I travel through CHI Union Station quarterly and use my one-day passes through Guest Rewards for the Metro Lounge. My most recent trip was mid-March and I encountered no problem.
Gold Coast Dogs, was my go to @ Union Station Food Court!Great video! I'm glad to see there is now a restaurant at the Chicago Union Station food court that serves what appear to be Chicago-style hot dogs. I don't remember it from my visit last year. It will replace a Chicago hot dog stand that became a victim of the pandemic. I thought it would be the last Chicago Union Station restaurant still standing.
When I rode the LSL in 2018, I think I waited about 10 minutes until my checked bag arrived. Baggage Claim is in the south concourse, which is where you will end up once you enter the station from the platform. I think you have to make a left once you enter the concourse. You should see an airport style baggage carousel next to a desk.Another question : I'll be checking a bag on the LSL, about how long after arrival will the bags appear and where in the station is bag collection?
When I rode the LSL in 2018, I think I waited about 10 minutes until my checked bag arrived. Baggage Claim is in the south concourse, which is where you will end up once you enter the station from the platform. I think you have to make a left once you enter the concourse. You should see an airport style baggage carousel next to a desk.
You’re welcomeSounds very straighforward, thank you.
Question re Ogilvie Transport Center :
Arriving by coach on the Lake Shore Limited into Chicago Union Station, then have a 4 hour layover before catching a Chicago Metra UP-NW to Harvard. Are there good waiting room facilities at the Ogilvie Center or should I remain at Union Station until it's time to be off to Ogilvie?
Another question : I'll be checking a bag on the LSL, about how long after arrival will the bags appear and where in the station is bag collection?
Many thanks
The primary waiting area at Ogilvie would be the food court. It's adequate but not great. The area underneath the tracks about two blocks north, by the French Market, is somewhat nicer. It, really, just depends what you prefer and are comfortable with.
If you have enough AGR points, you can use them to buy a lounge day pass.Just looking for somewhere comfortable to sit for a few hours while watching the world go by. The alternative would be to store luggage at Union Station and walk around an area close to the station that I haven't visited yet.
Just to explain. I have always arrived at Union Station by sleeper before and either waited in the lounge or left bags there and walked around Chicago. But arriving in Coach changes that situation a little including maybe not getting enough sleep the previous night.
Thanks for your help.
Worth it for the Shower, Luggage Room,the Snacks and the Comfort of the Lounge!( Upstairs is really quiet!)
I have to agree!If you have a long wait between trains, I always recommend the Walnut Room, it's the last of it's kind in North America.
http://macysrestaurants.com/walnut-room/walnut-room-menu/
At all other lounges a lounge pass is good for entry for anyone holding a valid ticket for same day travel. Coach versus Business doesn't matter.I notice from post 239 that it is possible to purchase a lounge pass if in possession of a same day business class ticket.
Has this always been the case, I seem to remember that coach class could also buy a lounge pass in the past?
I am quite happy to wait for my train anywhere, so long as I can find a seat...
It's all laid out here.At all other lounges a lounge pass is good for entry for anyone holding a valid ticket for same day travel. Coach versus Business doesn't matter.
Perhaps Chicago will only sell Lounge Passes to passengers holding BC tickets. None of the other lounges sell lounge passes at the counter, AFAIK, but I am not positive about that. I wonder what they'd do if you already had a lounge pass purchased with points or awarded from FNBO. The terms and conditions of the AGR lounge passes make no mention of an exception for Chicago.
I remember that coach passengers used to be able to buy lounge passes at CHI. There was a lot of moaning on Facebook when Amtrak did away with that.I understand that the lounge pass purchase options exclude coach passengers, I was just wondering if that had changed over the years?
Having read the Rules and Regs in the link above, I see I would in any case be unwelcome in the lounges:
"Attire and conduct of lounge customers and their guests must be in keeping with good taste and a dignified atmosphere."
I remember that coach passengers used to be able to buy lounge passes at CHI. There was a lot of moaning on Facebook when Amtrak did away with that.
I don't think Moynihan ever offered passes for sale to coach. I don't know about the other lounges.
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