Just a brief follow-up to say that the advice was spot-on. Thanks again both.


To expand a little - we landed from LHR quite close to the gate for our imminent connecting flight to ORD. However as our flight from LHR was 30 mins delayed, I was anxious about having enough time to get it all done.

I spoke to the gate agent and they mumbled "probably".


1. Queue to show passport to exit gate area, maybe 5-10 mins
2. Enter after-security area, ask a couple of store assistants for directions, jog about 400m, pass point of no return. Another 5 mins
3. Enter main terminal area, spot small tax rebate booth against the opposite wall.
4. Queue for a couple of minutes, present my receipt. Guy at window asks for my Customs stamp. What Customs stamp?!
5. He points me to the neighbouring booth . No queue, I get a stamp, that takes another couple of minutes.
6. Return to rebate booth, no queue. For speed I had left my bags with my wife at the gate. My wallet was in my bag so I had to accept cash instead of credit card refund, no biggie.
7. No queues at boarding pass check or security, fly through, maybe another five mins.
8. Jog back through after-security area, my gate is at the furthest-away point, naturally.
9. Queue for passport and boarding pass check, maybe 5-10 mins.
10. Arrive back at gate.


The whole thing took me 20-30 minutes, but it definitely could have taken significantly longer.