International Lounge Access at LAX TBIT for Arrivals

What is international lounge access policy at LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) for arriving passengers? TravelSort reader Richard writes “I'm flying Qantas First Class to LAX, then I have a separate onward ticket on American Airlines. Can I access the new Qantas First Class Lounge, even though my next flight is domestic and not a oneworld flight?”

LAX TBIT Lounge Access Used to Be Limited to Those Departing from the International Terminal

A year ago, Richard would have been out of luck, since access to the LAX TBIT terminal was restricted to those holding boarding passes for flights departing from the Tom Bradley International Terminal. And since his onward flight was domestic and not international, he wouldn't have any kind of access to TBIT lounges since he would have to clear customs, exiting the terminal, then would have to transfer to the terminal his onward domestic flight departed from and be restricted to the lounges in that terminal.

Now LAX TBIT Lounges (Including the New Qantas First Class Lounge LAX) Can Be Access by All Eligible Passengers

Now, ever since September 8, 2014, you're able to access any LAX terminal with a same day boarding pass, regardless of which terminal you're actually departing from. Of course, you still do need to deal with the hassle of clearing security for that terminal then exiting (assuming your terminal is connected airside with the one you're departing from), transferring to your departure terminal, and reclearing security at that terminal.

Still, that's likely to be worth it if you have a long layover and have access to a premium lounge such as Qantas' International First Class Lounge from your arriving flight, which you otherwise wouldn't be able to access at your departure terminal.

So in Richard's case, the answer is yes, although only IF he has either Qantas Platinum Frequent Flyer status or has oneworld Emerald Frequent Flyer status. Qantas First Class passengers who have no frequent flyer status unfortunately do NOT have access to the lounge, but oneworld Emeralds do have access, as long as their next onward flight is a oneworld flight, such as American.

He will still have to clear immigration and customs when he arrives and collect his onward boarding pass, but he will then be able to use that same day boarding pass to reclear security in the TBIT in order to access the Qantas First Class Lounge.

Here's the official LAX Airport tweet stating that you can access any LAX terminal with a same day boarding pass, even if you're not departing from that terminal: