Consolidated "Parking at/near ORD" thread
Dec 20, 2006, 9:26 am
#61
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: CGK SIN PER ORD
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,813
Dec 20, 2006, 9:37 am
#62
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
Plus $4 for r/t "L" fare, though that's still cheaper than O'Hare. (If you have a monthly CTA pass of course that wouldn't be a factor.)
Dec 20, 2006, 9:44 am
#63
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
Except at the holidays, Avistar generally won't turn you away for outdoor parking if you're a member of their club program. It supposedly costs $15/year with the first year free, but I don't think I've been billed it ever. You put your credit card on file and they process your card while you're on the bus back, so you don't have to go inside and stand in line to pay. This was a big issue I had with Thrifty - three straight times where they couldn't find my car for a good 20 minutes after I arrived back at the lot.
Other than the condition of their shock absorbers on their vans, I've been happy with Avistar.
Other than the condition of their shock absorbers on their vans, I've been happy with Avistar.
I found space at the O'Hare economy lot G, and by the time I took the bus to the tram to the terminal, I barely made my flight.
Afterwards, I wrote Avistar a letter asking why they claim "Guaranteed Airport Parking" when in reality they don't. I also asked for a refund of the difference between what I would have paid at Avistar versus what I actually paid at O'Hare. I never heard from them.
Since then, several hundred of my dollars have gone to Thrifty instead. I've never had the problem you mentioned at Thrifty, though I admit that would be irritating.
Should I have dropped Avistar after one bad experience? Maybe not, but since Thrifty treated me well, I saw no reason to go back. Now that I no longer live in the area, it's not an issue anymore.
Dec 30, 2006, 12:31 am
#64
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: AA Gold/Million Miler,DL dirt,UA1K/Million Miler;Honors Silver,Marriott Gold;Avis Preferred,Hertz Prez Circle, Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 1,428
For a day trip, you could also consider the covered parking at the Cumberland CTA lot (or the uncovered parking at River Road) and taking the train into the station. It comes out cheaper than Avistar or Thirfty for a day, and at peak periods might not take any longer. Of course, the question is how full the lots get with daily commuters.
Dec 30, 2006, 11:24 am
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,505
No sticker required, you just have to note your space number and feed the parking machine on your way into the station.
Feb 25, 2007, 3:53 pm
#66
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: ORD
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 1,211
ORD Remote Parking Bagage Check-in
Has anybody ever used the baggage check-in over at E-Lot by the people mover?
Is it $5 bag, or $5 total? Have you been able to check baggage with less than 2 hours before departure?
(I hate dragging skis on the tram, and since I'm traveling alone, I can't drop them off curbside)
Is it $5 bag, or $5 total? Have you been able to check baggage with less than 2 hours before departure?
(I hate dragging skis on the tram, and since I'm traveling alone, I can't drop them off curbside)
Feb 26, 2007, 10:05 am
#68
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: CHI
Programs: SPG LIfetime Plat, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Wannabe, Hilton Silver, UA Gold
Posts: 392
That desk also seems to be inconsistently staffed. Some days 3-4 people standing around, some days no one there, some days closed. I wouldn't want to include it as a mission critical component to my travel.
Feb 27, 2007, 7:23 pm
#71
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NTTB
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,649
I would also guess that it is $5 per bag. For me personally, it is not an inconvenience to take my bag to the terminal from Economy Parking. I'm cheap, I would gladly take on the inconvenience for $5 per bag. Now, if I had a large family with multiple bags, screaming babies, strollers, etc - then it would work.
Valet and bag service for $5 per bag? Then we may have a deal!
Valet and bag service for $5 per bag? Then we may have a deal!
Feb 27, 2007, 8:27 pm
#72
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 196
Has anybody ever used the baggage check-in over at E-Lot by the people mover?
Is it $5 bag, or $5 total? Have you been able to check baggage with less than 2 hours before departure?
(I hate dragging skis on the tram, and since I'm traveling alone, I can't drop them off curbside)
Is it $5 bag, or $5 total? Have you been able to check baggage with less than 2 hours before departure?
(I hate dragging skis on the tram, and since I'm traveling alone, I can't drop them off curbside)
Feb 28, 2007, 7:58 pm
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,505
Do they have to go inside to be checked, or can a skycap take them like golf bags? I check my golf bag curbside all the time when I'm by myself. I tip well when I do it - usually a $10 for the golf bag and my suitcase, and I motion to the skycap with the $10 in my hand.
Mar 2, 2007, 9:14 am
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
AFAIK, you need to go inside, but it is right inside the door that is closed to the "Kiss and Fly" end of the station. I would park a minute in the free lot, drag them in, and then go to park.
Mar 9, 2007, 12:50 pm
#75
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: ORD
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 1,211
Do they have to go inside to be checked, or can a skycap take them like golf bags? I check my golf bag curbside all the time when I'm by myself. I tip well when I do it - usually a $10 for the golf bag and my suitcase, and I motion to the skycap with the $10 in my hand.