Originally Posted by
canadiancow
UA doesn't fly SFO-YUL AFAIK.
Incorrect, United does fly SFO-YUL on a 737 MAX:
Originally Posted by
canadiancow
Ticketing airline is pretty much irrelevant for lounge access.
To answer the user's question, yes lounge access is included.
Quoting from the Air Canada website:
Business and First Class Ticket Holders Enjoy Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access as you wait for your Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada codeshare flight, or for a flight with one of our Star Alliance partners.
One thing to keep in mind is the Maple Leaf Lounge at SFO closes 10 PM and your flight departs at 11 PM. If you want to maximize your lounge experience, it might make sense to visit the United Club, which is open midnight in terminal 3 near gate F11.
Here are the access rules for that:
United FirstŪ
A same-day boarding pass on any flight to or from Canada.
In terms of which lounge is better, the Air Canada one should be better from my experience. For one thing they have showers. Additionally, United Clubs tend to be very stingy when it comes to food (the last time I visited, there was cheese and crackers, a feast suitable for a mouse!)
-RooFlyer88