I'm flying SFO-CDG with layover in PHL in May for vacation with S fare. What do you think is the possibility of any UG to biz or 1st(?) for me a my gf, since I only hold status with UA, ie. *Alliance Gold. Either from SFO-PHL or especially PHL-CDG and back?

Also, on the return trip, I have a 4-hour layover in PHL! Will I have arrivals access to the lounges at PHL? Need some way of killing all that time, and would prefer to do it in a comfortable seat.

I'm flying SFO-CDG with layover in PHL in May for vacation with S fare. What do you think is the possibility of any UG to biz or 1st(?) for me a my gf, since I only hold status with UA, ie. *Alliance Gold. Either from SFO-PHL or especially PHL-CDG and back?

Also, on the return trip, I have a 4-hour layover in PHL! Will I have arrivals access to the lounges at PHL? Need some way of killing all that time, and would prefer to do it in a comfortable seat.

Your chances are rather remote but the chance of an op-up if coach is oversold is possible since you are *G. You can buy an upgrade if available from US at the gate using your UA status on the PHL-SFO and back sectors. $40 per person per 500 miles = $200 per person per direction.

As for lounge access - there is no arrivals lounge access in PHL but just go to one of the three clubs (A-West, B/C or F) and show your *G card and arriving transatlantic boarding pass.

More notably however, on the way out since you'll be a *G leaving from the int'l concourse (A West) you will have Envoy lounge acccess, a seperate section of the club with real food and free drinks - very nice and worth checking out. *G access does include one guest.

Your chances are rather remote but the chance of an op-up if coach is oversold is possible since you are *G. You can buy an upgrade if available from US at the gate using your UA status on the PHL-SFO and back sectors. $40 per person per 500 miles = $200 per person per direction.

Thanks for the information! I'm hoping that coach is oversold.. but IME upgrading will be very remote, especially for two people.

More notably however, on the way out since you'll be a *G leaving from the int'l concourse (A West) you will have Envoy lounge acccess, a seperate section of the club with real food and free drinks - very nice and worth checking out. *G access does include one guest.

I'll be sure to check out the Envoy lounge. We only have 60 min. layover so I just drop in to sample some of the free food. Probably no real time to sit back and enjoy.