Feb 10, 2022, 8:05 am
Last edit by: Zorak
Click HERE to read discussion from 2013 - 2021.
FAQ
Q: Where is the lounge?
A: Terminal 3, F concourse, right by Gate F2 (formerly gate 75) and the F-1 security checkpoint (that has PreCheck, sometimes).
Q: Can I visit there if I'm departing from another terminal?
A: Absolutely. Security at SFO will let passengers departing from any concourse at SFO go through security in any concourse, even ones that aren't connected behind security. At the moment, concourses C, D, E, F, and G are all connected airside to the Centurion lounge. From boarding areas A or B you would have to clear security twice. For the most up-to-date info, see Connecting in SFO thread in the FlyerTalk San Francisco forum.
Q: Can I visit if I'm arriving at SFO?
A: Centurion Lounges no longer offer access on arrival.
FAQ
Q: Where is the lounge?
A: Terminal 3, F concourse, right by Gate F2 (formerly gate 75) and the F-1 security checkpoint (that has PreCheck, sometimes).
Q: Can I visit there if I'm departing from another terminal?
A: Absolutely. Security at SFO will let passengers departing from any concourse at SFO go through security in any concourse, even ones that aren't connected behind security. At the moment, concourses C, D, E, F, and G are all connected airside to the Centurion lounge. From boarding areas A or B you would have to clear security twice. For the most up-to-date info, see Connecting in SFO thread in the FlyerTalk San Francisco forum.
Q: Can I visit if I'm arriving at SFO?
A: Centurion Lounges no longer offer access on arrival.
Centurion Lounge SFO [Opened 6 November 2014; Expanded 31 December 2022]
Aug 1, 2022, 9:00 am
#106
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,849
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at SFO is located at the International Terminal, A Gates, near Gate A1.
On the other hand, UA flights depart from a few D Gates in Terminal 2, the E & F Gates in Terminal 3, and the International Terminal, G Gates.
So in every case, after finishing a visit at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, one would have to exit security and then re-clear security to catch a UA flight.
On the other hand, UA flights depart from a few D Gates in Terminal 2, the E & F Gates in Terminal 3, and the International Terminal, G Gates.
So in every case, after finishing a visit at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, one would have to exit security and then re-clear security to catch a UA flight.
Aug 1, 2022, 9:00 am
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,034
In the mid 1990s, SPN was served by CO, NW & UA.
In 2000, when the UA merger with US was proposed, I bought a lifetime spousal US Airways Club membership as a potential back-door to a lifetime UA membership, which hadn't been sold for at least a decade. Similarly, there were talks about a possible CO-NW merger, so I bought a lifetime spousal Presidents Club membership.
As you may know, the Clinton Administration disapproved a UA-US merger as "anti-competitive".
However, the G.W. Bush Administration approved UA-CO, AA-US, and DL-NW. Don't look to me for investment advice. (!)
I did get some very good use out of my Presidents Club membership in the NW World Club (later DL Sky Club) at NRT through 2010 or 2011, and of course the in the former landside Presidents Club at SFO Terminal 1 until it closed.
Aug 1, 2022, 9:02 am
#108
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Posts: 56,448
Based on the current status of the T1 North Ticketing Lobby, 2024 sounds optimistic. It's currently a big hole in the ground.
No one should be holding their breath for a direct A to G connection.
Aug 1, 2022, 9:05 am
#109
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Join Date: Mar 2010
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i’m a little confused, walking from the United G gates (for example where the CL club is located) to the international terminal where the other lounges and A gates doesn’t require any passage through security in either direction. Has something changed recently? Thanks
Still only a hole in the ground? What's slowing the project down?
Aug 1, 2022, 9:07 am
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,034
i’m a little confused, walking from the United G gates (for example where the CL club is located) to the international terminal where the other lounges and A gates doesn’t require any passage through security in either direction. Has something changed recently? Thanks
However, the G Gates and the A Gates have always been separate "wings" of the International Terminal (north and south, respectively) ever since it was built. Nothing has changed. The international check-in is between those two wings, and you have to choose one or the other. See the SFO map.
https://www.flysfo.com/maps
Historically, Star Alliance was at the G Gates, while oneworld was at the A Gates. I am not sure about Sky Team, but believe they are at A as well.
Before the current International Terminal was built, in evental connection with the BART extension, the International Terminal was in what is now simply Terminal 2.
Last edited by SPN Lifer; Aug 1, 2022 at 9:25 am
Aug 1, 2022, 4:44 pm
#111
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA PP, UA 1K/MM, WoH Globalist, HH Gold
Posts: 1,195
i’m a little confused, walking from the United G gates (for example where the CL club is located) to the international terminal where the other lounges and A gates doesn’t require any passage through security in either direction. Has something changed recently? Thanks
Aug 1, 2022, 5:40 pm
#112
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
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Why would this be on anybody's priority list? UA Terminal F already connects nicely to the *A partner flights, and soon AA/DL will better connect to OW and ST flights (if they don't already) with no need to re-connect through security.
And of course if you are going interntional->domestic you have to clear security anyway after customs so there is no benefit.
Personally I would just walk across the international terminal checkin area as I am through security in <5 minutes with Clear. But maybe some people need the exercise.
Then again I refuse to walk 5 minutes from the UA lounge to Amex lounge, at least until the waitlist is gone.
And of course if you are going interntional->domestic you have to clear security anyway after customs so there is no benefit.
Then again I refuse to walk 5 minutes from the UA lounge to Amex lounge, at least until the waitlist is gone.
Aug 1, 2022, 6:30 pm
#113
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,849
Aug 3, 2022, 11:47 am
#114
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Location: Berkeley, CA USA
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I would do that as well between A and G, and I like to walk around before flights. But I also have Clear and PreCheck, so I don't worry about long queues at security.
Aug 3, 2022, 7:10 pm
#115
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Flying through here next week. I usually fly DL (so have lounge access over there) but for once I'm on UA taking the morning SFO - RDU direct. How busy is the lounge in the morning (SFO - RDU leaves at 930am)? Last time I was there was a number of years ago so I have no idea what it is like these days (either crowds or quality).
Worth showing up early for some Centurion time or don't bother and just show up right before boarding?
Worth showing up early for some Centurion time or don't bother and just show up right before boarding?
Aug 3, 2022, 7:28 pm
#116
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I'd say it depends on the gate. If your gate is near you can roll the dice and see if there is a waitlist. If your gate is farther out in F or even E, and you have non-Amex PP restaurant access I would highly recommend one of the PP restaurants which usually offer pretty fast service. From what I've observed most people come here to drink, not to eat.
Aug 3, 2022, 7:28 pm
#117
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Flying through here next week. I usually fly DL (so have lounge access over there) but for once I'm on UA taking the morning SFO - RDU direct. How busy is the lounge in the morning (SFO - RDU leaves at 930am)? Last time I was there was a number of years ago so I have no idea what it is like these days (either crowds or quality).
Worth showing up early for some Centurion time or don't bother and just show up right before boarding?
Worth showing up early for some Centurion time or don't bother and just show up right before boarding?
Aug 3, 2022, 7:59 pm
#118
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
I'd say it depends on the gate. If your gate is near you can roll the dice and see if there is a waitlist. If your gate is farther out in F or even E, and you have non-Amex PP restaurant access I would highly recommend one of the PP restaurants which usually offer pretty fast service. From what I've observed most people come here to drink, not to eat.
Aug 3, 2022, 8:05 pm
#119
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Join Date: Feb 2001
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Then I'd definitely go for the restaurant of your choice in E or F. It'll be exactly the meal you want, and a more peaceful experience. I like the SFO CL, but it's often not your best option.
Aug 3, 2022, 8:07 pm
#120
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The PP restaurants can get busy as well. It's hard to say with any sort of certainty. Yankee Pier is very close to the CL so you can quickly check before heading up to the CL. By default, I go to the CL first.