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Here's Your Chance to Travel Through LAX Like a Celebrity

Dec. 03, 2018
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3 min read
Private Suites LAX - 1
Here's Your Chance to Travel Through LAX Like a Celebrity
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In case you didn't know, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has an uber-exclusive remote terminal just for the rich and famous, called The Private Suite at LAX. (Think Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, but with Etihad Residence Lounge privacy.) While still as exclusive as can be, The Private Suite just got a whole lot cheaper, and may not be just for those rich and famous anymore.

Let's take a step back. A few months ago, United launched a new service, allowing its passengers to purchase discounted access to The Private Suite. However, only premium passengers on select routes were eligible, and it still cost more than $1,000 per person.

For the time being, United is expanding the service to all of its customers traveling through LAX, regardless of cabin, and is offering highly reduced rates for first-time visitors — $375 one-way or $700 round-trip for domestic flights; $500 or $950, respectively, for international. These rates include up to four travelers, so if you're a family of four, you could theoretically skip the chronic congestion surrounding the main terminal area and get the VIP treatment for less than $100 per person.

Ordinarily The Private Suite charges $2,700 one-way for a domestic flight or $3,000 one-way for an international flight if you’re a member ($4,500 annually). If you’re not a member, the cost of entry jumps up to $3,500 or $4,000 for a domestic or international one-way flight, respectively.

The difference when booking through United is that instead of getting a completely private suite, you have access to a United-branded lounge. But don't be fooled; the United lounge is basically just a double suite — not a United Club. In other words, you may share the suite with other United passengers, but you'll still have access to all of the usual Private Suite amenities like a self-service bar, stocked food pantry and most notably, the private TSA checkpoint. You'll also still be driven to your aircraft in a BMW 7-Series, though the ride may be shared.

"As you know, the service is far more expensive than United's offer to its customers. United is subsidizing the entire cost for their passengers because they believe in the service, and want to give something great to their customers," Joshua Gausman, co-founder and COO of The Private Suite, said in an email.

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Facebook Live of TPG's Experience at The Private Suite LAX

This is probably the cheapest way you'll ever be able to experience The Private Suite at LAX, so if you want to cross it off your bucket list, now's the time. To book, head to the members page on The Private Suite's website, click "book the experience" and fill out your personal information. You'll then be taken to a booking page to fill out your flight information. In the affiliate code box, enter UAP0818 for domestic flights or UAXP1808 for international. The discounted rates are valid for travel through March 1, 2019, and must be booked at least 48 hours prior to travel. If you're booking the service for a layover, you must be going from one United flight to another.

All photos by the author.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.