Lax qantas club advice please.

[midnight]

Hi all,

I am travelling to UK via LAX at the end of April and have around 8 hours to kill at LAX. I searched old posts to see if anyone had any bright ideas what to do in that time. From my memory of LAX a few years ago LAX is a bit of a hole, so was up for some ideas. Anyway to cut to the chase, I came across a few things in my research that I would like to investigate further so thought I would throw them out to the Gurus here and see what comes back.
In the search somebody suggested purchasing Qantas club passes off Ebay which appear to go for $50 - $70 and sounds like a great idea. If we have to spend time there might as well do it somewhere comfortable. Most of the posts regarding the purchase of these are several years old so was wondering if someone could update me a little regarding the following.

There were reports the lounge was subject to overcrowding and that even with a pass you may not be allowed in, also mentioned was that a new lounge was in the offing to fix this problem. Can anyone provide an update on this?

Some members warned that some of these Ebay passes were fakes. Whether this was just general talk or was actually true I could not determine from the posts. Does anybody actually know of someone who actually bought a fake pass?

If I do end up purchasing a couple of passes can somebody tell me whether there is a particular length of time that they can be used for and whether you are able to come and go from the lounge during that time. As I said we have around 8 hours there so would probably go stir crazy just sitting around the one area.

We have booked Qantas through to LHR so transfer to BA in LAX. I assume our boarding passes will be Qantas all the way through. Anybody know whether this is correct?

If we don't get the passes has anyone got any brilliant ideas on what we can do around LAX in this time. Maybe a nice quiet bar/restaurant/cafe etc? Open to all suggestions.

Reading through other threads opened up a few other questions. I found that we are not actually in transit but actually entering the USA and therefore have to go through the Visa Waiver Program. We traveled to Hawaii in Oct 2010 and used the VWP then. Does anyone know how long these things last for? I am unable to find any of the paperwork from back then so don't know whether they are still valid or not, also don't know whether we require paperwork or if we are on a computer somewhere. Anybody with any clues would be helpful. I have searched the Visa sight but am unable to find anything that tells me how long they run for.

Last question. If we are physically in the USA and not in transit I assume we can leave the terminal so has anybody got any ideas what we could do for several hours if we were able to escape the terminal? We arrive 0640 and 1540 and it will be a Saturday. Sorry, one more question, anybody know whether our luggage would go right through or would we be lumbered with it during our wait.

Thanks in advance to all who reply, looking forward to the responses.

 

[Maca44]

Beware of the Qantas Club pass. People who have AMEX QF Premium cards get two guest passes each year, and these have an expiry date. However, from memory, they can only be used in Qantas Club, not partner lounges such as at LAX.

The esta Visa Waiver is only valid for 90 days, so you will have to re-apply online. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1

As you are entering the first port of call within the USA you will have to clear customs/immig, but then I would suggest if you have a few hours get out of there and even possibly visit Venice Beach (It's like going to a zoo in any event), but a lot of fun and some nice places for lunch etc. Nearby, so cab fare not so expensive.

 

[yo yo ma]

In the search somebody suggested purchasing Qantas club passes off Ebay which appear to go for $50 - $70 and sounds like a great idea. If we have to spend time there might as well do it somewhere comfortable.

If you are going to spend that much, it may be worth looking into the credit cards that give 2 compimentary Qantas Club invitations pa. The Qantas HSBC card earns 1:1 and has 20,000 bonus points for $199. Alternatively, the Qantas Amex Premium earns 1.25:1 and has up to 17,500 bonus points for $149 (first year).

Bankercise offer - Qantas platinum credit card | HSBC Australia

The Qantas American Express Premium Card | American Express Australia

 

[midnight]

Hi Maca,

Thanks for that. Forgot about asking about using the pass in partner lounges. That was to be one of the questions I had rolling around in my head, as you can see there were quite a few.

Thanks for the link, I will check it out further. My understanding was that the 90 days was the amount of time you could spend in US but I guess I read the 90 day bit the wrong way.

Venice beach sounds great. Last time were in the US we had the kids with us and were very much bound by Disneyland, Universal etc so will be good to be able to get out and have a look around on our own.

Once again thanks for the info.

 

[straitman]

Hi Maca,

Thanks for the link, I will check it out further. My understanding was that the 90 days was the amount of time you could spend in US but I guess I read the 90 day bit the wrong way.

Venice beach sounds great. Last time were in the US we had the kids with us and were very much bound by Disneyland, Universal etc so will be good to be able to get out and have a look around on our own.

Once again thanks for the info.

From my 'foggy' memory the ESTA are valid for two years and as you said 90 days is the time you are allowed to stay in the US.

Last time we wanted to kill time at LAX we caught a free shuttle from just outside the airport and went to Manhattan Beach. There were a couple of really good restaurant right near the pier.

 

[Princess Fiona]

It's $59 USD for a day room at the Hilton LAX airport. Free shuttle there and back. Can check in at 0900 checkout 1800.
Might be another option for you?

 

[jgm]

Hi all,

There were reports the lounge was subject to overcrowding and that even with a pass you may not be allowed in, also mentioned was that a new lounge was in the offing to fix this problem. Can anyone provide an update on this?

The overcrowding is usually only in the evening after about 1800, & even then it isn't too bad except that the wifi becomes unusable.

Some members warned that some of these Ebay passes were fakes. Whether this was just general talk or was actually true I could not determine from the posts. Does anybody actually know of someone who actually bought a fake pass?

I bought a couple for our trip in Jan this year & they were OK. But you need to be a bit smart with it. It seems that QF get them pulled fairly regularly, so if you do find them in eBay, email the supplier with an offer & contact details for if (when) they get pulled.

If I do end up purchasing a couple of passes can somebody tell me whether there is a particular length of time that they can be used for.

They should have the expiry date in the ad.

Reading through other threads opened up a few other questions. I found that we are not actually in transit but actually entering the USA and therefore have to go through the Visa Waiver Program. We traveled to Hawaii in Oct 2010 and used the VWP then. Does anyone know how long these things last for?

2 Years

 

[Maca44]

Sorry to mislead with previous information.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1126/session/L3NpZC8xRU92eVhUaw==

How long is my ESTA approval good for?

Your ESTA authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years (starting the date that you are approved) or until your passport expires, whichever comes first*. This means that as long as you received an ESTA authorization to travel, you do not have to reapply during the validity period. You may update your travel information; however this information is optional and is not required.

If your ESTA expires while in the US it will not affect your departure.
​

Note: Is it important to PRINT a copy of the document for your records. The printout is not required upon arrival into the United States, as the officers have the information electronically. Some airlines require the printout upon check-in, please check with your respective airline.
Receiving ESTA authorization does not mean you may stay in the U.S. for two years. It only allows you to travel to the U.S. under the terms of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which only allows you to stay in the U.S. for 90 days or less. If you plan to stay for longer than 90 days, you must obtain a visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
*If you obtain a new passport or change your name, gender or country of citizenship, you will be required to apply for a new travel authorization. This is also required if one of your answers to any of the VWP eligibility questions changes. The associated fee of $14 will be charged for each new application submitted.

 

[midnight]

Hi maca,

Thanks again for the reply,

I used the link you provided and was able to access my Visa Waiver and it is still current. As yourself Straitman and JGM have now confirmed it is valid for 2 years.

YO YO MA. Thanks for the advice on the CC's. Both sound good but I have too many CC's already and after a couple of the other replies have decided not to go for Qantas Club option. May have a look at changing over after we return.

Pretty much what we have come up with is that since we can escape LAX we are going to book a day room at the Hilton (thanks Fiona) now $60 by the way. That gives us the opportunity to freshen up between the flights. Then we will utilize the time and probably head off to Venice beach / Santa Monica area for a bit of a snoop around and some lunch.

All coming together nicely. Certainly a damned sight better than sitting around an airport all day.

Just have to find out about the luggage now. Anybody know if it goes straight through or not.

JGM, thanks for the info on buying the passes. Will keep all that in mind as I may look into again in the future if we are able to get away again.

 

[jgm]

Just have to find out about the luggage now. Anybody know if it goes straight through or not.

QF interline with BA so your luggage should be tagged through. You will still have to collect it at LAX & clear immigration. After that, you take it to the baggage transfer belt.

 

[midnight]

Hi JGM,

Thanks for that, funny enough I have just been out to dinner with some friends and we were discussing what we were up to and as it happened they had been through much the same thing and filled us in on the baggage bit. Thanks very much for yours and everyones replies has helped to bring everything together.