Jul 30, 2016, 11:29 am
Last edit by: dhuey
UA @ SFO uses Terminals D, E, F, G, all UA gates are connected airside
UA terminal map & SFO terminal map
United clubs locations:
E gates -- near E3
F gates -- in the F rotunda
G gates -- near G9 (former Global First Lounge)
Mezzanine -- across from E1 (between E & F concourse)
United Polaris Lounge (United/Star Alliance long-haul business class passengers only) - just past Intl G security on the right.
Arrivals -- CLOSED - was near UA Domestic baggage claim (near the Internation Terminal end escalator) on the Arrival level
AMEX Centurion Lounge -- across from Gate F1
Freshen Up! -- is an independent option for Shower facilities, nap rooms, toiletries, ironing facilities and undergarments.
MCT
UA-UA D-D is usually 30 minutes
xx-UA I-D is generally 80-105 minutes (but without Global Entry this is very tight)
UA-XX D-D is ????
Incoming International (except Canadian flights arriving as domestic flights - clearance is done in Canada) - must clear USA immigration and customs even if in-transit to a non-USA destination. Therefore also need to re-clear security if connecting.
Bags can be check at either International Check (G) or Domestic check-in (T3) for either international or domestic flights -- you may get some pushback at International check-in counters checking bags for solely domestic flights (apparently it is a bit more complex to get the bags to the domestic side)
Bag storage Open Everyday 6am – 11 pm
Before security, on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, near the entrance to Gates G91-G102.
Related threads
Connecting in SFO
Archived posts: Consolidated Connection time/logistics-Domestic & International at SFO [ARCHIVE]
UA terminal map & SFO terminal map
United clubs locations:
E gates -- near E3
F gates -- in the F rotunda
G gates -- near G9 (former Global First Lounge)
Mezzanine -- across from E1 (between E & F concourse)
United Polaris Lounge (United/Star Alliance long-haul business class passengers only) - just past Intl G security on the right.
Arrivals -- CLOSED - was near UA Domestic baggage claim (near the Internation Terminal end escalator) on the Arrival level
AMEX Centurion Lounge -- across from Gate F1
Freshen Up! -- is an independent option for Shower facilities, nap rooms, toiletries, ironing facilities and undergarments.
MCT
UA-UA D-D is usually 30 minutes
xx-UA I-D is generally 80-105 minutes (but without Global Entry this is very tight)
UA-XX D-D is ????
Incoming International (except Canadian flights arriving as domestic flights - clearance is done in Canada) - must clear USA immigration and customs even if in-transit to a non-USA destination. Therefore also need to re-clear security if connecting.
Bags can be check at either International Check (G) or Domestic check-in (T3) for either international or domestic flights -- you may get some pushback at International check-in counters checking bags for solely domestic flights (apparently it is a bit more complex to get the bags to the domestic side)
Bag storage Open Everyday 6am – 11 pm
Before security, on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, near the entrance to Gates G91-G102.
Related threads
Connecting in SFO
Archived posts: Consolidated Connection time/logistics-Domestic & International at SFO [ARCHIVE]
Consolidated SFO connection time/logistics-Domestic & International
Jan 8, 2019, 12:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA 1K, 2.3 MM
Posts: 439
Transit Question, Int'l to domestic at SFO
I have never entered the US at SFO and was wondering if an hour and 50 minutes would be ok to go through Immigration and Customs and head to my domestic connect. All UA flights. If not enough time, what would be a suggestion. Thanks for any responses.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 8, 2019 at 12:51 pm Reason: moved to master thread
Jan 8, 2019, 12:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
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Posts: 8,154
How easy 1h50 is will depend on the time of day, your citizenship, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck membership and airline status, but in most cases will be very doable.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 8, 2019 at 12:53 pm Reason: cleanup after merge;thanks for the link
Jan 8, 2019, 12:48 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: United Plat
Posts: 499
1. If you have Global Entry to go through passport control. TSA Pre to go though domestic security again.
2. If multiple international arrivials around the same time.
I can do 30 minutes with Global Entry and my plane the only one at arrival.
Jan 8, 2019, 12:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2015
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Posts: 3,617
If you have Global Entry you should be fine, I assume you are connecting to UA. If you don't have GE then you MAY have problems and the lines/waits can be horrible at times.
Jan 8, 2019, 1:22 pm
#7
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If you are arriving in the morning, use the PreCheck lines at INTL terminal after you have cleared customs and immigration. The line is usually much shorter than T3 (most INTL travelers don't have TSA Pre). After you have re-cleared security, you can walk airside to T3 to catch your onward domestic connection.
Jan 8, 2019, 3:48 pm
#8
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Jan 8, 2019, 3:48 pm
#9
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After you claim your bags, follow the same GE signs to exit customs - don't wait in the regular lines with general passengers, there are GE priority lanes there.
After you exit, assuming you had checked bags, head left to the bag drop/re-check area then as suggested, you can choose to re-enter from the INTL checkpoint G, or I've usually had good luck with the checkpoint right where T3 and the walkway to G meet which is the closest one to the Arrivals Lounge, where I usually come up from. If you are eligible for the Polaris Lounge, use INTL G to re-enter.
Jan 8, 2019, 3:55 pm
#10
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Jan 8, 2019, 9:38 pm
#11
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Can you explain? I haven't been there in a few months, but I'll be there next month - how does one exit the baggage claim without interacting with Customs? Or once you clear the initial counter or GE machine, you turn in your receipt right there before going downstairs?
Jan 8, 2019, 9:52 pm
#12
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Can you explain? I haven't been there in a few months, but I'll be there next month - how does one exit the baggage claim without interacting with Customs? Or once you clear the initial counter or GE machine, you turn in your receipt right there before going downstairs?
Feb 23, 2019, 7:26 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SBA and LAX
Programs: AA, UA
Posts: 334
Are these doable? I checked and these are legal, but not sure if safe.
1. SBA-SFO-MUC-TBS. 66 minutes between SBA-SFO and SFO-MUC. Last year while, connecting SBA-SFO-FRA, SBA-SFO was delayed and I was rebooked on LH SFO-FRA. But with this routing, there seems to be no other UA/LH flight after this. (5/3, 9 PM)
2. SIN-SFO-SBA (UA 28). 1 hr 25 minutes. Should be fine with GE, unless SIN-SFO is delayed. Wouldn't really mind usually, but the SFO-SBA is the last one for the day (10:45 pm).If I miss that I am stuck in SFO till 8 AM next day.
1. SBA-SFO-MUC-TBS. 66 minutes between SBA-SFO and SFO-MUC. Last year while, connecting SBA-SFO-FRA, SBA-SFO was delayed and I was rebooked on LH SFO-FRA. But with this routing, there seems to be no other UA/LH flight after this. (5/3, 9 PM)
2. SIN-SFO-SBA (UA 28). 1 hr 25 minutes. Should be fine with GE, unless SIN-SFO is delayed. Wouldn't really mind usually, but the SFO-SBA is the last one for the day (10:45 pm).If I miss that I am stuck in SFO till 8 AM next day.
Last edited by daKav; Feb 23, 2019 at 11:09 pm
Feb 23, 2019, 7:35 pm
#14
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No no no! Don't do it. As you likely know, SBA-SFO is frequently delayed, with major negative consequences here.
Yes, I agree. The TPAC arrivals are if anything usually early.
Yes, I agree. The TPAC arrivals are if anything usually early.
Feb 23, 2019, 7:43 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SBA and LAX
Programs: AA, UA
Posts: 334
Thanks! Google flights shows SBA-SFO as delayed 50% of the time. Earlier SBA-SFO flights seem full. It is pricing at over $4k for the economy. Yikes. I guess I'll end up flying LAX-MUC. I was trying to avoid the 405, but alas.