First Long Haul Queries

[galend]

Hi all,

I'm a VA gold member and next week I'm off on my first long haul trip. LST > MEL > LAX > LAS, and then the reverse a week later. The farthest I've been so far is Auckland!

I've got a few questions, I've been researching and I think I've got the answers but would feel a bit better with some confidence from the community members here. The entire trip was purchased via the Virgin Australia Website, the LAX > LAS and reverse is on a Delta flight.

1. I will ask the staff, but I'm assuming on my way over I will check bags in at Launceston they will go through to LAX, and when I land in LAX I'll need to clear customs with my bags, and then re drop them with Delta for the flight to Vegas. Do you go to the normal Delta check in area to do this, or is there a separate area just for bag drop if you are already checked in?
2. Likewise when coming back, I'm guessing I check bags in Las Vegas and they will make their way through to Melbourne, where I will pick them up and clear customs in AUS
3. My lay over in LAX is 3 hours each time. Is this enough time to bother looking for and going to a lounge?
4. I noted that VA Gold members can request a Delta comfort upgrade. From what I've seen, it sounds like the process to do this is wait until less than 24 hours until check in and this will be available to me when I check in using the Delta app. Is this correct?
5. I believe for the LAX trip, as VA Gold I'll be entitled to the Etihad First & Business Class Lounge in Melbourne, correct? (I've only ever used the AirNZ as I've only been to AKL)
6. I've got EconomyX seats for the MEL > LAX and return trips. I'm about 6"6, what are people's thoughts on this? I was hoping to use points to upgrade to premium econ (I've got around 250k points), but alas you can only do that from the Freedom economy fare. It would be nice to be able to do that from EconomyX as well, but I'll know for next time. What are my chances of asking for this the day before or on the day? I assume I'll still get told to bugger off?

Thanks all. Like I said I think I've got the answers to most of the above, but being a little more prepared, mostly for the LAX transition would be nice.

Cheers!

 

[Dr Ralph]

3. My lay over in LAX is 3 hours each time. Is this enough time to bother looking for and going to a lounge?

I rarely fly Virgin so can't answer many of your questions. But in terms of 3 hours in LAX coming from Australia this wont afford you much free time. US customs and immigration can take upwards of an hour to get through. I had it take 2 hours in SFO last month. You'll then need to find where your next flight departs from an lug your bags to the drop off/check-in for that flight plus get through TSA check point (TSA recently took me 45 mins at LAX). If you have an hour spare after this I'd be surprised. More likely you'll be going straight to your gate.

PS. I was in Las Vegas for a week towards the end of July. Expect it to be VERY hot. Every day was at least 40 degrees. Didn't get below 26 over night.

 

[Denali]

I did similar in April, but we flew J and was the first 6 out of the plane so in front of the crowd.

Arrived at LAX, went through immigration (took the longest), picked up bags and then cleared bio security.

After clearing bio security, I went to the rear right, there is a tunnel corridor that was a bit of a scrum with other pax/trolleys that leads up a slight ramp and there were a few transit areas handling bags for different airlines. Found the Delta area, the bag tag was scanned (we were checked through to final destination), put on a belt and we exited the terminal and made our way to the Delta terminal.

We had a 2.5hr layover and we JUST made our flight, and that was with zero delay at Delta domestic security.

Cant comment on the economy seats. Have a good trip.

 

[grubbidok]

I'm not sure when the MEL-LAX flight lands, but if it is in the early morning it is good to hoof it through to customs to beat the Asian flights as they all seem to land at the same time.

When you go to the domestic terminal, make sure you reprint your boarding pass to LAS on one of the machines. That way it will say Sky Priority clearly on it so you can use the Sky Priority TSA lane (you can use your card, but it saves having to explain). Saves a bit of time. You'll get about 45mins in the lounge on the way over (Delta Sky Club). They're near the gates anyway. I at least go for a coffee and some free brekky. I'm not sure if they have showers yet (they've moved terminal, so it's a "transitional" lounge).

For three hours on the way back you'll have plenty of time. Use the shuttle inside the terminal, that'll save you having to go through security.

Don't do a Comfort+ upgrade. It will assign you into a middle if one is available, even if your last one was an aisle or window. For the 1hr or so flight though it may not be too much of an issue.

 

[CPMaverick]

1. I will ask the staff, but I'm assuming on my way over I will check bags in at Launceston they will go through to LAX, and when I land in LAX I'll need to clear customs with my bags, and then re drop them with Delta for the flight to Vegas. Do you go to the normal Delta check in area to do this, or is there a separate area just for bag drop if you are already checked in?
2. Likewise when coming back, I'm guessing I check bags in Las Vegas and they will make their way through to Melbourne, where I will pick them up and clear customs in AUS
3. My lay over in LAX is 3 hours each time. Is this enough time to bother looking for and going to a lounge?
4. I noted that VA Gold members can request a Delta comfort upgrade. From what I've seen, it sounds like the process to do this is wait until less than 24 hours until check in and this will be available to me when I check in using the Delta app. Is this correct?
5. I believe for the LAX trip, as VA Gold I'll be entitled to the Etihad First & Business Class Lounge in Melbourne, correct? (I've only ever used the AirNZ as I've only been to AKL)

Well LAX is not the nicest introduction to the USA, but I'm sure you'll have a great trip. The MEL-LAX flight timing is quite good, it lands at 9:00a which is later than the morning rush. I can generally breeze through pretty quickly, although I do have USA Global Entry so that helps a lot.

1. Your bag should be checked with a tag all the way to LAS. Regardless, you do need to pick it up for LAX customs, but as long as it has a LAS tag, you can recheck it before you leave the international terminal, just follow the signs. Then I believe you have two options, go through security back into TBIT, or walk to the Delta terminals T2-T3 outside, and go through security there (it is a very short walk). I have only done the latter, because now that Delta is in T2-T3, there is no airside walkable connection, only a shuttle bus. I feel more comfortable just going to T2/T3, but I have PreCheck so I can get a shorter line. Maybe some people here with recent experience can tell you what the TBIT connection bus is like.

2. Your connection in LAX will be landing at a Delta terminal and taking the air side shuttle bus to TBIT for the Virgin Flight. You do not need to pick up your luggage (as long as Delta has tagged it through to LST). Pick up the luggage in Melbourne and take the short walk to the Virgin domestic check-in.

3. Delta has lounges at both T2 and T3. You might have time to check them out, but I think it will be about 2 hours to get there after landing. They aren't anything special, and a work in progress as they've just relocated, but better than the terminal space for sure.

4. I am a Delta elite so not sure what you get as a VA Gold, but if you are eligible the process is to go to Delta.com and open your reservation. See if there are any Comfort+ seats available that you want (not middle seats). If there are, click the 'request upgrade' box, and if you are in your upgrade window you'll be upgraded. Don't do this if there are only middle seats! You cannot go back to regular economy, and you'll be stuck with your 'upgrade'.

5. Yes you will be eligible for the Etihad lounge at LAX TBIT. There is no Delta lounge at LAS.

 

[galend]

Hi all,

Thanks very much for the responses, that's fantastic. Almost everything has been cleared up / confirmed for me. Really appreciate your time!

Cheers.