Los Angeles - Access to LAX Airport Lounges

I'll be travelling with my family on US/UA flights from PHX-LAX-OGG in First. Assuming that we don't have access to either US/UA lounges with just a first class ticket, can we purchase access into any LAX lounges??

We have a four hour layover and would prefer to find a lounge to hang in. What are our choices for purchasing access? Should we purchase a pass in advance or at the door? Will be travelling December 16 with everybody else I'm sure ;)

I think it's still $50/pax for the RCC, which IMO is not worth it.

As your question is specific to LAX, please follow as the thread moves to the Travel->Los Angeles forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Probably not worth it, but landside there is the ReLAX lounge which is $30/3 hrs/pax.

http://www.relaxloungelax.com/

It's in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (between T3 & T4). UAL is in T7 which is about a 10 min walk or you could catch the free 'A' terminal shuttle bus. An older discussion about the lounge is at:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/los-angeles/900302-relax-lounge-tom-bradley-terminal.html

I've been there more recently and it has improved, more snack/beverage options, little sandwiches, fruit, etc. otherwise pretty ordinary.

You're right about domestic FC ticket not getting you into a club (an international Biz or Biz-First or First would). There are a few lounges to choose from, and the rates vary. I've seen $35 and up at various airports. Some have free drinks, some don't. Some have good snacks/food, some barely anything. Some have showers, some (e.g., US) don't. I don't know of any advantage (e.g., discount) of buying a pass in advance, unless you're buying a bunch for future use, but you shoud first check the Web sites of the airlines involved and, if there are still questions, phone the airline(s) or specific club(s) you'r interested in.

US Airways is in Terminal 1 (at least used to be) and United in Terminals 7 and 8, so the time to get between terminals, whether walking across the parking lots/through parking structures, or taking the shuttle (which goes counter-clockwise around the airport road), and going through security at the other terminal (I assume you have one ticket so your bags will be transferred), will reduce the time you'll have in any club. I don't see taking the time to go to a club in any other terminal (I know of at least one club-- Alaska Airloines' club in T3-- you can access without flying that airline). Just takes up too much time. You could always use the money you'd spend on a short club visit and have a nice meal, such as in the kitchy Encounter Restaurant, in the spider-shaped building in the middle of the airport (see the "TA" on the map below). Excellent place for plane-watching. Food is not cheap, but should cost less than a one-way club pass.

LAX terminal map (current, as far as I could tell):
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.maryjomellado.com/images/termmap_061406.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.maryjomellado.com/lax_to_dlr.htm&h=628&w=799&sz=40&tbnid=Dsf0YD_Jqrlu1M:&tbnh=112&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlax%2Bterminal%2Bmap&zoom=1&q=lax+terminal+map&usg=__yBiWK3rfsVQrai6tSvyxznkpH4Y=&sa=X&ei=QyM_TfGUNIL58AaVnJ3UCg&ved=0CDIQ9QEwBA

US Airways is in Terminal 1 (at least used to be)

It still is; I was just there two days ago. I'm not sure how much the day pass is, but I don't know if it's worth it. I've never been to encounter, but this sounds like a good idea. You don't get any view at the US lounge at LAX. It's dark and dreary, like a steakhouse with no steaks.

It still is; I was just there two days ago. I'm not sure how much the day pass is, but I don't know if it's worth it. I've never been to encounter, but this sounds like a good idea. You don't get any view at the US lounge at LAX. It's dark and dreary, like a steakhouse with no steaks.

No steaks mean less cholesterol. Look on the positive side of things.

We've been in US Airways clubs in CLT and DCA. Okay in both cases, though lack of showers after a long international flight was a minus in my wife's eyes (used showers in Continental club at IAH and Delta at ATL). Free Wi-Fi, but had to pay if wanted to use one of the club's PCs. Snacks were fine. DCA club, at least, had free domestic beer and wine. Encounter is not open all the time. Our last meal there was mixed: my duck was good, my wife's "ravioli with mild mushrooms" was basically an overpriced appetizer. Never been to an Alaska Airlines club.

No steaks mean less cholesterol. Look on the positive side of things.

We've been in US Airways clubs in CLT and DCA. Okay in both cases, though lack of showers after a long international flight was a minus in my wife's eyes (used showers in Continental club at IAH and Delta at ATL). Free Wi-Fi, but had to pay if wanted to use one of the club's PCs. Snacks were fine. DCA club, at least, had free domestic beer and wine. Encounter is not open all the time. Our last meal there was mixed: my duck was good, my wife's "ravioli with mild mushrooms" was basically an overpriced appetizer. Never been to an Alaska Airlines club.

Since I use the Amex Plat to get in, I didn't get wifi at the US lounge in DCA, but the main terminal has it. The LAX lounge was the same issue, no wifi, but the main terminal doesn't have it either so it's no different. Maybe I should look into this T-mobile thing...

I guess I would say that the lack of showers in the US lounge at LAX is disappointing, and if you don't have wifi, it's really just comfier seats and more space. With a day pass, do you get to bring others in? or does each person need one?

Since I use the Amex Plat to get in, I didn't get wifi at the US lounge in DCA, but the main terminal has it. The LAX lounge was the same issue, no wifi, but the main terminal doesn't have it either so it's no different. Maybe I should look into this T-mobile thing...


Boingo is much cheaper than T-mobile's hotspot plan (if you don't already have a T-m voice plan), and gives you access to T-mobile hotspots anyway. ^

Boingo is much cheaper than T-mobile's hotspot plan (if you don't already have a T-m voice plan), and gives you access to T-mobile hotspots anyway. ^

oh really? hmm... I will look into that. Thanks for the tip!

oh really? hmm... I will look into that. Thanks for the tip!

Er... my mistake, not ALL T-mobile hotspots. But I've been able to use my Boingo login at every airport with T-mobile service I've been to in the past few months. More details-

expanded Boingo service (http://nexus404.com/Blog/2010/12/06/boingo-t-mobile-expand-wi-fi-partnership-updated-boingo-t-mobile-agreement-means-t-mobile-hotspot-customers-can-use-boingo-at-more-airports-boingo-customers-at-t-mobile-hotpots/)

How are you getting past security to get to a lounge if you are not ticketed in that terminal ?

I think you have to pick one in whatever terminal you are flying out of , and plan on staying there,

I wonder if you can even leave the secure area and come back thru security a second time,

I would love to know !

Rally

I wonder if you can even leave the secure area and come back thru security a second time,


Why not? I've done it a few times when I needed to go back and check something in.

oh really? hmm... I will look into that. Thanks for the tip!

Boingo is reliable? Been hearing a lot about supposedly-free Web access services luring people at airports to connect and lose personal data they send.

Boingo is reliable? Been hearing a lot about supposedly-free Web access services luring people at airports to connect and lose personal data they send.

Boingo isn't free; it's a well-established subscription wifi provider. I've had no problems with it or its partner networks in the US, South America, and Europe.

But yeah, if you encounter a wifi network in a public place with a sketchy name like "click here!!!1" or "Free Internet", don't use it.