UA at SFO: use intl checkin for a domestic flight?
Aug 6, 2013, 10:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: RDU, NC, USA
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton something
Posts: 844
UA at SFO: use intl checkin for a domestic flight?
Based on when I'm usually flying out of SFO, the intl G checkin desks are often completely empty of pax, whereas the main terminal 3 lines are atrocious.
Does anyone know if you can check in (and really only drop bags) at the intl G checkin desks if you're traveling on a donestic flight that departs from T3?
Does anyone know if you can check in (and really only drop bags) at the intl G checkin desks if you're traveling on a donestic flight that departs from T3?
Aug 6, 2013, 5:56 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Premier Platinum (and falling fast)
Posts: 566
Based on when I'm usually flying out of SFO, the intl G checkin desks are often completely empty of pax, whereas the main terminal 3 lines are atrocious.
Does anyone know if you can check in (and really only drop bags) at the intl G checkin desks if you're traveling on a donestic flight that departs from T3?
Does anyone know if you can check in (and really only drop bags) at the intl G checkin desks if you're traveling on a donestic flight that departs from T3?
Aug 6, 2013, 7:06 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,581
Based on when I'm usually flying out of SFO, the intl G checkin desks are often completely empty of pax, whereas the main terminal 3 lines are atrocious.
Does anyone know if you can check in (and really only drop bags) at the intl G checkin desks if you're traveling on a donestic flight that departs from T3?
Does anyone know if you can check in (and really only drop bags) at the intl G checkin desks if you're traveling on a donestic flight that departs from T3?
Aug 6, 2013, 9:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 568
UA at SFO: use intl checkin for a domestic flight?
Similar with queues to get through security. If one is busy head over the to the other terminal - 2 mins walk and save time.
Aug 6, 2013, 11:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Gold, peon everywhere else
Posts: 989
So you can check in at the domestic terminal for SFO-departing international flights? For some reason, I hadn't ever thought to do that, even while standing in that ridiculous line...
Last edited by iluv2fly; Aug 7, 2013 at 10:42 am Reason: merge
Aug 7, 2013, 12:09 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,005
Based on when I'm usually flying out of SFO, the intl G checkin desks are often completely empty of pax, whereas the main terminal 3 lines are atrocious.
Does anyone know if you can check in (and really only drop bags) at the intl G checkin desks if you're traveling on a donestic flight that departs from T3?
Does anyone know if you can check in (and really only drop bags) at the intl G checkin desks if you're traveling on a donestic flight that departs from T3?
YMMV, but I ended up schlepping my bag down to the T3 checkin and checking my bag there.
Aug 7, 2013, 2:27 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA, OGG(I wish)
Programs: was UA 1K now Gold, cuz UA 1.3 MM; HA,DL,AS (no status in these), Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,238
Well, technically bag check *could* be done. There is a line "downstairs" serving connecting flights as you leave customs/immigration where on-going pax can drop bags for domestic flights. But maybe you'd have to have an attached luggage tag obtained at the original check-in ex-US. Not sure if that line has the ability to create a luggage tag.
Aug 7, 2013, 2:33 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 484
Well, technically bag check *could* be done. There is a line "downstairs" serving connecting flights as you leave customs/immigration where on-going pax can drop bags for domestic flights. But maybe you'd have to have an attached luggage tag obtained at the original check-in ex-US. Not sure if that line has the ability to create a luggage tag.
Aug 7, 2013, 7:31 pm
#11
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Aug 7, 2013, 7:50 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: San Jose CA (SFO)
Programs: UA, TSA-Pre, Global Entry
Posts: 148
Reason? I like parking at the same place or else I am going to lose my car. 90% of my travel is international so I always park on floor 6 of the international parking garage.
This isn't an issue at all.
Aug 8, 2013, 7:45 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: RDU, NC, USA
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton something
Posts: 844
Hmm, sounds like there's some conflicting info here... My only real question is about checking / dropping bags. I can check in anywhere, but dropping bags at a shorter line would be really nice.
Aug 8, 2013, 7:59 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,401
Looks like our cars spend a lot of time next to each other. I always park on Level 6 in the same garage. For the same reason.
Aug 8, 2013, 9:24 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,005
Why 6 though? I always part in G8 so I can access the airtrain station without using the elevator coming and going. I could see a case made for 3 (walkway level) or 7 (can access airtrain toward terminals without escalator or elevator, but requires both on way home) as well.