Flying

Participants who live too far away from Chicago or our Training Camp must fly to and from one of our meeting locations. When flying to Chicago, we will pick you up at the airport.  At the end of the summer we will be available at O’Hare but not at Midway to help in emergency situations such as late international arrivals, domestic flight delays, cancellations, or missed connections.

When making domestic flight reservations plan on the following:

Which Meeting Spot

If you choose to fly to Chicago, your official meeting location is either Chicago O’Hare International Airport or Chicago Midway Airport, depending on the flight you choose.

O’Hare or Midway? Three Considerations:

1.  O’Hare may be a little more expensive, but it more convenient and has easier connections.  All of our international flights in and out of the USA go through O’Hare.

2.  You may also fly into Chicago Midway (MDW).  There are several discount airlines that offer less expensive flights through Chicago Midway.

3.  We will not have staff available at Midway at the end of the mission trip to help you if you have connections problems.  Nor will we be able to transport you from O’Hare to Midway when you arrive back in the United States.  You must be responsible to get there on your own.  Therefore if you are young or not an accomplished traveler we suggest you fly through O’Hare.

If you decide to go through Midway there is a direct shuttle-bus service from O’Hare to Midway.  To learn more about the shuttle service click here.

Day and Time To Arrive

When you fly your required arrival time in Chicago depends upon whether you are coming as a student or a staff discipler.  To find your required arrival time click here.

Getting Home: Two Considerations

1.  Don’t Make Domestic Flight Reservations Until…

In mid-April, we will send out the Updated Mission Trip Schedule.  It will contain specific flight details for your international travel during your mission trip.  This will enable you to make domestic travel arrangements in coordination with your international tickets.

Please do not book domestic travel until you have received the Updated Mission Trip Schedule. We realize you want to make arrangements as early as possible to get the best fares.  However international flight schedules often change.  The problem does not occur in your arrival to your mission trip but on the return home at the end of the mission trip.  If you book too early you may be forced to change your arrangements and pay penalties.

2.  Leave Plenty of Time for Immigration Customs Baggage and Getting To Your Gate

On the trip home it takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours after your international flight arrives in the United States to clear immigration and customs change terminals and recheck your bag.  When booking domestic air tickets you’ll need to leave plenty of time to enter the USA and get to your next flight.  Please book the first available flight home on the day you arrive in the USA.  Please do not delay your flight home until the next day.

Connections at O’Hare need 2 hours—If you plan on connecting through O’Hare please allow at least two hours between your international flight and the departure of your domestic flight.

Connections at Midway need 4 hours—If you are connecting at Chicago Midway you should allow at least four hours between your international arrival and your domestic departure.  For shuttle information between O’Hare and Midway  click here.

Where To Book A Flight

You may use any travel agency you desire when booking domestic travel flights.  However, we strongly suggest that you consider using Reign Ministries’ travel consultant John Gossen at Bursch Travel.  There are many advantages.  And Reign Ministries receives no benefits kick-backs or referral fees of any kind from John or Bursch travel.  The benefits are entirely yours.