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
Nov 12, 2019, 1:09 pm
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
I agree it's odd - a UA award? As long as you're savvy - which sounds like you are - seems like a good way to ticket a unicorn Saver award. You can either run for it (I agree with GE, no checked bag, and the premium cabin you will probably make it) or call UA at some point as get positive space on SFO-DEN/ORD-YYZ.
"Hi, I'm booked on PNR ABC123, and I just remembered/found out that I have to go through US immigration and security at SFO. I don't think I can make it in 55 minutes. Is there any way you can put me on the nonstop flight from Sydney instead?"
Nov 14, 2019, 7:28 pm
#109
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA MileagePlus Premier Platinum
Posts: 1,360
Can someone please advise which PreCheck checkpoint to use for an international to domestic connection? Turn left and end up in the G checkin area, and use PreCheck there? Or turn right, and walk all the way to the PreCheck at F? Arriving from AKL.
Thank you.
Edited to add: I’ll be in Polaris on AKL-SFO, so hoping for a quick stop at the Polaris lounge.
Thank you.
Edited to add: I’ll be in Polaris on AKL-SFO, so hoping for a quick stop at the Polaris lounge.
Nov 14, 2019, 8:48 pm
#110
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
If planning to go to the PL, re-enter security at the G gates and you will be right at the entrance to the PL. There are times of the day one is quicker than the other but once you walk to the either of the F security areas and then walk back to the PL, going to F isn't going to save that much time.
Nov 14, 2019, 8:52 pm
#111
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If planning to go to the PL, re-enter security at the G gates and you will be right at the entrance to the PL. There are times of the day one is quicker than the other but once you walk to the either of the F security areas and then walk back to the PL, going to F isn't going to save that much time.
Nov 15, 2019, 1:49 am
#112
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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You wouldn't turn right exiting immigration for either. I agree that G security is the call before 10 a.m. And really any time if Polaris lounge is your destination. It's a very long walk to F Pre and then back.
Nov 15, 2019, 5:43 am
#113
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
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Posts: 1,360
Nov 15, 2019, 5:50 am
#114
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So I found a great Saver Award ticket, all lie flat from SYD-YYZ.
The only connection I am slightly worried about is SFO-YYZ... ANZ Flight from AKL lands @ 11a, and AC flight to YYZ departs at 11:55a, all on ONE ticket.
Will only have carry-on; have TSA Pre/Global Entry/NEXUS and CLEAR.
Doable?
The only connection I am slightly worried about is SFO-YYZ... ANZ Flight from AKL lands @ 11a, and AC flight to YYZ departs at 11:55a, all on ONE ticket.
Will only have carry-on; have TSA Pre/Global Entry/NEXUS and CLEAR.
Doable?
Nov 15, 2019, 5:59 am
#115
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,470
The most straightforward trajectory from just after you encounter passport control (US CBP) is 1. walk straight through the bag reclaim and veer left (after passing the former customs area), 2. enter the terminal connecting hallway and turn left (walking past bag recheck), 3. turn left again up the escalator. This puts you in the G arrivals area with the ticket counters.
If you were to turn right after passport control, you would get to the curb for international arrivals.
Nov 15, 2019, 9:53 am
#116
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
While going the bag reclaim is a bit shorter, either way can work.
Dec 19, 2019, 10:39 pm
#118
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1
March 2020: YYC-SFO-HND
Hi Everyone,
I apologize if this has been covered in the forum at some point.
Some friends and I have booked a flight in mid-March from Calgary to Tokyo (Haneda) with a1H 45M connection at SFO. As I've never flown through the US, I was wondering if this will be tight?
YYC-SFO is United 5531operated by Skywest scheduled to land 9:50 and SFO-HND is ANA 7011 operated by United scheduled to depart 11:35. Based on doing some research it looks like we would likely arrive at SFO via Gate F or E and Depart to Haneda via Terminal 3 Gate G. I believe YYC also has pre-check upon departure and we are all Canadian citizens.
Will 1H 45M suffice for time, will baggage need to be claimed/re-checked and is fog an issue in March
Thanks!
I apologize if this has been covered in the forum at some point.
Some friends and I have booked a flight in mid-March from Calgary to Tokyo (Haneda) with a1H 45M connection at SFO. As I've never flown through the US, I was wondering if this will be tight?
YYC-SFO is United 5531operated by Skywest scheduled to land 9:50 and SFO-HND is ANA 7011 operated by United scheduled to depart 11:35. Based on doing some research it looks like we would likely arrive at SFO via Gate F or E and Depart to Haneda via Terminal 3 Gate G. I believe YYC also has pre-check upon departure and we are all Canadian citizens.
Will 1H 45M suffice for time, will baggage need to be claimed/re-checked and is fog an issue in March
Thanks!
Dec 19, 2019, 10:53 pm
#119
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It won't take you more than15 minutes from one gate to the other, and your bags will be transferred automatically. So the only issue is a potential delay on the inbound from YYC. March could definitely see winter storms, causing air traffic control delays, which tend to impact the United Express flights in particular.
Most of us would prefer a longer connection (like 3 hours) in this situation, as SFO is rather infamous for weather delays.
Most of us would prefer a longer connection (like 3 hours) in this situation, as SFO is rather infamous for weather delays.
Dec 19, 2019, 10:55 pm
#120
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Bucktillman10 - Welcome to FlyerTalk. I believe YYC has US pre-check too. So you would arrive into UA domestic terminal and walk to UA International G gates. Perhaps a 10 minute walk. No need to claim / recheck luggage. Weather cannot be predicted and there is the risk of fog. There is a small risk of delayed arrival, but you will likely be fine. Is there an earlier YYC-SFO flight? You may receive other opinions as well. 