British Airways at O'Hare?
Nov 18th, 2003, 09:49 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
British Airways at O'Hare?
I will be arriving into O'Hare on an early week-day morning, but my BA flight to Europe doesn't leave til 8:15 pm. How early does the BA check-in desk open? I'd like to check my luggage and then have the day free in Chicago, either to go downtown, head to mall, etc. Thanks! (They're not connecting flights; I'm doing a side trip to Florida after attending a conference in Chicago)
Nov 19th, 2003, 03:25 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will be interested in this answer. A few months back in Australia I was told I could not check in for my International flight until 3 hours before, so I had 11 hours stuck with my baggage, only choice was to check in to a local hotel simply to store my baggage ( no left-baggage at the airport anymore ), so it will be interesting to see how it works in the USA?
Nov 19th, 2003, 03:58 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I beleiev it is 3 hours, maybe 4 for checking your luggage. I never had a need to actually store luggage at ORD, so can't tell you if there is a dedicated luggage storage.
I do know for a fact that a Hilton is connected to the terminals, and as a hotel they will store luggage for you. You do not have to get a room, just talk to the bell captain, and they will be happy to store it for you.
Check the official ORD site for more info and maps:
http://www.ohare.com/ohare/home.asp
Enjoy my favorite city!!!
I do know for a fact that a Hilton is connected to the terminals, and as a hotel they will store luggage for you. You do not have to get a room, just talk to the bell captain, and they will be happy to store it for you.
Check the official ORD site for more info and maps:
http://www.ohare.com/ohare/home.asp
Enjoy my favorite city!!!
Nov 19th, 2003, 07:11 AM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks JamesA and AAFF. I will check with BA when I arrive in O'Hare about my return situation. Otherwise, I'll give the Hilton a shot, handing the bell captain a nice tip. I'll have about 9 free hours after arrival before I need to check in for my return trip, so that gives me time to do something and I don't to be dragging my suitcases around!
Dec 10th, 2003, 01:07 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got back yesterday and here is my experience...
BA check in starts at 2:15 pm; that is when the counter opens. The woman who checked in my bags said they would probably take them at that time, even with a flight 6 or 7 hours later.
I did check my bags with the Hilton. Actually, I checked an entire smart cart with bags (the cart, a large roller, a carry on and a shopping bag). I wasn't sure if they would accept bags from someone who wasn't staying at the hotel or otherwise doing business there, so I said I had a breakfast meeting...a small fib, but I *did* go have breakfast at the hotel. I later called and said I would be gone for most of the day. No problems (I tipped the bell guys a total of $15. I don't know whether this was too much or too little, but I was glad to have those bags off my hands for 8 hours!).
Checking in with BA went quickly. However, since my bags had been with the Hilton for over 8 hours, BA and I agreed they should get an extra security check. Someone came over and took my checked suitcase away for a special lookover. Fine by me; after all, who checks out what the bell guys at hotels do with stored luggage? They *could* be sticking anything in my luggage without my knowledge (unlikely, but possible). My only annoyance was that the restaurants and duty free shops are found in the terminal BEFORE you go through security. I'm used to finding duty free shops, cafes, etc., afterwards. Anyway, on the other side of security in the international terminal, there's very little to do...just a couple of drinks carts (with limited service) and some small kiosks. So if you have time to kill before your flight, either bring along something to do or put off going through security control until after you've done your duty free shopping, etc.
Re the flight itself, it was fine, although not nearly as nice as my trip last year when I as in business! I was in premium economy. First, biz and premium economy on my 777 flight to Heathrow were nearly empty (about 6 pax in PE, another 8 in biz and 4 in first), but regular economy was *jammed*, almost completely full.
The FAs for Premium Economy were very pleasant helpful; when I asked if it was possible to have a Bailey's to drink, they said no, they didn't carry that in economy, premium or otherwise, but about three minutes later, whisked over with a couple of mini bottles "borrowed" from business class.
BA check in starts at 2:15 pm; that is when the counter opens. The woman who checked in my bags said they would probably take them at that time, even with a flight 6 or 7 hours later.
I did check my bags with the Hilton. Actually, I checked an entire smart cart with bags (the cart, a large roller, a carry on and a shopping bag). I wasn't sure if they would accept bags from someone who wasn't staying at the hotel or otherwise doing business there, so I said I had a breakfast meeting...a small fib, but I *did* go have breakfast at the hotel. I later called and said I would be gone for most of the day. No problems (I tipped the bell guys a total of $15. I don't know whether this was too much or too little, but I was glad to have those bags off my hands for 8 hours!).
Checking in with BA went quickly. However, since my bags had been with the Hilton for over 8 hours, BA and I agreed they should get an extra security check. Someone came over and took my checked suitcase away for a special lookover. Fine by me; after all, who checks out what the bell guys at hotels do with stored luggage? They *could* be sticking anything in my luggage without my knowledge (unlikely, but possible). My only annoyance was that the restaurants and duty free shops are found in the terminal BEFORE you go through security. I'm used to finding duty free shops, cafes, etc., afterwards. Anyway, on the other side of security in the international terminal, there's very little to do...just a couple of drinks carts (with limited service) and some small kiosks. So if you have time to kill before your flight, either bring along something to do or put off going through security control until after you've done your duty free shopping, etc.
Re the flight itself, it was fine, although not nearly as nice as my trip last year when I as in business! I was in premium economy. First, biz and premium economy on my 777 flight to Heathrow were nearly empty (about 6 pax in PE, another 8 in biz and 4 in first), but regular economy was *jammed*, almost completely full.
The FAs for Premium Economy were very pleasant helpful; when I asked if it was possible to have a Bailey's to drink, they said no, they didn't carry that in economy, premium or otherwise, but about three minutes later, whisked over with a couple of mini bottles "borrowed" from business class.
Dec 10th, 2003, 01:07 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got back yesterday and here is my experience...
BA check in starts at 2:15 pm; that is when the counter opens. The woman who checked in my bags said they would probably take them at that time, even with a flight 6 or 7 hours later.
I did check my bags with the Hilton. Actually, I checked an entire smart cart with bags (the cart, a large roller, a carry on and a shopping bag). I wasn't sure if they would accept bags from someone who wasn't staying at the hotel or otherwise doing business there, so I said I had a breakfast meeting...a small fib, but I *did* go have breakfast at the hotel. I later called and said I would be gone for most of the day. No problems (I tipped the bell guys a total of $15. I don't know whether this was too much or too little, but I was glad to have those bags off my hands for 8 hours!).
Checking in with BA went quickly. However, since my bags had been with the Hilton for over 8 hours, BA and I agreed they should get an extra security check. Someone came over and took my checked suitcase away for a special lookover. Fine by me; after all, who checks out what the bell guys at hotels do with stored luggage? They *could* be sticking anything in my luggage without my knowledge (unlikely, but possible). My only annoyance was that the restaurants and duty free shops are found in the terminal BEFORE you go through security. I'm used to finding duty free shops, cafes, etc., afterwards. Anyway, on the other side of security in the international terminal, there's very little to do...just a couple of drinks carts (with limited service) and some small kiosks. So if you have time to kill before your flight, either bring along something to do or put off going through security control until after you've done your duty free shopping, etc.
Re the flight itself, it was fine, although not nearly as nice as my trip last year when I as in business! I was in premium economy. First, biz and premium economy on my 777 flight to Heathrow were nearly empty (about 6 pax in PE, another 8 in biz and 4 in first), but regular economy was *jammed*, almost completely full.
The FAs for Premium Economy were very pleasant and helpful; when I asked if it was possible to have a Bailey's to drink, they said no, they didn't carry that in economy, premium or otherwise, but about three minutes later, whisked over with a couple of mini bottles "borrowed" from business class.
BA check in starts at 2:15 pm; that is when the counter opens. The woman who checked in my bags said they would probably take them at that time, even with a flight 6 or 7 hours later.
I did check my bags with the Hilton. Actually, I checked an entire smart cart with bags (the cart, a large roller, a carry on and a shopping bag). I wasn't sure if they would accept bags from someone who wasn't staying at the hotel or otherwise doing business there, so I said I had a breakfast meeting...a small fib, but I *did* go have breakfast at the hotel. I later called and said I would be gone for most of the day. No problems (I tipped the bell guys a total of $15. I don't know whether this was too much or too little, but I was glad to have those bags off my hands for 8 hours!).
Checking in with BA went quickly. However, since my bags had been with the Hilton for over 8 hours, BA and I agreed they should get an extra security check. Someone came over and took my checked suitcase away for a special lookover. Fine by me; after all, who checks out what the bell guys at hotels do with stored luggage? They *could* be sticking anything in my luggage without my knowledge (unlikely, but possible). My only annoyance was that the restaurants and duty free shops are found in the terminal BEFORE you go through security. I'm used to finding duty free shops, cafes, etc., afterwards. Anyway, on the other side of security in the international terminal, there's very little to do...just a couple of drinks carts (with limited service) and some small kiosks. So if you have time to kill before your flight, either bring along something to do or put off going through security control until after you've done your duty free shopping, etc.
Re the flight itself, it was fine, although not nearly as nice as my trip last year when I as in business! I was in premium economy. First, biz and premium economy on my 777 flight to Heathrow were nearly empty (about 6 pax in PE, another 8 in biz and 4 in first), but regular economy was *jammed*, almost completely full.
The FAs for Premium Economy were very pleasant and helpful; when I asked if it was possible to have a Bailey's to drink, they said no, they didn't carry that in economy, premium or otherwise, but about three minutes later, whisked over with a couple of mini bottles "borrowed" from business class.
