Los Angeles - Several LAX (and Related) Questions

Apologies in advance if these questions have all been asked/answered. I am a relatively infrequent air traveler, but am making (for me) a pretty significant trip in April. My wife and I are traveling from our home in the midwest to LAX to PPT for a 2 week vacation. We have accumulated enough FF miles on American Airlines to get us from our home to LAX (thru DFW). We are arriving at LAX about 2PM. We then leave on Air France at 11:55PM for our flight to PPT.

(1) Can we (should we) check our bags on American all the way thru to PPT, or will we have to check our bags to LAX, and then collect them at American's LAX baggage claim, and then re-check them with AF to PPT? If we have to re-check, can I do that immediately after we land in LAX, or will I need to hold on to my luggage until closer to the AF departure.

(2) We are using FF flier miles to get from our home to LAX--we had sufficient miles for first class tickets. We are also flying business class on AF to PPT. I am assuming that we can use the AF Lounge and American Lounge on those tickets. If not, I am assuming we can access the lounges as my wife is an Amex Platinum Card Holder. (I know we can on American Airlines, not sure about AF). With 10 hours to kill between flights, I figured we would be spending some time in one of those lounges. Is one any better than the other? If we have to retrieve our luggage at LAX, can we even get back into the American Airlines Lounge? I assume the lounge is where the Gates are--not where baggage claim is. Will the AF lounge be open all day, or do they only open around AF departures/arrivals?

(3) Not withstanding the lounge access--with 10 hours to kill, is there anything we can/should do with the time? I know there is a restaurant in the futuristic looking building in between the LAX terminals-I hear it get mixed reviews, but the pictures make it look kind of neat. I also know that a lot of folks suggesting going to In-and-Out Burger (I have never been) by taking the Parking Shuttle. Any suggestions, or thoughts?

(4) I am assuming that we will need to either take a bus or walk between Terminal 4 (American) and Terminal 2 (AF) should we go there directly. (any tips/suggestions about moving between the terminals?) I understand we will need to re-enter security when we enter Terminal 2. What is the latest we should be walking into the front door of Terminal 2 if we want to catch our flight at 11:55PM? (I am assuming security can be a lengthy process at LAX)

(5) When we return, from PPT, we are also arriving in LAX. Our flight arrives about 7PM. I could not secure a flight home using miles that same evening, so our flight back to the midwest leaves LAX about 8AM the next day. Any suggestions for things to do in LA for the evening, and/or suggested airport hotels that we might want to consider? I had not planned on renting a car, so we will be without wheels.

Thanks so much for any advice.

Can we (should we) check our bags on American all the way thru to PPT, or will we have to check our bags to LAX, and then collect them at American's LAX baggage claim, and then re-check them with AF to PPT? If we have to re-check, can I do that immediately after we land in LAX, or will I need to hold on to my luggage until closer to the AF departure.

AA has an interline agreement with AF, so you should be able to check your luggage from your home airport all the way through to PPT. AA should also be able to issue your AF boarding passes at your point of origination.

Will the AF lounge be open all day, or do they only open around AF departures/arrivals?

Air France has several daily departures to CDG. The first one is at 3:50 pm. Thus, whatever lounge is used by AF, should be open by the time that you arrive at LAX (I just verified, it opens at 12:30 pm (http://www.airfrance.com/GB/en/common/guidevoyageur/aeroport/salon_monde_airfrance.htm)). The Admiral's Club at LAX is located in the secured area near the gates.

I also know that a lot of folks suggesting going to In-and-Out Burger (I have never been) by taking the Parking Shuttle.

Good, but highly overrated (I am ducking for cover).

I am assuming that we will need to either take a bus or walk between Terminal 4 (American) and Terminal 2 (AF) should we go there directly. (any tips/suggestions about moving between the terminals?) I understand we will need to re-enter security when we enter Terminal 2. What is the latest we should be walking into the front door of Terminal 2 if we want to catch our flight at 11:55PM? (I am assuming security can be a lengthy process at LAX)

It's a ten minutes walk. I recommend walking on the upper level (less vehicle fumes, second hand smoke and noise). If you take the inter-terminal shuttle, it picks up and drops off on the lower level.

At that time of night, I would not expect a long wait to go through security.

When we return, from PPT, we are also arriving in LAX. Our flight arrives about 7PM. I could not secure a flight home using miles that same evening, so our flight back to the midwest leaves LAX about 8AM the next day. Any suggestions for things to do in LA for the evening, and/or suggested airport hotels that we might want to consider? I had not planned on renting a car, so we will be without wheels.

There are plenty of adequate hotels near LAX. What's your budget?

AA has an interline agreement with AF, so you should be able to check your luggage from your home airport all the way through to PPT. AA should also be able to issue your AF boarding passes at your point of origination.



Air France has several daily departures to CDG. The first one is at 3:50 pm. Thus, whatever lounge is used by AF, should be open by the time that you arrive at LAX (I just verified, it opens at 12:30 pm (http://www.airfrance.com/GB/en/common/guidevoyageur/aeroport/salon_monde_airfrance.htm)). The Admiral's Club at LAX is located in the secured area near the gates.



Good, but highly overrated (I am ducking for cover).



It's a ten minutes walk. I recommend walking on the upper level (less vehicle fumes, second hand smoke and noise). If you take the inter-terminal shuttle, it picks up and drops off on the lower level.

At that time of night, I would not expect a long wait to go through security.



There are plenty of adequate hotels near LAX. What's your budget?

Thank you for the info---particularly for the info about checking our bags thru to PPT and securing our boarding passes for the AF flight when we board our AA flight.

I hope you don't take too much grief for the less than enthusiastic feeling about In & Out Burger.

I would prefer not to spend more than $125/night for a hotel near LAX. I would prefer one with a shuttle to/from the airport.

Again, thank you.

If it were me with 10 hours to kill at LAX, I'd rent a car and go sightseeing in Los Angeles for a few hours rather than engage in any sort of endeavor to kill 10 hours AT LAX. It's just not the kind of place any sane person would want to spend 10 hours.

I would prefer not to spend more than $125/night for a hotel near LAX. I would prefer one with a shuttle to/from the airport.

The Hacienda Hotel (http://www.haciendahotel.com/) in El Segundo should fit the bill. It is close to the airport but away from its hassle and bustle. They offer a 24 hours airport shuttle.

The Hacienda Hotel (http://www.haciendahotel.com/) in El Segundo should fit the bill. It is close to the airport but away from its hassle and bustle. They offer a 24 hours airport shuttle.


Again--thanks. I will take a look!

1. AA can check you bags at first drop off point as long as you show them your AF tickets.

2. Not sure if you knew that you can redeem your AA points on Air Tahiti Nui, but maybe besides the point since you already booked your ticket. Since you are flying business class on AF, you will be able to use the T2 lounge.

3. With 10 hours, you can definitely leave the airport and eat lunch and stretch your legs. The Parking Spot Shuttle to In-N-Out burger is a good idea as long as you like burgers and airplane spotting. There are lots of other eating option nearby that are easily accessible via LAX shuttle and a short walk.

4. If you can check your bags all the way thru, there is no reason to take the shuttle to get from T4 to T2. You can walk there in about the same amount of time (probably less) than waiting for the shuttle, getting stuck in traffic, and circle the airport.

I would use the upper level walkway, which offers a good view of the airfield and terminals. You can get pretty close up view of the airplanes between T4 and TBIT and T3. Walking directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Terminal+4,+L.A.X.,+Los+Angeles,+CA&daddr=33.9438178,-118.4081782+to:Terminal+2,+Los+Angeles,+CA&hl=en&sll=33.943983,-118.404411&sspn=0.005901,0.011362&geocode=FYzkBQIdBEHx-Ck1N3twJrHCgDGHiolJaxL2ew%3BFQnxBQIdDjzx-CkDA5K8J7HCgDHm-wes_2jFXg%3BFcX5BQIdEUzx-CmjGnrw17DCgDHxtGX8B3yhLA&oq=termina&vpsrc=0&dirflg=w&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=17&via=1&t=m&z=17

5. I suggest you find a hotel that is on Century Blvd (most of the large chains have a location on Century). The reason being that these hotels are close so you can be back at the airport early in the morning. If you choose a hotel south of the airport (like the Hacienda), there are 2 disadvantages:

a: It takes much longer to get back to the airport... you are subject to AM commute traffic.
b: Public transportation is much better on Century Blvd. The LAX bus terminal is 1 block north of Century on 96th and from there you can can catch buses to Santa Moncia, Venice, West LA, and Culver City, which is important if you want to get away from the airport area for a night.

5. I suggest you find a hotel that is on Century Blvd (most of the large chains have a location on Century). The reason being that these hotels are close so you can be back at the airport early in the morning. If you choose a hotel south of the airport (like the Hacienda), there are 2 disadvantages:

a: It takes much longer to get back to the airport... you are subject to AM commute traffic.

The Century Blvd. hotels run more than $125 a night.

The Hacienda is exactly 2 miles from Terminal 4 (AA). The OP's flight is scheduled for 7:00 am. If he and his wife were to leave the hotel at 5:45 am, it will be well before traffic gets heavy on Sepulveda Blvd. between the hotel and Century Blvd.

2. Not sure if you knew that you can redeem your AA points on Air Tahiti Nui, but maybe besides the point since you already booked your ticket. Since you are flying business class on AF, you will be able to use the T2 lounge.

3. With 10 hours, you can definitely leave the airport and eat lunch and stretch your legs. The Parking Spot Shuttle to In-N-Out burger is a good idea as long as you like burgers and airplane spotting. There are lots of other eating option nearby that are easily accessible via LAX shuttle and a short walk.

5. I suggest you find a hotel that is on Century Blvd (most of the large chains have a location on Century). The reason being that these hotels are close so you can be back at the airport early in the morning. If you choose a hotel south of the airport (like the Hacienda), there are 2 disadvantages:

a: It takes much longer to get back to the airport... you are subject to AM commute traffic.
b: Public transportation is much better on Century Blvd. The LAX bus terminal is 1 block north of Century on 96th and from there you can can catch buses to Santa Moncia, Venice, West LA, and Culver City, which is important if you want to get away from the airport area for a night.

Thank you---regarding using the AA points on ATN, yes I knew I could use them, but for a variety of reasons (which I won't bore you with here) it was more advantageous for me to handle the booking via AF

Have you tried the Encounters Restaurant at LAX? Looks interesting.

I looked at the TripAdvisor Reivews for the Hacienda, and they were kind of mixed. I am sure it would be safe, and fine for one night, but I will see what it will cost to stay at one of the hotels on Century Blvd. That might provide more accommodation options that might suit me (and more importantly) my wife!

Because you have two separate tickets on two different alliances, AA will not be able to give you the AF boarding passes, but you should be able to do OLCI before leaving home and check the bags through. Be ready to show hard copies of both itineraries and both tickets when you first check in.

Before you leave the secure area, and at DFW and earlier airports, the regular AmEx Plat charge card gets both of you in, plus even one more guest, when you show the card and your AA boarding passes. Your AF business class boarding passes get you into the AF and SkyTeam lounges, but if there is a contract lounge, you might need to get an invitation card at the check in counter. This applies especially for the return trip.

Since you have an early LAX departure, I would stay in a very close hotel and still allow at least a half hour for the trip from hotel to airport. Look for AAA or senior rates if you qualify. Also verify the check in and bag drop deadline for AA at LAX It might be more than the usual half hour.

Because you have two separate tickets on two different alliances, AA will not be able to give you the AF boarding passes, but you should be able to do OLCI before leaving home and check the bags through. Be ready to show hard copies of both itineraries and both tickets when you first check in.

Thank you---may I ask what "OLCI" is? Also, I will not (as far as I know) have hardcopy tickets for any of my travel---just the "vouchers" that I have printed off from my email with the flight information. So I need to request hardcopy tickets to get my bags from home to PPT w/o having to transfer at LAX?

Thank you---may I ask what "OLCI" is?

On Line Check In

The Hacienda Hotel (http://www.haciendahotel.com/) in El Segundo should fit the bill. It is close to the airport but away from its hassle and bustle. They offer a 24 hours airport shuttle.

I've gotten up to 4-star hotels on Century Blvd. for under $100 through Hotwire and Priceline. Have even seen prices for under $125 booking direct through the hotel, on weekends. Note that with some hotels that have a "24 hour shuttle," you must phone them when you need it (e.g., after midnight). Reviews for the Hacienda on Tripadvisor are mixed, but most know that in some cases you need to take those reviews with a grain of salt.

Renting a car for 10 hours? Possibly good idea IF the person knows exactly where they are going and can contend with heavy traffic. They could also take a bus (from the LAX "transportation center") to Santa Monica (decent beach, interesting pier with amusement park), or the Getty Center (art museum) or Hollywood, etc. Or take the non-stop FlyAway bus from LAX to Union Station in downtown L.A. and use subway to see downtown or Hollywood. Or maybe take a bus or taxi to the nearest movie studio tour, that at Sony (formerly MGM) Studios in nearby Culver City (I think the highest rated tour is that of Warner Brothers in Burbank; there is also Paramount Studios in Hollywood and, of course, Universal Studios-- more an amusement park, I believe-- in Universal City).

Priceline hotel for you last night - it will be well below $100.

I would strongly recommend renting a car for 10 hr layover especially since your PPT flight departs near midnight. A scenic drive on PCH to malibu and beyond, a dinner somewhere and back to LAX once traffic subsides. Obviously there are other places you can visit.
One can get around with the limited public transportation options but it's really not a very practical way here in LA, and trying to kill 10 hrs at or near LAX is a rather depressing thing to do.

We've been to the Encounter a few times. Kitchy, and not cheap, but a good place for plane-watching (I especially like it at night, watching the streams of lights of landing planes). The Proud Bird restaurant, on the outskirts of the airport, at least used to have headphones for listening to pilots' chatter, but I haven't been for years, and you'd need a taxi (or at least a bus) to get there.

The AF Lounge in T2 is fine, but nothing special. I know it well as it was the NW World Club prior to the DL/NW merger. When AF took it over they didn't do much -- changed the front door, took out the fountain soda machine and removed some work cubicles. As of March last year the furniture was not changed so it is 10+ years old -- they may have updated that since. No hot food and really just snacks (and drinks).

If you like a good craft beer, you can visit the bar at the Sheraton Four Points -- they have a reputation in beer circles as one of the better (if not the best) hotel bars for Good Beer. Food is not bad as well. They have an airport shuttle. If you haven't booked a hotel yet it is worth a look, too -- but bar doesn't open until 4pm, so keep that in mind.

With 10 hours you can easily spend and afternoon/evening in Santa Monica. Take the Lot C Shuttle and tell the driver you want to go to the bus station. He'll tell you were to get off -- it's about a block's walk. Then take Santa Monica Bus ("Big Blue Bus") Line #3 Northbound and get off at Broadway (Fare $1/person each way, cheaper if over 62). There are shopping and restaurants all around and you can walk down to the Santa Monica Pier which has a small amusement park.

You can also take the "Union Station Flyaway" bus to Downtown LA. $7 each way p.p. I'd rather go to Santa Monica but there are some things to see (Olvera St, Chinatown, Philippe's -- inventor of the French Dip sandwich and a trip back in time).

Hope this helps..

The AF Lounge in T2 is fine, but nothing special. I know it well as it was the NW World Club prior to the DL/NW merger. When AF took it over they didn't do much -- changed the front door, took out the fountain soda machine and removed some work cubicles. As of March last year the furniture was not changed so it is 10+ years old -- they may have updated that since. No hot food and really just snacks (and drinks).

If you like a good craft beer, you can visit the bar at the Sheraton Four Points -- they have a reputation in beer circles as one of the better (if not the best) hotel bars for Good Beer. Food is not bad as well. They have an airport shuttle. If you haven't booked a hotel yet it is worth a look, too -- but bar doesn't open until 4pm, so keep that in mind.

With 10 hours you can easily spend and afternoon/evening in Santa Monica. Take the Lot C Shuttle and tell the driver you want to go to the bus station. He'll tell you were to get off -- it's about a block's walk. Then take Santa Monica Bus ("Big Blue Bus") Line #3 Northbound and get off at Broadway (Fare $1/person each way, cheaper if over 62). There are shopping and restaurants all around and you can walk down to the Santa Monica Pier which has a small amusement park.

You can also take the "Union Station Flyaway" bus to Downtown LA. $7 each way p.p. I'd rather go to Santa Monica but there are some things to see (Olvera St, Chinatown, Philippe's -- inventor of the French Dip sandwich and a trip back in time).

Hope this helps..

Thanks for the tips---a lot of good info, not only about where to go, but how to get there. I am thinking Santa Monica might be fun--I have never been there before, but always wanted to be at the terminus of Rte 66. Sounds like a plan!

If you're willing to drive, I would suggest renting a car for the day. Getting on and off multiple buses and carrying around your carryon bags would not be fun. With a car, you can dump everything except purses and valuables in the trunk at the car rental facility, lock it, and not worry. You could easily do Santa Monica first and they drive up to Malibu. Other ideas would include Marina Del Ray, Topanga Canyon, and Westwood, including the UCLA campus.

Agree with most of the previous posts.

Encounter is a cool place to eat, but there are better restaurants outside the airport.

I, too have been from LAX-PPT on Air France and the lounge in T2 is nothing special, but better than sitting in front of the gate.

I would recommend going to Santa Monica. You can park cheaply in one of the Garages on Third Street Promenade and easily walk to the pier. Park in one of the lots on Second Street, which is closer to the pier.

Another interesting area close to the airport not mentioned is Abbott Kinney Blvd. in Venice which is more of a locals hangout but much more interesting IMHO than Santa Monica. For example, today was a beautiful day and I went there for lunch with the wife.

http://www.abbotkinneyonline.com/

Public transportation options for easy access to beach cities near LAX:
1. to Manhattan Beach $3 each way ( www.gatewaytola.org/index.cfm/programs/ocean-express/ ) tends to have many tourists.
2. bus #232 to Redondo Beach ( www.metro.net/riding_metro/bus_overview/images/232.pdf ) $2 each way - tends to have mostly locals, some colorful, I've never had any problem.
3. city bus #10 to Santa Monica ( www.bigbluebus.com/busroutes/map/index.asp?routeid=10 ) - has the nicest and most colorful people, in my experience
Catch #1 and #232 easiest by going to terminal 1, downstairs, walk due East, don't cross to Radisson, walk S on the W side of Sepulveda. Bench is under a bridge but not in the tunnel! Catch #10 by taking one of the circulating free shuttles to the LAX Transit Center. Just check the schedules to make sure you can return to LAX in time!

Public transportation options for easy access to beach cities near LAX:
1. to Manhattan Beach $3 each way ( www.gatewaytola.org/index.cfm/programs/ocean-express/ ) tends to have many tourists.
2. bus #232 to Redondo Beach ( www.metro.net/riding_metro/bus_overview/images/232.pdf ) $2 each way - tends to have mostly locals, some colorful, I've never had any problem.
3. city bus #10 to Santa Monica ( www.bigbluebus.com/busroutes/map/index.asp?routeid=10 ) - has the nicest and most colorful people, in my experience
Catch #1 and #232 easiest by going to terminal 1, downstairs, walk due East, don't cross to Radisson, walk S on the W side of Sepulveda. Bench is under a bridge but not in the tunnel! Catch #10 by taking one of the circulating free shuttles to the LAX Transit Center. Just check the schedules to make sure you can return to LAX in time!

Metro 232 is $1.50 each way.

Big Blue Bus #10 doesn't run to the airport. I think you mean #3. Big Blue Bus fare is $1.00 each way.