Any update on lounge access at LAX after Alaska and VA relocation?

[MandM]

Does anyone know anything more about use of a lounge for VA travellers at LAX once Alaska Air moves out of terminal 3? I read on this forum that VA is also moving the departures to T5. Will there be a difference in timing of these two moves and therefore no lounge access for a period of time?

 

[LiamR]

777 would be the best person to ask. He flew through LAX today. I'm sure he'll respond when he gets a chance.

 

[777]

I did head though there yesterday but none the wiser as arrivals are direct into T5 and i connected onto Delta via the same terminal. I don't depart from T3 for another couple of weeks so i can sniff around when i am there. My assumption is that they will move their departures at the same time that Alaska leaves T3 but i really don't know.

 

[MadFairlane]

How was customs?

 

[777]

How was customs?

Fast. Trip report to come but my flight was due in to LAX at 7:50am. Flight was a little early and I was sitting in the delta sky club (despite having to recheck in due to having to book separate tickets) by about 8:10am. T5 customs and immigration is massively faster than TBIT - particularly in J.

Last time I flew in to TBIT I sware about 7 a380 loads of Koreans landed just before I did!

 

[MadFairlane]

Good to hear... Delta keeps shifting my connection to MCO earlier, which makes my transit tighter.

Should be alright though fingers crossed.

Can't wait for the TR.

Cheers

 

[dk4]

Good to hear... Delta keeps shifting my connection to MCO earlier, which makes my transit tighter.

Beware that Sky Priority (Delta Sky Priority) is NOT offered (as a matter of procedure) to Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold or Platinum members flying in the main cabin on all Delta flights.

That means, if you are travelling in Economy on Delta, you can't rely on your Velocity membership to give you -

• Priority Check-in .... expect large queues without it
• Priority Security Screening .... expect large queues, again, without it
• Priority Boarding ... expect lack of onboard storage space without it
• Economy Comfort Seating ... you won't be able to select seats in this exclusive section of the aircraft
• Fee free checked bag options ... expect to pay extra to check bags (when on separate tickets)
• Priority Checked bags ... expect a wait for you bags on the carousel when you arrive

Meanwhile, over at American Airlines in Economy, Qantas Frequent Flyer status* WILL give you equivalent Priority AAccess (PriorityAAccess(SM) Privileges | AA.com) plus more, so expect -

• Priority Check-in .... avoid the check-in queues
• Priority Security Screening .... get through security quicker than everyone else (where available)
• Priority Boarding ... be assured plenty of overhead space for your belongings
• Main Cabin Extra ... a bit more space in Economy on selected flights
• Fee free checked bag options ... you don't need to pay for your first checked bag up to 23kg
• Priority Checked bags ... once the bags hit the carousel, expect to see yours amongst the first out

*included extras vary by status level.

 

[dfcatch]

Fast. Trip report to come but my flight was due in to LAX at 7:50am. Flight was a little early and I was sitting in the delta sky club (despite having to recheck in due to having to book separate tickets) by about 8:10am. T5 customs and immigration is massively faster than TBIT - particularly in J.

Last time I flew in to TBIT I sware about 7 a380 loads of Koreans landed just before I did!

I have it on very unreliable unverifiable word on the street from "skinny Pete" that they actually maintain several 747's full of Koreans and Japanese that they release into the TBIT arrivals hall minutes before pax from QF flights get to disembark.

9 of my last 10 arrivals at TBIT have verified Skinny Pete's theory.

1 of the 10 arrivals only took 15 mins to clear immigration as the automatic doors jammed - allowing me to slip ahead of Team Asia before they overwhelmed the lines.

 

[MadFairlane]

Beware that Sky Priority (Delta Sky Priority) is NOT offered (as a matter of procedure) to Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold or Platinum members flying in the main cabin on all Delta flights.

That means, if you are travelling in Economy on Delta, you can't rely on your Velocity membership to give you -

• Priority Check-in .... expect large queues without it
• Priority Security Screening .... expect large queues, again, without it
• Priority Boarding ... expect lack of onboard storage space without it
• Economy Comfort Seating ... you won't be able to select seats in this exclusive section of the aircraft
• Fee free checked bag options ... expect to pay extra to check bags (when on separate tickets)
• Priority Checked bags ... expect a wait for you bags on the carousel when you arrive

Meanwhile, over at American Airlines in Economy, Qantas Frequent Flyer status* WILL give you equivalent Priority AAccess (PriorityAAccess(SM) Privileges | AA.com) plus more, so expect -

• Priority Check-in .... avoid the check-in queues
• Priority Security Screening .... get through security quicker than everyone else (where available)
• Priority Boarding ... be assured plenty of overhead space for your belongings
• Main Cabin Extra ... a bit more space in Economy on selected flights
• Fee free checked bag options ... you don't need to pay for your first checked bag up to 23kg
• Priority Checked bags ... once the bags hit the carousel, expect to see yours amongst the first out

*included extras vary by status level.

All good, got status matched to Delta Gold Medallion, just in time for this trip... So Should be perfect.

 

[malmacdowall]

All good, got status matched to Delta Gold Medallion, just in time for this trip... So Should be perfect.

Can I ask how you went about getting the status match?
Was it a status match Against VA gold or platinum ?

 

[chrisjrn]

Does anyone know anything more about use of a lounge for VA travellers at LAX once Alaska Air moves out of terminal 3? I read on this forum that VA is also moving the departures to T5. Will there be a difference in timing of these two moves and therefore no lounge access for a period of time?

I believe the answer is that you'll be allowed to use the relevant Delta lounge at T5...

 

[MadFairlane]

Can I ask how you went about getting the status match?
Was it a status match Against VA gold or platinum ?

Just shot off an email to their status match page, scanned gold card (on both sides) and emailed it through.
Explained was going to be doing a few more US flights and wanted to use their services.

Its a status match challenge though, so technically I only have 90 days to qualify properly, but up until that point I get all their Gold medallion services.

I won't be able to qualify, but the priority services will come in handy for my holiday.