Nov 27, 2016, 1:30 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
UA has announced that the SFO Polaris lounge is opening 30 April 2018
Summary
The International UC is closed for renovation to a Polaris Club. The SQ & BR lounges have been closed and will be integrated into the new facility. Polaris lounge open 30 April 2018.
SFO Polaris Lounge opens 30 April 2018 (Previews - Press 25th, MP 27th)
The old GFL (near G99) has been converted into a premium cabin international lounge (not an UC). Eventually, it will be converted into a UC for the non-premium cabin international passengers (*G in economy). Now operating as an United Club
The F and E concourse UCs plus again the temporary mezzanine UC lounge (across from Gate 71) are options for those not eligible for the temporary G premium cabin international lounge.
sign
Previous Updates
1 Oct 2017 on united.com
posted 23 Sept 2017
posted 28 Sept 2017
Earlier thread summary
Summary of posts suggest the present SFO Global First Lounge will be available for much of first half of 2017. Reports are that the current Global First Lounge will become a "regular" UC, while the current international (G Terminal) UC will become a Polaris club (which will integrate the space currently housing the SQ & BR lounges). UA is also constructing a new UC, either in Terminal G or E (or both). Construction has begun in the G Terminal United Club, a large portion of which is now boarded off. Latest info from UA suggests "summer 2018" for the SFO Polaris lounge opening.
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread) --- UA Polaris lounge update site
Polaris lounge ORD - opened 01 Dec 2016 (wiki) (thread)
SFO Lounge changes? Which will become Polaris? Shower options?(wiki) (thread)
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}
Summary
The International UC is closed for renovation to a Polaris Club. The SQ & BR lounges have been closed and will be integrated into the new facility. Polaris lounge open 30 April 2018.
SFO Polaris Lounge opens 30 April 2018 (Previews - Press 25th, MP 27th)
The old GFL (near G99) has been converted into a premium cabin international lounge (not an UC). Eventually, it will be converted into a UC for the non-premium cabin international passengers (*G in economy). Now operating as an United Club
The F and E concourse UCs plus again the temporary mezzanine UC lounge (across from Gate 71) are options for those not eligible for the temporary G premium cabin international lounge.
sign
Previous Updates
1 Oct 2017 on united.com
On October 1, the United Club location in the International Terminal will be closed to launch its transition into a United Polaris lounge. An additional United Club location will open across from Gate 71A on the mezzanine level at the end of September. Customers departing out of the International Terminal should allow 10-15 minutes to walk to their gate from the United Club location in Gate 71A or Concourse F.
Bummer - was just in GF lounge and was told that in two weeks it will be a United Club - no showers, no open bar, etc. Was also told that "Polaris" is just a marketing term and that until the actual Polaris lounge opens in 8 months, it's United Clubs for everyone. .....
Closure of San Francisco SilverKris Lounge for renovations
The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in San Francisco will be closed for renovations starting from 01 October 2017. As part of the renovations, Singapore Airlines will begin a transition to a newly constructed, shared lounge facility operated by our Star Alliance partner, United Airlines. It is scheduled to open in early 2018.
The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in San Francisco will be closed for renovations starting from 01 October 2017. As part of the renovations, Singapore Airlines will begin a transition to a newly constructed, shared lounge facility operated by our Star Alliance partner, United Airlines. It is scheduled to open in early 2018.
Summary of posts suggest the present SFO Global First Lounge will be available for much of first half of 2017. Reports are that the current Global First Lounge will become a "regular" UC, while the current international (G Terminal) UC will become a Polaris club (which will integrate the space currently housing the SQ & BR lounges). UA is also constructing a new UC, either in Terminal G or E (or both). Construction has begun in the G Terminal United Club, a large portion of which is now boarded off. Latest info from UA suggests "summer 2018" for the SFO Polaris lounge opening.
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread) --- UA Polaris lounge update site
Polaris lounge ORD - opened 01 Dec 2016 (wiki) (thread)
SFO Lounge changes? Which will become Polaris? Shower options?(wiki) (thread)
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}
SFO G UC closed, reopens as Polaris Lounge 30 Apr 2018, old GFL is now the intl UC
Oct 24, 2017, 8:27 pm
#421
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Oct 24, 2017, 8:44 pm
#422
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Oct 24, 2017, 8:51 pm
#423
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
The manager was willing to do anything to get people to not stand in line. She said "we can work something out, either this gift card or I'll give you miles, but I just can't let you in right now." She was definitely not liking the lineup. So I'm sure she could give you two of the gift cards.
Oct 24, 2017, 9:37 pm
#424
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 1,032
The manager was willing to do anything to get people to not stand in line. She said "we can work something out, either this gift card or I'll give you miles, but I just can't let you in right now." She was definitely not liking the lineup. So I'm sure she could give you two of the gift cards.
Last edited by radiowell; Oct 24, 2017 at 9:45 pm
Oct 25, 2017, 11:42 am
#426
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,220
Just received an email from UA informing me that there is a temporary lounge in the SFO International terminal just for international customers in First and Business. Informed me about the pop up UC lounge at 71 on the mezzanine level with apologies for the inconvenience.
If traveling internationally and at the pop up lounge then allow 10-15 minutes to get to the gate (from the lounge) per the email.
Guess there was enough confusion about location of lounges and lounge access to warant an email blast.
If traveling internationally and at the pop up lounge then allow 10-15 minutes to get to the gate (from the lounge) per the email.
Guess there was enough confusion about location of lounges and lounge access to warant an email blast.
Oct 25, 2017, 11:43 am
#427
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
Just received an "Operational Update" email from UA concerning SFO travels. On the subject of lounges they now say:
"The United Club location in the International Terminal is now fully closed to launch its transition into a United Polaris lounge, opening in 2018."
So now they're not even saying when in 2018 it might open. Similarly, the Polaris lounge tracker now just says "Opening starting in 2018."
"The United Club location in the International Terminal is now fully closed to launch its transition into a United Polaris lounge, opening in 2018."
So now they're not even saying when in 2018 it might open. Similarly, the Polaris lounge tracker now just says "Opening starting in 2018."
Oct 25, 2017, 12:34 pm
#428
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
The old First class lounge, same situation happened to me 10/23. I didn't take the $25 because I was first in line, but man what a cluster. Not only that but they'll let in Global Services (even if there isn't an available seat) and that gets everyone in the line really, really pissed. The manager was doing a good job and I told her I felt really sorry for them that they had to put up with this until the summer.
The lounge only has 120 seats according to the staff, and well over 1,000 biz seats just for United alone, daily.
The lounge only has 120 seats according to the staff, and well over 1,000 biz seats just for United alone, daily.
The gate-keeper told me to go to the head of the line. They scanned my BP and let me in. Many dirty looks from the people waiting in the upper lobby.
Oct 25, 2017, 5:48 pm
#429
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
Don't get me wrong, I understand why GS get to go in but honestly it's pretty dumb when it's "standing room only" to continue letting people in...
Oct 26, 2017, 9:35 am
#430
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
Got an email from Turkish about this today. Basically it said :
* UC in the international terminal "has been closed for repairs and renovation. Its reopening in planned for April 2018".
* Business class passengers can "continue to use the Global First Lounge in the International Terminal (next to gate G98)" ("continue" to use?)
* No guests into the GFL.
* If you want to take a guest, use one of the United Lounges in T3.
* Elite, Elite Plus and Star Gold economy can not use the GFL. Instead they can use one of the Terminal 3 lounges.
* There is a "secure corridor between the Global First Lounge and the United Lounges in Terminal 3" (I'm guessing this is supposed to say between the International terminal and T3, not the GFL and T3)
* UC in the international terminal "has been closed for repairs and renovation. Its reopening in planned for April 2018".
* Business class passengers can "continue to use the Global First Lounge in the International Terminal (next to gate G98)" ("continue" to use?)
* No guests into the GFL.
* If you want to take a guest, use one of the United Lounges in T3.
* Elite, Elite Plus and Star Gold economy can not use the GFL. Instead they can use one of the Terminal 3 lounges.
* There is a "secure corridor between the Global First Lounge and the United Lounges in Terminal 3" (I'm guessing this is supposed to say between the International terminal and T3, not the GFL and T3)
Oct 26, 2017, 10:12 am
#431
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
This situation is pathetic, I posted here when they announced what they were doing that this wouldn't work and it would be way to crowded. I guess the light at the end of the tunnel is the new Polaris Lounge for next year.
Oct 27, 2017, 1:56 pm
#432
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
Lounges really full today at SFO. Flight came in at 60, next one at 63. Have two passes expiring the 31st. Went to the 70 lounge. They said "you can try but we're pretty full" Went to 71A, got stopped at the elevator telling me its full. Then went to to rotunda. It's crowded but at least I found a seat
Oct 27, 2017, 6:55 pm
#433
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: NZ *E
Posts: 346
What is their plan for those domestic T3 lounges anyway?The new one by the 60s gates is way too small -- surely it will only get worse in the next couple of years
Oct 27, 2017, 7:22 pm
#434
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,758
I did some lounge hopping today at SFO around 1pm. It honestly wasn't as bad as I was expecting for a Friday. All 3 clubs were accepting day passes, to my surprise.
- The rotunda club was as crowded as usual (80%), with a few free cubes, but they really need to add another food station; it's always chaos.
- The new club @ gate 60 was also crowded as usual (75%), but still had empty seats.
- The 'temporary' lounge behind gate 71 looked exactly the same as it did when it closed a couple years ago, much to my surprise. Was about 60% full.
- The rotunda club was as crowded as usual (80%), with a few free cubes, but they really need to add another food station; it's always chaos.
- The new club @ gate 60 was also crowded as usual (75%), but still had empty seats.
- The 'temporary' lounge behind gate 71 looked exactly the same as it did when it closed a couple years ago, much to my surprise. Was about 60% full.
Oct 27, 2017, 9:02 pm
#435
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,355
It's not like someone on an 8pm flight is going to be competing for a seat with someone on an 8am flight.
I was super late to SFO today, so did not have a chance to try to get in again on my YVR flight, but this whole situation sounds poor.
My typical SFO lounge scenario is:
1. I show up relatively close to departure
2. I visit a lounge, grab a drink, and use the bathroom
3. I board my flight
I don't need a seat, but a 10 minute walk or 10 minute line both mean I don't get to use a lounge.
