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]
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,409
What a horrible looking lounge, it seems that UA has finally got the balls to stop the JFK flights since UA has not flights out of JFK, I'm thinking this is why the JFK GFL was in dire need of repair and updating..
#77
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
I don't remember that being the case. However, the JFK GFL was a sanctuary of peace and quiet, where one could work or relax. The UCs at EWR are often an overcrowded madhouse, and as far as I know UA has no intention of replicating the GFL at EWR. This difference in stress alone is enough for me to shift my transcon business to AA, with its FL.
#78
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
I don't remember that being the case. However, the JFK GFL was a sanctuary of peace and quiet, where one could work or relax. The UCs at EWR are often an overcrowded madhouse, and as far as I know UA has no intention of replicating the GFL at EWR. This difference in stress alone is enough for me to shift my transcon business to AA, with its FL.
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,409
I don't remember that being the case. However, the JFK GFL was a sanctuary of peace and quiet, where one could work or relax. The UCs at EWR are often an overcrowded madhouse, and as far as I know UA has no intention of replicating the GFL at EWR. This difference in stress alone is enough for me to shift my transcon business to AA, with its FL.
#80
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, Hyatt Lifetime Glob, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,272
At LHR GFL now. Staff member is restocking a fridge with Diet Coke. He squatted down with a case of soda cans, which were wrapped in plastic. He reached up, grabbed a knife from the counter (knives available for patrons, wrapped in a cloth napkin), sliced open the plastic on the soda can box, and slipped the knife back into the cloth napkin.
As I type this, maybe this belongs in the thread on the least substantial thing I can complain about. Still, tacky in the very least.
As I type this, maybe this belongs in the thread on the least substantial thing I can complain about. Still, tacky in the very least.
#81
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
#82
#83
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Former 1KMM now free as UA Gold MM, former HH D, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,121
Just was invited by UA to enjoy the GFL lounge here at IAD....not clear on the reason except maybe the A/C in the C7 club is still busted? Lowly 1KMM flying in BF tonight...
#84
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,238
I just got to enjoy the Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Frankfurt, based on my UA Global First ticket and GS status.
All I can say is the United's Global "First Class" lounges look unbelievably pathetic in comparison.
With LH, you get:
* A full buffet of gourmet food - Thai, Spanish, Italian. Plus a gourmet menu that you can order from and eat on actual table clothes
* World class selection of wines. I tasted 3 different Bordeauxes and 2 different Pinots. All excellent.
* Real resting rooms - real beds with sheets
* Complimentary cigar room with cognac, armagnac, etc.
Compare that to the UAL lounge at JFK: 6 stale shrimp with a piece of plastic wrap on them and some wraps that have little chunks of ice in them and freezer burn. All in a college-dorm refrigerator.
Then there's the SFO GFL lounge with a measly selection of fake-crab sushi and screw-top wines.
Or NRT GFL, where the stuffing is coming out of the upholstery and the food is no better than the UC. Apparently United thinks cup-o-noodles is First Class standard food. Thankfully Lufthansa doesn't.
But most of all, Lufthansa completely smokes UA in service. All of the staff were extremely pleasant, solicitous, and helpful. Compare that to SFO GFL, where the only focus is on how they might possibly deny you access.
United should be embarrassed and ashamed.
All I can say is the United's Global "First Class" lounges look unbelievably pathetic in comparison.
With LH, you get:
* A full buffet of gourmet food - Thai, Spanish, Italian. Plus a gourmet menu that you can order from and eat on actual table clothes
* World class selection of wines. I tasted 3 different Bordeauxes and 2 different Pinots. All excellent.
* Real resting rooms - real beds with sheets
* Complimentary cigar room with cognac, armagnac, etc.
Compare that to the UAL lounge at JFK: 6 stale shrimp with a piece of plastic wrap on them and some wraps that have little chunks of ice in them and freezer burn. All in a college-dorm refrigerator.
Then there's the SFO GFL lounge with a measly selection of fake-crab sushi and screw-top wines.
Or NRT GFL, where the stuffing is coming out of the upholstery and the food is no better than the UC. Apparently United thinks cup-o-noodles is First Class standard food. Thankfully Lufthansa doesn't.
But most of all, Lufthansa completely smokes UA in service. All of the staff were extremely pleasant, solicitous, and helpful. Compare that to SFO GFL, where the only focus is on how they might possibly deny you access.
United should be embarrassed and ashamed.
#85
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,741
UA lounges leave a lot to be desired, but in all fairness the LH HON Lounges at FRA are the best lounges in the world. Everything else pales in comparison.
#86
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA 1k (12 year fallen GS) 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,193
Oh I don't know - my best experience in an lounge was in BKK in the Thai first class lounge - I didn't want to leave! Singapore airlines private rooms are nice too! Seriously though - LH gets FC right in FRA....
#87
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SEA, WAS, PEK
Programs: UA 3K UGS 3MM
Posts: 2,176
Does it compete with LH? No. Is it better than anything sCO stations offer "premium" passengers? Yes.
#89
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,639
I just got to enjoy the Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Frankfurt, based on my UA Global First ticket and GS status.
All I can say is the United's Global "First Class" lounges look unbelievably pathetic in comparison.
With LH, you get:
* A full buffet of gourmet food - Thai, Spanish, Italian. Plus a gourmet menu that you can order from and eat on actual table clothes
* World class selection of wines. I tasted 3 different Bordeauxes and 2 different Pinots. All excellent.
* Real resting rooms - real beds with sheets
* Complimentary cigar room with cognac, armagnac, etc.
Compare that to the UAL lounge at JFK: 6 stale shrimp with a piece of plastic wrap on them and some wraps that have little chunks of ice in them and freezer burn. All in a college-dorm refrigerator.
Then there's the SFO GFL lounge with a measly selection of fake-crab sushi and screw-top wines.
Or NRT GFL, where the stuffing is coming out of the upholstery and the food is no better than the UC. Apparently United thinks cup-o-noodles is First Class standard food. Thankfully Lufthansa doesn't.
But most of all, Lufthansa completely smokes UA in service. All of the staff were extremely pleasant, solicitous, and helpful. Compare that to SFO GFL, where the only focus is on how they might possibly deny you access.
United should be embarrassed and ashamed.
All I can say is the United's Global "First Class" lounges look unbelievably pathetic in comparison.
With LH, you get:
* A full buffet of gourmet food - Thai, Spanish, Italian. Plus a gourmet menu that you can order from and eat on actual table clothes
* World class selection of wines. I tasted 3 different Bordeauxes and 2 different Pinots. All excellent.
* Real resting rooms - real beds with sheets
* Complimentary cigar room with cognac, armagnac, etc.
Compare that to the UAL lounge at JFK: 6 stale shrimp with a piece of plastic wrap on them and some wraps that have little chunks of ice in them and freezer burn. All in a college-dorm refrigerator.
Then there's the SFO GFL lounge with a measly selection of fake-crab sushi and screw-top wines.
Or NRT GFL, where the stuffing is coming out of the upholstery and the food is no better than the UC. Apparently United thinks cup-o-noodles is First Class standard food. Thankfully Lufthansa doesn't.
But most of all, Lufthansa completely smokes UA in service. All of the staff were extremely pleasant, solicitous, and helpful. Compare that to SFO GFL, where the only focus is on how they might possibly deny you access.
United should be embarrassed and ashamed.
#90
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,302
The tarmac pick-up/ride to the gate in the AMG Merc at FRA is an essential travel experience. As is the buggy ride through the Royal Silk lounge at BKK