luggage storage DC
 

my wife is going to be in DC for a few days and then flying to Atlanta for a few more days before coming back to DC to fly home to the UK. She's booked carry on only tickets to Atlanta. Is there somewhere she can store bags in DC?

She should call her hotel in DC to see if they will hold the bags for her.

Also, what's a "carry on only" ticket? If she's stuck, won't she be able to check bags (for a fee, sure, but I don't think there are tickets where checked bags are not allowed).

NRSA (non-rev space available) travel is "carry-on only".

At one point, there was a baggage check place at Union Station. I haven't actively looked for it the last few times I was there, so I don't recall if it is still there. I do remember it was somewhat pricey, though. But, it may be an option.

A hefty tip to the bellman at her hotel and they will hold her bags. But, seriously, other than the oddity of NRSA, there's no such thing as hand baggage only on US domestic.

Not true, at least not on all carriers.

What precisely is "hefty"? And why is it warranted -- what difference does it make for a bag held 1 hour vs. 1 week? Surely no employee is physically holding the bag?

Agreed. I've often left bags at hotels for sustained periods and never thought I needed to provide an extra tip/bribe.

If you are looking for the practical realities of having someone keep an eye on your bag when you are not a paying customer, $10/bag/week would about do it. Yup, it's no more work for the bellman than if you left it for an hour, but that's hardly the point.

If you want to take a chance, take a chance.

When I said 'carry-on only' I was meaning that AFAIUI she has booked on a low cost carrier with no checked luggage and would get stung if she, and son, had to check bags in both ways. She also wants to avoid dragging unnecessary luggage around. I suspect the ideal would be a cheap airport hotel she could use the night before her LHR flight that would let her leave her bags a few days before and pick them up for her stay.