Air New Zealand Air Points - LAX Air NZ lounge access question...

Is it true that for 55 USD one can use the facilities at the LAX terminal 2 AIR NZ Lounge? I am travelling on AF and have to use the NW lounge but I would like to grab a shower and relax before my ongoing flight.. NW lounge does not have a shower. The representative from NW mentioned that one can pay 55 USD to use the Air New Zealand lounge and showers.. Thanks for your help...

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As far as I know you cannot buy passes like that for any NZ lounge

I've never heard of being able to buy lounge access for any NZ lounge. I think the attendant is confused with another lounge (most US lounges have daypass you can buy).

I've never heard of being able to buy lounge access for any NZ lounge. I think the attendant is confused with another lounge (most US lounges have daypass you can buy).

Unless the NW agent the OP spoke to knows of a NZ lounge attendant that doesn't mind a little bit more cash! ;)

Just spoke with the attendant at the LAX Air NZ lounge. Day Passes ARE sold for 55 USD... Seems like a good deal if one has a long layover....

This is sure a odd one i wonder why they are doing it at the LAX lounge with none of the other lounges of NZs do it.

LAX lounge is the only NZ operated lounge in USA (other than HNL) - perhaps they figure with the restrictions US airlines place on lounges they can make some money off it?

But does seem strange to be selling daypasses when so many get turned away due to overcrowding.

I am 100% positive NZ does not sell day passes. The lounge simply does not have the capacity. VS also uses the lounge and I think AF for First Class passengers.

I have heard the AC and NW lounges are just dire.

Hey All

I am relatively new to Flyertalk and have followed the NZ threads with interest. I returned back home about 4 months ago (now in Melbourne) from working as an Air NZ intern at LAX. I can confirm that pax DO have the option as RTW4 stated, of paying the $55 US to access the NZ lounge. This is however heavily restricted based on capacity, time of access, and a few other factors. The max capacity is 150 partons using the lounge at any given time. In my time working I cant say i've seen it ever get to its max besides one time when the All Blacks flew through and it was chockers for some reason . The Lounge team "TRY" to forecast the 'expectant' number of lounge users by airline status and star status aswell as eligible flying class pax. Obviously this can often be a wild guess and im not sure how they source this data. The lounge manager also gets figures from VS as to the anticipated number of Upper class pax which factors into the guestimate. At the start of the day they always make a YES or NO decision about allowing other pax to pay the $55 entry charge. This is a discretionary policy and the lounge manager can change his/her mind if the guestimate is severly out 'either way'.

AFAIK this policy is not widely publicised however we were advised that when checking pax in that if they enquire about lounge access with no eligibility, then we can mention the $55 entry fee. PAX are told once they arrive at the lounge if they can access it on that day or not with the fee.

I'll confirm with my cousin who is still working there now if things have sinced changed.

Cheers

I imagine for $55 US one could gain entry to the LAX lounge whether there's an official day pass purchase program or not ...

Welcome to Flyertalk tcooper :). Thanks for the info - that's a really interesting option.

How early do the check in desks open at LAX, I'm on the 9.30pm? Thanks.

Not sure - before 5pm. It is the LAX-LHR flight that check in opens only 2 1/2 hours before departure.

I have heard the AC and NW lounges are just dire.

There's nothing wrong with the AC lounge at LAX, as far as AC lounges go. It's just that the NZ lounge next door is better, especially with regards to food and drink selection, and those great showers. However, I certainly would not call the AC lounge "dire". It has plenty of space, nice comfortable furniture, and the same views as the NZ lounge.

However, I certainly would not call the AC lounge "dire".

The NW lounge certainly is.

Maybe it has improved since the last time I looked in the AC lounge but it was crowded, bathroom is outside lounge, no computers, no shower, not as good food or drink. Given a choice NZ lounge clearly better.

Maybe it has improved since the last time I looked in the AC lounge but it was crowded, bathroom is outside lounge, no computers, no shower, not as good food or drink. Given a choice NZ lounge clearly better.

I was there yesterday waiting for the NZ lounge to open. After the AC flight to Montreal left, the lounge was empty. There were computers and an open bar and the cursory soft drinks, but otherwise I too found it cramped and not very notable. The NZ lounge is miles ahead.

And yes, the restrooms are still outside across the hall.

If I'm arriving off an Air New Zealand flight (VLI->AKL->LAX) and connecting to Air Canada at LAX, can I use the NZ lounge, or will they make me go to the AC lounge? I'm an AC Star Alliance Gold member..

I have an 8 hour layover and would love to take a shower.. I agree with the other posters that the AC lounge at LAX is very poor..

If I'm arriving off an Air New Zealand flight (VLI->AKL->LAX) and connecting to Air Canada at LAX, can I use the NZ lounge, or will they make me go to the AC lounge? I'm an AC Star Alliance Gold member..

I have an 8 hour layover and would love to take a shower.. I agree with the other posters that the AC lounge at LAX is very poor..

Depends on when - The NZ lounge doesn't open until 13:45. You should be able to use it after that, though.

Semi-related question.

NZ sold me a ticket WLG - MSP, with LAX-MSP on NW (as I'll be on NZ 2, I get in too late to make any UA connections -- 3 hour min. connection apparently).

So after clearing customs and checking in with NW I'll be back airside in T2 waiting for a 5:00pm flight to MSP.

Any chance that with my same day NZ boarding pass and *G status they'll let me into the NZ lounge?

I have 6 weeks to practice my charm if that's what will be needed.

Officially no. Unofficially perhaps. Don't get your hopes up too high though. I've seen soooo many people turned away from the LAX lounge.

Officially no. Unofficially perhaps. Don't get your hopes up too high though. I've seen soooo many people turned away from the LAX lounge.

Good thing I have six weeks to practice my charm and persuasive reasoning. T2 at LAX is such a dump outside the lounges that my hopes will probably get over a realistic level.

Officially no. Unofficially perhaps. Don't get your hopes up too high though. I've seen soooo many people turned away from the LAX lounge.

I thought that *Gold members could access any Star Alliance lounge on the day of travel as long as they are flying on Star Alliance?

I thought that *Gold members could access any Star Alliance lounge on the day of travel as long as they are flying on Star Alliance?

I think this rule is space depended.

I think this rule is space depended.

Right. If all the AC lounge-eligible pax also were in the NZ lounge at LAX then they would be breaking fire and safety limits on numbers (not to mention making the lounge rather unpleasant).

I think this rule is space depended.
Surely the bigger issue is that evanroberts is flying on NW - which is not a Star carrier. The rules state you should (or must) be departing on a Star carrier.

Surely the bigger issue is that evanroberts is flying on NW - which is not a Star carrier. The rules state you should (or must) be departing on a Star carrier.

Yes, that is the issue. I have the small hope that since it's an NZ ticket and (thanks to the dateline) I have a same-day Star Alliance boarding pass they might let me in. But probably not. I will report back!

Yes, that is the issue. I have the small hope that since it's an NZ ticket and (thanks to the dateline) I have a same-day Star Alliance boarding pass they might let me in. But probably not. I will report back!
Practice your charm :). You never know.

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As a business class *A passenger you have access to UA RCC. There is also SQ Silver Kris Lounge (business class), but this has limited opening hours and may refuse entry due to space issues.

I am unfamiliar with the lounge access rules for NW World Clubs paid club membership. IIRC some of the domestic lounges are landside so may be accessible (and if arriving on NW domestic flight you also potentially have access to airside lounges in that terminal). Airside lounges in other terminals will not be accessible due to the need to have a relevant boarding pass to get through security.

thanks for your quick reply!

I arrive at 1:45pm from MSP on Northwest, which will be in the domestic terminal. I won't have any type of NZ boarding document, because I have separate reservations, so until NZ checkin opens, I cant get to the RCC anyways.

The NWA lounge is in the international terminal, but its on the A side, not the G side where NZ departs from. Plus, the NWA World Club closes around 3:30pm after the NRT and AMS flights depart. The Kris Lounge closes at 2:20pm and reopens at 9:55pm, so that option is out.

I think I will have to use either the DL or CO lounge per my WC membership. They are both in the domestic terminal and outside security, which is nice. The CO lounge is small but nicely furnished and has some of the best CO agents in the system, IMO.

Is the RCC there even worth it? Heck I may just checkin for NZ, and go back to the CO lounge, its not that far a walk. I just need to leave enough time for security back at the int'l terminal.

While SFO RCC is one of the better RCC's it is not a good lounge. Having said that I was not impressed with CO's lounge at SFO either.

Practice your charm :). You never know.

Lounge was quite full with NZ 2 and Virgin 8 departing, so charm did not win the day. But here I am sitting on the ground outside the lounge and lo and behold the wireless password is the same the whole NZ network over ...

It's a total zoo below in T2, so the floor outside the lounges is a respite!

hi there...I am new to this forum...my husband and I have an 11 hour wait at LAX with four suitcases and four carry ons and two children...can anyone advise what we can do there and if there is anything to do there with kids to make the time go quicker.

thank you

Welcome to Flyer Talk shellyshoe :)

What are your flights (airline(s), origin and destination)? Is the transit daytime, evening, nighttime?