Transiting through LAX On Separate Tickets

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Hi to all,

I understand it is a topic which has been repeatedly covered here in the past, however I am just seeking a more 'current' update please:

Early next year I am flying from SYD to Mexico via LAX.
In order to travel 'on the cheap' I have already booked my Australia-LAX return tickets and are now looking to purchase the LAX-Mexico return tickets.

Can I ask what the process will be at LAX, when flying both directions to and from Australia in terms of customs, immigration and baggage collection?
Given the Mexico flights will be on a separate ticket to my SYD-LAX-SYD flights with Qantas, I presume I will need to collect my bags and check them in again at LAX after arriving from Australia - and for the return flight home from Mexico to LAX.
With this process will I essentially be classified as no longer 'airside' in terms of security?

Is there any value in booking my LAX-Mexico-LAX flights with a Qantas partner-airline if that will help the chances of getting the baggage through checked - despite being on separate tickets, or will it make no difference?

I ask as I am undecided if I should fly 'direct' from Mexico to SYD on the same day, or if I should fly Mexico-LAX the day before the return flight to Sydney and stay the night at an LAX hotel.

If it is possible to stay 'airside' flying Mexico-LAX-SYD on separate tickets, then I think I will fly home the same day. However if I will need to recheck baggage, pass through customs/immigration (both when leaving Mexico and again at LAX) then I may as well stay landside at LAX and stay the night there.......if that makes any sense to you.

In the hypothetical, unlikely event I cancel my existing booked flights (SYD-LAX-SYD) and then rebook my entire trip on the same ticket SYD-Mexico-SYD; Am I correct in thinking my baggage will be through-checked the entire way and upon arrival at LAX (in both directions) I would just simply need to walk to the other terminal for the connecting flight without needing to pass through customs/immigration for a second time?

Cheers

 

[SeatBackForward]

There is no such thing as Transit in the USA - your first port of entry from anywhere will need you to pass through customs, immigration and collect your bag. You should allow a minimum of three hours to do this (slightly less if you have status and/or can get through priority security screening etc). If you're on separate tickets, even three hours is risky.

But there are some more issues to considers:

1) Because you will need to enter the USA you need to have the right visa or entry permit - so for Australians, we can get the ESTA instead of a Visa. If you do not have this, your carrier from SYD>LAX can deny you boarding as they will be liable to ship you home if you're denied entry into the USA. That you have an a separate onward ticket to Mexico will mean nothing.

2) Separate tickets will typically mean your bags cannot be checked through ( If the two airlines have an arrangement it *may* be possible, but work on the basis this will not happen). This means when you arrive into LAX you cannot just drop of your bag for the next flight, but you will need to actually check in to your connecting flight, which will again add more time.

3) On Separate tickets you have no protection if your first flight is delayed. Because they are separate tickets, each airline will not know about the other flight and you will be treated as a no-show if you miss the onward flights.

In the hypothetical, unlikely event I cancel my existing booked flights (SYD-LAX-SYD) and then rebook my entire trip on the same ticket SYD-Mexico-SYD; Am I correct in thinking my baggage will be through-checked the entire way and upon arrival at LAX (in both directions) I would just simply need to walk to the other terminal for the connecting flight without needing to pass through customs/immigration for a second time?

No, your bags would be checked through and you'll have the onward boarding pass so you wont have to check in as such, but you still need to go through customs/immigration both ways.

 

[RooFlyer]

Endorse what @SeatBackForward wrote. if on separate tickets, do yourself a favour, and overnight at a LAX hotel and fly to Mexico next day. I wouldn’t do that sort of ‘transit’ allowing less than in six hours.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Endorse what @SeatBackForward wrote. if on separate tickets, do yourself a favour, and overnight at a LAX hotel and fly to Mexico next day. I wouldn’t do that sort of ‘transit’ allowing less than in six hours.

1000% agree. Massive mistake not to do this on the one PNR. Far too much risk. Fact is flights to the US from Australia are frequently not on time and can be cancelled.

 

[Silvia]

I fly to Mexico often via LAX. I used to buy separate tickets. I had a near miss no show due to a QF delay.
My question would be - who are you flying with? Likely to be Aeromexico which is a terrible airline and have the reputation of not caring and leaving passengers stranded.

Flights from LAX usually leave either early morning (8 30ish with AA, DL... later flights around midday with AM). The 8-9am departure from LAX is really hard to do even when you are on one sector as you also have to change terminals. It is stressful and it requires everything running on time.

I agree with comments. I am flying on separate tickets this December. I am doing QF93 and arriving at night time, booked a hotel room and doing the dreaded AM legs the next day.

 

[Quickstatus]

Need more information.
What airline you are flying to/ from MEX and whether
How much time you got in LAX

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Irrespective of whether you are in separate tickets or single ticket:

You will need to pick up bags at LAX, go through Immigration/passport control

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If on separate ticket:
You will need to checkin for the onward flight whether MEX or SYD at the appropriate terminal - should be at TBIT.

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If on single ticket
You will need to drop off bag which has the bag tag for the next sector whether MEX or SYD. After bag drop you don't need to checkin. The difference is that the bag drop is quicker than re- checkin

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But in both cases whether you are going to MEX or coming from MEX and whether you are single or separate ticket you will end up landside.

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I concur with others above. Separate tickets no protection in cases where the previous sector is delayed.
Even if single ticket you should leave enough time - staying overnight is good idea.

Have you considered SYD-DFW?

 

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@SeatBackForward @RooFlyer @Dr Ralph
Thank you very much for your replies and valuable info.

Yes I certainly agree, booking this trip on separate tickets was a mistake (although at the time of booking I was looking at some domestic US travel prior to the Mexico leg, however that itinerary has since fallen through).

I was planning around 4-5 hours as the transfer time at LAX (both from Australia and Mexico) - from arrival of the first flight, to boarding time of the second flight.
Your advice however suggests 5-6 hours transfer time on separate tickets is a better time frame (if not doing the overnight LAX hotel option). Is this correct?

 

[Quickstatus]

I was planning around 4-5 hours as the transfer time at LAX (both from Australia and Mexico) - from arrival of the first flight, to boarding time of the second flight.
Your advice however suggests 5-6 hours transfer time

There is no time period which will guarantee you will make the onward flight. For example if the flight is delayed by a day.

Also depends on the airline you pick for the MEX sector. I would recommend one of the US airlines.

If wanting a separate ticket consider flying AA or UA to LAX then an AA or UA to MEX. Separate ticket but same airline.

 

[Silvia]

one last thing to note. Last time I flew via LAX and had to do the drop bag for my Mexico flight, it took 1.5 hours and we were on a priority lane. So just give yourself PLENTY of time.

If you were going on an airline with codeshare/alliance agreement (e.g. QF-AA) bag drop is very simple, but just another thing to take into account if you are going on different airlines.

 

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Thanks for that @Silvia.
Yes, I have a similar itinerary (SYD-MEL-LAX) with the evening arrival into LAX., then considering the 12am flight onto MEX, or the overnight hotel stay instead.
Thanks for the advice, enjoy your trip.


@Quickstatus - Thank you for your reply and information.
At this stage I don't have any Mexico flights booked yet.
Arrival into LAX from Australia approx 6pm.
Flight home, departs LAX for Australia approx 9pm.
Current preference is to overnight at LAX on the way there and possibly for the flight home - or leave Mexico during the morning to allow for 6+ hours at LAX before the Qantas flight back to Australia.

I have looked into various alternative flights that include DFW or SFO, if I do cancel my existing booking. At this stage though it will still be cheaper not to cancel and rebook everything on the same PNR. I will have to weigh up cost vs practicality though.

 

[Lynda2475]

Have you considered SYD-DFW?

I found the AA connections out of DFW to Mexico City and Cancun so much better from DFW than LAX fo connecting with QF.

I still stayed the night in Dallas though to allow for any delays (most most recent flight SYD-DFW was 5.5 hours late)

 

[Quickstatus]

I have looked into various alternative flights that include DFW or SFO, i

The reason I suggested DFW is that there are a lot more non stop flights between MEX and DFW with AA than MEX and LAX with AA or AM. Similarly for UA via IAH. If flying QF, AA is the logical choice if separate ticket.

There are much less direct flights between MEX and LAX with AM compared with DFW /IAH

The logical airport for MEX to/from USA is DFW for AA and IAH for UA and it also makes sense for AU origin

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for that @Silvia.
Yes, I have a similar itinerary (SYD-MEL-LAX) with the evening arrival into LAX., then considering the 12am flight onto MEX, or the overnight hotel stay instead.
Thanks for the advice, enjoy your trip.


@Quickstatus - Thank you for your reply and information.
At this stage I don't have any Mexico flights booked yet.
Arrival into LAX from Australia approx 6pm.
Flight home, departs LAX for Australia approx 9pm.
Current preference is to overnight at LAX on the way there and possibly for the flight home - or leave Mexico during the morning to allow for 6+ hours at LAX before the Qantas flight back to Australia.

I have looked into various alternative flights that include DFW or SFO, if I do cancel my existing booking. At this stage though it will still be cheaper not to cancel and rebook everything on the same PNR. I will have to weigh up cost vs practicality though.

Over night on the way out… tick. But beware hotel accommodation around LAX can be expensive.

On the way home, anything arriving by 12-2pm should see you with plenty of time… that allows for a delay of a couple hours, and a couple hours for immigration. Still gives you three hours up your sleeve. (And of course everything will be on time, with a quite arrival hall, and you’ll have 7 hours!)

The LAX Hilton often has day use rates for around $120. May be worth it depending on your flight times. Might be worth getting an earlier flight from MEX if you want to take a day use room.

 

[Lynda2475]

Noting day use ends at 5pm.

 

[Quickstatus]

Noting day use ends at 5pm.

Though hotel pool (if there is one) can be accessed past 5pm.
(assuming hotel pools are attraction - some are not into hotel pools)

 

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@Lynda2475 @MEL_Traveller - Thank you for your replies and advice.
I will make note.

 

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What is the Alaska Airlines/Qantas relationship like these days?
Initially I was leaning to flying with Alaska between Mexico and LAX (if I don't take the overnight at LAX hotel option).
Alaska is due into LAX at 3:50pm
American Airlines is due into LAX at 4:40pm.

Then the 'connecting' Qantas LAX-SYD flight is approx 9pm.

In this case it seems both airlines are leaving it quite late/tight for my LAX arrival.
There are other Mexican airlines that would get me into LAX earlier that day, which seems like the safer bet.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What is the Alaska Airlines/Qantas relationship like these days?
Initially I was leaning to flying with Alaska between Mexico and LAX (if I don't take the overnight at LAX hotel option).
Alaska is due into LAX at 3:50pm
American Airlines is due into LAX at 4:40pm.

Then the 'connecting' Qantas LAX-SYD flight is approx 9pm.

In this case it seems both airlines are leaving it quite late/tight for my LAX arrival.
There are other Mexican airlines that would get me into LAX earlier that day, which seems like the safer bet.

350pm is cutting it fine… an hour delay, an hour in the arrivals hall… that’s already 6pm for a 9pm departure. If nothing else, not worth the stress.

 

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@MEL_Traveller ^ Thank you.

 

[chooms]

Hi ads. How did this work out time-wise? We have BNE-SYD-LAX-MIA in one hit coming up (ugh, it's going to be a long 48 hours) and whilst not an international connection, we have BNE-SYD-LAX with QF and LAX-MIA on a separate AA ticket.

We are on the re-timed QF11 which gets in to LAX at 1300 and the LAX-MIA flight is at 2230. So we think we have enough time and may event venture out of the airport for some fresh air. We are also hoping QF checks bags all the way through to MIA so we can just re-check at TBIT instead of having to lug them over to AA at T4 before we head out.