agedude

I will be flying to Sweden next month to pick-up a new Volvo. Part of the package is two complimentary passes to an SAS Business Lounge in the United States. My outward flight has no layovers, so no opportunity to use the passes. When I return, I have a five hour layover at Chicago O'Hare. The SAS Lounge at O'Hare is in the secure part of Terminal 5. When I arrive in Chicago and clear customs, does anyone know if I will be able to access the secure part of terminal 5 and the SAS Business Lounge? I will be catching a connecting flight, so once I pass back into the secure passenger area wouldn't I have access to all terminals? The Volvo Travel folks told me I would not be able to access the lounge in Chicago and the passes would go to waste if I didn't use them on the outbound portion of the trip. I looked at a map of the terminals at Chicago O'Hare and it looks like I still should be able to access terminal 5 and the SAS Lounge. If anyone knows for sure, I would sure appreciate the help. Thanks.

rkkwan

Terminal 5 is not connected on the airside to the other terminals, so you'll not go back to the airside of T5 at all. I am not sure if the SAS check-in agents will give you a gate pass to go through security or not, but I won't bet on it. The security there won't let you pass if you're only holding a boarding pass for a flight out of the other terminals.

And it's a hassle to go through security just to use a club, since you will still have to go back landside and take the train to the other terminals and reclear security once again for your connection.

CubFanAlways

"<i>I looked at a map of the terminals at Chicago O'Hare and it looks like I still should be able to access terminal 5 and the SAS Lounge</i>."

Nice work, but wrong conclusion. Sorry, rkkwan is right. You cannot get to the secure side.

If your domestic leg is another airline, (seems not?) maybe they offer a "day pass" to their lounge. I know United does for $50. You might even be able to get a day pass without holding their ticket, not sure.

agedude

Thank you for your help. Wishful thinking on my part to be able to use the passes in Chicago. Comfortable chairs, free food and beer, and wireless internet would have surly helped pass the time during the layover.

Rocket79

I feel for you, agedude. I had an EIGHT-hour layover in United's O'hare terminal after a Europe trip, and my last, connecting flight home was only 55 minutes. I was crawling out of my skin and sorely tempted to rent a car and drive home....

Happy travels, though!

VolCrew

agedude, I just arrived in T5 Thursday. Once you come to the customs inspection desk, there are two choices, go to x-ray and exit or straight ahead to the exit. Either way will dump you outside of security in the lobby area adjacent to the street. There is some kind of bar and a McD's in this area.

I caught the tram to T3, got off and walked across the street to the Hilton. There are four restaurants/bars in it.

Safe travels.

WillTravel

If you have an 8-hour layover, take the train into Chicago and enjoy! For a 5-hour layover, I don't know if I would do that, but there are some nice, easily accessible hotels near the airport, and so there's no need to suffer.