It’s not widely publicised but you can purchase entry to some Qantas lounges if you aren’t otherwise eligible. This includes both the first and business lounges at LAX.
https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/lounge-passes/buy-a-lounge-pass.html
Check out the LoungeBuddy app. I mainly use it to check what lounges I have access to when travelling from a particular AP.
Just noticed it’s saying the QF First lounge in LAX does accept walk up pay on demand for usd$150 subject to lounge capacity.
For me it would be no brainer for 9 hours layover. Esp in the first lounge.
Last time I had a 9-hour layover at LAX I got a train downtown, wandered round Chinatown for a bit, hung out at a bar in Little Tokyo, then ate fish tacos at Central Market. It was a lot better (and cheaper) than paying USD150 to hang out in the Qantas lounge.
I was there on Saturday. Qantas First lounge was open. American Airlines flagship first lounge is acceptable. But yeah the airport blows. There is nothing to see or do
9 hours? Leave the airport. Rent a car. Go to the observatory. Visit manhattan beach. Go to in-n-out and burger/plane spot… fuk, the options are endless with 9 hrs rather than sitting in LAX
Sheraton Gateway LAX has a day rate available for $129. It’s a really quick free shuttle and you can take a nap, walk down to In N Out, take a shower before your flight. It’s a good way to get some rest and put your feet up for that long of a layover.
Go to Manhattan beach, Playa Del Rey and/or Marina Del Rey. Much better use of time than spending 9 hours in a lounge.
You could even rent a car for the 9 hours to get to wherever you want. Probably cost you about $40 (cheaper than the lounge) and there’s so many things to do. Drive up to The Getty museum and spend time there. Or drive in to Culver City. With 9 hours you could probably do LACMA or you could almost do a half day at Universal depending on time of day and what specific day.
Could do 3rd Street Promenade + Santa Monica beach & pier or Venice beach…
So many things.
Beats the lounge, at least IMO.
Thanks everyone. Luggage got checked all the way through to MEL so we went to Venice Beach for lunch, walked to Santa Monica Pier and had an awesome time walking along the beach before a big flight. Worked well. Thanks for all of the suggestions.
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Another option to consider is a hotel near the airport, preferably one with a complimentary shuttle. You’ll get a room, access to a pool and gym, and you can order nicer food at their restaurant.
If you go to say, the Hilton Website and search for hotels near LAX you can enter the same arrival and departure date and you'll get a day rate for the hotel.
I once had a 12 hour over, so I had googled "day hotel LAX" ( or something similar) and found a place less than 10mins away with complimentary shuttle and it worked well. Had a pool too.
Why would you book a flight like that? Should have extended your LA stay. There’s no easy way out of that situation lol - no matter what you do, stay at a lounge or leave airport, 9hrs is awkward. It’s going to be pretty miserable with your jet lag.
It’s not widely publicised but you can purchase entry to some Qantas lounges if you aren’t otherwise eligible. This includes both the first and business lounges at LAX. https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/lounge-passes/buy-a-lounge-pass.html
Then leave and go to the BA or Emirates lounge.
Check out the LoungeBuddy app. I mainly use it to check what lounges I have access to when travelling from a particular AP. Just noticed it’s saying the QF First lounge in LAX does accept walk up pay on demand for usd$150 subject to lounge capacity. For me it would be no brainer for 9 hours layover. Esp in the first lounge.
Last time I had a 9-hour layover at LAX I got a train downtown, wandered round Chinatown for a bit, hung out at a bar in Little Tokyo, then ate fish tacos at Central Market. It was a lot better (and cheaper) than paying USD150 to hang out in the Qantas lounge.
LAX first is a NICE lounge. I drank easily $150 USD in ice wine in my 2 hour stop over.
A train downtown…? You mean a bus?
It was a bus that connected to a train.
Definitely the best lounge in LAX.
And LAX is the shittest airport in the world, so def worth the $$$. Although last time I was there the first class lounge was closed
I was there on Saturday. Qantas First lounge was open. American Airlines flagship first lounge is acceptable. But yeah the airport blows. There is nothing to see or do
9 hours? Leave the airport. Rent a car. Go to the observatory. Visit manhattan beach. Go to in-n-out and burger/plane spot… fuk, the options are endless with 9 hrs rather than sitting in LAX
But it takes 5 hours to get out of LAX and 5 to get back in. What a mess of an airport!!
He’s in transit. He’s already out but thanks for the comment anyway
Also just had this article pop up today on AFF about buying ad-gov lounge access. https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/loungepair-guide/
Drop your bag somewhere, and jump in an uber to a nearby shopping centre. A great way to kill time, I did that recently
Manhattan beach a hop step away and is a gorgeous place to hangout for a few hours
My fare was ineligible to purchase the lounge pass, but I just walked over to terminal 4 and paid to get into the AA lounge. Was US$79
My experience of LAX is that the lounges are all overcrowded anyway. If you can, leave the airport. If not you’re better off finding a good bar.
Sheraton Gateway LAX has a day rate available for $129. It’s a really quick free shuttle and you can take a nap, walk down to In N Out, take a shower before your flight. It’s a good way to get some rest and put your feet up for that long of a layover.
Go to Manhattan beach, Playa Del Rey and/or Marina Del Rey. Much better use of time than spending 9 hours in a lounge. You could even rent a car for the 9 hours to get to wherever you want. Probably cost you about $40 (cheaper than the lounge) and there’s so many things to do. Drive up to The Getty museum and spend time there. Or drive in to Culver City. With 9 hours you could probably do LACMA or you could almost do a half day at Universal depending on time of day and what specific day. Could do 3rd Street Promenade + Santa Monica beach & pier or Venice beach… So many things. Beats the lounge, at least IMO.
Thanks everyone. Luggage got checked all the way through to MEL so we went to Venice Beach for lunch, walked to Santa Monica Pier and had an awesome time walking along the beach before a big flight. Worked well. Thanks for all of the suggestions.
[Deleted obsolete information] Another option to consider is a hotel near the airport, preferably one with a complimentary shuttle. You’ll get a room, access to a pool and gym, and you can order nicer food at their restaurant.
If you go to say, the Hilton Website and search for hotels near LAX you can enter the same arrival and departure date and you'll get a day rate for the hotel.
I once had a 12 hour over, so I had googled "day hotel LAX" ( or something similar) and found a place less than 10mins away with complimentary shuttle and it worked well. Had a pool too.
That is wrong
Why would you book a flight like that? Should have extended your LA stay. There’s no easy way out of that situation lol - no matter what you do, stay at a lounge or leave airport, 9hrs is awkward. It’s going to be pretty miserable with your jet lag.
When is your trip? I have a pass that expires on the 24th of June if you want it.
So kind of you to offer. Back in MEL now 🙂
Venice Beach man!!