Last edit by: dhuey
UA @ SFO uses Terminals D, E, F, G, all UA gates are connected airside
UA terminal map & SFO terminal map
United clubs locations:
E gates -- near E3
F gates -- in the F rotunda
G gates -- near G9 (former Global First Lounge)
Mezzanine -- across from E1 (between E & F concourse)
United Polaris Lounge (United/Star Alliance long-haul business class passengers only) - just past Intl G security on the right.
Arrivals -- CLOSED - was near UA Domestic baggage claim (near the Internation Terminal end escalator) on the Arrival level
AMEX Centurion Lounge -- across from Gate F1
Freshen Up! -- is an independent option for Shower facilities, nap rooms, toiletries, ironing facilities and undergarments.
MCT
UA-UA D-D is usually 30 minutes
xx-UA I-D is generally 80-105 minutes (but without Global Entry this is very tight)
UA-XX D-D is ????
Incoming International (except Canadian flights arriving as domestic flights - clearance is done in Canada) - must clear USA immigration and customs even if in-transit to a non-USA destination. Therefore also need to re-clear security if connecting.
Bags can be check at either International Check (G) or Domestic check-in (T3) for either international or domestic flights -- you may get some pushback at International check-in counters checking bags for solely domestic flights (apparently it is a bit more complex to get the bags to the domestic side)
Bag storage Open Everyday 6am – 11 pm
Before security, on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, near the entrance to Gates G91-G102.
Related threads
Connecting in SFO
Archived posts: Consolidated Connection time/logistics-Domestic & International at SFO [ARCHIVE]
UA terminal map & SFO terminal map
United clubs locations:
E gates -- near E3
F gates -- in the F rotunda
G gates -- near G9 (former Global First Lounge)
Mezzanine -- across from E1 (between E & F concourse)
United Polaris Lounge (United/Star Alliance long-haul business class passengers only) - just past Intl G security on the right.
Arrivals -- CLOSED - was near UA Domestic baggage claim (near the Internation Terminal end escalator) on the Arrival level
AMEX Centurion Lounge -- across from Gate F1
Freshen Up! -- is an independent option for Shower facilities, nap rooms, toiletries, ironing facilities and undergarments.
MCT
UA-UA D-D is usually 30 minutes
xx-UA I-D is generally 80-105 minutes (but without Global Entry this is very tight)
UA-XX D-D is ????
Incoming International (except Canadian flights arriving as domestic flights - clearance is done in Canada) - must clear USA immigration and customs even if in-transit to a non-USA destination. Therefore also need to re-clear security if connecting.
Bags can be check at either International Check (G) or Domestic check-in (T3) for either international or domestic flights -- you may get some pushback at International check-in counters checking bags for solely domestic flights (apparently it is a bit more complex to get the bags to the domestic side)
Bag storage Open Everyday 6am – 11 pm
Before security, on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, near the entrance to Gates G91-G102.
Related threads
Connecting in SFO
Archived posts: Consolidated Connection time/logistics-Domestic & International at SFO [ARCHIVE]
Consolidated SFO connection time/logistics-Domestic & International
#181
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Posts: 60,174
You have to grab bags at the first landing in the US. So you could grab the bags at SFO and simply exit (do not go to transfer/connection). Then rip off those bag tags, go upstairs and check in for SFO-BOS with new bag tags attached.
I’m a scaredy-cat to do these types of things but that is how you could execute the plan.
I’m a scaredy-cat to do these types of things but that is how you could execute the plan.
#183
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Thanks for confirming. Wasn't sure if SFO had moved to the video system for connecting bags like other airports.
#185
Moderator: United Airlines
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There are a few airports that bypass that for International to International connection at a USA airport -- Only UA case is IAH with an ongoing UA and few other international flights.
#186
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If landing first in US at IAH for an int'l connection, bags are transferred.
#187
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#188
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#189
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Santa Clara, Calif.
Programs: AA 1MM (Back to GLD for now)
Posts: 164
SFO - Premier Gold Best Check-in location for night flight
Have not flown UA with any status since before the international terminal was built at SFO(!!).
Now have UA Gold and a domestic flight tonight leaving (at the moment) out of Gate F2.
Am I correct that it will be fastest and easiest to check in at the International Terminal and go through security there (Pre-Check) then walk over to the gate airside?
Check in will be around 9:30 PM or so.
Thanks,
-Plat
Now have UA Gold and a domestic flight tonight leaving (at the moment) out of Gate F2.
Am I correct that it will be fastest and easiest to check in at the International Terminal and go through security there (Pre-Check) then walk over to the gate airside?
Check in will be around 9:30 PM or so.
Thanks,
-Plat
#191
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Santa Clara, Calif.
Programs: AA 1MM (Back to GLD for now)
Posts: 164
My thinking was that F1 - F4 are closest to Int'l and both the Premier check in AND the only Terminal 3 Pre-Check (not CLEAR) line are at the other end of T3.
Per the SFO website, checkpoint F3 does not have Pre-check?
Thanks,
-Plat
Per the SFO website, checkpoint F3 does not have Pre-check?
Thanks,
-Plat
#192
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 347
I've always gone through Terminal 3 security when going to any F or E gate. F2 is not that far from security in T3, like a few minutes. If you're worried about security lines, I've never had to wait more than a few minutes with precheck in T3.
#193
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SFO
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier 1k, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, National Exec Elite
Posts: 81
Just go through the normal domestic pre-check line. Its only 1-2 minutes from F2 and chances are at 9:30pm, the line would be next to non-existent. The walk from the G would probably be longer even though F1 and F2 are the two closest gates to G.
#194
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SFO
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier 1k, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, National Exec Elite
Posts: 81
Security by F3 have been closed most of the time now, only during peak periods you might see it open. It does have Pre-TSA when it was open though.
#195
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Agreed. Not only is it closer to F2, but the international checkpoints (A and G) can be relatively less efficient. The only reasons I'd consider going through G for a domestic departure are (1) if I was coming from BART, or (2) if it was a peak domestic departure period, which 9:30 pm is definitely not.