Connecting in LAX?

[LuisT]

Hi All,

So I'm trying to use the last of my Aeroplan miles to book a J reward seat over to NA. Ideally I'd get a return to DEN or YYZ (I need to go to both), but I can't get availability on the days I want to travel.

So what I was planning on doing is booking in LAX, and then paying for my flights from there. My question is - what is the minimum time I should allow for a connection? Also, if I book my flights with another *A carrier, and my incoming flight is late, will they take care of me of will I be stuck?

Finally, If I book my NA flights on my Amex Plat charge card, will that cover insurance if my reward flight is late?

Thanks!

Luis

 

[harvyk]

In your senario given, no, another *A carrier will most likely not look after you if your arriving flight is late... You only get that protection if both flights are on the one ticket.

I'd suggest allowing for at least 2 to 3 hours at LAX, I've in the past done 5 just to be on the safe side.

Finally, it's unlikely that your CC insurance will cover you simply because you missed a connection, but maybe some with more knowledge of the specific product can give an actual answer.

 

[serfty]

You are unlikely to find inexpensive travel insurance that covers you for misconnects on separate bookings.

I would allow at least 3 hours - some here would recommend the next day.

Earlier this year I allowed over 3 hours and made my flight by 7 minutes. If all flights are on time a breakdown in minutes after landing would be:

1. 10: Arrive at gate
2. 10: Exit aircraft head to immigration
3. 20: Minutes processed by immigration
4. 10: wait for luggage
5. 10: Collect luggage, pass through customs
6. 25: exit building, head to outbound terminal
7. 10: check-in, drop bags
8. 20: Clear Security
9. 5: head to gate
10. 15: Most aircraft close off boarding 15 minutes before scheduled departure.

These times are representative and could vary significantly. In any case, taken overall, that's well over two hours.

 

[Cocitus23]

Hi LuisT

Serfty is absolutely correct (as he always is). Don't even think of less than three hours, unless you thrive on panic and stress. And if you arrive latish in the afternoon, why not relax in a local hotel (you can get good deals on expedia) and depart relaxed and rested next morning.
Mrs Cocitus and I do the transit at LAX quite often, and we usually allow 3 hours minimum, and we always say to ourselves, after anxious moments, "Thank God we didn't make it any tighter."
Can't help you on the insurance question.

Cocitus 23

 

[Bundy Bear]

I only had 2 hours on a connecting ticket and that was cutting it too fine.

My LAX experience was.

1. 10: Arrive at gate
2. 10: Exit aircraft head to immigration
3. 60: Minutes processed by immigration
4. 0: wait for luggage, it was already there.
5. 5: Collect luggage, pass through customs
6. 10: exit building, head to outbound terminal, T4 is closer to TBIT.
7. 0: check-in, drop bags, HLO.
8. 10: Clear Security
9. 1: Look for board with gate info to find your plane has been canceled. :shock:
10. 9: Go to lounge to get on stand-by for flight in 2 hours.

 

[cove]

Yes 2 hours at LAX for getting on a different branded plane off a carrier from Oz could cause you great anxiety. No amount of rushing thru the corridors can beat using 3 hours minimum split time.
The lines can be long and very slow moving and if your bags are not off early there is nothing you can do but wait or only go there with hand luggage and buy your clothes after arrival.