Mar 8, 2013, 1:45 pm
Last edit by: PTahCha
:-: United's Global First Lounges located at LHR, JFK, ORD, SFO, HKG and NRT are for the exclusive use of passengers traveling in United's Global First or in International First Class on a Star Alliance member aircraft with more than two classes of service departing that day from that airport.
:-: United's Global First Lounge located at IAD is for the exclusive use of passengers traveling in United's Global First. See
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20895856-post36.html for documentation of the exclusion of non-UA F pax from the IAD GFL.
10/31/2013
This has now been confirmed to be false and an incorrect denial by the IAD GFL staff per UA Insider - see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21700252-post535.html
Passengers must be holding a same day ticket for flights departing to/from a Trans Atlantic, Trans Pacific, Southern South America, Africa or a Middle East destination. Passengers connecting to/from other United/United Express flights will be admitted as long as the above requirements are met.
Global Services members can also use Global First Lounges when traveling in BusinessFirst or p.s. (JFK-LAX/SFO) BusinessFirst cabin.
A GS who arrives in BF or GF will be admitted to the GFL. A pax who arrives in GF (Global First - UA operated flight 3-class aircraft) will be admitted to the GFL. A GS or pax who arrives on other metal will not be admitted on that basis.
from United Global First and Arrivals lounges
:-: United's Global First Lounge located at IAD is for the exclusive use of passengers traveling in United's Global First. See
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20895856-post36.html for documentation of the exclusion of non-UA F pax from the IAD GFL.
10/31/2013
This has now been confirmed to be false and an incorrect denial by the IAD GFL staff per UA Insider - see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21700252-post535.html
Passengers must be holding a same day ticket for flights departing to/from a Trans Atlantic, Trans Pacific, Southern South America, Africa or a Middle East destination. Passengers connecting to/from other United/United Express flights will be admitted as long as the above requirements are met.
Global Services members can also use Global First Lounges when traveling in BusinessFirst or p.s. (JFK-LAX/SFO) BusinessFirst cabin.
A GS who arrives in BF or GF will be admitted to the GFL. A pax who arrives in GF (Global First - UA operated flight 3-class aircraft) will be admitted to the GFL. A GS or pax who arrives on other metal will not be admitted on that basis.
from United Global First and Arrivals lounges
United Global FirstSM Lounge
The United Global First Lounge is an oasis of service and privacy. Tailored to the needs of United Global First customers on long-haul international flights*, we offer personalized services, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and premium beverages.
Access policy
The following customers may access the United Global First lounge by showing their United boarding pass for a flight arriving or departing on a same-day (within 24 hours) itinerary.
United Global First customers traveling on long-haul international flights*
Star Alliance™ First customers departing on international flights
These eligible United Global First Lounge visitors are allowed one adult or child to accompany them as a guest.
*Long-haul international flights are between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East or South America.
The United Global First Lounge is an oasis of service and privacy. Tailored to the needs of United Global First customers on long-haul international flights*, we offer personalized services, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and premium beverages.
Access policy
The following customers may access the United Global First lounge by showing their United boarding pass for a flight arriving or departing on a same-day (within 24 hours) itinerary.
United Global First customers traveling on long-haul international flights*
Star Alliance™ First customers departing on international flights
These eligible United Global First Lounge visitors are allowed one adult or child to accompany them as a guest.
*Long-haul international flights are between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East or South America.
Global First Lounge (IFL / GFL) Access Questions and Experiences
Oct 5, 2014, 1:37 pm
#1006
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
There are no doubt Americans who buy luxury hard goods (cars, handbags, etc) and there are fine dining restaurants and boutique hotels that make a killing. My point is that there are no American mass-market service companies that are successful at selling a luxury service no nationwide restaurants, no large hotel chains, and no airlines. There just isn't the demand for it and UA realizes that. My guess is that UA could have a flawless hard and soft , air and ground product and it wouldn't be profitable. UA knows their customers, they know what their customers are willing to pay for, and, my guess, is they know that offering the GF product people here at FT think they should is not a good business for them to be in (and I think they are right).
They already have the GF cabins and the GFLs and if they can convince people to pay a premium for them (either cash, miles, or certs) they likely pay for the small extra staffing (GFLs) and the bit of extra food (GFLs & GF) but there is no reason for them to invest in either. As the cabins get refirbs GF will go away and as airports get rebuilt the GFLs will go away or (more likely) convert to GS lounges.
They already have the GF cabins and the GFLs and if they can convince people to pay a premium for them (either cash, miles, or certs) they likely pay for the small extra staffing (GFLs) and the bit of extra food (GFLs & GF) but there is no reason for them to invest in either. As the cabins get refirbs GF will go away and as airports get rebuilt the GFLs will go away or (more likely) convert to GS lounges.
Diminish the value of the product so no one will pay for it and then cancel it because no one is buying it.
In the meantime, I spend my money for paid F on foreign airlines that offer a product worth what it costs.
Oct 6, 2014, 12:30 am
#1007
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
They already have the GF cabins and the GFLs and if they can convince people to pay a premium for them (either cash, miles, or certs) they likely pay for the small extra staffing (GFLs) and the bit of extra food (GFLs & GF) but there is no reason for them to invest in either. As the cabins get refirbs GF will go away and as airports get rebuilt the GFLs will go away or (more likely) convert to GS lounges.
Oct 6, 2014, 5:54 am
#1008
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
Programs: UA GS, DL Plat, Marriott Bonvoy LIfetime Titanium/SPG refugee, Hertz Prez, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,201
What's funny, IME just today, is that even the employees don't think someone would pay for it. I did (don't flame me!) from LHR to SFO. I've had to call twice today with an issue and both agents (one a general agent but the other on the premier desk) mentioned my upgrading. Both times I pointed out I was booked and paid in FC. They both apologized!
Oct 6, 2014, 10:25 am
#1009
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
Spouse and I flew in GF for the first time NRT>ORD a few days ago, and I have to say the lounge experience @ NRT was truly wretched. We arrived on a redeye from SGN hoping to be able to freshen up and have breakfast before heading into Tokyo for a few hours, but when the UC agent sent us up to the GFL, she forgot to check if it was even open. We waited around for someone for ten minutes, then headed back down to the UC. When we pointed out that she had directed us to an empty GFL with no employees or food, she just shrugged.
The UC was terrible, with almost no food to speak of at breakfast -- seriously, the stateside UCs have better breakfast spreads! And this after I'd been talking to my spouse about what a great experience we were going to have. We finally just headed into Tokyo on an empty stomach, and fortunately had a great lunch at a fantastic tempura place.
When we headed back to the GFL in advance of our afternoon departure, the situation was almost no better. The only food was a few stale, plastic-wrapped finger sandwiches and some old sushi. And the GFL was so full we couldn't sit together at first.
The only upside was that the GF seat is in fact a serious upgrade over BF, particularly the amount of storage at hand. Otherwise the experience was truly terrible, first to last.
The UC was terrible, with almost no food to speak of at breakfast -- seriously, the stateside UCs have better breakfast spreads! And this after I'd been talking to my spouse about what a great experience we were going to have. We finally just headed into Tokyo on an empty stomach, and fortunately had a great lunch at a fantastic tempura place.
When we headed back to the GFL in advance of our afternoon departure, the situation was almost no better. The only food was a few stale, plastic-wrapped finger sandwiches and some old sushi. And the GFL was so full we couldn't sit together at first.
The only upside was that the GF seat is in fact a serious upgrade over BF, particularly the amount of storage at hand. Otherwise the experience was truly terrible, first to last.
Oct 6, 2014, 10:48 am
#1010
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,169
Why not go to the NH F lounge?
Oct 6, 2014, 3:09 pm
#1011
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Exactly. You should have just gone to the NH F lounge.
Oct 6, 2014, 5:42 pm
#1012
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
Actually, they should have flown NH in F as well.
Oct 6, 2014, 6:59 pm
#1013
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,694
Oct 6, 2014, 7:33 pm
#1014
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,313
On a more serious note the GFL can't compare with the ANA regular clubs in terms of food, although the GFL has occasionally had some halfway decent dumplings.... If I am hungry I head to the ANA noodle bars and get my fill... The only times I've seen the GFL lounge really full is if there are a lot of delays piling up - usually it's not very full. As for the regular UC - in the afternoon it is a crazy mad house and honestly I never stay - I just head to the ANA lounge.
Oct 6, 2014, 7:39 pm
#1015
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
I would rather be out in the terminal than stuck in the UC. NRT is actually quite pleasant, with great shopping, public seating areas, and fast free wifi. The UC by contrast is a great example of how, if you tell people something is a "perk," they will act as if it really is, when any objective analysis would show it is actually a downgrade.
Oct 6, 2014, 7:53 pm
#1016
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,694
I would rather be out in the terminal than stuck in the UC. NRT is actually quite pleasant, with great shopping, public seating areas, and fast free wifi. The UC by contrast is a great example of how, if you tell people something is a "perk," they will act as if it really is, when any objective analysis would show it is actually a downgrade.
Oct 6, 2014, 8:17 pm
#1017
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
Also the showers are pretty nice ... so nice that I left all my toiletries there the other day.
Oct 6, 2014, 8:23 pm
#1018
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,313
BTW, I was stunned at how nice the CA business product is on some of their A330-300's - mainly because my standards for CA were pretty low but it was nice to be surprised - plenty of room and lie flat seats in a 2-2-2 config with easy access and attentive FA's. Brilliant!
Oct 6, 2014, 11:08 pm
#1019
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Oct 8, 2014, 5:06 am
#1020
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
Yeah, that wasn't gonna happen. The trip was on miles.
I was told that while the business lounges were fungible, the individual *A carriers' F lounges were only for their passengers. I had a friend who tried to access the LH F lounge in FRA when flying UA GF and was politely but firmly rebuffed.
But thanks to all for the suggestion! One thing you can count on here at FT: it's always the passenger's fault.
The trip was on miles.I was told that while the business lounges were fungible, the individual *A carriers' F lounges were only for their passengers. I had a friend who tried to access the LH F lounge in FRA when flying UA GF and was politely but firmly rebuffed.
But thanks to all for the suggestion! One thing you can count on here at FT: it's always the passenger's fault.