I have become pretty sporadic with my updates these days – mostly when I find something I like is when I am most motivated to share. This time it is the O’Hare Personal Valet (OPV). OPV was recommended to me by some women on a Facebook page for moms near where I live. I was looking for the best way to get me, my two toddlers, a checked bag, a stroller, and a car seat to the airport for a 7-day trip. Solo-mom style.

On an average day, the process is to park in the economy lot at O’Hare and take a shuttle to the main terminal. This would be OK, except, I kept imagining trying to wrangle my two kids, get stroller broken down, where was the car seat going to go, etc., etc., etc.

In comes OPV. I filled out a form on the Wednesday before my Saturday flight requesting a quote. They responded within a few hours with a discounted quote and I booked immediately Thursday morning. I received an email with my confirmation, who my personal valet was going to be (with photo), where to pick him up, etc., then I received an email with a link to Glympse, an app they use to see where you are the morning of valet-pickup (so they know exactly when to walk out the door to meet you).

Morning of, I loaded all things as organized as I could in to the car, shared my location for 1 hour with my valet via Glympse, and made the drive to their business location 2.5 miles from O’Hare. The valet was waiting outside as we pulled up and got in to the passenger seat, helped me navigate to the airport, and then watched my two kids (strapped in to the stroller) while I yanked the car seat out of the car at the terminal. It was basically curbside drop. He asked if I was all-good, then took my car back to their lot for the week. I casually strolled to the ticket counter with all things ready to go and the rest was easy!

The day before our flight back to O’Hare, they sent me an email confirming pickup and offering any last-minute services like car wash, detail, wax, etc. I responded requesting a wash with vacuum and wipe-down for about $40 and they confirmed right away.

The day we returned to O’Hare, I received an email letting me know how to get in touch with them upon arrival so they could bring the car back to the airport. When we landed and I turned my phone on, there was a text from the valet letting me know they had been tracking my flight, saw the landing, and to let them know when I reached the gate and whether I had checked bags. I was able to respond quickly, then texted them again once we had our bags and were out by the exit. Valet pulled car up, we loaded kids, he helped us get everything settled, and then he walked off to find his ride back to the business so we didn’t have to drop him off. IT WAS SO EASY.

The entire time we were able to text our valet to see where he was (not that we even needed to do that) and communication with us was ON POINT. The car was shiny and clean, and the inside looked better than it has in a LONG time. The total for the week was under $200 including the wash. Had I done valet parking at the airport, I would have paid $450.

If you’re interested in trying it out, use my referral link! I’ll get a few points for future bookings (which you know I’ll be using!): O’Hare Personal Valet