How to spend 5 hours in IAH burdened with luggage
May 10, 2024, 7:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 41
How to spend 5 hours in IAH burdened with luggage
I have a long connection in Houston (IAH): arriving on United domestic flight at 4pm and departing on British Airways flight at 9pm.
Unfortunately, I have lots of luggage (2 huge suitcases).
What are my options for enjoying 5 hours in IAH between the flights?
I know that BA check-in desks in IAH opens about 2.5 hours before departure (so there is no way to drop my bags 5 hours before departure).
I have AmEx Platinum, Priority Pass and BA Gold status but all these are useless if I have to exit the secure area in order to collect my bags after United arrival flight.
Is there a paid VIP transfer service in IAH that will collect my bags from United and drop it to BA on my behalf?
Unfortunately, I have lots of luggage (2 huge suitcases).
What are my options for enjoying 5 hours in IAH between the flights?
I know that BA check-in desks in IAH opens about 2.5 hours before departure (so there is no way to drop my bags 5 hours before departure).
I have AmEx Platinum, Priority Pass and BA Gold status but all these are useless if I have to exit the secure area in order to collect my bags after United arrival flight.
Is there a paid VIP transfer service in IAH that will collect my bags from United and drop it to BA on my behalf?
Last edited by Kostya; May 10, 2024 at 7:28 pm Reason: typo
May 11, 2024, 6:53 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 41
How about this idea:
I collect my bags and leave them at a baggage store facility (there are 2 in IAH) then pass security using my mobile BA boarding pass. Then after spending 3 hours in AmEx Centurion lounge (I can enter it early since I'm a connecting passenger) I exit the terminal, get my bags, drop off my bags to BA counter and go through security again. Will that work? Can I pass security twice using the same boarding pass?
I collect my bags and leave them at a baggage store facility (there are 2 in IAH) then pass security using my mobile BA boarding pass. Then after spending 3 hours in AmEx Centurion lounge (I can enter it early since I'm a connecting passenger) I exit the terminal, get my bags, drop off my bags to BA counter and go through security again. Will that work? Can I pass security twice using the same boarding pass?
May 11, 2024, 7:14 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,986
Are Skycaps still a thing? Perhaps they have them curbside at Terminal D, and perhaps they'd be able to check in bags prior to BA's counter opening.
May 13, 2024, 7:32 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,244
How about this idea:
I collect my bags and leave them at a baggage store facility (there are 2 in IAH) then pass security using my mobile BA boarding pass. Then after spending 3 hours in AmEx Centurion lounge (I can enter it early since I'm a connecting passenger) I exit the terminal, get my bags, drop off my bags to BA counter and go through security again. Will that work? Can I pass security twice using the same boarding pass?
I collect my bags and leave them at a baggage store facility (there are 2 in IAH) then pass security using my mobile BA boarding pass. Then after spending 3 hours in AmEx Centurion lounge (I can enter it early since I'm a connecting passenger) I exit the terminal, get my bags, drop off my bags to BA counter and go through security again. Will that work? Can I pass security twice using the same boarding pass?
May 20, 2024, 12:25 pm
#7
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,451
Do not know if it still works, but WAAAAAAAAAAAY back when Term A had separate security for (mostly, maybe all CO and non CO sides) I used to go to President's Club on CO side (of course another change, I'm not sure you can enter without a CO UA flight), and reclear with same BP to other side to fly US Air (of course they would always tell me I am going to the wrong side to fly US Air).
Those were the days ...... hopefully it still works as posted above.
Those were the days ...... hopefully it still works as posted above.
