Any tips to save my sanity please!, Entry into LAX Lounges..

[RedOne]

I would love some advice on how to save my sanity while on a 7hr layover at LAX please, I read I can buy a Admirals lounge day pass? but will this work for me getting there so early & logistically with terminals etc???

I fly into LAX on a Delta Air Lines (Business) terminal 5 at 3:15pm & then unfortunately only have (Economy) for the flight back to SYD at 10:30pm terminal B - QF12
I am a Qantas Frequent flyer member but no status point or any real FF points that will help at this point.

Cheers,
Red

 

[juddles]

redone, my experience of Admirals lounges are that they are Shiite. Maybe one alcoholic beverage and some peanuts - much better spent any cash in a café. I do not know how much you have experienced the USA - my tip would be to leave the terminal and head to the beach for the afternoon/evening. Either cab or get a shuttle bus. 7 hrs is a long time to wallow in the airport, even if you did have good lounge acces.

 

[RedOne]

Yep was thinking that juddles but with check in of 1.5 - 3hrs from what I recall used to fly & travel a bit of years gone by, was wondering is it worth the hassle & extra cost?.

 

[juddles]

each to their own - I die of boredom very quickly, and the LAX terminal is not exactly fun. The AA lounges are pretty basic. And IMHO you have heaps of time to at least catch a shuttle bus to a supermarket or the beach and have a relaxing good meal. Even if you only spend a couple of hours getting out and about I think that is a fun option I am sure others on AFF here have much more detailed tips for your situation....

 

[dajop]

Agree with juddles. However if you wish to stay at the airport, will you have any other AA or QF flights within 30 days of these flights? If so, it may be worth spending an extra $50 for a 30 days Admirals Club membership which will give you , I think, access to Qantas Business Lounge , which will at least be in the right terminal as QF departure.

 

[RedOne]

Thanks juddles you do make a good point & a few hours is a long enough time as i'm flying in from Mexico so 30+ hours in a plane or Airport will test my sanity!!
Guess I better do some research on a nice meal / venue not to far from the airport.

Thanks for the ideas :idea:

 

[juddles]

Small world - am relaxing in Mexico as we speak! (Playa Carmen, near Cancun)

 

[RedOne]

Lol that where I'm going after LA & Vegas haha its is a very small world indeed - got any tips on places to see & do while there??? I have a group of friends 6-8 in a Villa for a just over a week & then to Cuba for a few days

 

[RedOne]

Thanks for the post dajop i posted before but seems i took to long to post it & i was logged out lol

But yes I saw the 30 day pass but its only for the day as its my flight home & unfortunately nothing else for a few months after

 

[dajop]

Yep was thinking that juddles but with check in of 1.5 - 3hrs from what I recall used to fly & travel a bit of years gone by, was wondering is it worth the hassle & extra cost?.

You may be able to get your bags through checked from DL. And/or according to QF website, early checkin opens at 4pm for evening flights, so after landing at 3:15pm, make your away across to TBIT do early checkin and that removes one part of the hassle, just need to be back at TBIT at I guess an hour or so before hand to clear security and head to gate.

 

[RedOne]

Great idea dajop this might be my plan to use.. Cheers for this tip

 

[JohnM]

Small world - am relaxing in Mexico as we speak! (Playa Carmen, near Cancun)

And where is the TR, with Rebecca in her bikini .

 

[exceladdict]

I got delayed by 24hrs due to mech issues flying LAX>ABQ, and we killed our time at Manhattan Beach (when not dining on AA meal vouchers at the hotel).

There was some sort of very cheap shuttle bus between the hotels and manhattan beach, and there's also Manhattan Village shopping centre on the way. Alternatively it's 15 minutes by cab.

Despite it being the start of winter (dec 10th) it was warm enough to enjoy an ice cream.

LAX is my second least favourite airport in the world (after JFK) so I would always suggest getting well away, especially before a 15.5hr flight.

 

[Hvr]

At the very least you could do an extended In & Out run.

Tell the community the date and you an organise a function

 

[raleyoz]

LAX airport (TBIT specifically) has changed a lot in the last couple years and I have to say is certainly one of the most pleasant terminals I have been to, but 7 hours anywhere is nuts.
I would recommend that you check in to QF at 4 pm. Then catch a Marriott hotel shuttle. Once you arrive catch the Green (or it could be blue) bus right outside the Marriott to Westfield Culver City, 10 mins. Lots of shopping, Nordstrom Rack, plenty of food, five guys burgers, Japanese, buffalo wild wings or some type of sports bar. Much more to do.
And you are that close you can catch a cab back to terminal if you want. You are always close enough to not get anxious about times.
I am not sure that a AA lounge pass gives you access to QF business lounge anyway. There is no AA lounge at TBIT. And it is true you could go to T4 and access the AA lounge but it is really really average, boring at best.
The bus is easy to find and the valet will show you where the stop is

 

[Pointcollector]

Recently I had 10 hours to burn, grab a cheap rental and get out of there. 4 hours in a hire car is time much better spent than in a lounge, even more fun than in the QF 1st lounge!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Hire a car and get to some of the outlet malls. Plenty of time to get there and back.

 

[RedOne]

Nice post Hvr......But might save the function til next time

 

[RedOne]

Thank you all who have posted very nice to see so many helpful & friendly suggestions & ideas!.
Wish I found this site years ago when I travelled a lot for work.

It looks like the consensus is get out of the place is the best way to save my sanity !!! & I will do like most said & look at a short trip to an area close by for a nice meal & a look around, After i've checked bags in at 4pm though

 

[Denali]

Apparently, we're happy airport people. We go have a massage (theres a Spa Xpress now), check out the shops, maybe hit a lounge (I know OP doesn't have access), steal wifi and walk around and relax.

Otherwise we would hit In/Out burgers or I would go to the Hilton for a day room, shower & nap but Im not the type to venture out to the beach just because its there.