Jul 30, 2016, 11:29 am
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
Mar 22, 2024, 8:24 am
#631
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
QQ regarding SFO connection, as I am hardly ever thru there. (I looked at my logs and the last time I was at SFO was in 2015 on a 747 from NRT !).
Had a schedule change now leaving me with 1hr 50 min connection, arriving from ICN and connecting to a domestic UA 777.
Assume this meets MCT? I will likely be hand luggage only, and with Global Entry, so not overly concerned. But if I end up with a checked bag, assume this would be crazy tight?
Thanks.
Had a schedule change now leaving me with 1hr 50 min connection, arriving from ICN and connecting to a domestic UA 777.
Assume this meets MCT? I will likely be hand luggage only, and with Global Entry, so not overly concerned. But if I end up with a checked bag, assume this would be crazy tight?
Thanks.
Mar 22, 2024, 8:51 am
#632
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
QQ regarding SFO connection, as I am hardly ever thru there. (I looked at my logs and the last time I was at SFO was in 2015 on a 747 from NRT !).
Had a schedule change now leaving me with 1hr 50 min connection, arriving from ICN and connecting to a domestic UA 777.
Assume this meets MCT? I will likely be hand luggage only, and with Global Entry, so not overly concerned. But if I end up with a checked bag, assume this would be crazy tight?
Thanks.
Had a schedule change now leaving me with 1hr 50 min connection, arriving from ICN and connecting to a domestic UA 777.
Assume this meets MCT? I will likely be hand luggage only, and with Global Entry, so not overly concerned. But if I end up with a checked bag, assume this would be crazy tight?
Thanks.
Mar 22, 2024, 8:58 am
#633
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
I am in Polaris, so I have that going for me...
Mar 22, 2024, 9:25 am
#634
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
Mar 22, 2024, 11:27 am
#635
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Join Date: Mar 2010
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Be curious to see the SFO Polaris lounge, though likely only for a short visit. I finally found United to have a competitive fare to BKK in J, though an extra segment each way compared to usual routings. Will miss the better catering, but actually feeling nostalgic for the NRT transfer and night-time arrival.
I am also kind of jazzed to experience the old IPTE seats again (domestic legs on 777 HD) I had to grab a rear facing seat for old times sake.
Mar 22, 2024, 11:50 am
#636
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 18
Looking at YYC-SFO-PVG all on UA:
- Only 1.5hrs connection time at SFO - will it be too tight? I will have 1 checked bag.
- I assume there will be some kinda gate change - will I need to go through security again?
- Will I need to claim the checked bag and re-check it after?
- It seems ExpertFlyer can indicate how full a flight is by fare class - are there other/better ways to check?
- re upgrade for the SFO-PVG leg (from G) - I don't have any status with UA or its loyalty program. Do I stand any chance for an upgrade? If so how much will it normally be?
Mar 22, 2024, 11:55 am
#637
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Looking at YYC-SFO-PVG all on UA:
- Only 1.5hrs connection time at SFO - will it be too tight? I will have 1 checked bag.
- I assume there will be some kinda gate change - will I need to go through security again?
- Will I need to claim the checked bag and re-check it after?
- It seems ExpertFlyer can indicate how full a flight is by fare class - are there other/better ways to check?
- re upgrade for the SFO-PVG leg (from G) - I don't have any status with UA or its loyalty program. Do I stand any chance for an upgrade? If so how much will it normally be?
2. No security check; just go from D/E/F gates to G gate for SFO-PVG (10-15 min walk)
3. No.
4. No idea. You will know how full the flight will be after everyone check in at T-60 min.
5. Miles + co-payment. Check other threads. It is very difficult to say without the flight date.
Mar 22, 2024, 11:56 am
#638
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,516
Looking at YYC-SFO-PVG all on UA:
- Only 1.5hrs connection time at SFO - will it be too tight? I will have 1 checked bag.
- I assume there will be some kinda gate change - will I need to go through security again?
- Will I need to claim the checked bag and re-check it after?
- It seems ExpertFlyer can indicate how full a flight is by fare class - are there other/better ways to check?
- re upgrade for the SFO-PVG leg (from G) - I don't have any status with UA or its loyalty program. Do I stand any chance for an upgrade? If so how much will it normally be?
2. YYC - SFO should be precleared, so you would arrived into SFO no different than a domestic flight. No security at SFO
3. See #1
4. You can use UA Expert mode along with seat map
5. No, but you can see if a paid upgrade might be within your price range
Mar 22, 2024, 11:59 am
#639
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
Looking at YYC-SFO-PVG all on UA:
- Only 1.5hrs connection time at SFO - will it be too tight? I will have 1 checked bag.
- I assume there will be some kinda gate change - will I need to go through security again?
- Will I need to claim the checked bag and re-check it after?
- It seems ExpertFlyer can indicate how full a flight is by fare class - are there other/better ways to check?
- re upgrade for the SFO-PVG leg (from G) - I don't have any status with UA or its loyalty program. Do I stand any chance for an upgrade? If so how much will it normally be?
2 - No, except in the exceptionally unlikely case that one of your flights is in Terminal A.
3 - No
4 - Not sure what you mean
5 - You’ll be offered a buy-up, which can change over time. You can also do a $600 co-pay plus 30K MileagePlus miles, but that would likely be waitlisted, and you’d be the last person on the waitlist.
Mar 22, 2024, 3:35 pm
#640
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 18
Thanks!
It's a huge relief to have no more security and the bag checked through. Thanks all for confirming 
I'm not a MileagePlus member so don't have any UA miles (only has Aeroplan). Currently looking at Apr 4 - May 19.
Looks like I will need MileagePlus membership to use the Expert mode.
Just want to see seat availability as in how many seats are still available by cabin.
I don't have any MileagePlus miles. Sounds like a buy-up ($ only) will be much more than a $600 co-pay? If that's the case, it's probably out of my price range. Also when will a buy-up be offered by the way? Another option would be Economy Plus seats which will cost around $310 one way...
Just want to see seat availability as in how many seats are still available by cabin.
5 - You’ll be offered a buy-up, which can change over time. You can also do a $600 co-pay plus 30K MileagePlus miles, but that would likely be waitlisted, and you’d be the last person on the waitlist.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 22, 2024 at 8:44 pm Reason: not allowed
Mar 22, 2024, 3:43 pm
#641
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Join Date: Aug 2017
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Posts: 10,516
Mar 22, 2024, 11:52 pm
#642
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
I don't have any MileagePlus miles. Sounds like a buy-up ($ only) will be much more than a $600 co-pay? If that's the case, it's probably out of my price range. Also when will a buy-up be offered by the way? Another option would be Economy Plus seats which will cost around $310 one way...
Note that if you decide to purchase Economy Plus — the price for which can also fluctuate — it is just extra legroom, but also, if you later buy-up to Premium Plus or Polaris, the Economy Plus fee would be refunded when travel is complete.
Mar 23, 2024, 5:31 am
#643
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Posts: 56,478
Mar 23, 2024, 9:17 am
#644
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
OP mentioned flying in April and May. Have delays really been that significant? I thought they mostly handled the situation by proactively reducing their schedule.
Mar 23, 2024, 10:02 am
#645
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K - 1 MM, Marriott LT-Plt, Hyatt Glb
Posts: 216
That has been my experience. SFO is my home base. I have not been delayed on departure yet this year, though there have been some mightly long taxis from the North side of F. On arrival I have been held at the departure airport twice (LAX and SEA) for runway construction, both times we made it up in the air.