We are flying out of LAX to SYD on New Years Eve and have passes to use the United lounge - a perk of getting their credit card. Is that a good lounge to hang around until our 9:15om flight? Since it's New Year's Eve, we were considering leaving the airport to go to dinner, but someone told us those lounges have food and drinks. It would be easier just to stay there.

The United Lounge in LAX Terminal 7 is OK. Comfortable, drinks and snacks (not full meals) available. Other than hotel restaurants and the Encounter Restaurant at the airport, there's nothing much near LAX for nightlife or good food.

I booked reservations at Encounter, because we won't be able to get into the United terminals, since we are flying international.

There is a new Star Alliance Lounge in the international terminal. See if you qualify:
http://www.staralliance.com/en/press...es-lounge-prp/

The problem I'm running into is, we are flying on AirNZ out of terminal 2. It seems we can't get into another terminal, getting past security, because our boarding passes are for terminal 2. Is that right?

That's right, I forgot you had posted on multiple threads and that you are not leaving from the international terminal.

Here is more info on the new lounge in TBIT. BTW I read somewhere that AirNZ will eventually move in to this terminal.

http://www.staralliance.com/en/benef...e-los-angeles/