SFO lounge nightmare
Jul 24, 2023, 7:31 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,470
I did not experience anything like this when I flew on June 29. However, that was only days after the swap so I suspect some percentage of people hadn't figured it out yet. Looks terrible. Very concerning.
Aug 1, 2023, 9:27 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,721
Aug 1, 2023, 10:01 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,747
I've been to the old lounge a few times and it's unquestionably one of the worst international lounges I've ever been to (the only one that might be worse is AF lounge BOS). It was insanely crowded before JL flight, little food and no shower. This review sounds about right. I certainly won't miss it.
Aug 8, 2023, 9:17 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: UA 1K, DL PM, AA Nobody, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 564
I am glad I found this thread. Flying next week into T1 domestic and then out of the International terminal on JL 1. I will definitely spend my lounge time in the AC in T1.
By the way, anyone complaining about any lounge anywhere, I always ask them if they have had the pleasure of enjoying the CM lounge at SDQ or how about the PAGGS lounge in Terminal 1 in MNL. Ha!
By the way, anyone complaining about any lounge anywhere, I always ask them if they have had the pleasure of enjoying the CM lounge at SDQ or how about the PAGGS lounge in Terminal 1 in MNL. Ha!
Aug 8, 2023, 11:01 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,170
I am glad I found this thread. Flying next week into T1 domestic and then out of the International terminal on JL 1. I will definitely spend my lounge time in the AC in T1.
By the way, anyone complaining about any lounge anywhere, I always ask them if they have had the pleasure of enjoying the CM lounge at SDQ or how about the PAGGS lounge in Terminal 1 in MNL. Ha!
By the way, anyone complaining about any lounge anywhere, I always ask them if they have had the pleasure of enjoying the CM lounge at SDQ or how about the PAGGS lounge in Terminal 1 in MNL. Ha!
Aug 21, 2023, 12:01 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco, where else?
Programs: EXP,EX-CK 2.5mm, now lifetime Platinum, ex-UA1K, Marriott- Platinum, Hertz 5*
Posts: 991
That should be a much better option... I've never been a fan of the BA lounge but now it's exponentially worse. I am surprised that JAL isn't maintaining a beautiful / flagship lounge here in SFO, if only for status / reputation sake. Really, they are going to allow CX to have prettier lounges in SFO and HND? Where's the pride.... I guess the accountants stole it....
Aug 21, 2023, 12:36 pm
#24
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: NYC, SIN, or anywhere in-between :)
Programs: Japan Airlines JGC Diamond / Oneworld Emerald
Posts: 112
I used to connect from JFK--TYO(--XXX) via LAX on occasion, when I have found flights that are cheaper than JFK--HND(--XXX). I avoided SFO for the lounge situation, but now it is a great moment to originate or connect at SFO for JL or any OW flyers 
Although, I hope this is not the dreaded news that someday, JL will close their worse-performing lounges outside of TYO
Although, I hope this is not the dreaded news that someday, JL will close their worse-performing lounges outside of TYO
Aug 21, 2023, 4:01 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,170
That should be a much better option... I've never been a fan of the BA lounge but now it's exponentially worse. I am surprised that JAL isn't maintaining a beautiful / flagship lounge here in SFO, if only for status / reputation sake. Really, they are going to allow CX to have prettier lounges in SFO and HND? Where's the pride.... I guess the accountants stole it....
The JAL outstation lounges was never beautiful flagship lounges, though some improvements were made a few years ago to Bangkok and Manila. I think the key factors for a broad selection of their main passenger demographics has always been comfort food and drinks of Japan, and staff that speaks Japanese. And they deliver pretty well there.
Last edited by CPH-Flyer; Aug 21, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Aug 22, 2023, 8:04 am
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,466
Given CX's extremely limited flight schedule, CX lounge will not be available unless you're flying JL on a Wednesday or Sunday.
Agree. You don't fly JAL (or NH) for the outstation lounges. I made the mistake once of going to JL at BKK rather than CX.
Agree. You don't fly JAL (or NH) for the outstation lounges. I made the mistake once of going to JL at BKK rather than CX.
Aug 25, 2023, 10:28 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA, Marriott
Posts: 210
Drats, missing this by just a few days! It would have been fun to see it and avoid all the BA drama at the same time.
Aug 28, 2023, 9:43 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,747
ANA is a totally different story. I used online BPs at ORD and IAD 13 years ago with no issues at all.