Question about international first class lounge SFO
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 45
Question about international first class lounge SFO
Hi all,
I have the pleasure to fly FRA-SFO(02:00pm - 04:16pm) in F next month and than connect to PSP. Do you know if it is possible to go to the international first class lounge in SFO after immigration or will it only be the red carpet club in the other terminal? I think the arrival lounge is closed at the time I will arrive. Thank you in advance for your input!
I have the pleasure to fly FRA-SFO(02:00pm - 04:16pm) in F next month and than connect to PSP. Do you know if it is possible to go to the international first class lounge in SFO after immigration or will it only be the red carpet club in the other terminal? I think the arrival lounge is closed at the time I will arrive. Thank you in advance for your input!
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
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You can physically reach it (there's an airside connector between domestic and international), but you will not be allowed in. The rules only allow you to use it when departing international F.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 45
Thank you mahasamatman for your quick info. Sad to hear, that I am missing the chance to visit this nice lounge! So my best choice will be the RCC over at the domestic terminal?
#4
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA--no longer 2P as of 3/2012 and don't even care. Never thought I'd say that.
Posts: 781
Don't Feel Bad
Hi,
After experiencing the fabulous Frankfurt FCT or even FCL if you went over to United IFL, you'd think it was a huge dump.
Have a safe trip!
After experiencing the fabulous Frankfurt FCT or even FCL if you went over to United IFL, you'd think it was a huge dump.
Have a safe trip!
#5
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
I went SYD-SFO in F a few months back and was connecting to ORD. I went into the IFL in SFO (although they did try to steer me into the Arrivals Lounge at first).
Have always been let in at ORD and IAD if coming off an international flight in F and continuing on.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
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Posts: 9,198
#8
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Roseville, CA USA
Posts: 79
Don't you have to clear customs first? The last time I did that I ended up on the wrong side of security. It seemed unlikely that they would let me through to the IFL without the appropriate boarding pass. So I slummed it in the RCC. That is not the most pleasant way to spend 3 hours waiting for a connection but it beats sitting in the terminal.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
Don't you have to clear customs first? The last time I did that I ended up on the wrong side of security. It seemed unlikely that they would let me through to the IFL without the appropriate boarding pass. So I slummed it in the RCC. That is not the most pleasant way to spend 3 hours waiting for a connection but it beats sitting in the terminal.
Yes you have to re-clear security to access any lounge. It is easier though now that the terminals are connected by bridge and you can travel freely between the domestic & international terminal. You should also have no trouble getting through security at the international terminal checkpoint because of the walkway.
#10
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
This is not correct (unless I'm not reading right or missing something).
I went SYD-SFO in F a few months back and was connecting to ORD. I went into the IFL in SFO (although they did try to steer me into the Arrivals Lounge at first).
Have always been let in at ORD and IAD if coming off an international flight in F and continuing on.
I went SYD-SFO in F a few months back and was connecting to ORD. I went into the IFL in SFO (although they did try to steer me into the Arrivals Lounge at first).
Have always been let in at ORD and IAD if coming off an international flight in F and continuing on.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 45
This is not correct (unless I'm not reading right or missing something).
I went SYD-SFO in F a few months back and was connecting to ORD. I went into the IFL in SFO (although they did try to steer me into the Arrivals Lounge at first).
Have always been let in at ORD and IAD if coming off an international flight in F and continuing on.
I went SYD-SFO in F a few months back and was connecting to ORD. I went into the IFL in SFO (although they did try to steer me into the Arrivals Lounge at first).
Have always been let in at ORD and IAD if coming off an international flight in F and continuing on.
#12
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Crystal City, VA
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Posts: 2,627
#13
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Join Date: Apr 2004
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International First Class Customers: Customers have access to International First Class and/or any Star Alliance member carriers' own lounges.
- Customer must present a boarding card for the same day travel in international First Class on a Star Alliance flight
- Customer must be departing from the local airport in International First Class
- Customer is entitled to one guest
#14
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 350
Is this something new or specific to SFO? In late May my wife and I flew international F (LHR-ORD-GRR) - not only were we allowed in the IFL at ORD, one of the IFL staff met us as we deplaned to personally give us invitiations to it.
#15
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
I think it's the IFL attendant that missed it. The newest rules (several months old) state that you must be departing in F to be allowed in an F lounge. See item #2 on the subject (quoted and bolded below) from http://www.staralliance.com/en/trave...ss-policy.html. This was a huge topic of discussion when it came out.
Also don't forget that most rules go out the window for GS, so your experience would be very different from the general masses.
Also don't forget that most rules go out the window for GS, so your experience would be very different from the general masses.