Thanks for the quick replies, Tokyoite, JALPak, and CPH-Flyer
I will try leave for LAX as early as I feel comfortable for not missing the flight, and if I have enough time, will stop by the Flagship lounge to see if I like it.
It would be nice if they could open a drop-off only counter way earlier than 3 hours (either in TBIT or in T4 using AA resource), but I guess that has practical challenges.
It is nice to fly from SAN but J price difference is often so large that I fly from LAX.