Hello, everyone. I have learned quite a bit lurking here the last couple of days, but I would like something a little more concise. So, I am going to ask this question pretty much knowing that some of it is asking for repeat information. To those of you who are annoyed by this, I apologize in advance.

I am a fairly frequent flyer on American and have racked up quite a few miles over the last couple of years. I have used some of them (the 30,000 mile upgrade award to Hawaii is a bargin), but most have been saved. I have a chance to spend a couple of weeks in China, so I decided to cash in. I actually found a F seat from ORD to HKG via LAX (I wanted to avoid NRT as I did not want to miss my plane and AA's F is not anything special as I understand) and I fly on Cathay (CX 883) on the main leg (LAX-HKG). However, I have never done this OW transfer between flights. So, here are my questions:

1. Where should I go in LAX with a 4 hour turnover? The AC or direct to CX's lounge? Somewhere else?
2. Should I check in with CX in the TBIT or just use the tickets that American prints out at my departure city?
3. How far in advance should I get to the gate?
4. Is there anything I should know while in flight that I might not be specifically be told? I saw one post about asking for 'chinese sytle' tea that is usually not offered to Americans. I'm looking for info like that.
5. My hotel room will not be available until that night and my flight gets in (sometime) in the morning. Can I use one of the clubs there to get a shower?

I know alot of folks may think these questions are a bit silly, but I am ready for my vacation now and so I seem to be dwelling on things like this.

Thanks in advance,
Jake

P.S. I have a day on my own in Hong Kong before my friends get there. Any suggestions on things to do once in HK?

1. There is a lot of discussion on the (poor) lounge facilities at LAX here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430657
2. I believe that AA will check your luggage through from the originating airport and also provide your boarding cards there. You should be able to proceed straight through security at TBIT; if the queues are long then you may need to go to the CX desk to get an escort to take you through the "fast lane".
3. 30 minutes. If you are in the CX lounge then they will call the flight for boarding.
4. The Chinese tea is on the menu - there is only one menu, not one for Americans and one for the rest of us The best tip is to chat to the cabin crew, tell them it's your first time and see what they suggest.
5. There are no arrivals lounges at HKG. Depending on what hotel you are staying at they may have a health club where they would be happy for you to have a shower when you arrive and drop off your luggage.
PS. This is much discussed in the Hong Kong forum.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=423380
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=397776
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328725

Which CX lounge is better LAX or SFO?
I'm flying end of June and finally make Gold on QF. Go lounge access!

the premium chinese teas are listed on the menu with all the western style teas that are available. in addition, there is a white card that is placed on your table during the first meal which also explains the chinese teas and how they are served chinese style. the FAs usually write a "thank you" note or "enjoy your flight" note on this white card.

The CX lounge at TBIT (LAX) was voted second best airport lounge in the entire world..... the remaining 8647 lounges on planet earth were tied for first!!!!!!!!!!!

im not sure if they will let you in but try and use the flag ship lounge in ord before your aa ord lax flight
when you land in lax go to the lounge in T4 the aa lounge is much better than the cx lounge in the international terminal. sad but true

even if you have to check in again at the cx counter for cx boarding passes dont worry, the cx F line should be very short.

enjoy the flight and let us all know how it went

No time I'm afraid. My regional flight gets in an hour before the ORD-LAX flight leaves. I'll probably be running from G20 to L2 as usual

Really? I have never seen that - the "enjoy your flight" notes that I usually get are on a plain card that says simply "bon apetite" on the front. I don't think I've ever done CX F from LAX, but I have many times on LHR, JFK, SFO, NRT routes...

these are the same cards, the explanation of the chinese teas is on the back.

The CX Lounge in SFO is reasonably nice -- a bit above Admiral's Club standards -- but it's shared with JAL and doesn't match up to their lounges in HKG. The drinks are free but serve-yourself.

Given the "2nd best anywhere" review that someone mentioned for the LAX lounge, I think there's a fair bet the LAX one is better; my only LAX flight on CX was into LAX rather than departing.

First off, CX F is as good as it gets. Enjoy your PJ and real blanket/pillow. Stop at the AA lounge, do not leave the AA terminal (you may not get back in), CX lounges at LAX sucks. About 90 minutes before depature, you should head to the intl. terminal, sometimes the security takes 30 min or so - that terminal seems to have about 10 747 departing in the same 4 hour slot at night, so it will be chaotic (you can get a taste of Hong Kong right there). Tell the FA's it's your first time on CX (F), they'll take good care of you. Don't miss Green Wing on the tv-on-demand, if you're into British sitcoms.

Since there is no arrival lounge at the HKG (which is so weird, since everything else is top-notch), you may consider hitting an up-scale sauna in Hong Kong. Many have excellent showers (w/ toothbrush, razors etc), dry saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis and a lounge with a tv. Expect to pay about $40 for 90 min of massage and you can hang out there as long as you want, sometimes even get free food, perfect for recouping after a long flight. Note that they may have different types of massage (wink wink), but they're not pushy about it.

If you like Cuban cigars, that's easy to find in HKG and they're reasonably priced too.

That wasn't a review, it was a "hilarious joke." The LAX lounge blows.

Thanks for all the info. It really helps. However, I did leave out one question:

6. How do you handle the time difference? I usually set my watch as soon as I am on the plane, but the very late departure (OK, not as late as the second flight) and early arrival have me messed up. Should I try and sleep when I get on the plane, or wait till a more reasonable hour HK time?

Fly CX F and sleep like a baby. The flight is slotted for 14.45, typically around 12-13 hours if no headwind. You should get 7-9 hours sleep, starting at 2-4am Chicago time.

If you feel tired when in Hong Kong, consider a small daytime nap. I always try hard to stay up the first night, so I'm fully in sync after one night's sleep.

Even though AA will through check your bags and give you connecting boarding passes, it is worthwhile to check-in at the CX F class ticket counter. Show them your baggage tags, they type them into their computer system to make double-sure they get on the flight and get an early handle on any bag that may have "gone missing" while under the care of the originating airline. Also, they actually track each bag down, put F class baggage tags on it, and segregate it for expedited handling upon arrival at HKG.