Next month, Mrs. Toddcan and I will be heading to Oahu on an Aeroplan rewards J flight (technically, I). We don't fly much, so I like to enjoy the experience, including lounges, and nice seats. I specifically grabbed the AC YYZ-SFO flight on the 767, and not the Airbus - just to grab the pods (yes, I know it's only a 5 hr flight).

Anyways, we have a 5-6 hr gap between our YYZ-SFO and our SFO-HNL flight. The SFO-NHL flight is on UA, if that matters, and I am trying to decide which SFO lounge to spend our time in. I've been to SFO last month, but I flew Y, so the only lounge I checked out was the Amex Centurion in T3. It was nice. Very nice. But, what about the other lounges? Having an Amex Plat card, there are options. Flying business gives me more options. Am also a Priority Pass member.

According to my itinerary, I'm flying into the international terminal in SFO - but the UA flight to HNL leaves from terminal 3. What I do remember was that I could get to the Centurian lounge (in Terminal 3) from the International Terminal without going through a TSA check (there was a walkway from INTL to T1 which side skirted a TSA checkpoint. SO, I think that is still an option.

Flying out of T3 in SFO, I see there are 2 United lounges I could visit - the United Club which is a new one near gate 72 in T3, or, another one situated somewhere near Gate 70, I believe. Might even be one in the Intl terminal too.

However, I read that the SFO airport has several TSA checkpoints - you cannot simple walk around the entire loop (confirm?) - which means some of these lounges might mean going through checks that I would otherwise not need.

Lots of preamble.. please forgive me. But, for me, these experiences are rare, so I thought I'd come here and ask recommendations from the much more seasoned fliers and lounge users.

My plan is to check out the UA Lounge, and also the Centurion Lounge. But... I've been told over in the AC forum that I might not be allowed access to the UC Lounges in SFO. Even though I'm flying business class, I am told that there are some restrictions - something about having to be an international flight. I called the UC Service line, and was told by a CS rep that I do indeed qualify to use the SFO Lounges (except for the First lounge, of course). But, I know enough that a CS rep's word is not always accurate

Can anyone more familiar with UA or UC policies provide some assistance or advice?

(BTW, yes, I have thought about grabbing a cab to SFO for a few hours- but I just did that last month - so a relaxing airport stay is what I'm looking for)