Blowin’ in the wind – Another Chicago Adventure with American Airlines and British Airways
Index:
- Don’t go you go anywhere else that’s remotely different?
- To Manchester Airport, British Airways Terraces Lounge
- American Airlines AA55 Manchester Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Automated Processing Chaos
- Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- Intstawalk: State Street Chicago
- Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- A wind of change
- Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5, British Airways Terraces First Lounge
- British Airways BA9294 Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow
- British Airways Arrivals Lounge London Heathrow
- Virgin Trains London Euston to Birmingham New Street
- The Answer My Friend Is Blowin’ in the wind…
Don’t you go anywhere remotely different in the Autumn?
No. Not at all. Chicago is a regular stop for me – mainly because I like catching with my friends. Believe it or not, I’d travel to see friends… well, just because.
But lets say my planning for this trip wasn’t the best in the world. Even by my “getting old and forgetting things”
I did start looking in July, when fares were a stonking £770 return. Heck, at that point – I was tempted by a a British Airways Avios sale in WORLD TRAVELLER as opposed to paying that much to go to the windy city. Thankfully, there was a correction, and by August ,the fare had settled to a more reasonable (if still wallet wrenching) £550 return.
This isn’t bad, but it isn’t what I’d call “good” in the least. Whilst I was a BAcon, I actually realised I still hadn’t booked a ticket to Chicago yet… so with one more roll of the Las Vegas dice, I tried some different departure points, with me almost forgetting an important rule – one that I preach
“There are other places in the world other than London”
This rule worked, because I was pricing up a Manchester to Chicago, Chicago to London Heathrow, Heathrow to Manchester fare for £395 all in.
That’s a good £150+ in my pocket, even throwing in the £5 booking fee British Airways loves to dump onto its passengers.
With that in hand, I ran into my next problem – the hotels. As most of you know, I wind up in the Hyatt Regency O’Hare more often than not – mainly for convenience purposes. Alas, at the group rate I was on – the rooms had sold out. I therefore changed my plans around, with the first night at the Crowne Plaza, the last night at the Hyatt – hoping a room or two would be released.
Thankfully, 3 nights were released at the Hyatt, allowing me to change my plans appropriately. Because after a busy time with friends, you need the extra time to relax.
So, a simple run, with a coach trip up to Manchester Ringway airport, a flight across the pond, two hotels, a flight back and a domestic flight.
Doesn’t sound problematic in the least.
Oh, this is a Kevincm trip report. Life is full of problems.
Problems. Problems. Problems.
Especially when there’s a little bit of wind that can throw a certain London airport of kilter completely…
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