In August we are planning on arriving LAX on AA from SFO around noon. We have a separate ticket (Finnair Avios award) on Finnair flying LAX-HEL that same evening. We were planning on whiling away the time in the Qantas First lounge as my wife has EXP status. Unfortunately, the Finnair counter doesn't open until 3 pm and we will be checking at least 2 bags. AA won't through check the bags, and I don't think we can get through security with them (can we?). As I see it we have the following options, none of which are especially appealing:
1) Leave the bags on the carousel and go to the lounge directly from T4 as we'll already be airside. Have a nice lunch and get them later closer to 3 pm. Seems risky as AA might put them somewhere and we won't be able to access them or they could even get stolen. Or maybe not?
2) Pay a luggage storage service that will pick up the bags at T4 and later deliver them to TBIT. This will cost at least $25/bag.
3) Take a hotel shuttle and have the bell desk store the bags for a few hours in exchange for a nice tip. Seems too time consuming having to shuttle back and forth twice.
4) Uber to a luggage locker facility (there are several close to LAX). With Uber costs this will be more expensive than option 2 and as time consuming as option 3.
5) Find somewhere in TBIT to hang out landside until 3 pm.
Anyone have any other ideas? We've never been to the QF First lounge and really would enjoy having lunch there :). Having a late lunch after 3 pm isn't as appealing as we'll be getting dinner on the AY flight (flying in J).
1) Leave the bags on the carousel and go to the lounge directly from T4 as we'll already be airside. Have a nice lunch and get them later closer to 3 pm. Seems risky as AA might put them somewhere and we won't be able to access them or they could even get stolen. Or maybe not?
2) Pay a luggage storage service that will pick up the bags at T4 and later deliver them to TBIT. This will cost at least $25/bag.
3) Take a hotel shuttle and have the bell desk store the bags for a few hours in exchange for a nice tip. Seems too time consuming having to shuttle back and forth twice.
4) Uber to a luggage locker facility (there are several close to LAX). With Uber costs this will be more expensive than option 2 and as time consuming as option 3.
5) Find somewhere in TBIT to hang out landside until 3 pm.
Anyone have any other ideas? We've never been to the QF First lounge and really would enjoy having lunch there :). Having a late lunch after 3 pm isn't as appealing as we'll be getting dinner on the AY flight (flying in J).