Chicago Union Station discussion

[Watchfuleye]

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.

 

[NorthShore]

Here's a walk through video which someone produced relatively recently:

 

[Harmon Shay]

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.

 

[Bob Dylan]

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.

Gold Coast Dogs, was my go to @ Union Station Food Court!

 

[PVD]

Had a long stretch between the Zephyr and the Lake Shore coming home this week, legs and hip not cooperating, so the food court it was... McD, Chick Fil-A, Sbarros, Nuts on Clark, Jersey Mikes, Auntie Anns, Dunkin, Jamba Juice, Starbucks, Robinsons (ribs), and The Junction. I miss Gold Coast, and the bar/restaurant that was on the main level that closed when the construction went into high gear. Still quite a lot of work going on in various areas of the station.

 

[dlagrua]

For our 3-5 hour layovers at Chicago Union Station, we have recently been going over to the French Market for lunch. There are all kinds of ethnic and domestic foods available there and an area for sit down dining. If you walk 5 blocks North on Canal street to Oglivie Station, the French Market can be found below the train shed. We judge the food selection better than at the CUS food court.

 

[Traveller]

Question re Ogilvie Transport Center :

Arriving in 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

 

[NEPATrainTraveler]

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.

 

[Traveller]

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.

Sounds very straighforward, thank you.

 

[NEPATrainTraveler]

Sounds very straighforward, thank you.

You’re welcome

 

[NorthShore]

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.

 

[Traveller]

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.

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.

 

[MikefromCrete]

Ogilvie has a small waiting room on the train gate level. It's OK, but nothing great. waiting in the food court one level below the track level would be better. Or you could wait around at Union Station great hall.

 

[joelkfla]

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.

If you have enough AGR points, you can use them to buy a lounge day pass.

 

[Maverickstation]

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/

 

[Bob Dylan]

If you have enough AGR points, you can use them to buy a lounge day pass.

View attachment 37347

Worth it for the Shower, Luggage Room,the Snacks and the Comfort of the Lounge!( Upstairs is really quiet!)

 

[Saddleshoes]

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/

I have to agree!
Go for the Chicken Pot Pie and follow it with Key Lime Pie.

 

[caravanman]

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...

 

[zephyr17]

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...

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.

 

[Traveller]

If you have enough AGR points, you can use them to buy a lounge day pass.

View attachment 37347

Don't have AGR points and as this trip through the US is a long, long, long one I have to budget where I can. Just wondered if there were any waiting areas at Ogilvie and if so which was better, there or Union Station.

As MikefromCrete writes I'll use the Great Hall.

Thanks for all the information here today, I've used it to make plan A and B dependent on if the LSL is on-time and if the weather is dry... or not. Either plan will be fine.

Appreciate the help.

 

[NorthShore]

So, an alternative idea, if you want to "watch the world pass by" is to sit at one of the Great outdoor plazas downtown. The newest is at the BMO Tower, easily accessible via the underground passage which starts at Union Station's South concourse. Or, you might choose Daley Plaza or Federal Plaza in the Loop. This, really, would be no problem even with some luggage. Just hop on the 151 bus! At most, you'd walk about a block or so.

 

[joelkfla]

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.

It's all laid out here.

Day passes can no longer be purchased by coach passengers.

Business class passengers can purchase a day pass at most lounges, but I think I've heard of CHI sometimes denying them when the lounge is crowded.

Day passes purchased with AGR points, or obtained from AGR Select status or the credit card, should be valid at all lounges with a same-day ticket of any class. The picture I posted is of the sign at the entrance to the CHI lounge, and it even has a QR code linked to the AGR page for purchasing a pass with points.

 

[caravanman]

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."

 

[joelkfla]

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.

 

[vap0rtranz]

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.

Chicago attendants have given me a hard time about my status when entering that Lounge. I've had to repeatedly remind them that Amtrack status also grants access. I typically point to their own placard in the Louge entrance that says this, which is just feet away from their desk. Multiple attendants demand a business class ticket and reject anyone else. So plan on needing to explain their own rules to them.

I also recommend the upstairs of Chicago's lounge. There's a streetlevel window where you can sit and watch "the world go by".