Feb 7, 2015, 9:14 pm
Last edit by: Phaze
Previous thread - Global First Lounge (IFL / GFL) Access Questions and Experiences
:-: United's Global First Lounges located at LHR, IAD, SFO, HKG and NRT are for the 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.
NOTE: Global First Lounge at ORD has closed. Polaris lounge Chicago is now open, including dining. The Global First Lounge at LHR closes at 18:00, as confirmed by United via phone. The website currently omits this information.
This reconfirmed 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. (EWR-LAX/SFO) BusinessFirst cabin.
A GS who arrives in BF or GF will be admitted to the GFL. This does not apply to a GS flying non-UA metal.
Any passenger holding a boarding pass for travel within 24 hours in UA GF will have access to the GFL at their departure and connecting airports.
from United Global First and Arrivals lounges
:-: United's Global First Lounges located at LHR, IAD, SFO, HKG and NRT are for the 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.
NOTE: Global First Lounge at ORD has closed. Polaris lounge Chicago is now open, including dining. The Global First Lounge at LHR closes at 18:00, as confirmed by United via phone. The website currently omits this information.
This reconfirmed 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. (EWR-LAX/SFO) BusinessFirst cabin.
A GS who arrives in BF or GF will be admitted to the GFL. This does not apply to a GS flying non-UA metal.
Any passenger holding a boarding pass for travel within 24 hours in UA GF will have access to the GFL at their departure and connecting airports.
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 [2015 forward]
Feb 8, 2015, 8:22 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
But you are not connecting to a UA flight so the exception does not apply to you.
Of course, if one were to buy a refundable ticket on UA for a flight that day, they could enter the GF lounge and then call and cancel the refundable ticket . . .
Should not be permitted access to the GF lounge, but I would try by arguing UA doesn't fly the intra-Europe route. Worst they will say is no.
Feb 8, 2015, 9:17 pm
#32
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,827
as the wiki states
A pax who arrives in GF (Global First - UA operated flight 3-class aircraft) will be admitted to the GFL.
A GS who arrives in BF or GF will be admitted to the GFL.
Feb 9, 2015, 5:41 am
#33
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: CLT
Posts: 495
SFO Arrivals lounge or GF Lounge for shower
Though the United site does not list showers in the GF Lounge in SFO ( http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...s/default.aspx) reports indicate there are in fact 2 showers in this lounge. I arrive in GF SYD-SFO, and my connection is a 787 SFO-IAH that typically is a plane that arrives from Asia (Chen du or Osaka), so departs from the international terminal to IAH.
My question is should we hit the showers at the arrival lounge or use the ones at the GF Lounge? Last time we used the arrivals lounge several years ago they had been rode hard and put up wet, and thought perhaps the ones in the GF Lounge may be in better shape, plus it'd be one stop vs. 2. Arriving at 9:30am and have global entry if that makes a difference.
My question is should we hit the showers at the arrival lounge or use the ones at the GF Lounge? Last time we used the arrivals lounge several years ago they had been rode hard and put up wet, and thought perhaps the ones in the GF Lounge may be in better shape, plus it'd be one stop vs. 2. Arriving at 9:30am and have global entry if that makes a difference.
Feb 9, 2015, 10:04 am
#34
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
WineCountry, your answer is more consistent with my experience, where I have only had to hand over my inbound boarding passes, although I don't know whether they are checking anything in their terminals about my ongoing flight. Then again, at least as of a few months ago, the staff at the top of the GF lounge in SFO are not the most accommodating sorts, so perhaps they will check my itinerary and then inform me they are not an arrivals lounge. I'll give it a try a report back. Worst case, I use the Amex lounge.
Feb 12, 2015, 7:27 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
Feb 12, 2015, 10:01 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
You can at least use the Global Services check in lobby & security line at EWR.
Feb 16, 2015, 10:42 am
#37
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,256
Having just experienced the SFO and JFK "GlobalFirst" lounges again in the last few days, I have to chuckle at all the fuss over getting into these places. Why are people getting so worked about getting (or missing out on) Cup Noodles (retail price $0.60) and stale pita chips?
By contrast, even the regular (i.e. not First class) Lufthansa lounges have real soup, not to mention bratwurst and real beer on tap.
Today, my son tried to talk me into going to the regular UC, because he actually likes it better. But for the outside chance that they might have something other than old cold-cuts, I would have given in.......
By contrast, even the regular (i.e. not First class) Lufthansa lounges have real soup, not to mention bratwurst and real beer on tap.
Today, my son tried to talk me into going to the regular UC, because he actually likes it better. But for the outside chance that they might have something other than old cold-cuts, I would have given in.......
Feb 26, 2015, 7:44 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold; ITA Platinum; HH Gold
Posts: 137
Access to United Global First Lounge in Heathrow T2 with United BusinessFirst ticket
We're flying from Heathrow to Newark to start our honeymoon in May this year.
This will be our first time flying United in a number of years. The flight to Newark doesn't have a First Class cabin, therefore we are in business. Is there anyway we would be able to enter the Global First Lounge instead of the standard United lounge? Or is there anyway I could request it?
Thanks
This will be our first time flying United in a number of years. The flight to Newark doesn't have a First Class cabin, therefore we are in business. Is there anyway we would be able to enter the Global First Lounge instead of the standard United lounge? Or is there anyway I could request it?
Thanks
Feb 26, 2015, 7:53 am
#39
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Platinum, Alaksa MVP 75K, Air Berlin Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,389
We're flying from Heathrow to Newark to start our honeymoon in May this year.
This will be our first time flying United in a number of years. The flight to Newark doesn't have a First Class cabin, therefore we are in business. Is there anyway we would be able to enter the Global First Lounge instead of the standard United lounge? Or is there anyway I could request it?
Thanks
This will be our first time flying United in a number of years. The flight to Newark doesn't have a First Class cabin, therefore we are in business. Is there anyway we would be able to enter the Global First Lounge instead of the standard United lounge? Or is there anyway I could request it?
Thanks
Feb 26, 2015, 7:58 am
#40
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDT
Programs: UA 1MM
Posts: 281
Nit picker Bill
Feb 26, 2015, 8:41 am
#41
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYS
Programs: UA 1K MM, IHG Plat Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 311
I flew home from LHR in January. First time ever on UA. Having been in the Virgin lounge at LHR before i thought to myself that there was no way that this would be even close. I was pleasantly surprised! The regular UA lounge at LHR is far nicer than EWR, SFO, HKG, and ORD combined! It was recently redone and reminds me of some of the nicer lounges I've experienced in Singapore and Narita. Funny thing is that the UA agents are aware of this and commented on my "WOW" as i left.
Feb 26, 2015, 10:13 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,222
I flew home from LHR in January. First time ever on UA. Having been in the Virgin lounge at LHR before i thought to myself that there was no way that this would be even close. I was pleasantly surprised! The regular UA lounge at LHR is far nicer than EWR, SFO, HKG, and ORD combined! It was recently redone and reminds me of some of the nicer lounges I've experienced in Singapore and Narita. Funny thing is that the UA agents are aware of this and commented on my "WOW" as i left.
Feb 27, 2015, 1:58 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: CLT
Posts: 495
Though the United site does not list showers in the GF Lounge in SFO ( http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...s/default.aspx) reports indicate there are in fact 2 showers in this lounge. I arrive in GF SYD-SFO, and my connection is a 787 SFO-IAH that typically is a plane that arrives from Asia (Chen du or Osaka), so departs from the international terminal to IAH.
My question is should we hit the showers at the arrival lounge or use the ones at the GF Lounge? Last time we used the arrivals lounge several years ago they had been rode hard and put up wet, and thought perhaps the ones in the GF Lounge may be in better shape, plus it'd be one stop vs. 2. Arriving at 9:30am and have global entry if that makes a difference.
My question is should we hit the showers at the arrival lounge or use the ones at the GF Lounge? Last time we used the arrivals lounge several years ago they had been rode hard and put up wet, and thought perhaps the ones in the GF Lounge may be in better shape, plus it'd be one stop vs. 2. Arriving at 9:30am and have global entry if that makes a difference.
Feb 28, 2015, 10:54 am
#44
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 5280 feet
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 674
To answer my own question, we showered at the arrivals lounge. The arrivals lounge was nicer than my recollection and the staff was very nice, friendly and efficient. Proceeded to the GFL lounge, and though spacious and comfortable, not much to write home about. There were 2 showers there next to the bathroom, but both were locked so I couldn't check them out. Staffing seemed minimal in the GFL, so glad we hit the arrivals lounge as that's what they're set up for.
Feb 28, 2015, 12:17 pm
#45
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
Just got back from my first time at the new LHR GFL. In terms of food and service, I think it's on a par with most European and Asian airlines' FCLs (LH FCT excepted). In terms of layout, it lacks the private resting areas of, say, the cabanas at the CX lounges in HKG, the TK int'l lounge in IST, or BA's CCR. But it's by far the best thing in the UA system. Also, the new LHR UC is perhaps the best UC in the system (only HKG is comparable).
One big shortcoming... the GFL should serve real orange juice like all the others I've mentioned! No more of that flavorless stuff served on any BUF-EWR morning flight.
[end first world rant]
One big shortcoming... the GFL should serve real orange juice like all the others I've mentioned! No more of that flavorless stuff served on any BUF-EWR morning flight.
[end first world rant]