Originally Posted by
downinit
I have an AS flight from LAX-SJO coming up in Y. I plan on using my 30k 'Gold for a Trip' (this trip should be enough to get Gold properly). I am assuming that should get me into the AS lounge, AA Admiral Club, and the QF J lounge??? I don't see anything restricting access for Central America flights for AS OWS.
I plan on spending most of my time in the QF lounge, as it is certainly the best of the three. I have been to most lounges at LAX, aside the Delta One, AMEX and the QF F lounge, so I have a pretty good idea what to expect. I don't look forward to the T4-T6 bus bridge to get back to T6, but it is a necessary evil.
I'm now 1/3 the way from LAX to SJO. My BP scanned green at the Qantas J lounge, but it took them a few minutes to realize I was flying to San Jose CR, not San Jose CA (I had to point it out myself). Once that was resolved, they gladly granted access (AS Gold in Y). I will never understand why this lounge gets so many bad remarks about the food quality; it is markedly better than 95% of the lounges I have been to, which includes almost every lounge at LAX, and quite a few from all three alliances throughout EU and Asia. Yes, it is buffet food, not a Michelin restaurant, but it is as good or better than most buffets I have been to. The bar does leave a lot to be desired, but it is adequate to get a decent buzz.
I took a quick detour to the brand new AA lounge at gate 151 in TBIT as soon as I had my fill of food and drinks. It had just opened up two days prior, but they would not grant me access as AS Gold flying to Central America. Not a problem for me, since I had to get to T6 soon, regardless. I walked back to T4 and waited about 10 minutes for the T4-T6 shuttle bus. I arrived at the T6 AS lounge about 30 minutes before boarding, which was just enough time to leisurely toss back a couple Summit Sunsets at the bar. The drink was quite good for an airport lounge cocktail, and several people in the lounge asked me about the drink upon seeing it. Not sure if it is $400 good, but I have no complaints so far.