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]
Mar 26, 2015, 8:04 am
#62
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
Mar 26, 2015, 11:29 am
#63
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,692
Well, you can get from A to Z in about five minutes most of the time. There is no security screening needed. There is a passport check but it has a premium line, and if you have access to that lounge, you'll have access to the premium line. So I wouldn't skip the LH F lounge experience unless you are extremely tight on time. Simply go through security toward the A gates instead of the Z gates.
Mar 26, 2015, 12:11 pm
#64
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS 4MM
Posts: 583
Well, if this is true, no one has informed the LH Lounge Dragons. I tried this a month ago coming back from Cairo (GS in GF) and was promptly directed to the Senator Lounge! Only been in the LH FCL once, but it was memorable, perhaps better food than Dubai EK F and SIN SQ F (though none are slumming it!)
Mar 26, 2015, 1:00 pm
#65
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
Well, if this is true, no one has informed the LH Lounge Dragons. I tried this a month ago coming back from Cairo (GS in GF) and was promptly directed to the Senator Lounge! Only been in the LH FCL once, but it was memorable, perhaps better food than Dubai EK F and SIN SQ F (though none are slumming it!)
Mar 26, 2015, 4:43 pm
#66
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,692
I value my sleep more than a lounge, so I would probably skip the lounge for an 8am flight. However, if you've never seen it, and don't expect to have another chance anytime soon, and like to make sure you have plenty of time at the airport, or are willing to board at T-25, it could be worth a stop to see what you are missing. The person at the A security check might want to direct you to Z but you just tell them you want to shop in A or go to the lounge, and if they see you are doing it on purpose, they'll let you in. The lounge isn't far from the exit of the duty free into which the security check deposits you. If you leave the lounge at T-45, that should be plenty of time to go to passport control, and then head to the UA gates which are typically in the Z13-25 range, and the farthest one, Z25, is less than a 10 minute walk.
Mar 27, 2015, 9:10 pm
#67
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 34
I was just escorted into the GFL in HKG even though I'm biz class. Are they allowing GS members into the lounges despite the booking?
Mar 27, 2015, 9:32 pm
#68
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Mar 27, 2015, 10:05 pm
#69
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,692
Jun 9, 2015, 7:12 am
#70
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: many
Posts: 1,437
I'm looking for clarification.
Scheduled on NH11 ORD-NRT in F, which meets access to ORD GFL requirement. But looking to possibly add in a earlier connecting domestic flight to ORD. If I add in the domestic, this would technically have ORD no longer be the originating airport - does not nullify the GFL access?
Or does the international departure being ORD still qualify?
Thanks in advance.
Scheduled on NH11 ORD-NRT in F, which meets access to ORD GFL requirement. But looking to possibly add in a earlier connecting domestic flight to ORD. If I add in the domestic, this would technically have ORD no longer be the originating airport - does not nullify the GFL access?
Or does the international departure being ORD still qualify?
Thanks in advance.
Jun 9, 2015, 7:27 am
#71
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
I'm looking for clarification.
Scheduled on NH11 ORD-NRT in F, which meets access to ORD GFL requirement. But looking to possibly add in a earlier connecting domestic flight to ORD. If I add in the domestic, this would technically have ORD no longer be the originating airport - does not nullify the GFL access?
Or does the international departure being ORD still qualify?
Thanks in advance.
Scheduled on NH11 ORD-NRT in F, which meets access to ORD GFL requirement. But looking to possibly add in a earlier connecting domestic flight to ORD. If I add in the domestic, this would technically have ORD no longer be the originating airport - does not nullify the GFL access?
Or does the international departure being ORD still qualify?
Thanks in advance.
Jun 9, 2015, 9:49 am
#72
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,692
Global First Lounge (IFL / GFL) Access Questions and Experiences [2015 forward]
Enjoyed LH FCL yesterday morning (entrance by A13), then went through passport control and up to Z. Since departing to USA, there was a further security check, but was still really simple overall. Breakfast spread fantastic, plus acquired a rubber ducky!
Jun 16, 2015, 9:19 pm
#73
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
Goodbye JFK GFL... 
Come October you will join the LAX GFL in the great beyond... and I really liked the staff of both of these...
Come October you will join the LAX GFL in the great beyond... and I really liked the staff of both of these...
Jun 18, 2015, 8:43 am
#74
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
The UC/GFL staff at JFK get mixed reviews on this website, but I remain steadfast that they are some of the absolute best agents I've encountered in my years with UA. I miss them dearly now that I'm an AA guy, but Maureen, Kathy, Mary Ellen, and Sheila are absolute gems at JFK.
Jun 18, 2015, 6:48 pm
#75
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
The UC/GFL staff at JFK get mixed reviews on this website, but I remain steadfast that they are some of the absolute best agents I've encountered in my years with UA. I miss them dearly now that I'm an AA guy, but Maureen, Kathy, Mary Ellen, and Sheila are absolute gems at JFK.