Feb 7, 2015, 9:14 pm
Last edit by: Phaze
Previous thread - Global First Lounge (IFL / GFL) Access Questions and Experiences
:-: United's Global First Lounges located at LHR, IAD, SFO, HKG and NRT are for the use of passengers traveling in United's Global First or in International First Class on a Star Alliance member aircraft with more than two classes of service departing that day from that airport.
NOTE: Global First Lounge at ORD has closed. Polaris lounge Chicago is now open, including dining. The Global First Lounge at LHR closes at 18:00, as confirmed by United via phone. The website currently omits this information.
This reconfirmed per UA Insider - see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21700252-post535.html
Passengers must be holding a same day ticket for flights departing to/from a Trans Atlantic, Trans Pacific, Southern South America, Africa or a Middle East destination. Passengers connecting to/from other United/United Express flights will be admitted as long as the above requirements are met.
Global Services members can also use Global First Lounges when traveling in BusinessFirst or p.s. (EWR-LAX/SFO) BusinessFirst cabin.
A GS who arrives in BF or GF will be admitted to the GFL. This does not apply to a GS flying non-UA metal.
Any passenger holding a boarding pass for travel within 24 hours in UA GF will have access to the GFL at their departure and connecting airports.
from United Global First and Arrivals lounges
:-: United's Global First Lounges located at LHR, IAD, SFO, HKG and NRT are for the use of passengers traveling in United's Global First or in International First Class on a Star Alliance member aircraft with more than two classes of service departing that day from that airport.
NOTE: Global First Lounge at ORD has closed. Polaris lounge Chicago is now open, including dining. The Global First Lounge at LHR closes at 18:00, as confirmed by United via phone. The website currently omits this information.
This reconfirmed per UA Insider - see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21700252-post535.html
Passengers must be holding a same day ticket for flights departing to/from a Trans Atlantic, Trans Pacific, Southern South America, Africa or a Middle East destination. Passengers connecting to/from other United/United Express flights will be admitted as long as the above requirements are met.
Global Services members can also use Global First Lounges when traveling in BusinessFirst or p.s. (EWR-LAX/SFO) BusinessFirst cabin.
A GS who arrives in BF or GF will be admitted to the GFL. This does not apply to a GS flying non-UA metal.
Any passenger holding a boarding pass for travel within 24 hours in UA GF will have access to the GFL at their departure and connecting airports.
from United Global First and Arrivals lounges
United Global FirstSM Lounge
The United Global First Lounge is an oasis of service and privacy. Tailored to the needs of United Global First customers on long-haul international flights*, we offer personalized services, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and premium beverages.
Access policy
The following customers may access the United Global First lounge by showing their United boarding pass for a flight arriving or departing on a same-day (within 24 hours) itinerary.
United Global First customers traveling on long-haul international flights*
Star Alliance™ First customers departing on international flights
These eligible United Global First Lounge visitors are allowed one adult or child to accompany them as a guest.
*Long-haul international flights are between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East or South America.
The United Global First Lounge is an oasis of service and privacy. Tailored to the needs of United Global First customers on long-haul international flights*, we offer personalized services, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and premium beverages.
Access policy
The following customers may access the United Global First lounge by showing their United boarding pass for a flight arriving or departing on a same-day (within 24 hours) itinerary.
United Global First customers traveling on long-haul international flights*
Star Alliance™ First customers departing on international flights
These eligible United Global First Lounge visitors are allowed one adult or child to accompany them as a guest.
*Long-haul international flights are between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East or South America.
Global First Lounge (IFL / GFL) Access Questions and Experiences [2015 forward]
Aug 9, 2015, 11:36 am
#136
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SFO, ORD, IAD
Programs: UA Plat, AA Plat Pro, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat
Posts: 353
I am flying in the next month from LHR to SFO in Global First (O), and am only a Silver on UA. A friend of mine is flying out of LHR at around the same time on Aer Lingus (Economy) to Dublin. Will I be able to guest him into the GFL even though Aer Lingus is not officially in the Star Alliance?
Anyone have an answer for the post above?
Many Thanks!
Aug 9, 2015, 12:56 pm
#137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,018
Aug 9, 2015, 12:57 pm
#138
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,693
Hello!
I am flying in the next month from LHR to SFO in Global First (O), and am only a Silver on UA. A friend of mine is flying out of LHR at around the same time on Aer Lingus (Economy) to Dublin. Will I be able to guest him into the GFL even though Aer Lingus is not officially in the Star Alliance?
Also, the LHR GFL opens at 5am, right?
Thanks in advance for the help!
I am flying in the next month from LHR to SFO in Global First (O), and am only a Silver on UA. A friend of mine is flying out of LHR at around the same time on Aer Lingus (Economy) to Dublin. Will I be able to guest him into the GFL even though Aer Lingus is not officially in the Star Alliance?
Also, the LHR GFL opens at 5am, right?
Thanks in advance for the help!
Aug 9, 2015, 2:16 pm
#139
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SFO, ORD, IAD
Programs: UA Plat, AA Plat Pro, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat
Posts: 353
Thanks for the replies KirkwoodJ and IAH-OIL-TRASH. I know sometimes there is the provision that the guest has to be on another Star Alliance flight (i.e. when I use my SEN status to guest in someone to the regular United Club, they sometimes ask to see the guest's boarding pass also) -- so glad to know it doesn't apply in this case!
Aug 10, 2015, 9:58 am
#140
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
Thanks for the replies KirkwoodJ and IAH-OIL-TRASH. I know sometimes there is the provision that the guest has to be on another Star Alliance flight (i.e. when I use my SEN status to guest in someone to the regular United Club, they sometimes ask to see the guest's boarding pass also) -- so glad to know it doesn't apply in this case!
Both UA and *A rules state that the guest MUST be on a star alliance flight departing from that airport.
From http://www.staralliance.com/en/benef...access-policy/
International First Class Customers
Customers have access to International First Class1 and/or any Star Alliance member carriers' own lounges.
Customer must present a boarding pass for travel in International First Class on a Star Alliance flight
Customer must be departing from the local airport in International First Class
Customer must be a revenue customer
Customer is entitled to one guest
...
The guest must also present a boarding pass for any Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport
Customers have access to International First Class1 and/or any Star Alliance member carriers' own lounges.
Customer must present a boarding pass for travel in International First Class on a Star Alliance flight
Customer must be departing from the local airport in International First Class
Customer must be a revenue customer
Customer is entitled to one guest
...
The guest must also present a boarding pass for any Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport
Aug 10, 2015, 10:14 am
#141
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
Unfortunately, it does apply in your case.
Both UA and *A rules state that the guest MUST be on a star alliance flight departing from that airport.
From http://www.staralliance.com/en/benef...access-policy/
Both UA and *A rules state that the guest MUST be on a star alliance flight departing from that airport.
From http://www.staralliance.com/en/benef...access-policy/
AFAIK, there is no such restriction in the published UA rules.
Aug 10, 2015, 1:07 pm
#142
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
You're right, UA did soften the rules for UA GFL access when traveling on UA metal. They dropped the requirement that the guest must be traveling on *A. That rule now only applies when using *G to gain entry to a UA club.
Sep 4, 2015, 3:18 am
#143
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17
Flying from DFW to NRT with connection at SFO in November with the girlfriend. Is it worth 15k miles each to upgrade our BF tickets to GF for the SFO GF lounge access?
Does the SFO GF lounge offer a "special experience"?
I have Amex Plat Centurion lounge access.
Does the SFO GF lounge offer a "special experience"?
I have Amex Plat Centurion lounge access.
Sep 4, 2015, 3:45 am
#144
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HNL
Programs: United Gold
Posts: 1,581
I found the GFL to be very nice (love the high ceilings) and quiet. The Centurion Lounge is not as nice or quiet, but it does have much better food than the GFL, even though the GFL has a wider selection of food. I don't drink but I've heard the Centurion is also better for that.
Having said all of this I wouldn't hesitate to use 15K miles to upgrade SFO-NRT to Global First.
Sep 4, 2015, 11:31 am
#145
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,693
Hell no not for SFO GFL access, but yes for the seats on plane.
Sep 4, 2015, 11:52 am
#146
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1k, SPG Plat 100
Posts: 619
Sep 4, 2015, 12:11 pm
#147
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
It all depends though on how many miles you have / what you think GF is worth, but if it were me and I was traveling with my SO and had Centurion lounge access, I wouldn't think to spend 30k more miles just for the IFL & soup course in GF.
Last edited by kthpence; Sep 4, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Sep 4, 2015, 12:23 pm
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,018
SFO GFL is nice
After flying domestic F from Maui, I'm in it for 1st time. Found the 4 comfy recliners in the quiet room and immediately fell asleep in the solo one on right. Just woke up to find breakfast has mostly been replaced by a fine lunch spread, including tolerable sushi and chicken skewers. Fine selection of booze. This is 'way better than the IAD GFL. No complaints. I was thinking of spending $50 to check out AMEX club, but my cheapness prevailed and I'm not at all disappointed. Long layover until my London flight and the recliner sleep was awesome.
Sep 4, 2015, 1:31 pm
#149
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
After flying domestic F from Maui, I'm in it for 1st time. Found the 4 comfy recliners in the quiet room and immediately fell asleep in the solo one on right. Just woke up to find breakfast has mostly been replaced by a fine lunch spread, including tolerable sushi and chicken skewers. Fine selection of booze. This is 'way better than the IAD GFL. No complaints. I was thinking of spending $50 to check out AMEX club, but my cheapness prevailed and I'm not at all disappointed. Long layover until my London flight and the recliner sleep was awesome.
Sep 4, 2015, 2:52 pm
#150
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
No way. LHR is a clear #1.