Hours to kill - worth the change?
Dec 5, 2022, 10:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: ba exec silver
Posts: 551
Hours to kill - worth the change?
I have a flight from IAH to SEA on united. It's actually around 5pm. So pretty much the whole day wasted to some extent.
They are giving me options to take earlier flights if I want (or later) but they ALL have layovers in either Denver, SFO or Chicago except for the original flight which is straight through.
The one in Chicago is an early morning one and I get home in the early-ish afternoon, which is nice.
But there is a 3-4 hour layover in Chicago.
What do you suggest/recommend? I also suspect the airport in Chicago has no hourly hotel rooms?
They are giving me options to take earlier flights if I want (or later) but they ALL have layovers in either Denver, SFO or Chicago except for the original flight which is straight through.
The one in Chicago is an early morning one and I get home in the early-ish afternoon, which is nice.
But there is a 3-4 hour layover in Chicago.
What do you suggest/recommend? I also suspect the airport in Chicago has no hourly hotel rooms?
Dec 5, 2022, 11:01 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Hiding under the trees in Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 2.5MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,306
If given the option, I'd stick with the one flight. Anything could happen at a connecting airport.
Chicago: Correct, there are no hourly hotel rooms. The United Club on the F concourse is nice, with tarmac views, so it might be an okay place to hang out for a couple of hours.
Denver: Generally good for connections, although lately they've been running some flights out of the C concourse (rather than the B concourse, which is all United). Houston and Seattle are probably going into / out of B, but I thought I should mention the C concourse as a risk.
SFO: It's a bit out of your way & might add time to the journey. Do you get a larger or better aircraft on the IAH-SFO leg? That might be a consideration.
Chicago: Correct, there are no hourly hotel rooms. The United Club on the F concourse is nice, with tarmac views, so it might be an okay place to hang out for a couple of hours.
Denver: Generally good for connections, although lately they've been running some flights out of the C concourse (rather than the B concourse, which is all United). Houston and Seattle are probably going into / out of B, but I thought I should mention the C concourse as a risk.
SFO: It's a bit out of your way & might add time to the journey. Do you get a larger or better aircraft on the IAH-SFO leg? That might be a consideration.
Dec 5, 2022, 11:03 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: ba exec silver
Posts: 551
Thanks Lori! I have been to Denver a few times in the past. Surprised there are about 90% of the layovers going through there with the changes they are showing me... lol.
yeah. Means I will be at the airport in IAH for a good... 5 hours. I check out of my hotel around 11am. Get to the airport by 12pm... and hours to kill
yeah. Means I will be at the airport in IAH for a good... 5 hours. I check out of my hotel around 11am. Get to the airport by 12pm... and hours to kill
Dec 6, 2022, 1:26 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,367
Thanks Lori! I have been to Denver a few times in the past. Surprised there are about 90% of the layovers going through there with the changes they are showing me... lol.
yeah. Means I will be at the airport in IAH for a good... 5 hours. I check out of my hotel around 11am. Get to the airport by 12pm... and hours to kill
yeah. Means I will be at the airport in IAH for a good... 5 hours. I check out of my hotel around 11am. Get to the airport by 12pm... and hours to kill
Dec 6, 2022, 5:45 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: IAH
Programs: MileagePlus-Premier Silver, Marriott Bonvoy-Silver Elite
Posts: 697
It's only a 45min -1hr ride down to NASA, 59S (I-69) to I-45S. I would avoid changing flights to include a stopover, like someone said here, never know what you're gonna get.
If you stay, visit Pappasito's in terminal E, good Tex-Mex and Margaritas. Or last resort, buy a United Club pass, there are a few at IAH.
If you stay, visit Pappasito's in terminal E, good Tex-Mex and Margaritas. Or last resort, buy a United Club pass, there are a few at IAH.
Dec 6, 2022, 6:12 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
I have a flight from IAH to SEA on united. It's actually around 5pm. So pretty much the whole day wasted to some extent.
They are giving me options to take earlier flights if I want (or later) but they ALL have layovers in either Denver, SFO or Chicago except for the original flight which is straight through.
The one in Chicago is an early morning one and I get home in the early-ish afternoon, which is nice.
But there is a 3-4 hour layover in Chicago.
What do you suggest/recommend? I also suspect the airport in Chicago has no hourly hotel rooms?
They are giving me options to take earlier flights if I want (or later) but they ALL have layovers in either Denver, SFO or Chicago except for the original flight which is straight through.
The one in Chicago is an early morning one and I get home in the early-ish afternoon, which is nice.
But there is a 3-4 hour layover in Chicago.
What do you suggest/recommend? I also suspect the airport in Chicago has no hourly hotel rooms?
Dec 6, 2022, 7:10 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,162
Having the hotel to hold your bag for a few hours is a great idea. Tell us where your hotel is located. Some of us might be able to recommend a couple of places near by for you to enjoy or lovely city.
Dec 6, 2022, 7:14 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,332
Another big risk of connecting in ORD/DEN in the winter time is weather. DEN is especially prone to shutting down for several hours whenever there is a little snow or a bolt of lightning within 50 miles of the airport. As previously stated, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever that you need to go directly from checkout to the airport. Check out whenever you want in the morning and head into town. View this as a free day in Houston, which it basically is. If you do not have a car, just leave your luggage with the front desk and have fun. Life is too short as it is, so you should never pass up an opportunity. Houston also has a thriving Vietnamese community, with food to match.
Dec 6, 2022, 11:12 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,648
Another big risk of connecting in ORD/DEN in the winter time is weather. DEN is especially prone to shutting down for several hours whenever there is a little snow or a bolt of lightning within 50 miles of the airport. As previously stated, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever that you need to go directly from checkout to the airport. Check out whenever you want in the morning and head into town. View this as a free day in Houston, which it basically is. If you do not have a car, just leave your luggage with the front desk and have fun. Life is too short as it is, so you should never pass up an opportunity. Houston also has a thriving Vietnamese community, with food to match.
Dec 6, 2022, 11:35 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,092
Off topic but Memorial Park-Houston Arboretum are right off the 610 & fantastic place to spend a few hours outdoors if the weather is good.
Dec 6, 2022, 12:45 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,332
Dec 6, 2022, 5:38 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,648
OK, maybe it is only lightning that actually shuts the airport down (I was rerouted to COS for 4 hours of torture in UA's new subcompact Y seats in September due to a light thunderstorm), but the likelihood of delays and cancellations via DEN in the winter is very high (25% per FlightAware, second only to EWR). Regardless, it is definitely not a risk worth taking when a simpler solution is to just get to the airport later in the day.
Dec 6, 2022, 6:43 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,356
Yes, I routinely leave my bag(s) at the front desk, and then spend the last day exploring wherever I am before catching an evening flight (or Acela, in the case of NY).
But, this only works if you are staying at a hotel -- Air BNB probably not so, as they are usually unstaffed!
But, this only works if you are staying at a hotel -- Air BNB probably not so, as they are usually unstaffed!