Lounge access at LAX
Oct 18, 2021, 4:20 pm
#1
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Lounge access at LAX
Which lounge(s) can I use if I have Mileage Plus *A Gold when transferring from an international flight to a domestic flight? Would it only be United Club or Star Alliance Lounge and Polaris lounge (currently closed) also?
Also what if I don’t have any status but has an international First/Business class ticket when transferring to domestic?
Thanks!
Also what if I don’t have any status but has an international First/Business class ticket when transferring to domestic?
Thanks!
Oct 18, 2021, 4:32 pm
#2
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Departing International Business class ticket will qualify you for access to UC, to *A TBIT and when it re-opens (if it does) the LAX PL (But not short-haul international, such as Mexico, Central America, Canada, ...).
Arriving International (if not UA operated) will get you none unless you have *G status. If arriving international on UA, you will have T7 UC access. *G will get you into UA or *A on arrival
Thru a bit of an oddity, arriving NZ may have access to *A lounge as NZ is the "lounge operator"
Arriving International (if not UA operated) will get you none unless you have *G status. If arriving international on UA, you will have T7 UC access. *G will get you into UA or *A on arrival
Thru a bit of an oddity, arriving NZ may have access to *A lounge as NZ is the "lounge operator"
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 18, 2021 at 5:17 pm Reason: NZ
Oct 18, 2021, 4:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2017
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The AC Maple Leaf Lounge in T6 reopened so you can also do that
Oct 18, 2021, 4:56 pm
#4
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Oct 18, 2021, 5:15 pm
#5
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I think only half the question has been answered. The rules are completely different if you have *A Gold status as the *first* question asked.
If you indeed are *G then you can access ANY lounge at LAX (Polaris possibly excluded for same reasons noted above) including the UA Club and AC Maple Leaf Lounge (if open). *A TBIT might be a problem because I think you can only access it if you clear security and re-enter TBIT after going through immigration. I don't know the terminal access rules and the LAX layout all that well to confirm this one. Someone else who is LAX-based or transits LAX more frequently will know.
-RM
If you indeed are *G then you can access ANY lounge at LAX (Polaris possibly excluded for same reasons noted above) including the UA Club and AC Maple Leaf Lounge (if open). *A TBIT might be a problem because I think you can only access it if you clear security and re-enter TBIT after going through immigration. I don't know the terminal access rules and the LAX layout all that well to confirm this one. Someone else who is LAX-based or transits LAX more frequently will know.
-RM
Oct 18, 2021, 5:17 pm
#6
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I will be flying on NH First but has no *A Gold from any airlines. Though I was thinking of status matching to UA Gold. So I was curious if I could access to Star Alliance Lounges (both First and Business) and/or just United Club.
Oct 18, 2021, 5:24 pm
#7
Moderator: United Airlines
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BUT matched UA status could be an issue, NH might recognize the UA status (UA does not release to the *A system during the match period), sometimes works, sometimes does -- best if on a UA ticket or accessing UC.
and the status match is a once in 5-year thing, might not be the best choice just to get one-time lounge access.
Oct 18, 2021, 5:27 pm
#8
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You wouldn't have access to the *A lounge because you'd need a departing boarding pass in International Business or First OR have *A Gold status. No access to United Club either unless you flew in on UA Polaris OR have *A gold status from airline other than UA, OR your connecting flight is Business class on Premium Transcontinental to EWR/JFK.
Oct 18, 2021, 5:34 pm
#9
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The complexity of this is what drives people crazy
On international itin, UA *G works (including the challenge status period)
And I missed that one 
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Oct 18, 2021, 5:34 pm
#10
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Oct 18, 2021, 5:38 pm
#11
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If you can get the challenge status to work, you only enter is based on *G.
At least per the rules, *A First access is based on your departure flight, not arrival. Now will the agents allow access, maybe but outside the rules.
Oct 18, 2021, 5:54 pm
#12
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Oct 18, 2021, 5:58 pm
#13
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Oct 18, 2021, 6:03 pm
#14
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Oct 18, 2021, 6:04 pm
#15
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I will probably have 5 hours at LAX and I like *A lounges better than United Clubs except the Polaris but is currently closed. Status match just for one time lounge access is a waste (I know). Would it be better to buy a 1 day UA club pass over the status match?
Seems like the Centurion Lounge is still closed and Korean Lounge is closed (although I saw some people setting in the patio last time I was at LAX.) Weird but priority pass shows it's closed.
Seems like the Centurion Lounge is still closed and Korean Lounge is closed (although I saw some people setting in the patio last time I was at LAX.) Weird but priority pass shows it's closed.