LAX transit question - separate ticket

[TazzieD]

Hi everyone
Sorry but I may be posting in the wrong section, so please forgive me if I am....

I am flying with my husband and two kids to LAX in October this year (yes I am prepared and took a cheap flight option with Virgin!!) and we are starting our few weeks by meeting up with family in Las Vegas.
Our flight is VA7 scheduled landing at 6.55am and I was wondering how long I should allow to clear immigration and customs etc as I will need to buy a separate ticket for LAX to LAS. We will be returning to go to disneyland a few days later so maybe we are better getting return flights from Orange County airport. Any recommendations here?

Also, are there any recommendations for airlines with affiliations with Virgin? I am velocity platinum and would prefer to keep earning status points if possible.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mark3000]

Delta will give you points

Far better though to have all the flights linked
Otherwise allow 3 hours at least

 

[Milboo]

Go Virgin America if you can. Far better than Delta.

Agree with leaving at least 3 hours if flights are not on the same ticket.

As for departing at the end - personally I would be flying into LA the night before to leave enough buffer. If you miss your connection on arrival then new tickets will sting cost wise but are going to be easier to arrange than new international inbound flights.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I am flying with my husband and two kids to LAX in October this year (yes I am prepared and took a cheap flight option with Virgin!!) and we are starting our few weeks by meeting up with family in Las Vegas. Our flight is VA7 scheduled landing at 6.55am and I was wondering how long I should allow to clear immigration and customs etc as I will need to buy a separate ticket for LAX to LAS. We will be returning to go to disneyland a few days later so maybe we are better getting return flights from Orange County airport. Any recommendations here?

Also, are there any recommendations for airlines with affiliations with Virgin? I am velocity platinum and would prefer to keep earning status points if possible.

Thanks in advance!

You don't have to get a return flight from Orange County/Santa Ana (SNA) to Vegas when you could book two one way fares LAX/LAS & LAS/SNA.

Delta will give you points

Far better though to have all the flights linked
Otherwise allow 3 hours at least

I don't think VA will link to VX with separate pnrs but they may give you free baggage if you're Velocity Plat but others who have done this might be able to confirm.

As for departing at the end - personally I would be flying into LA the night before to leave enough buffer. If you miss your connection on arrival then new tickets will sting cost wise but are going to be easier to arrange than new international inbound flights.

A friend uses Southwest (WN) quite a bit as you can cancel your flight up to 10 minutes prior to departure & the value of the fare gets stored as credit which you can use for another flight but you'd need to cancel the flight (ie not no-show) ahead of time so you can rebook using the credit. WN also give you two pieces of luggage per person.

 

[Squirrel.Monkey]

Linking the flights or flying in the night before are definitely your best options. I have also flown JetBlue from Long Leach to Las Vegas and that was a great price and a great airline.

 

[Quickstatus]

The airlines will generally not link your tickets into one single PNR or booking especially across 2 different airlines even if they have a codeshare or some kind of alliance unless the entire itinerary is marketed as such and even then they dont link then after you have made the booking.

I would book DL for the LAX-LAS flights and LAS-LAX and get VA to tag the bags through to LAS

LAX-LAS flights are usually about $140 for disc economy and $250 for first.
Total SC which can be pooled if disc economy for 4 passengers will be 10x4 x2 for return = 80
Total SC which can be pooled if first class for 4 passengers will be 40x4x2 = 320

2x one way on USA domestic flights generally not more expensive than 1x return. In your case it does not matter because its a simple itinerary.

Also VA plat are entitled to 2x32kg bags for themselves and up to 8 accompanying passengers who are on the same itinerary when flying DL on their cheapest no luggage fare.

Ultimately your luggage allowance for the entire trip will be determined by your VA allowance when flying VA then connecting with DL. Returning to OZ will be the same.


Going home is the same if you are connecting from Anywhere in the US to OZ and getting bags tagged through. however you are going to Disneyland first.

Allow 3 hours in LAX
Pick up LAS tagged luggage in LAS, go through customs then drop off bags at the bagdrop area before leaving Tom Bradley terminal.
Go to terminal 5 for DL, get boarding pass from self serve kiosk and enter zero bags when it asks you for number of bags you are checking in. Your already tagged bags will already be in the DL system so don't worry about that - remember to keep the bag tag receipts from VA.
Go to DL lounge.

Disneyland Anaheim
Suggest fly DL for SC harvesting reasons and the fact you get free luggage as above

So do a LAS -LAX and get a Supershuttle.com to Disneyland. It only takes 45-90minutes depending on traffic.
DL does not fly a direct LAS-SNA (Orange county airport) . SNA-disneyland is 30 minutes.
If you want to forgo SC you can fly WN (Southwest)

There are no DL lounges in LAS

On the way back to OZ get a supershuttle from Anaheim to LAX. Give yourself 90 minutes to get to LAX. Checkin at Terminal 3 (yes Terminal three) then go to Star Alliance lounge in Tom Bradley which is next to T3 via a walkway. All too easy.

 

[TazzieD]

Thank you for your replies. I have already booked the BNE-LAX-BNE tickets so I don't think I can get the internal flight linked (please correct me if I am wrong).

It sounds like two one way tickets are just as good, and in fact more convenient so thank you for that. Also sounds like either Delta or Virgin America will recognise my status but I love that South West option! I just need to be landed in LAX in time to cancel that flight.

My husband and I were chatting last night and wondering if we should hire a car and do a road trip to LAS instead. He has visions of a mustang or the like with the kids in the back Has anyone done that? I have looked at car options and the price is reasonable but I am wondering if there is enough room for the bags in the back. We will only be taking two suitcases and one carryon as we have got into the ability to travel light, something I am pretty happy about when I have kids!!

Quickstatus thanks for that info on returning - it has been about 15 years since I have been to LAX so I am sure things are very very different!

Anyway, back to searching on line for options and thank you for your help so far!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Separate tickets arriving into the USA... I would usually allow 4 hours.

However - aren't there e-kiosks now for arriving AU passport holders? That may save some time.

 

[Quickstatus]

Thank you for your replies. I have already booked the BNE-LAX-BNE tickets so I don't think I can get the internal flight linked (please correct me if I am wrong).

It sounds like two one way tickets are just as good, and in fact more convenient so thank you for that. Also sounds like either Delta or Virgin America will recognise my status but I love that South West option! I just need to be landed in LAX in time to cancel that flight.

My husband and I were chatting last night and wondering if we should hire a car and do a road trip to LAS instead. He has visions of a mustang or the like with the kids in the back Has anyone done that? I have looked at car options and the price is reasonable but I am wondering if there is enough room for the bags in the back. We will only be taking two suitcases and one carryon as we have got into the ability to travel light, something I am pretty happy about when I have kids!!

Quickstatus thanks for that info on returning - it has been about 15 years since I have been to LAX so I am sure things are very very different!

Anyway, back to searching on line for options and thank you for your help so far!

Linking Flights into one itinerary is not possible as you have already booked those flights.

Driving to LAS is about 5-8 hours. 8 hours if Friday because that's what A lot of Southern Californians do - Fri/Sun Las Vegas.

not much to see along the way though unless you want to do outlet shopping along the way..

Are you worried you won't make domestic connection due to potential delays on the VA7 flight.

re Disneyland best guide to negotiating the theme park is tourguidemike.com

dont stay in Disneyland hotels- it won't get you into resort any quicker than other hotels outside resort.

 

[TazzieD]

Are you worried you won't make domestic connection due to potential delays on the VA7 flight.

.

Yep, that is exactly it. And I don't want to spend hours hanging around LAX either. What to do!

The day we are travelling is a Sunday so we should be going against the traffic if we drive.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I would book DL for the LAX-LAS flights and LAS-LAX and get VA to tag the bags through to LAS

Do you know for sure that VA will through check to DL on separate pnrs? I didn't think VA did this even for VX onward flights unless all flights are booked on the same pnr/ticket as the BNE/LAX flight.

Allow 3 hours in LAX. Pick up LAS tagged luggage in LAS, go through customs then drop off bags at the bagdrop area before leaving Tom Bradley terminal.

Go to terminal 5 for DL, get boarding pass from self serve kiosk and enter zero bags when it asks you for number of bags you are checking in. Your already tagged bags will already be in the DL system so don't worry about that - remember to keep the bag tag receipts from VA.
Go to DL lounge.

The above applies if VA in BNE tag bags to LAS which I don't they they will. Maybe others who have had VA to DL connections can comment.

Also sounds like either Delta or Virgin America will recognise my status but I love that South West option! I just need to be landed in LAX in time to cancel that flight.

My husband and I were chatting last night and wondering if we should hire a car and do a road trip to LAS instead. He has visions of a mustang or the like with the kids in the back Has anyone done that?

I have never been keen to drive immediately after a long haul flight as it will be around midnight BNE time when it's 0600 in LAX and you may not have got much sleep on the flight so your body will be gearing up for a sleep not do much a 5 hour drive.

As others have said it's not a hugely spectacular drive so you could maybe drive later on in the trip eg drive or fly LAS/SFO then drive SFO/LAX down the coast.

 

[Quickstatus]

Do you know for sure that VA will through check to DL on separate pnrs? I didn't think VA did this even for VX onward flights unless all flights are booked on the same pnr/ticket as the BNE/LAX flight.



The above applies if VA in BNE tag bags to LAS which I don't they they will. Maybe others who have had VA to DL connections can comment.



I have never been keen to drive immediately after a long haul flight as it will be around midnight BNE time when it's 0600 in LAX and you may not have got much sleep on the flight so your body will be gearing up for a sleep not do much a 5 hour drive.

As others have said it's not a hugely spectacular drive so you could maybe drive later on in the trip eg drive or fly LAS/SFO then drive SFO/LAX down the coast.

Yes Most recently (2 months ago) my daughter flew VA1 to LAX and then DL LAX-SLC, DL SLC-DEN on separate PNR.
Luggage tagged all the way to DEN. Just remember when checking for VA7 after saying "hello", say "my final destination is LAS" and then show printed itinerary with it's PNR for LAX-LAS. Saves a lot of time which is what checkin staff don't have a lot of. you will be in good books if you do.

agree with OZBB's comments re driving. Additionally you will not need a car in LAS as you will be stuck in a traffic jam every time you use it and then have to pay for parking. The buses are more than adequate.

also the self serve customs kiosks have significantly shortened lingering time in LAX. Use them. Essentially you answer a few standard questions on screen, scan your passport the machine takes your picture and fingerprint.

 

[TazzieD]

also the self serve customs kiosks have significantly shortened lingering time in LAX. Use them. Essentially you answer a few standard questions on screen, scan your passport the machine takes your picture and fingerprint.

Thank you guys for being so helpful - I really appreciate it!
One last question on the above quote - can I use those with kids though? We can't use them here in Brisbane so I stay in the queue (priority luckily) with the kids and my husband goes through the self service and gets our bags.... and then waits forever for us to come through!

 

[Quickstatus]

Thank you guys for being so helpful - I really appreciate it!
One last question on the above quote - can I use those with kids though? We can't use them here in Brisbane so I stay in the queue (priority luckily) with the kids and my husband goes through the self service and gets our bags.... and then waits forever for us to come through!

Automated Passport Control (APC) | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

use the kiosks even with kids but if under 14 they will most probably end up in the manual line. However do it via the kiosk line. The machine will print one receipt for the entire travelling party, and if it has a big X then you will be made to join the manual checking line which is shorted than going through the manual line from the start. Also no arrival forms to fill either because the questions are on the kiosk. I think there might be one blue form for the whole family relating to quarantine and cash.

 

[Mac502]

To use the automated kiosks don't you have to have entered on the passports previously? I assume TazzieD has not as it has been a while since last in LAX.
I can however say there is no issue taking kids through the kiosks. I took our 3 and 6 year old through them in December. the 3 year old did have to stand a ways back though to get her head photo.

 

[blackcat20]

To use the automated kiosks don't you have to have entered on the passports previously? I assume TazzieD has not as it has been a while since last in LAX.
I can however say there is no issue taking kids through the kiosks. I took our 3 and 6 year old through them in December. the 3 year old did have to stand a ways back though to get her head photo.

I think so.

Also VA status won't get you free baggage on VX...

 

[Quickstatus]

I think so.

Also VA status won't get you free baggage on VX...

I think thats right however you can still use the kiosk and I would suggest to still use the auto kiosk. it will print a receipt with an X on it if you need manual checking and a officer will direct you the the manual line but its still quicker. The camera has an ability to move vertically to allow for short passengers and kids.

In USA Only DL gives free baggage on the cheapest tickets to VA gold and platinum.

VA gold and platinum passengers get 2x 32 kg free checked luggage allowance when travelling on economy within US/Canada and also this benefit extends to up to 8 additional passengers travelling on the same itinerary.

This is the same as Delta sky miles Gold medallion passenger.

However on my daughter's DL booking it says "velocity *********, Platinum medallion Elite Plus".

So maybe VA plat may depending on Checkin agent mood get a platinum medallion checked luggage allowance which is 3x32kg?????. Have never tried it......

 

[dfcatch]

APC kiosks can only be used if you've traveled to the U.S. in the last two years.

The non-kiosk lines are not necessarily longer.

Last week - the kiosk was longer than the normal lines.

When you disembark the aircraft - there will usually be staff at the top of the aerobridge with Express Passes available to those with onward connections within a couple of hours.

I would ask for one of those - even on separate PNRs, most people get them even if not "on the list". Onward connections to LAS are commonly expected.

Most likely the Express Path line will be your quickest processing option - but you can always elect to attempt the kiosk when you see the lines.

Don't drive to LAS.

Allow 3 hours for the connection.

 

[BAM1748]

As there is a family, why not drive.

That's the way I would do it and have done it several times.

Matt

 

[onlycopunk]

Another word of caution for the driving option is the speed on the highways.

130 - 140 kmh is standard once you get out in the desert. For the unsuspecting it can be a bit white knuckle.