Review: United Global First Lounge San Francisco Airport

Ben Schlappig
August 2, 2017
20

United Global First Lounge San Francisco bottom line

Overall the United Global First Lounge was a significant improvement over the United Club, which is a mess at the moment. However, this really isn’t competitive as far as international first class lounges go. Now that the Polaris Lounge in San Francisco is open, the Global First Lounge has finally closed. Thankfully, the Polaris Lounge is one of the best airport lounges available to long-haul business class passengers here in the US!

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Phil Guest
January 13, 2018, 7:45 pm

I was flying first class with United though SFO and was directed to this lounge. It was full to the brim and not one seat was available - except the quiet room which is now only for Global Services. When I enquiried as to where I should sit I was pointed to the eating area. I then asked if I could use the global services area (as 11 of the 12 were free) and I...
I was flying first class with United though SFO and was directed to this lounge. It was full to the brim and not one seat was available - except the quiet room which is now only for Global Services. When I enquiried as to where I should sit I was pointed to the eating area. I then asked if I could use the global services area (as 11 of the 12 were free) and I was abruptly denied.

United if you want to have a business and first (but-not-really-first) you have to provide a difference in service.

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Dennis Guest
January 9, 2018, 11:36 pm

I flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong last year with economy ticket, but I got two passes from Chase Credit Card, so want to try the airport lounge there. First when I went to the one nearby the gate I broad, they said I can't access to that lounge, they showed me another lounge that I can asses which is about 10-15 mins walk from International terminal to domestic terminal. The United Club there...
I flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong last year with economy ticket, but I got two passes from Chase Credit Card, so want to try the airport lounge there. First when I went to the one nearby the gate I broad, they said I can't access to that lounge, they showed me another lounge that I can asses which is about 10-15 mins walk from International terminal to domestic terminal. The United Club there is OK, just the foods they provided is like a cheap buffet compared to that pictures in Global First Lounge. On the way from Hong Kong, I used another pass to the United Club in Hong Kong, which is much much better. Quite similar services as the Global First Lounge. I want to say why does United Airlines to serve the passengers club access different way?

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Lukas W Guest
January 7, 2018, 9:46 pm

As of January 2018, this “First Class” Lounge now seems to be used for both business, first and all the status card holders therefore it is an absolute joke and disgrace. On Sunday at 7pm there is not a seat left even if you are flying first class. Another disappointing experience with United. This airline (compared to top European and Asian ones) is a complete embarrassment.

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Evan Guest
November 5, 2017, 10:51 am

Thanks for the review. I used this lounge prior to my UA1 flight to Singapore last week (late October), and the pics are up-to-date. I was there from 8:30pm-10:30pm and the only thing that differed was there were fewer dishes to choose from when I was there (maybe because it was past dinner time). I found the liquor section a notch better than most lounges, in terms of the selection of alcohol (several types of...
Thanks for the review. I used this lounge prior to my UA1 flight to Singapore last week (late October), and the pics are up-to-date. I was there from 8:30pm-10:30pm and the only thing that differed was there were fewer dishes to choose from when I was there (maybe because it was past dinner time). I found the liquor section a notch better than most lounges, in terms of the selection of alcohol (several types of whisky, one Tequila, several red and white wines, 1 champagne etc). I understand this lounge also caters to other First and Business class passengers on Star Alliance as both the Singapore Airlines and EVA lounges next to the future Polaris lounge are closed. This means the lounge is more crowded than usual, as was the case during my visit (the chairs & tables near the food were fully-occupied, but the couches and seats further away weren't). All in all, it's much better than a United Club, but at least a notch below the better airline lounges.

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Evan Guest
August 9, 2017, 10:09 am

VX_Flier: Read title - it's united Global First loounge, not regular United Club (United Club at SFO is bad, IMHO at least a step below AA Admiral clubs).
Thanks Happy. It looks better than the United Club at SFO, but only barely (having showers and more food selection than United Club). I hope they upgrade this lounge after they're done with polaris upgrade at the United Club + SQ lounge.

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Connor Romaine Guest
August 3, 2017, 7:37 pm

If I am flying Lufthansa First Class from SFO to FRA do I get access to the Global first lounge?

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FNT Delta Diamond Guest
August 3, 2017, 9:33 am

I've always wondered if bread, smoked salmon and cheese is reused the next morning if not eaten that day.

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Sujith New Member
August 3, 2017, 12:58 am

This looks good. SQ lounge at SFO is a big let down. Does Lufthansa use this as their lounge? if yes then I'm looking forward to visiting this one in few days.

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ric Guest
August 3, 2017, 12:50 am

Rumor has it (or so I've head from UAL staff at SFO) that this will be remodeled in 2018 and become one of the United Clubs for International flights...with a 2nd new United Club near gate 91.

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Diningdecadence Guest
August 2, 2017, 10:56 pm

They used to have ruinart Blanc de Blanc in here- downgraded obviously. Pretty embarrassing for a 'first' lounge. I ended up grabbing food from the 2 shops across the way and bringing them back into the lounge given the abysmal selection

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Steve New Member
August 2, 2017, 9:58 pm

Im confused as to why the Air China boarding sign says the flight is to Chongqing, as the flight obviously went to Beijing...?

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Tennen Diamond
August 2, 2017, 9:49 pm

@VX_Flier, uh... the review clearly says it's a GLOBAL FIRST lounge.

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Tennen Diamond
August 2, 2017, 9:46 pm

Are the dragons still at the GFL?

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VX_Flier Guest
August 2, 2017, 9:45 pm

Wow! If only the AA Admirals Clubs had those open seats and food selections. Is this United Club on the level of AA's Flagship Lounges or Admirals Clubs?

And guests are dissatisfied with this United Club? Really?

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Martin Guest
August 2, 2017, 8:18 pm

A true "First" lounge would never have a buffet. That is so Vegas. You mean I have to get up and get my food?

It would, like the Concorde Room and Virgin ClubHouse at Heathrow, have a small army of wait staff bring you anything you want, and/or a sit-down a la carte dining room.

That said, the JAL F lounge at Haneda has a buffet, but it is spectacular.

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Benjamin J Travel Guest
August 2, 2017, 7:34 pm

The decor looks like the inside of a Hometown Buffet.

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Steve K Member
August 2, 2017, 6:59 pm

Was at SFO GFL a few weeks ago. The b'fast was OK along with drink selection. Didn't eat in the dining area as too noisy, so just used the seating closer to the lounge entrance. My UA TPAC (F award to HKG via ICN on 747, seat 1A for nostalgia reasons) flight was delayed 3 hours when plane was taken out of service after boarding! Had to wait for the inbound ICN UA 747 to...
Was at SFO GFL a few weeks ago. The b'fast was OK along with drink selection. Didn't eat in the dining area as too noisy, so just used the seating closer to the lounge entrance. My UA TPAC (F award to HKG via ICN on 747, seat 1A for nostalgia reasons) flight was delayed 3 hours when plane was taken out of service after boarding! Had to wait for the inbound ICN UA 747 to take that. so I got to eat lunch as well. Overall the GFL, while it lasts, is a quieter atmosphere with some nice views. I should have taken a shower though. I'm still surprised that a heavyweight carrier like UA is dropping First despite the new Polaris seat.

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Paul Guest
August 2, 2017, 6:15 pm

I hated is this lounge. It is a huge space, but I felt like I was in a basement. The dated decor didn't help either. The food was no better than a regular United club, except for some sushi that appeared to have been sitting out for hours. I drank a glass of champagne and went right back to the AMEX centurion lounge.

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Gene Diamond
August 2, 2017, 6:09 pm

@ Ben -- Interesting that United has refreshed the SFO First Class lounge and added more food when they are discontinuing First Class. What happened to Polaris?

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AdamR Diamond
August 2, 2017, 5:37 pm

The new AC livery on that A321 makes it look like the Hamburglar.

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Phil Guest

January 13, 2018, 7:45 pm

I was flying first class with United though SFO and was directed to this lounge. It was full to the brim and not one seat was available - except the quiet room which is now only for Global Services. When I enquiried as to where I should sit I was pointed to the eating area. I then asked if I could use the global services area (as 11 of the 12 were free) and I was abruptly denied. United if you want to have a business and first (but-not-really-first) you have to provide a difference in service.

Dennis Guest

January 9, 2018, 11:36 pm

I flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong last year with economy ticket, but I got two passes from Chase Credit Card, so want to try the airport lounge there. First when I went to the one nearby the gate I broad, they said I can't access to that lounge, they showed me another lounge that I can asses which is about 10-15 mins walk from International terminal to domestic terminal. The United Club there is OK, just the foods they provided is like a cheap buffet compared to that pictures in Global First Lounge. On the way from Hong Kong, I used another pass to the United Club in Hong Kong, which is much much better. Quite similar services as the Global First Lounge. I want to say why does United Airlines to serve the passengers club access different way?

Lukas W Guest

January 7, 2018, 9:46 pm

As of January 2018, this “First Class” Lounge now seems to be used for both business, first and all the status card holders therefore it is an absolute joke and disgrace. On Sunday at 7pm there is not a seat left even if you are flying first class. Another disappointing experience with United. This airline (compared to top European and Asian ones) is a complete embarrassment.