Lounge access at LAX
#31
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I think only half the question has been answered. The rules are completely different if you have *A Gold status as the *first* question asked.
If you indeed are *G then you can access ANY lounge at LAX (Polaris possibly excluded for same reasons noted above) including the UA Club and AC Maple Leaf Lounge (if open). *A TBIT might be a problem because I think you can only access it if you clear security and re-enter TBIT after going through immigration. I don't know the terminal access rules and the LAX layout all that well to confirm this one. Someone else who is LAX-based or transits LAX more frequently will know.
-RM
If you indeed are *G then you can access ANY lounge at LAX (Polaris possibly excluded for same reasons noted above) including the UA Club and AC Maple Leaf Lounge (if open). *A TBIT might be a problem because I think you can only access it if you clear security and re-enter TBIT after going through immigration. I don't know the terminal access rules and the LAX layout all that well to confirm this one. Someone else who is LAX-based or transits LAX more frequently will know.
-RM
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#32
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So if you don't have a connecting flight to get back through security at that hub, you are out of luck using any lounge as an "arrival lounge". During over a quarter century living in the Bay Area, I used to enjoy the landside CO Presidents' Club at SFO for exactly that reason (regardless of whom I was flying). I don't know if LAX ever had a landside club, but they are a vanishing or extinct breed as far as airline-affiliated lounges go.
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#33
Join Date: Jun 2019
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I am in LAX every week. Last week I went to the AC, UC, and *A business lounges based on my *G status. Tomorrow I will be in LAX.
The *A Lounge Finder still incorrectly states "Lounge Temporarily Closed" regarding rhe AC Maple Leaf Lounge.
The OW Lounge Finder correctly states that OW S, E, and those flying J or F have access to the *A business lounge. The checkin guy confirmed that to me last week and the week before that. I fly AS and AA as often as I fly UA, so I like to keep current on lounge access.
Is there any official word on when the CL will reopen? What does "temporarily closed due to building repairs" really mean? I walk by weekly and don't see any construction work. Maybe it's an issue with the elevator?
The *A Lounge Finder still incorrectly states "Lounge Temporarily Closed" regarding rhe AC Maple Leaf Lounge.
The OW Lounge Finder correctly states that OW S, E, and those flying J or F have access to the *A business lounge. The checkin guy confirmed that to me last week and the week before that. I fly AS and AA as often as I fly UA, so I like to keep current on lounge access.
Is there any official word on when the CL will reopen? What does "temporarily closed due to building repairs" really mean? I walk by weekly and don't see any construction work. Maybe it's an issue with the elevator?
Last edited by Guate87; Oct 19, 2021 at 7:07 am
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#34
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I believe all international arrivals at UA hubs except IAH (?) are forced to exit landside after clearing immigration and customs.
So if you don't have a connecting flight to get back through security at that hub, you are out of luck using any lounge as an "arrival lounge". During over a quarter century living in the Bay Area, I used to enjoy the landside CO Presidents' Club at SFO for exactly that reason (regardless of whom I was flying). I don't know if LAX ever had a landside club, but they are a vanishing or extinct breed as far as airline-affiliated lounges go.
So if you don't have a connecting flight to get back through security at that hub, you are out of luck using any lounge as an "arrival lounge". During over a quarter century living in the Bay Area, I used to enjoy the landside CO Presidents' Club at SFO for exactly that reason (regardless of whom I was flying). I don't know if LAX ever had a landside club, but they are a vanishing or extinct breed as far as airline-affiliated lounges go.
As for IAH...all IAH international arrives exit airside at Terminal E. You must re-clear security and/or take a train to a different terminal to connect. There are no "arrivals lounges" at IAH unless you are connecting.
-RM
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#35
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I believe all international arrivals at UA hubs except IAH (?) are forced to exit landside after clearing immigration and customs.
So if you don't have a connecting flight to get back through security at that hub, you are out of luck using any lounge as an "arrival lounge". During over a quarter century living in the Bay Area, I used to enjoy the landside CO Presidents' Club at SFO for exactly that reason (regardless of whom I was flying). I don't know if LAX ever had a landside club, but they are a vanishing or extinct breed as far as airline-affiliated lounges go.
So if you don't have a connecting flight to get back through security at that hub, you are out of luck using any lounge as an "arrival lounge". During over a quarter century living in the Bay Area, I used to enjoy the landside CO Presidents' Club at SFO for exactly that reason (regardless of whom I was flying). I don't know if LAX ever had a landside club, but they are a vanishing or extinct breed as far as airline-affiliated lounges go.
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#36
Join Date: Feb 2003
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But there is no boarding pass check unless something has changed recently (like IAD). So one would have no issue reclearing security to go to a lounge on arrival assuming no checked bags.
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#37
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Only exception at IAH, for International to International transfers. While bags will be auto-transferred, humans still need to "enter" the USA (immigration / customs)
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#38
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-RM
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#39
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I believe all international arrivals at UA hubs except IAH (?) are forced to exit landside after clearing immigration and customs.
So if you don't have a connecting flight to get back through security at that hub, you are out of luck using any lounge as an "arrival lounge". During over a quarter century living in the Bay Area, I used to enjoy the landside CO Presidents' Club at SFO for exactly that reason (regardless of whom I was flying). I don't know if LAX ever had a landside club, but they are a vanishing or extinct breed as far as airline-affiliated lounges go.
So if you don't have a connecting flight to get back through security at that hub, you are out of luck using any lounge as an "arrival lounge". During over a quarter century living in the Bay Area, I used to enjoy the landside CO Presidents' Club at SFO for exactly that reason (regardless of whom I was flying). I don't know if LAX ever had a landside club, but they are a vanishing or extinct breed as far as airline-affiliated lounges go.
While you are technically correct, that has nothing to do with the post I responded to. The OP is *connecting* international to domestic. They *do* have lounge access. My point was simply that I wasn't sure *A TBIT lounge access because I haven't transferred at LAX in years (since I last flew SYD-LAX-xxx). A poster above you confirms that *A TBIT lounge is accessible airside from all terminals. Great.
As for IAH...all IAH international arrives exit airside at Terminal E. You must re-clear security and/or take a train to a different terminal to connect. There are no "arrivals lounges" at IAH unless you are connecting.
-RM
As for IAH...all IAH international arrives exit airside at Terminal E. You must re-clear security and/or take a train to a different terminal to connect. There are no "arrivals lounges" at IAH unless you are connecting.
-RM
Exactly, and reclear security.
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#40
Join Date: Aug 2002
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This thread suggests that if you have a domestic UA ticket and have UA *G then you CANNOT access the *A lounge. That must be a special rule for this lounge because my understanding is that UA*Gs are only blocked from UA lounges that are otherwise *G lounges. When I lived in the WAS area then I stopped by the LH and TK lounges on UA domestic flights if I arrived at the airport early.
I think RobOnLI is correct in post #5 but others contradict him.
I have an upcoming redeye domestic and was thinking of stopping by the *A lounge for an hour.
It is about 15 min walk from TB to the UA gates and can be done airside. I did it once flying IAD-LAX-AKL.
p.s. The lounge is open until 1 am. I think the NZ flight departs around 10 pm. Which flights depart later than that?
I think RobOnLI is correct in post #5 but others contradict him.
I have an upcoming redeye domestic and was thinking of stopping by the *A lounge for an hour.
It is about 15 min walk from TB to the UA gates and can be done airside. I did it once flying IAD-LAX-AKL.
p.s. The lounge is open until 1 am. I think the NZ flight departs around 10 pm. Which flights depart later than that?
Last edited by gnaget; Dec 9, 2021 at 11:14 am
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#41
Join Date: Jun 2019
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I go there almost every week and I have only flown domestic this year. Next week I will be in SFO but may have a flight through LAX too.
The lounge hours vary but typically it closes @ 11:15 pm. I ask the manager on duty every time I am there about their closing time. It depends on staffing and certain flights. The last time I said "You close at 1 a.m., right, like the website says?", several employees got mad at me.
OW S&E elites are also permitted in the *A Business lounge at TBIT because both the Qantas and OW lounges are closed.
https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges?location=LAX
The showers are open, the food is hot, alcohol is self-pour, the outdoor fire pit and patio are great, and I love people watching from the indoor balcony.
Because the Centurion Lounge has been closed for many months, this is my go-to lounge at LAX (then I go to AL, AC, and UA lounges when flying UA and the *A, AA, and AL lounges when flying AL or AA. I am OW Sapphire).
Last edited by Guate87; Dec 9, 2021 at 11:41 am
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#42
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This thread suggests that if you have a domestic UA ticket and have UA *G then you CANNOT access the *A lounge. That must be a special rule for this lounge because my understanding is that UA*Gs are only blocked from UA lounges that are otherwise *G lounges. When I lived in the WAS area then I stopped by the LH and TK lounges on UA domestic flights if I arrived at the airport early.
I think RobOnLI is correct in post #5 but others contradict him.
I have an upcoming redeye domestic and was thinking of stopping by the *A lounge for an hour.
It is about 15 min walk from TB to the UA gates and can be done airside. I did it once flying IAD-LAX-AKL.
I think RobOnLI is correct in post #5 but others contradict him.
I have an upcoming redeye domestic and was thinking of stopping by the *A lounge for an hour.
It is about 15 min walk from TB to the UA gates and can be done airside. I did it once flying IAD-LAX-AKL.
It is correct any *A Gold can access the *A lounge (as a departure lounge, not arriving).
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#43
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OW S&E elites are also permitted in the *A Business lounge at TBIT because both the Qantas and OW lounges are closed.
https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges?location=LAX
https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges?location=LAX
Access offered to eligible customers travelling on British Airways and Qatar Airways flights only.
It would be sweet if OW S + E can access it in on domestic (AA / AS) flights, in the same arrangement *G can access on domestic UA flights. Can OW S + E access the OW lounge in TBIT when it reopens when flying on domestic flights?
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#44
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You taking items directed specifically at the OP out of context. The OP was not *G, and arriving in F/J, and further was thinking about a UA status match to *G (which may not have been reflected in the *A system).
It is correct any *A Gold can access the *A lounge (as a departure lounge, not arriving).
It is correct any *A Gold can access the *A lounge (as a departure lounge, not arriving).
"Which lounge(s) can I use if I have Mileage Plus *A Gold when transferring from an international flight to a domestic flight? Would it only be United Club or Star Alliance Lounge and Polaris lounge (currently closed) also?"
AND
"This thread suggests that if you have a domestic UA ticket and have UA *G then you CANNOT access the *A lounge"
You might be referring to the second hypothetical of the OP, but I wasn't.
Those of us who have been physically present in the *A and other lounges at LAX in the last few months are probably a better source of information than websites or experiences from previous years. I wanted to add my personal, weekly experience in hopes that this would help gnaget enjoy the *A lounge.
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#45
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Aha, so maybe Qantas keeps it open later. Fiji Airways (the worst longhaul airline on the planet!) departs around 11 pm, but I think they would be too cheap to pay for the *A lounge.
Ok, I found it. Avianca flies to BOG at 23:45 so it makes sense that the lounge closes 23:15.
Ok, I found it. Avianca flies to BOG at 23:45 so it makes sense that the lounge closes 23:15.
The *A Business Lounge in LAX TBIT is accessible to all *G members. The *A FIrst Class Lounge at LAX TBIT is only open to First Class flyers with tickets on international flights on certain airlines, like SQ. This is the only *A lounge in the US.
I go there almost every week and I have only flown domestic this year. Next week I will be in SFO but may have a flight through LAX too.
The lounge hours vary but typically it closes @ 11:15 pm. I ask the manager on duty every time I am there about their closing time. It depends on staffing and certain flights. The last time I said "You close at 1 a.m., right, like the website says?", several employees got mad at me.
OW S&E elites are also permitted in the *A Business lounge at TBIT because both the Qantas and OW lounges are closed.
https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges?location=LAX
The showers are open, the food is hot, alcohol is self-pour, the outdoor fire pit and patio are great, and I love people watching from the indoor balcony.
Because the Centurion Lounge has been closed for many months, this is my go-to lounge at LAX (then I go to AL, AC, and UA lounges when flying UA and the *A, AA, and AL lounges when flying AL or AA. I am OW Sapphire).
I go there almost every week and I have only flown domestic this year. Next week I will be in SFO but may have a flight through LAX too.
The lounge hours vary but typically it closes @ 11:15 pm. I ask the manager on duty every time I am there about their closing time. It depends on staffing and certain flights. The last time I said "You close at 1 a.m., right, like the website says?", several employees got mad at me.
OW S&E elites are also permitted in the *A Business lounge at TBIT because both the Qantas and OW lounges are closed.
https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges?location=LAX
The showers are open, the food is hot, alcohol is self-pour, the outdoor fire pit and patio are great, and I love people watching from the indoor balcony.
Because the Centurion Lounge has been closed for many months, this is my go-to lounge at LAX (then I go to AL, AC, and UA lounges when flying UA and the *A, AA, and AL lounges when flying AL or AA. I am OW Sapphire).
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