I can't recall. I had thought that you had to be in paid J versus GPU upgraded. Although I also thought I remember reading UA Insider saying as long as you are seated in J its ok.

Either way, I've only intl transited twice (from NRT). First time I didn't know what the arrivals lounge was. Second time, I looked it up but my flight arrived too late I think.

I wish LAX had a lounge. I would much rather have routed via SFO (since I'm going to PHL), but there is no MEL-SFO flight. Also, there was no R availability on the SFO-PHL route.