the two legs

Because you need to retrieve the bags for customs.

Are both flights on the same ticket?. If so QF should tag your bags all the way to ORD - retrieve bags then take it to bag drop at AA

I suggest that less than 2 hours is really not enough.

 

[Vee711]

Are both flights on the same ticket?

No it's not. Will be booked on different instances. I haven't booked the flight out of DFW yet. Just weighing my options

Yeah we are leaning to stay a night in Dallas before travelling to ORD. Definitely don't feel less than 2 hours is enough

 

[pyffii]

we ALWAYS stay overnight at the Grand Hyatt DFW just to be sure

 

[Quickstatus]

No it's not

Even on different ticket, QF should tag the bags to final destination on AA
But moot if your are breaking the journey

 

[Tiki]

I have a similar situation but all on AA. MTY- DFW- MIA with 1:40 transit time. I think I arrive at terminal D and will depart from terminal C and have carry on only. Booked on QF as award.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

One thing to keep in mind if you haven't been through the states before is you must clear US immigration, collect your bags, clear US customs, and re-check the bag at a bag transfer station just outside customs. After that ordeal you need to clear TSA security to get on with your own flight. If you are Canadian or American it's not a huge deal, we get the red velvet experience where we can bypass much of the queues (and a similar thing for Global Entry eligible citizens like Brits who have GE). For Aussies, however, it can be a pain, and it is quite likely you can spend multiple hours going through the whole process especially since you have to talk to a border guard:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1595101998982258688

All of that of course assumes that your outbound flight to DFW isn't delayed substantially (which can be a huge if these days). If I was you (and I'm not you by the way), I'd book an overnight at DFW just to play it safe.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Daver6]

On separate tickets you have no missed flight protection. I wouldn't be booking this.

I'm also surprised there aren't flights to ORD later in the day though.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'd accept no less than 4 hours but would look to stay the night at Grand Hyatt in the main AA terminal at DFW.

AA operate from several terminals at DFW, and they are separate buildings connected buy a train loop which works efficiently but still takes time if you need it.

In addition to the time to clear immigration, customs and reclear security etc, between arrival and departure times remember the time to de-plane and that you'd need to be ready for boarding 30 mins prior to departure again.

 

[Quickstatus]

need to be ready for boarding 30 mins prior to departure again.

Yes the time available is not arrival to departure time but arrival to 30 min prior to departure.

 

[Rich]

I'd accept no less than 4 hours but would look to stay the night at Grand Hyatt in the main AA terminal at DFW.

AA operate from several terminals at DFW, and they are separate buildings connected buy a train loop which works efficiently but still takes time if you need it.

In addition to the time to clear immigration, customs and reclear security etc, between arrival and departure times remember the time to de-plane and that you'd need to be ready for boarding 30 mins prior to departure again.

Now I am nervous. We have 2:45 at DFW for a connecting flight in March to AUS then MCO, but also a separate ticket. I was having so much trouble with QF I thought there was more risk getting a flight added on to the original booking.

 

[Quickstatus]

connecting flight in March to AUS then MCO

QF8 departs in the evening and the experience is much better, the crowds are less.

Additionally departing USA mean no immigration and you should be able to remain airside and not have to redo security checks. Assuming your luggage gets tagged all the way to AUS

AA is usually good with tagging bags to QF

 

[Rich]

QF8 departs in the evening and the experience is much better, the crowds are less.

Additionally departing USA mean no immigration and you should be able to remain airside and not have to redo security checks. Assuming your luggage gets tagged all the way to AUS

AA is usually good with tagging bags to QF

I don't think I was clear. Arriving in DFW from MEL at 12.45 on a Friday, then 15:30 on to Austin and then MCO.

 

[Quickstatus]

clear

Ah yes. No, you were clear.
Of course one would not travel to AUS(tralia) to then go to MCO

2:45 is the bare minimum. You are actually 2:15 as per my previous post.

 

[Daver6]

QF8 departs in the evening and the experience is much better, the crowds are less.

Additionally departing USA mean no immigration and you should be able to remain airside and not have to redo security checks. Assuming your luggage gets tagged all the way to AUS

AA is usually good with tagging bags to QF

Just for the record. AA wouldn't through-check my back from an AA booking connecting to QF8. This was pre-Covid though. Bookings were separate tickets. I had to collect my back, change terminals land-side using the free bus and re-check.

 

[Tiki]

One thing to keep in mind if you haven't been through the states before is you must clear US immigration, collect your bags, clear US customs, and re-check the bag at a bag transfer station just outside customs. After that ordeal you need to clear TSA security to get on with your own flight. If you are Canadian or American it's not a huge deal, we get the red velvet experience where we can bypass much of the queues (and a similar thing for Global Entry eligible citizens like Brits who have GE). For Aussies, however, it can be a pain, and it is quite likely you can spend multiple hours going through the whole process especially since you have to talk to a border guard:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1595101998982258688

All of that of course assumes that your outbound flight to DFW isn't delayed substantially (which can be a huge if these days). If I was you (and I'm not you by the way), I'd book an overnight at DFW just to play it safe.

-RooFlyer88

I'll be using my US passport, what is the procedure these days? I haven't entered the USA since pre-covid. Is it just an automatic scanner thing like Aussie airports? Long lines?

 

[Rich]

Ah yes. No, you were clear.
Of course one would not travel to AUS(tralia) to then go to MCO

2:45 is the bare minimum. You are actually 2:15 as per my previous post.

I assume QF can't help me by combining the two bookings. I am not sure I want them to either.
I am actually contemplating making a second award booking for the next day. If not needed we lose 5x5000 points cancellation fee (or worst case 5x12000), but 5 last minute tickets could cost USD2000.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

On separate tickets you have no missed flight protection. I wouldn't be booking this.

You are absolutely correct there. However, there are times where it may make sense to book things out separately. What is key is to build in that protection to your itinerary by spacing out the flights sufficiently, and having backup flights at hand should things go cough up.

I'll be using my US passport, what is the procedure these days? I haven't entered the USA since pre-covid. Is it just an automatic scanner thing like Aussie airports? Long lines?

Canadian with Nexus (Global Entry) having travelled state side a couple of times (to HNL and pre-clearance at YYZ for SFO), I think I can answer. Basically, it's the same as before (i.e. quick). As a US citizen you can use the Mobile Passport Control app which lets you enter a special queue that effectively bypasses having to go through a formal interrogation by an immigration officer. If you have Global Entry a quick facial scan will give you a print out that you hand to the border officer and you're generally waved through. As a Canadian with Global Entry it was quick, I'd reckon as quick as clearing immigration at Sydney, if not faster, since you don't have all that cough associated with it (i.e. getting a ticket from a machine, then walking a fair distance, dumping the ticket into the eGate, taking off mask, getting picture taken, and all that nonsense.

I assume QF can't help me by combining the two bookings. I am not sure I want them to either.
I am actually contemplating making a second award booking for the next day. If not needed we lose 5x5000 points cancellation fee (or worst case 5x12000), but 5 last minute tickets could cost USD2000.

Speculative bookings are on possibility, but you'd have to consider whether it might be more economical to simply space everything out. As an alternatively you can book a flexible fare, or even an award booking that permits you to do last minute changes.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Vee711]

One thing to keep in mind if you haven't been through the states before is you must clear US immigration, collect your bags, clear US customs, and re-check the bag at a bag transfer station just outside customs.

That's good to know. It'll be my first trip to the US (apart from Hawaii). I do know that it takes time (sometimes hours) to go through their airports.

We've decided to just stay near the airport for a night and then fly the next day. Many are saying the DFW Grand Hyatt. It seems a bit expensive for a night at $400AUD

 

[pyffii]

That's good to know. It'll be my first trip to the US (apart from Hawaii). I do know that it takes time (sometimes hours) to go through their airports.

We've decided to just stay near the airport for a night and then fly the next day. Many are saying the DFW Grand Hyatt. It seems a bit expensive for a night at $400AUD

$400 AUD is cheap these days and well worth it if you can secure that price....currently for July 2023 over $600AUD....In any event rooms are great and you're only a few steps to D Terminal checkin so for me well worth the expense