Where should I park and clear security at IAH?
 

Hello,

Solo traveler leaving on BA 194 (1535 departure) in F on a Sunday at the end of April. I will have carry-on only, am Pre and CLEAR. Priority Pass, and Centurion access. Goal is to shower at Centurion before my flight.

Returning on BA 197 (scheduled 1900 arrival) on a Thursday in mid-May. Traveling companion will have a checked bag. We are both GE.

We've departed and arrived from E before (although IAH is not our home airport, so I'm not current on whatever state it is in). We have also met our ride at the Marriott when doing so; we are comfortable walking/subway from E to other terminals. (Thank you, FT friends, for this most excellent suggestion.)

Prior posts from February mentioned that B seems to be a favored check-in terminal. Subsequent threads mention changes to walkways, etc. Questions:

1. Which parking do you recommend for me? Should I park in C/D/E or A/B? On return, we don't mind walking / taking the subway from E to A/B if there is value in doing so.

2. Depending on where I park, which terminal should I use to clear security? I don't mind showing my passport at the gate (versus the ticket counter), but I don't have a preference.

Open to ideas and suggestions, as well as other considerations.

Thank you.

Wouldn’t over complicate this. BA flies out of Terminal D and I would park (C/D/E), check in, and go through security there. You have Pre, so while B may be a hair faster than D, it still won’t be long and you will save time by not having to commute via train. Plus D is where the Centurion Lounge is.

You want to totally avoid the construction and traffic chaos of the E/D/C loop. Park in B lot. (Or the economy lot for 1/3rd the cost and shuttle to terminal). Clear security at B. Take “Air Tram” elevated, air side, tram to E (no stop at D) then take shorts walk back to D.
There’s no reason to go to the ticket counter at all.

On return, after you clear immigration and customs, you can’t access the Air Tram so go down one level to the subterranean people mover and return to B to get your car or meet your shuttle.

Unfortunate that your friend is checking a bag. That’ll greatly increase the time it takes to get to your car. With a seat near the front of the plane, and GE, I’m usually on the shuttle bus to parking within 20 minutes of arrival.

D and E actually share the Skyway stop. Depending to which terminal you want to go, you turn left or right at the end of escalator.