*Gold, Basic Economy and LAX
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 734
*Gold, Basic Economy and LAX
Hi United peeps
I'm venturing on to a non-OW forum because my LAX-LAS itinerary on Alaska got pushed back too late in the day, so I've booked an earlier flight on United basic economy for $38.
I think I know the answers but if someone could confirm & maybe clarify questions below.
With TAP Gold/ Star Alliance Gold. (No TSA Pre-check or similar).
1) I will be able to check in one bag for free
2) I will be able to take a full size hand luggage for above seat and personal item to put under seat in front
3) I will get lounge access at LAX and the best (only?) option is the United Club in T7.
4) Priority boarding - any idea which group?
5) Is there priority security at LAX and would I be eligible?
6) I haven't chosen a seat as I don't really mind for such a short flight. At check in will one just be assigned or will I be able to choose from what's available?
Many thanks
I'm venturing on to a non-OW forum because my LAX-LAS itinerary on Alaska got pushed back too late in the day, so I've booked an earlier flight on United basic economy for $38.
I think I know the answers but if someone could confirm & maybe clarify questions below.
With TAP Gold/ Star Alliance Gold. (No TSA Pre-check or similar).
1) I will be able to check in one bag for free
2) I will be able to take a full size hand luggage for above seat and personal item to put under seat in front
3) I will get lounge access at LAX and the best (only?) option is the United Club in T7.
4) Priority boarding - any idea which group?
5) Is there priority security at LAX and would I be eligible?
6) I haven't chosen a seat as I don't really mind for such a short flight. At check in will one just be assigned or will I be able to choose from what's available?
Many thanks
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,455
This is my take, others correct me if I'm wrong.
1. Yes.
2. Yes, overhead and underseat is available. It is on United.com as benefit.
3. United Club T7 or Star Alliance Lounge in Tom Bradley International Terminal (you can walk post-security/sterile from T7 to TBIT - mixture of above ground and below ground halls/tunnels). Your Star Gold on TAP allows you into both. United Club in LAX is one of the nicer ones. Have not been to Star lounge, but I hear it is quite nice.
4. Group 1 after the Global Services, 1K, disability, active military and families with kids under 2. Group 1 always has overhead space available. Group 3 and beyond gets dicier.
5. I will let others chime in here. I have TSA pre so always use that line which you would not be able unless you do have it. Not sure if they have elite/premium cabin separate line.
6. One will be assigned at check in - it could be anything from E+ to a last row middle. Since you have access to United Club, you could always try to plead/ask your way to a better seat. You may get no, but more likely to help in the United Club. I've taken LAX-LAS recently and they didn't even bother with any type of drink/free snack service. Left windows offer a better view of LV for typical landing pattern. Takeoff sit on the right.
1. Yes.
2. Yes, overhead and underseat is available. It is on United.com as benefit.
3. United Club T7 or Star Alliance Lounge in Tom Bradley International Terminal (you can walk post-security/sterile from T7 to TBIT - mixture of above ground and below ground halls/tunnels). Your Star Gold on TAP allows you into both. United Club in LAX is one of the nicer ones. Have not been to Star lounge, but I hear it is quite nice.
4. Group 1 after the Global Services, 1K, disability, active military and families with kids under 2. Group 1 always has overhead space available. Group 3 and beyond gets dicier.
5. I will let others chime in here. I have TSA pre so always use that line which you would not be able unless you do have it. Not sure if they have elite/premium cabin separate line.
6. One will be assigned at check in - it could be anything from E+ to a last row middle. Since you have access to United Club, you could always try to plead/ask your way to a better seat. You may get no, but more likely to help in the United Club. I've taken LAX-LAS recently and they didn't even bother with any type of drink/free snack service. Left windows offer a better view of LV for typical landing pattern. Takeoff sit on the right.
Last edited by CApreppie; Nov 23, 2022 at 2:14 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 734
This is my take, others correct me if I'm wrong.
1. Yes.
2. Yes, overhead and underseat is available. It is on United.com as benefit.
3. United Club T7 or Star Alliance Lounge in Tom Bradley International Terminal (you can walk post-security/sterile from T7 to TBIT - mixture of above ground and below ground halls/tunnels). Your Star Gold on TAP allows you into both. United Club in LAX is one of the nicer ones. Have not been to Star lounge, but I hear it is quite nice.
4. Group 1 after the Global Services, 1K, disability, active military and families with kids under 2. Group 1 always has overhead space available. Group 3 and beyond gets dicier.
5. I will let others chime in here. I have TSA pre so always use that line which you would not be able unless you do have it. Not sure if they have elite/premium cabin separate line.
6. One will be assigned at check in - it could be anything from E+ to a last row middle. Since you have access to United Club, you could always try to plead/ask your way to a better seat. You may get no, but more likely to help in the United Club. I've taken LAX-LAS recently and they didn't even bother with any type of drink/free snack service. Left windows offer a better view of LV for typical landing pattern.
1. Yes.
2. Yes, overhead and underseat is available. It is on United.com as benefit.
3. United Club T7 or Star Alliance Lounge in Tom Bradley International Terminal (you can walk post-security/sterile from T7 to TBIT - mixture of above ground and below ground halls/tunnels). Your Star Gold on TAP allows you into both. United Club in LAX is one of the nicer ones. Have not been to Star lounge, but I hear it is quite nice.
4. Group 1 after the Global Services, 1K, disability, active military and families with kids under 2. Group 1 always has overhead space available. Group 3 and beyond gets dicier.
5. I will let others chime in here. I have TSA pre so always use that line which you would not be able unless you do have it. Not sure if they have elite/premium cabin separate line.
6. One will be assigned at check in - it could be anything from E+ to a last row middle. Since you have access to United Club, you could always try to plead/ask your way to a better seat. You may get no, but more likely to help in the United Club. I've taken LAX-LAS recently and they didn't even bother with any type of drink/free snack service. Left windows offer a better view of LV for typical landing pattern.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,455
How long do you have? That probably answer the question. The walk from T7 to TBIT is an adventure itself. Those tunnels are very utilitarian with passengers and crew rushing along. You can also see the renovated T5 and T6. They are nicer than T7. T7 seating areas need some freshening, especially the end of the pier where all the widebodies park and hordes of people crowd into at the departure banks.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 734
Welcome! The food definitely looks better than what you'll get at the United Club and they have showers (if needed). https://www.travelcodex.com/star-alliance-lounge-lax/
How long do you have? That probably answer the question. The walk from T7 to TBIT is an adventure itself. Those tunnels are very utilitarian with passengers and crew rushing along. You can also see the renovated T5 and T6. They are nicer than T7. T7 seating areas need some freshening, especially the end of the pier where all the widebodies park and hordes of people crowd into at the departure banks.
How long do you have? That probably answer the question. The walk from T7 to TBIT is an adventure itself. Those tunnels are very utilitarian with passengers and crew rushing along. You can also see the renovated T5 and T6. They are nicer than T7. T7 seating areas need some freshening, especially the end of the pier where all the widebodies park and hordes of people crowd into at the departure banks.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,455
If you are normal, relatively quick, walker - I would say about 15+ minutes. I've only done it once to try it. LAX says 20 minutes and that's probably some average walker. You could check your bag at United counter and then walk the sidewalk on departures level straight to TBIT and then enter security there with boarding pass or T4 which has an above ground walkway into TBIT. The post-security walk isn't quite a straight line as that. I would say 10+ minutes for that one. I think I did that once as well.
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,411
*A lounge food post-pandemic has gotten some poor reviews.
I wouldn't budget any extra time for either the UC or the *A lounge. If you're stuck at the airport, both are decent options. I was pleasantly surprised by the breakfast at the UC last time I was there.
I wouldn't budget any extra time for either the UC or the *A lounge. If you're stuck at the airport, both are decent options. I was pleasantly surprised by the breakfast at the UC last time I was there.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: LAS
Programs: Hilton, Delta, Hyatt, MGM
Posts: 188
Also, when you land in Vegas, you can also visit the UA club there. It’s not amazing, but you can at least expect to get a snack and a drink. The LAX-LAS route is also hit or miss with snack service. Sometimes they serve food and beverages and many times they don’t.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 247
Are they letting us in the lounge upon arrival these days? I thought that was eliminated.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 336
#11
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: UA 1K, DL PM, AA Nobody, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 563
I am sad to hear this. The *A lounge at LAX was my favorite in the world. I believe it was or is operated by Air New Zealand. Quite a fine lounge.
#12
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,411
*A site says departing passengers, this might be a YMMV situation https://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-access-policy