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
Apr 4, 2017, 7:16 pm
#107
Join Date: Jan 2013
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Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
Apr 4, 2017, 7:26 pm
#108
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,501
They started the construction very recently, and half of the space of UC (beyond the service desk area) has been walled off which makes it very crowded.
When I was there last week, they said the current SQ Lounge space is also taken to build the Polaris Lounge. The current GFL will be eventually converted to UC once the Polaris Lounge is open...
When I was there last week, they said the current SQ Lounge space is also taken to build the Polaris Lounge. The current GFL will be eventually converted to UC once the Polaris Lounge is open...
Apr 4, 2017, 11:55 pm
#110
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
The OP won't have access to a UA Polaris lounge when they fly through SF, and yes, I've been to the GF many, many times. Still prefer a quiet Centurion lounge (which can be had) to the GF lounge at SFO.
Apr 5, 2017, 12:44 am
#111
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Apr 5, 2017, 9:00 am
#112
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
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Posts: 3,400
They started the construction very recently, and half of the space of UC (beyond the service desk area) has been walled off which makes it very crowded.
When I was there last week, they said the current SQ Lounge space is also taken to build the Polaris Lounge. The current GFL will be eventually converted to UC once the Polaris Lounge is open...
When I was there last week, they said the current SQ Lounge space is also taken to build the Polaris Lounge. The current GFL will be eventually converted to UC once the Polaris Lounge is open...
Apr 5, 2017, 9:54 am
#113
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
Does anybody have any idea of timing for completion? I know it was being done in phases. Our next United International flight is not until mid-August in GF, part of me would love to be in new lounge, but part of me also would love to go to GFL @sfo one more time.
Apr 6, 2017, 12:01 am
#114
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
Every time I've been to the Cent lounge at SFO, it's been quiet. I have never had that experience at a UA lounge at SFO, or anywhere really.
Apr 6, 2017, 10:34 am
#115
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,451
That said, I can usually find a seat at the communal table off to the right. I'd love to see AMEX expand the lounge, but I'm not sure where they'd be able to do it.
Apr 6, 2017, 12:42 pm
#116
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AS (MVP), UA (silver), AA, DL, Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 231
I have read here that the regular UC is packed due to the changeover. I have also seen a few reports of people flying Polaris getting sent to the GF lounge.
how common is this? Would asking help? Have a flight going through SFO at the end of may.
How much nicer is the GF lounge?
how common is this? Would asking help? Have a flight going through SFO at the end of may.
How much nicer is the GF lounge?
Apr 6, 2017, 1:07 pm
#117
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,350
Looking forward to the Polaris lounge being completed. The net effect is going to be significantly more lounge space (with the expansion of the current GFL as it turns into a UC). Might help the Centurion lounge clear up as well.
Apr 6, 2017, 1:40 pm
#118
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,501
I have read here that the regular UC is packed due to the changeover. I have also seen a few reports of people flying Polaris getting sent to the GF lounge.
how common is this? Would asking help? Have a flight going through SFO at the end of may.
How much nicer is the GF lounge?
how common is this? Would asking help? Have a flight going through SFO at the end of may.
How much nicer is the GF lounge?
Apr 6, 2017, 1:45 pm
#119
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Apr 6, 2017, 2:35 pm
#120
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
It's almost certainly agent discretion. Last time I was flying (1K and no-status companion on GPUs), I quietly asked if they were "still sending 1Ks down to the GFL" and got the invite right away. The couple before us got it unprompted, with a "thank you for your loyalty".
I think a politely worded question like that is probably helpful, and treat it like a pleasant surprise.
I think a politely worded question like that is probably helpful, and treat it like a pleasant surprise.