booking a flight to indianapolis

[warhero200]

i'm a student flying to IND this august. found this itinerary:

Flight Itinerary
[All Nippon Airways]
NH6254
23:40hrs, 10/08/2009
Singapore Changi Apt (SIN)
07:50hrs, 11/08/2009
Tokyo Narita Apt (NRT)
Economy 25hrs 15mins
Operated By Singapore Airlines


NH12
10:45hrs, 11/08/2009
Tokyo Narita Apt (NRT)
08:20hrs, 11/08/2009
Chicago O'Hare International Apt (ORD)


NH7734
10:58hrs, 11/08/2009
Chicago O'Hare International Apt (ORD)
12:55hrs, 11/08/2009
Indianapolis (IND)
Operated By United Airlines


Can i just check about the following:

are the transit times enough? especially at Chicago? do i need to clear customs and collect baggage to check in at domestic terminal at Chicago? the transit time i have there is around 2h40min. will it be enough?

comments on transiting at chicago?

any other itineraries you guys know of that will be have better transit times and i can still use my krisflyer card to claim points?

[willio773]

Wouldn't it be better to fly direct to EWR from SIN, then onto IND?

[SQ225]

Wouldn't it be better to fly direct to EWR from SIN, then onto IND?

Wouldn't it be better to save a couple thousand dollars?

[Nick C]

Wouldn't it be better to fly direct to EWR from SIN, then onto IND?

OP is flying in Y.

[hsf]

I would imagine that 2.5 hours at ORD would be enough time, assuming the flight arrives on time.

[fone]

You will have to collect your check-in luggage at ORD and clear immigration and customs there, at the international terminal. I can't remember if ORD has the drop off belt for check-in luggage at the international terminal, have always opted to drive from ORD instead of having an international - domestic transfer at ORD. Usually you should be able to tag your luggage through to your final destination (IND), and if you did so, you can drop off your luggage at the belt right after immigration (if ORD has one, I know LAX has one), so you do not have to take all your check in luggage to the domestic terminal. You should be checked in already and gotten your boarding pass in SIN for the ORD - IND leg already.

I would personally give it slight more time for the transit in Chicago as the immigration lines can get quite long as well as the wait for luggage. Esp if it is your first time in US, I'd not risk a mis-connect to add to the stress, if any.