After my connecting flight from Chicago to Los Angeles (LAX) I decided to quickly stop by the Terminal 7 United Club location. Although I’m not too familiar with United Club locations it’s my understanding that the Terminal 7 United Club is the best United Club location lounge within LAX. For that reason alone I figured it was worth visiting. Besides it was a rare opportunity to visit a United Club location. I typically do not have United Club access, but because I was flying international business class on Asiana Airlines I had access.
LAX Terminal 7 United Club
The location of the United Club is toward the entrance of Terminal 7 and is impossible to miss. The entire wall of the main entrance is a giant white backlit United Club sign.
United Club guests enter the lounge through the sliding glass doors located just off to the right of the above sign. Once inside the welcome area, lounge greeters scan boarding passes or enter your information to grant access to the lounge. These attendants can’t make changes to reservations, instead you must proceed upstairs to the customer service representatives if you need to make changes to your itinerary.
My Awkward Experience Entering The United Club
I presented the lounge attendant my Asiana Airlines Business Class boarding pass to gain access to the lounge. Surprisingly, the lounge greeter was a bit dismissive when I first presented my boarding pass. The greeter first asked if I had status with Star Alliance (which I don’t) and when I said “No” she started explaining that I wouldn’t have access. As she began to explain that I wouldn’t have access to the lounge she stopped short of completing her sentence and instead simply asked to scan my boarding pass. She seem surprised when the computer told her that I could fact enter the lounge.
I can’t blame lounge agent for her dismissive attitude. I bet every day literally hundreds of passengers annoyingly beg to access the lounge. Many think they have access from Priority Pass or from a co-branded (non-Club) United credit card.
Who Can Access United Club Locations
Since we’re on the topic of United Club access, it’s important to know who can and can’t access United Club lounges. According to United the following customers should have access to United Club Lounges:
- International Business/First class passengers traveling with United or a Star Alliance partner airline. This benefit is only valid at the airport of the international departure. That means you can’t access a United Club during a domestic leg of an international itinerary.
- United MileagePlus Explorer Club credit card holders always have United Club access. Those passengers who pay the $450 annual fee for the United MileagePlus Explorer Card from Chase have access to United Club locations under all circumstances. They don’t need to be traveling with United or a Star Alliance partner nor do they need to be flying in a certain cabin class to enter United Club and Star Alliance lounges around the world.
- Similarly those who purchase a full United Club membership have access to United Clubs or Star Alliance lounges no matter what.
- Star Alliance Gold Elite Members traveling on a Star Alliance airline. This benefit is not extended to United MileagePlus Elites traveling on domestic United flights. However, you will have access to United Club locations if you earn Star Alliance Gold Elite Status from another Star Alliance partner airline (ex. Singapore Airlines) even when only traveling domestically.
- Lastly, those who purchase day passes or have day passes from the United MileagePlus Explorer card can access United Club lounges. Keep in mind, occasionally during peak hours or if another club location is under construction, the lounge may not permit access for those with day passes.
What Documentation Do You Need To Enter?
If you fall into one of the above categories you should have access to a United Club location. Keep in mind you’re required to present some form of documentation when trying to access a United Club location. Most passengers only need to present a United or Star Alliance boarding pass as proof of admission.
If you’re not flying with United, but have lounge access through a membership or credit card, you’ll need to present your MileagePlus account number and most likely a valid ID.
Inside The LAX Terminal 7 United Club
Once past the gate keepers lounge attendants, visitors proceed up the fairly long escalators to enter the United Club lounge.
Fantastic view of the new and old LAX control towers greet you once you reach the top of the escalators.
As you turn left to enter the club you can essentially see the United Club in it’s entirety. The first think you’ll realize when looking out over the lounge is how far back the lounge goes. Thanks to various dividers the lounge is broken up into a few sections, but it’s still quite long.
United Club LAX Terminal 7 Main Sitting Area
The main seating area ends approximately halfway through the lounge. Restrooms sit halfway down the left hand wall of the main seating area. Thankfully, this lounge features a wide variety of seating options. This makes it easy to either sit back and relax, work, or eat within the lounge. Often lounges lack a variety of seating options which is frustrating if you’re trying to work or eat.
LAX Terminal 7 United Club Dining Area and Bar
As you proceed deeper into the United Club you’ll find the buffet style dining area complete with dining tables. I visited the lounge early in the morning so the club only offered a breakfast at that time. Food options included your breakfast buffet essentials; fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted breads, pastries, and muffins, coffee, and fruit juices were readily available to guests. If you’re planning on visiting a lounge for food I’d consider a different option. While you’ll definitely find food, I wouldn’t bank on eating a full meal at this location, although that is true with nearly all domestic airline lounges.
The United Club also offers a wide variety of seating options in the dining area. There are plush booths perfect for two or more, individual two top tables, and large round tables which are perfect for large groups dining together.
Just beyond the dining area is the full service bar. The United Club bar offers an impressive selection of draft and bottled beer, wine, and spirits. As with most airline club lounges, most domestic macrobrew beers and house wines or spirits are complimentary. Visitors can also pay more for premium alcohol or use drink vouchers.
Outdoor Terrace At The LAX Terminal 7 United Club
Located just beyond the bar are the doors which lead to the incredible outdoor terrace of the United Club. The terrace is open area and enclosed by high glass walls. The outdoor lounge chars all face an active taxiway which makes the outdoor terrace and excellent spot for AvGeeks to enjoy the view of passing aircraft.
Sadly, during my visit this outdoor terrace wasn’t open. As I approached the terrace entrance I noticed a caution sign next to the doors. When I got closer, I realized the sign read that the terrace was closed. Because I couldn’t access the outdoor terrace I decided to leave the lounge for Tom Bradley. I needed to leave anyway because I still needed to check-in to my Asiana Airlines flight.
Since I also had access to the Star Alliance lounge in TBIT I wasn’t too worried about missing out on the terrace. That lounge also features an outdoor terrace which I would defiantly make use of. I quickly left the lounge and began the long walk through the underground tunnels of LAX to the international terminal.
Final Thoughts
I was overall impressed by the United Club in LAX’s Terminal 7. I find United Clubs are typically a little more impressive than most American Airlines’ Admirals Clubs. Although United Clubs aren’t quite at nice as most Delta SkyClub locations.
If traveling internationally in a premium cabin on a Star Alliance partner I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit this lounge (which is far). However, if departing from Terminal 7 or nearby and have access to this lounge it’s definitely worth the visit.
On top of offering complimentary food, beverage, and WiFi the lounge also offers an outdoor oasis. I often feel trapped inside both the terminal and the aircraft when traveling. It’s nice to get outside in the sun and enjoy some warm weather during a layover. I was sad to find this area of the lounge closed when I visited. Luckily I was able to enjoy the outdoor terrace at the Star Alliance lounge located in TBIT. I’ll hopefully post a review of that lounge soon.
