Wow. Thanks for the replies - sorry I'm too dense to read the first access policies but I felt this was a bit of a tricky one. It seems weird that Lufthansa would book me on a "first ticket" but not arrange access to a first lounge in SFO.

Lounges are generally considered to be departure lounges and therefore your departing flight sets you access.

Only if holding an international Business ticket. You will also get access when connecting from an international Business ticket to a domestic connection (e.g. LHR-ORD-LAS - you will get access at ORD). No guests, however.

Guest policy for GFL/UC for BF and GF ticket holders
 

Based on what I can see, the guest policy for BF/GF ticket holders is that you're permitted 1 guest.

It makes no reference to the guest being a traveller on United, or on the same flight, etc. (compared to the *G requirements for the guest to also be on a same-day *A flight)

Does this mean if I'm flying GF, I can guest one other person who simply needs to meet the requirements of being airside? (e.g. a person flying DL Y class?)

Oops! Anyhow, my question is specific to Global First really.
If I hold a GF ticket, can I guest another traveller who is not flying *A/UA

The generic *A IFL lounge rules require the guest to hold a departing *A BP. (see definitions) UA can be more generous but I would doubt it will be.

I have guested several Flyertalkers in the GFL when I was flying GF and they were not.

Yes, but were they departing from that airport on that day on a Star Alliance flight?

SFO Global First Arrivals Lounge access
 

We're arriving from ICN at SFO (arrives at 11:00am) on Global First.

The website says something about needing an invitation to the Arrivals Global First Lounge.

How does one practically access the lounge after getting through Customs? Do we go there directly. Is it half-way between Domestic and International Baggage Claim?

The SFO Arrivals lounge is outside of security, in T3 on the baggage claim level (at the end nearest International G terminal). There will be signs.

Officially, no. Unofficially, I did manage to get in with my parents when they were arriving in GF/departing in F and I wasn't flying at all (got a gate pass using my UC card to get through security). However I would not plan on that working in most situations...

No invitation needed, but hang onto your incoming boarding pass to make things easier.

Easiest way to get there is to turn LEFT after customs. That's the way that they tell you go if you're connecting to another flight, but you can go that way even if you're not connecting. Then left again out of the glass doors, walk until you get to the escalators (re-checking any bags you have on the way), and then turn right. Along a little, and then go right down the stairs/escalators, follow the path a little, and it'll be in front of you.

There are signs, but they aren't great and they are easy to miss...

If you are actually connecting on UA, then you can skip the arrivals lounge and go straight to the GF lounge in the International terminal (same two lefts as above, but when you get to the escalators turn left and go up them and you'll be at the international TSA entry)

I will be arriving at SFO flying GF from FRA. I am then flying domestically on WN with a long layover. Will my inbound boarding pass be enough to get me access to the GF lounge, or must I also be connecting to UA?

You will need to be on an outgoing UA flight (any class).

The Arrivals lounge is also out as you'll be arriving too late in the day.

Global First Lounge (IFL / GFL) Access Questions and Experiences [2015 forward]
 

What about LHR? GS arriving in UA BF connecting on *A in C class intra-Europe. Thanks.