Just come back and it has to be said that as expected the return leg was not as good as the outbound.

Used OLCI (which opened more or less at T-23) having 26D but no new seats available. I turned up at the First desk at SFO 2.5 hours before departure and they also said that none were available (even though I was seq #2) but that they would make a note in the system - but there wasn't the same 'we'll try to fix it' attitude that I got at LHR.

After grabbing a bite to eat I went through security (totally empty) and went to the lounge (checking again with the lounge agent re changing seat and being told to check again just before boarding).

The first room was packed (and is really pokey) so I took a much nicer seat in the main lounge and relaxed before boarding from the door - this is the best aspect of the SFO experience. As expected there was no better seat for me so it was a much more cramped trip back, although service on board was similar to outbound.

We arrived about 30 mins late and despite whizzing through immigration (skipped IRIS as there was no Q) and with just handbaggage I made it to the arrivals lounge just as they were shutting up. I managed to blag in for a quick shower but the food area had been completely cleared which was a pity.

So in conclusion, the return leg as a gold was no better than my many previous trips as a silver (worse if you count in the occasional UGs ).

I may give beardy a swizz on the next trip to see how they compare...