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 4, 2017, 11:54 am
#331
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,199
At the (old) GFL now (10am PST). Every seat taken. people walking laps to spot someone leaving. Some just eating standing up. Staff are busting to keep up and are really working hard. They need more help.
No lines at check-in but they looked harried. Getting berated by *G folks who are being turned away, but the banner outside clearly states its only for J/F.
Will see if it has improved in a week on the return trip!!
No lines at check-in but they looked harried. Getting berated by *G folks who are being turned away, but the banner outside clearly states its only for J/F.
Will see if it has improved in a week on the return trip!!
. Just FYI, if I read your last line correctly, you will not be able to access that club on your return. They are restricting access to international long haul departures only.
Oct 4, 2017, 12:10 pm
#332
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,399
Oct 4, 2017, 12:53 pm
#333
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,199
At the (old) GFL now (10am PST). Every seat taken. people walking laps to spot someone leaving. Some just eating standing up. Staff are busting to keep up and are really working hard. They need more help.
No lines at check-in but they looked harried. Getting berated by *G folks who are being turned away, but the banner outside clearly states its only for J/F.
Will see if it has improved in a week on the return trip!!
No lines at check-in but they looked harried. Getting berated by *G folks who are being turned away, but the banner outside clearly states its only for J/F.
Will see if it has improved in a week on the return trip!!
Oct 4, 2017, 12:57 pm
#334
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
Oct 4, 2017, 1:16 pm
#335
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Francisco Penninsula
Programs: Bear Backers
Posts: 925
Flying Lufthansa Prem Economy 10/25 to Munich. Have credit card passes for United club. I am assuming these will not work for this reconfigured small club. Correct?
Not going to 71a. Not worth it.
Not going to 71a. Not worth it.
Oct 4, 2017, 2:11 pm
#336
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,199
No, sorry. Departure on *A in J or F only. No economy (or premium economy) access to the former GFL.
Oct 4, 2017, 3:55 pm
#337
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,509
I'll be flying out on Lufthansa to MUC in F at the end of the month. I understand the former GFL is still accessible but neither United's nor Lufthansa's website mentions a shower. When I visited the GFL a couple of years ago I was able to take a shower. Have they closed the shower facilities in the former GFL? If so I'll have to look for an alternative after spending a whole day in San Francisco.
Oct 4, 2017, 4:00 pm
#338
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,984
I'll be flying out on Lufthansa to MUC in F at the end of the month. I understand the former GFL is still accessible but neither United's nor Lufthansa's website mentions a shower. When I visited the GFL a couple of years ago I was able to take a shower. Have they closed the shower facilities in the former GFL? If so I'll have to look for an alternative after spending a whole day in San Francisco.
http://www.flysfo.com/content/freshen
If the showers are now unavailable, United, et al, should provide Freshen vouchers for departing long-haul int'l F pax wanting showers to maintain at least that aspect of the former GFL experience (J pax will still have to wait for Polaris lounge as they are not losing anything in that regard with the current set-up...)
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Oct 4, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Oct 4, 2017, 4:16 pm
#339
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,125
FWIW, the showers were available in August, when they were allowing "select" J passengers. IRRC, the post about shower facilities not being available was with respect to the GFL's eventual re-purposing into a UC.
Oct 4, 2017, 11:43 pm
#340
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: NZ *E
Posts: 344
So it's just the usual boring soup, cheese, crackers and cookies for food in the GFL now?
That's a big downgrade from the Singapore lounge
That's a big downgrade from the Singapore lounge
Oct 5, 2017, 12:04 am
#341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,462
I'm at the old GFL now. Completely overcrowded, had to walk around and wait for someone to get up. They got rid of the decent hot food options for traditional UC fare. Where the hot food was are two fridges with cans of soda which is nice. They also kept the same self serve liquor station.
At x10 - 20 times the eligible pax count!?!
Champagne selection has been going downhill significantly; foundly
remembering the Ruinard and Laurent Perrier Rose....
Oct 5, 2017, 12:14 pm
#342
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 30
Yep, seating exactly the same.
In lounge now, not as crowded as I expected. Seats still available, maybe 80% full. Staff does seem pretty overworked.
But still not the relaxing place I was in two weeks ago. Oh well, have three hours in HKG so will enjoy the GFL lounge there.
In lounge now, not as crowded as I expected. Seats still available, maybe 80% full. Staff does seem pretty overworked.
But still not the relaxing place I was in two weeks ago. Oh well, have three hours in HKG so will enjoy the GFL lounge there.
Last edited by bslepko; Oct 5, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Oct 5, 2017, 4:03 pm
#343
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,963
I had a few hours at SFO today and walked to all the lounges (including the old SQ and BR lounges where the signs to the corridor are already removed). The temporary lounge is hard to get to (only by 1 elevator) and felt very crammed (no window). I think it is going to be an ugly few months.
I just hope they finish on-time - sign at the closed big lounge says Summer 2018 but the SQ Lounge's letter from NZ says April 2018.
I just hope they finish on-time - sign at the closed big lounge says Summer 2018 but the SQ Lounge's letter from NZ says April 2018.
Oct 5, 2017, 4:10 pm
#344
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,199
Yep, seating exactly the same.
In lounge now, not as crowded as I expected. Seats still available, maybe 80% full. Staff does seem pretty overworked.
But still not the relaxing place I was in two weeks ago. Oh well, have three hours in HKG so will enjoy the GFL lounge there.
In lounge now, not as crowded as I expected. Seats still available, maybe 80% full. Staff does seem pretty overworked.
But still not the relaxing place I was in two weeks ago. Oh well, have three hours in HKG so will enjoy the GFL lounge there.
Oct 5, 2017, 4:15 pm
#345
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,731
Visited the mezzaine club today - early afternoon. Not empty but sounds much better than the other club
