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]
Jul 29, 2017, 10:08 pm
#511
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 947
Any (non-GS) had success getting F lounge access in LHR with a Business ticket for a 2-cabin plane?
Jul 30, 2017, 12:04 am
#512
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: 66,850
Aug 1, 2017, 12:08 am
#513
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
SFO GFL report:
I've never seen it this crowded. The entire ambiance has changed. The first blow on the flight path toward GF's abandonment.
Champagne and wine selections inferior to previous visits, although they have increased the hot food options, adding another self-serve table since my last visit. The number of staff seems to have increased.
Two-three more SFO visits planned before the GFL is merely a memory.
I've never seen it this crowded. The entire ambiance has changed. The first blow on the flight path toward GF's abandonment.
Champagne and wine selections inferior to previous visits, although they have increased the hot food options, adding another self-serve table since my last visit. The number of staff seems to have increased.
Two-three more SFO visits planned before the GFL is merely a memory.
Aug 2, 2017, 12:41 pm
#514
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340
SFO GFL report:
I've never seen it this crowded. The entire ambiance has changed. The first blow on the flight path toward GF's abandonment.
Champagne and wine selections inferior to previous visits, although they have increased the hot food options, adding another self-serve table since my last visit. The number of staff seems to have increased.
Two-three more SFO visits planned before the GFL is merely a memory.
I've never seen it this crowded. The entire ambiance has changed. The first blow on the flight path toward GF's abandonment.
Champagne and wine selections inferior to previous visits, although they have increased the hot food options, adding another self-serve table since my last visit. The number of staff seems to have increased.
Two-three more SFO visits planned before the GFL is merely a memory.
Aug 2, 2017, 1:02 pm
#515
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
When I was in the GFL earlier this year, the issue was not so much the number of people, but the lack of consideration by a small handful (who may well have been GF pax). All it takes is one yahoo doing a video skype without headset.
Aug 2, 2017, 1:27 pm
#516
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340
UA is allowing a limited number of 1Ks on full fare J tix to use the GFL. This is due to extreme overcrowding in the G terminal UC as the result of construction. So they are shifting pax to take advantage of excess capacity in the GFL, which is IMO totally appropriate.
When I was in the GFL earlier this year, the issue was not so much the number of people, but the lack of consideration by a small handful (who may well have been GF pax). All it takes is one yahoo doing a video skype without headset.
When I was in the GFL earlier this year, the issue was not so much the number of people, but the lack of consideration by a small handful (who may well have been GF pax). All it takes is one yahoo doing a video skype without headset.
And, my bolding, I really do not get that some people have no shame or consideration of others. I really don't know where they were dragged up.
Aug 2, 2017, 2:28 pm
#517
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
UA is allowing a limited number of 1Ks on full fare J tix to use the GFL. This is due to extreme overcrowding in the G terminal UC as the result of construction. So they are shifting pax to take advantage of excess capacity in the GFL, which is IMO totally appropriate.
When I was in the GFL earlier this year, the issue was not so much the number of people, but the lack of consideration by a small handful (who may well have been GF pax). All it takes is one yahoo doing a video skype without headset.
When I was in the GFL earlier this year, the issue was not so much the number of people, but the lack of consideration by a small handful (who may well have been GF pax). All it takes is one yahoo doing a video skype without headset.
Somebody complained, because staff came and asked her to politely keep down her voice. So she ended the call...only to start a FaceTime Audio (earpiece) conversation, with the same strange snorting conversation re-commencing.
Aug 2, 2017, 2:37 pm
#518
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
So I'm guessing the UC and GFL gatekeepers are allowing a lot of one-off exceptions as the club winds down. One thing that hasn't changed is that the staff start aggressively removing stuff around 9:30pm and make it clear they don't want you there around 10pm. (official closing is 10:30pm)
Aug 7, 2017, 2:42 pm
#519
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,115
Could it also be that the current state of the economy allows more people than before, and even families, to purchase INTL F fares?
My observation is that lounge occupancy worldwide - and not only in UA clubs affected by construction - has gone up significantly in the last 12 months or so.
My observation is that lounge occupancy worldwide - and not only in UA clubs affected by construction - has gone up significantly in the last 12 months or so.
Aug 7, 2017, 6:30 pm
#521
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Could it also be that the current state of the economy allows more people than before, and even families, to purchase INTL F fares?
My observation is that lounge occupancy worldwide - and not only in UA clubs affected by construction - has gone up significantly in the last 12 months or so.
My observation is that lounge occupancy worldwide - and not only in UA clubs affected by construction - has gone up significantly in the last 12 months or so.
Aug 22, 2017, 8:18 pm
#522
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: UA GS, MM
Posts: 165
Been to the SFO location several times over the last 3 months. It's been a zoo every time. Like, to the point where I had to sit in the "quiet" (not quiet) area to find a seat.
Aug 22, 2017, 10:26 pm
#523
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Aug 23, 2017, 12:31 am
#524
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
Just returned from the LHR GFL. While not as busy as SFO, it was busier than I have previously experienced.
My Eggs Florentine was an Egg Florentine, and overlooked with a mushy muffin.
My Eggs Florentine was an Egg Florentine, and overlooked with a mushy muffin.
Aug 26, 2017, 8:34 am
#525
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340