Overnight layover at Heathrow .... collecting bags?

I would think you could ask the airline to check them only to LHR, or to Crete as you prefer. You could ask about this before you leave so you'll know how to pack. Checking them through means they'd spend a lot of time at LHR, increasing the risk of misplacement or theft. That would cause me to want to keep them with me, especially if I were flying business class with plenty of room overhead and maybe also help lifting.

We had a BA flight in the opposite direction (coming home from Italy) with an overnight layover at Heathrow last September. We fly business class on BA and always have to check our bags because I carry hiking poles, and my husband likes to bring his regular shaving cream.

Our bags were only checked from Milan to LHR; we collected them at baggage claim and had the use of all our things overnight. Then re-checked them in the morning—-not a problem when you are flying Club World as there is a dedicated checkin/baggage drop line. They will give you a FastTrack pass for security. Or you could choose to carry on for the second flight; nice you are in an early boarding group there should be no issues with finding space in the overhead bins.

We really like the Sofitel (and are staying there again in May) but had trouble finding our way to it the first time. It did not seem to be well-signed in the arrivals area. It actually is connected to the parking garage, and the best way to reach it is to head from the international arrivals area through the domestic arrivals area, to the far end, and look for the signs there. You have to go up to a pedestrian bridge.

Do not try to use Google maps for walking directions. They will route outside the terminal to walk along surface streets in a crazy 11-minute loop. For some reason they do not know about the pedestrian bridge and corridor. If there are flight attendants heading that way for an overnight, just ask them if you are confused.

I forgot about hiking poles! So I guess we'll have to check at least one bag.

I appreciate the hints about finding the Sofitel, Lola. And do you by chance remember if the Sofitel rooms have USB charging ports (sometimes built into lamps or ??) or should we bring a UK plug adapter with us?

I do not specifically recall as to that hotel, but most business hotels of that class do have those USB ports built into either the base of a lamp, or in a switch panel by the bed. And if they didn’t, I’ll bet the front desk has “loaners”. Or you could try emailing to be sure. They seem very service-oriented and attentive there.

It would be a pain to carry a bulky UK plug adaptor around with you if that one night is the only time you need it.

Ha -- Lola -- I did email the Sofitel with that question, and she said plug adapters are available to purchase in the gift shop! So I'm not sure she understood. Maybe I'll try again.

One ticket or two?

If two tickets you almost certainly will have to retrieve your bags and then recheck them the next day.

It’s one ticket, so we have the option.

You need to ask BA if they will do this. Or, you can decide when you check in for your flight in Denver. See if they will tag them through to Crete. (Of course, the longer they sit in Heathrow baggage, the better chance of them not being boarded on your flight to Crete.)

Easy directions to the Sofitel....as you exit customs, turn right. Walk all the way down to the end of the arrivals hall and you will see a Marks & Spencer Simply Food (small grocery) on your right. Across from that, and on your left, are a set of doors. Go through the doors, walk straight ahead to the elevator(lift) and take it up one flight. (I think it's one flight but there will be signs). As you get off the elevator, turn right. You will go through a long corridor. At the end of the corridor, take either the escalators or elevator down one level and the registration desk will be just around the corner on the right.

When they check you in, let them explain the room number system. One number is for the floor, another is for the corridor, and the others are the room itself.

I would want to collect my bags at LHR as it is too long a layover, subjecting your bags to possible theft.

I would be prepared and have everything you need for the overnight in your carry-on.

Airline policies for overnight layovers vary, following into 3 main categories:
a) Some airlines check to final destination
b) Some airlines will give you the option to either short check (connecting city) or through check to your final destination with an overnight layover
c) Some airlines won’t allow you to through check when the overnight layover exceeds a certain number of hours so you have to retrieve your bag.

I looked at the FAQs on the BA website and they don’t provide any specific info on overnight layovers. The info leads me to believe they will check your bag through to Athens, but as Lola noted, she experienced something different. I would definitely ask when you check in and be prepared for either situation.

I thought I answered this...but it must have been in my dreams. LOL Anyway, your route is my usual system for traveling to Europe. I take a flight to Heathrow, stay over night at the Sofitel and then carry on to my destination. I fly BA only for this. My bag has always been automatically directed to London even though it is on one ticket to my final destination. I do watch at the original airport (always) just to make sure the correct airport tag goes on my bag.

I arrive in the evening and would never want to leave my bag for more than 3 hours waiting for my flight, as then it goes into some storage place, which has much less of a guarantee that it will get matched up with the rest of the cargo on my flight. My layover, evening to late morning, is even shorter than yours, so make sure they tag your bag correctly. That being said, I don't think they want to keep your bag any more than you want them to keep it. LOL

The Sofitel is a lovely respite. Pay attention to Lola's directions for finding the hotel corridor. It is a little tricky the first time or was for me...

I'd bring your plug adapter. Isn't it a bit risky to use the USB directly into a public (airport, hotel, etc.) USB port?

Thanks for all the helpful responses! You brought up things I hadn't considered, like the safety of bags stored overnight at Heathrow. How to find the Sofitel. And the dangers of USB charging in airports and hotels, which I had forgotten.

So we'll follow your advice ... confirm everything at the Denver airport, be ready with overnight necessities in case BA insists on checking all the way to Greece, but try to pick bags up at Heathrow. And bring a UK plug adapter. Thanks!

It is not quite the same situation, but British Airways does operate an overnight bag drop at Heathrow for people departing on flights departing before 10:00 the following morning between 16:00 and 22:00.

We’re back from our trip and want to confirm that all of this advice was spot on. We especially appreciated Frank II’s advice for finding the Sofitel. I couldn’t find my notes when landing in London from Denver. So we ended up asking people & being directed through parking structures — very frustrating.

Returning from Crete through LHR, I had his directions in hand and we walked right to the Sofitel. Thanks Frank!

Since both flights involved an overnight stay — and the ongoing flights were not yet ready for check in — we carried our bags on. We could have checked them with little hassle as the route to the Sofitel passed right trough the baggage claim area.

I did bring my own British plug adapters & used them in the room. We appreciated everyone’s help.