Ex-LAX with kids: DL SC or Amex CL?
Mar 26, 2024, 5:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL DM & 2MM; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 664
Ex-LAX with kids: DL SC or Amex CL?
We are doing LAX-JFK from Terminal 3 later this week with small kids.
Is it worth the hike to Amex CL or just stick to DL SC?
Is it worth the hike to Amex CL or just stick to DL SC?
Last edited by metalblaze; Mar 26, 2024 at 6:41 pm
Mar 26, 2024, 6:00 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: ba silver
Posts: 729
You might have to clear security twice if there is no airside connection from terminal 3.
I flew out of LAX last year a couple of times and was able to go airside from terminal 5. Every time the CL lounge had a minimum one hour wait. Fine by me as I also had acces to OW and AA lounges due to my BA status.
So with a family it might not be worth it to clear security at TBIT only to be stuck waiting in line for an hour.I am sure the young ones will be fine with the DL lounge.
Safe travels!
I flew out of LAX last year a couple of times and was able to go airside from terminal 5. Every time the CL lounge had a minimum one hour wait. Fine by me as I also had acces to OW and AA lounges due to my BA status.
So with a family it might not be worth it to clear security at TBIT only to be stuck waiting in line for an hour.I am sure the young ones will be fine with the DL lounge.
Safe travels!
Mar 26, 2024, 6:11 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Santa Monica, CA
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Kids will enjoy the Delta SC views. Not worth the trek to Amex CL.
The Amex lounge at TB is fine and I usually just stop in when traveling myself, even if I have another lounge access for a flight leaving TB. The food is decent. But didn’t even bother heading over with my kids this past Sunday when they couldn’t find anything to eat at the OneWorld lounge (and we are just talking a few hundred feet - not changing terminals). Just got them a pizza in the food court. Easy enough to find a counter seat for myself in the Amex CL but thought it would be too crowded to bother with my kids.
The Amex lounge at TB is fine and I usually just stop in when traveling myself, even if I have another lounge access for a flight leaving TB. The food is decent. But didn’t even bother heading over with my kids this past Sunday when they couldn’t find anything to eat at the OneWorld lounge (and we are just talking a few hundred feet - not changing terminals). Just got them a pizza in the food court. Easy enough to find a counter seat for myself in the Amex CL but thought it would be too crowded to bother with my kids.
Last edited by dbuckho; Mar 26, 2024 at 6:17 pm
Mar 26, 2024, 6:21 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM/2MM, Flying Blue Gold, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 1,934
You might have to clear security twice if there is no airside connection from terminal 3.
I flew out of LAX last year a couple of times and was able to go airside from terminal 5. Every time the CL lounge had a minimum one hour wait. Fine by me as I also had acces to OW and AA lounges due to my BA status.
So with a family it might not be worth it to clear security at TBIT only to be stuck waiting in line for an hour.I am sure the young ones will be fine with the DL lounge.
Safe travels!
I flew out of LAX last year a couple of times and was able to go airside from terminal 5. Every time the CL lounge had a minimum one hour wait. Fine by me as I also had acces to OW and AA lounges due to my BA status.
So with a family it might not be worth it to clear security at TBIT only to be stuck waiting in line for an hour.I am sure the young ones will be fine with the DL lounge.
Safe travels!
But the CL is windowless and crowded. Good food but that’s it. The LAX skyclub is one of the best in the system, with amazing views and a skydeck. And decent food. And it’s close!
Mar 26, 2024, 6:40 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL DM & 2MM; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 664
That’s very old information. First of all there is now airside connectivity from delta (t2-3) to TBIT where the CL is.
But the CL is windowless and crowded. Good food but that’s it. The LAX skyclub is one of the best in the system, with amazing views and a skydeck. And decent food. And it’s close!
But the CL is windowless and crowded. Good food but that’s it. The LAX skyclub is one of the best in the system, with amazing views and a skydeck. And decent food. And it’s close!
Mar 26, 2024, 7:12 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 596
Another consideration could be cost of entry. If you get free guests in both, SC makes sense. If you don't though at SC and do at CL then that might motivate the 'trek'. With the connector now and moving walkways I find it nice. And TBIT is far more engaging with better shops than T2/3. That all said...pound for pound and lounge aspects alone, SC is superior, perhaps only beaten out by the CL in the food stakes and bar selection.
Mar 27, 2024, 10:38 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: SW Florida
Programs: DL Gold, HHDiamond, IHG Plat Regular Joe Everywhere Else
Posts: 538
The kids will love seeing the airplanes if you're able to sit outside at the SC.
Mar 27, 2024, 1:20 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: Hilton Lifetime Diamond, DL Diamond & 2M Miler, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 683
Depending on the ages of the children, there is a dedicated kids room in the CL.
Mar 27, 2024, 4:50 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SNA
Programs: AA ExPlat - Northwest/Delta Million Miler
Posts: 9
I would take the new Delta club over the AMEX club any day of the week......
Delta had a taco lady there with fresh guacamole last month....that was an excellent meal.
Delta had a taco lady there with fresh guacamole last month....that was an excellent meal.
Mar 27, 2024, 10:15 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 766
My experience is AmEx lounge is a bit more cramped. I agree with others—hit up the SC and let the kids do some plane spotting. The main thing the Centurion Lounge has over the SkyClub is slightly better food and moderately better drinks.
Beware that some domestic Delta flights occasionally leave out of TBIT (e.g., when inbound flight was international), but it looks like LAX-JFK usually departs from T3.
Beware that some domestic Delta flights occasionally leave out of TBIT (e.g., when inbound flight was international), but it looks like LAX-JFK usually departs from T3.
Mar 28, 2024, 7:18 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AS 100K, DL PL, B6 M3
Posts: 180
One of the few airports where Delta SC is hands down better in almost every way.
Mar 28, 2024, 8:26 pm
#12
Original Poster
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Location: New York City
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OP here: we flew today, and did DL SC in T3. I have been there before, but w/o accompanying family. Boarding from Gate 31A was a breeze.
I suppose the only downside that I can think of it was lack of restaurants/food court near the SC: DD wanted to grab some pizza for the flight...and the nearest restaurant was a sushi place. Looks like a new pizza place is about to open right outside the SC though....oh well, next time.
I suppose the only downside that I can think of it was lack of restaurants/food court near the SC: DD wanted to grab some pizza for the flight...and the nearest restaurant was a sushi place. Looks like a new pizza place is about to open right outside the SC though....oh well, next time.
Mar 28, 2024, 8:53 pm
#13
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
OP here: we flew today, and did DL SC in T3. I have been there before, but w/o accompanying family. Boarding from Gate 31A was a breeze.
I suppose the only downside that I can think of it was lack of restaurants/food court near the SC: DD wanted to grab some pizza for the flight...and the nearest restaurant was a sushi place. Looks like a new pizza place is about to open right outside the SC though....oh well, next time.
I suppose the only downside that I can think of it was lack of restaurants/food court near the SC: DD wanted to grab some pizza for the flight...and the nearest restaurant was a sushi place. Looks like a new pizza place is about to open right outside the SC though....oh well, next time.
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