How to get into the luxury Private Suite at LAX--without paying the $4,500 annual fee
The Private Suite at LAX is a traveler’s dream. It offers private check-in and baggage handling, a posh lounge with food service, a Transportation Security Administration security screening area, a ride to the aircraft to board your flight and personal attendants — for $4,500 a year.
For most, it’s a luxury out of reach — or is it?
Besides the yearly cost, you’ll pay $2,700 to $3,000 (for up to four people) every time you fly in or out. Non-members pay more.
The private air terminal has partnered with several hotels and airlines that offer their customers the VIP travel treatment for free or at reduced prices.
►The Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica combines one-time use of the Private Suite (for up to four people) with a stay in one of its hotel suites.
A one-night stay starts at $2,099, or $524 each if you split it with three others, and includes free transportation to and from the airport. Check out the Suite to Suite package for more details.
►The Montage Beverly Hills gives guests a year’s free Private Suite membership, plus a one-time arrival or departure use, at a reduced price.
I checked online and found availability for Montage rooms in early December starting at $615 a night, excluding tax and fees. Find the Montage’s offer here.
►Other hotel partners include Nobu Ryokan in Malibu and the Four Seasons Lanai in Hawaii as well as more than 70 airlines.
►Private air travel company Jetsmarter offers its members a free Private Suite membership through the end of 2018. They also may buy initial one-way access for $750, instead of as much as $3,000.
►United Airlines offers its customers a Private Suite Fare, which is the price of your airline ticket plus $1,250 to $1,495 per person, per segment of travel, according to TravelPulse.
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