NotMe

If they were my only choices, in winter, If I was flying United, I would take IAD over ORD or that other miserable winter airport DEN.

DRD4516

Thanks, everyone for all the advice. I've read posts on this site for a long time, but this was the first time I posted a question. The response has been terrific.

We have changed to an earlier flight from LAX that will give us a lot more time at O'Hare, but we really had to push our travel agent. We've used her for several trips, but I don't know that we will continue with her.

BTW, we are going to Val d'Isere via Paris because Club Med will deliver us to the door from Paris. Last year we went via Geneva and we were on our own to shlep our stuff to the Club.

My husband is an experienced skier, but I just started skiing 3 years ago. The first 2 years we went to Club Med in Crested Butte, Colorado. Then it closed, so now we go to Val d'Isere. Their ski program has been great for me. But I digress....

Thanks again for all the help!!

HKP

Are you (anyone) aware that TA's can get kick-backs for selling trip insurance?

Raise a little heck with the TA

freeman0819

Why are you all wanted to hang the travel agent? (And before you all try to hang me, I am NOT a travel agent). Yes, the TA should have pointed out that UA942 was not a nonstop flight, in fact only a direct flight with a change of equipment in ORD. DRD shouldn't have had to find out on his/her own. BUT, United sells flight 942 LAX-CDG as is because it's a legal connection so to speak and that it meets minimum connection time. If it wasn't doable, then the airlines can't legal sell it as such.

BjorkChop

Am I the only one here who's thinking that perhaps the non-stop flight turned into a direct or layover flight? After your agent told you it was a non-stop flight, the airline can change it into a direct or layover flight if they choose at their discretion. If your original flight and new flight time is different by several hours, then the airline may put you on a different non-stop with no change fee or you can request a refund.

rkkwan

UA942 has long been ORD-CDG, with a LAX-ORD leg tagged on to it on a different aircraft. I don't think UA has even flown LAX-CDG non-stop, though I may be wrong.

This kind of thing is common, and a good TA booking someone a plane ticket needs to know about it and look for the information.

A TA's work is to help a traveler, not to impede them. That's their job and how they earn their money.

freeman0819

I know what a travel agent's job is. They should have noticed that the flight was not non-stop and should have advised the passengers as such. All I am saying is that the direct flight is a valid "connection". If passengers missed this flight connection often, then the times would have to be adjusted of the LAX-ORD portion or the flights would not be sold together as a through flight.

Craig

This thread caught my eye because we fly through O'Hare a lot. I really don't think it matters whether it is a "valid connection" given UAL's recent track record. I was glad to hear that the OP was able to schedule an earlier flight from LAX.

One query on this thread that noone seemed to address was the layover on the return. We have gone through customs after returning to the USA on an international flight and really had to scramble to reach the terminal for our domestic flight. Hopefully the OP has allowed enough time.

hills27

On the way back, it's not that big of a deal if they miss the connection. There's a flight to LAX almost every hour.