Check in was OK but we were told by a Customer Service Manager that due to "some issue", we could not use the Business Class Lounge. As a disabled passenger, that was a blow. We were given a voucher for just over $50 to spend on food and drink and warned about outlets that don't accept the vouchers. Basically only one outlet accepts the voucher where you can get food and drink, but they refuse to charge alcohol to it. The food was luke-warm burgers and chips - horrid. The wait for that was 30 mins after queuing to get in to the place for 20 mins. We witnessed a huge argument about lack of service between an American customer and a waitress. The flight was late too. Once on board, it was clear the staff were exhausted. They made mistakes with orders, forgot orders and were generally not as good as usual. Breakfast was like something from McDonalds - an Egg McMuffin. Horrible. We booked our flights using Avios, paying £700 each in taxes and fees in addition, and the tickets are coded to reflect this. Is this the reason we were denied the lounge and given a sub-standard service at Chicago O'Hare? Whatever the reason, I won't be flying BA next time because we were assured of a premium service but the experience was not premium.
Travelling the other way from London to Chicago, we did get to use the lounge at Heathrow but it was clear the food offering is "to a price" so very restricted compared to pre-Covid. It was far from premium but at least we were away from the crowds and noise of the airport. For someone like me with extreme sensitivity to noise and bright lights, the lounge is a crucial part of the flying experience.