Apr 25, 2018, 1:48 pm
Last edit by: SPN Lifer
SFO Polaris Lounge Reopened - 4 January 2022
Access to Polaris lounges (source):
update 29 Sept 2017, effective 1 Oct 2017
Trans-border flights (Canada, Mexico, ..) for UA and partner flights do not qualify
Departure: The airport you are leaving on an international J/F flight* from, i.e. SFO-TPE
Connecting: The airport to or from which you have a short-haul flight to connect to a longer flight, i.e. LAX-SFO-NRT or NRT-SFO-LAX
Arrival: The airport you arrive at after your long-haul flight, i.e. NRT-SFO
Hours - 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. daily
reportedly a la carte dining closes at 9PM
Related Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
ORD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAH Polaris lounge (E11/12 - top fl) -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
LAX Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
SFO G UC closed, reopens as Polaris Lounge 30 Apr, old GFL is intl prem cabin lounge
Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
Best SFO United Club?
United Airlines Unveils United Polaris Lounge at San Francisco International Airport
Lounge is first of four United Polaris lounges expected to open this year
SAN FRANCISCO, April 25, 2018
-- Beginning April 30, customers traveling in United Polaris, the airline's international premium cabin travel experience, will be able to relax and dine prior to their travels or refresh upon arrival in the new United Polaris lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) conveniently located in the International Terminal near Gate G92.
....
United Polaris Lounge at SFO Facts & Highlights
For more photos of the United Polaris lounge at SFO, visit the United Newsroom
Lounge is first of four United Polaris lounges expected to open this year
SAN FRANCISCO, April 25, 2018
-- Beginning April 30, customers traveling in United Polaris, the airline's international premium cabin travel experience, will be able to relax and dine prior to their travels or refresh upon arrival in the new United Polaris lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) conveniently located in the International Terminal near Gate G92.
....
United Polaris Lounge at SFO Facts & Highlights
- Two levels across more than 28,000 square feet
- 440 seats
- 19 different types of seating
- 492 power outlets and 492 USB ports
- 8 pieces of art by prominent Bay Area artists, all San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art (SECA) Art Award honorees
- 5 private daybeds outfitted with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding
- 8 luxurious shower suites, featuring rainfall showers and Soho House & Co's Cowshed Spa products
- Personal valet services, including steaming garments
- "The Dining Room" – a private restaurant style dining area with a menu designed by Chef Tritia Gestuvo, a California native, that blends international comfort foods — such as a traditional Chinese congee breakfast and hand-cut pappardelle pasta with mushroom ragout — with staples like the United Polaris Burger
- A bistro-like buffet that includes a ramen noodle bar in the afternoon and additional unique-to-San Francisco treats that align with the flight schedule and destinations of United and Star Alliance partners
- Cocktails inspired by the Bay Area, including the Mai Tai, invented in Oakland in 1944, and the Pisco Punch, featuring pisco which became all the rage during the California Gold Rush of 1849
For more photos of the United Polaris lounge at SFO, visit the United Newsroom
... Also and for those interested, here's a link to download a PDF (10.5MB) copy of the Polaris SFO menus, as provided to media in the press pack: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jjv4i9s97g...0Menu.pdf?dl=0
update 29 Sept 2017, effective 1 Oct 2017
Trans-border flights (Canada, Mexico, ..) for UA and partner flights do not qualify
Departure: The airport you are leaving on an international J/F flight* from, i.e. SFO-TPE
Connecting: The airport to or from which you have a short-haul flight to connect to a longer flight, i.e. LAX-SFO-NRT or NRT-SFO-LAX
Arrival: The airport you arrive at after your long-haul flight, i.e. NRT-SFO
Hours - 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. daily
reportedly a la carte dining closes at 9PM
Related Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
ORD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAH Polaris lounge (E11/12 - top fl) -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
LAX Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
SFO G UC closed, reopens as Polaris Lounge 30 Apr, old GFL is intl prem cabin lounge
Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
Best SFO United Club?
SFO Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
Nov 21, 2019, 11:13 am
#751
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
That's my big issue. I've also found the front desk staff rude my past several visits, one gentleman in particular.
While the area near the bar and buffet is often packed, I've never had a problem finding a quiet area to sit, either at the eastern end of the upper level or on the lower level.
They're not UA employees. Sodexo.
Nov 21, 2019, 11:15 am
#752
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,468
That's my big issue. I've also found the front desk staff rude my past several visits, one gentleman in particular.
While the area near the bar and buffet is often packed, I've never had a problem finding a quiet area to sit, either at the eastern end of the upper level or on the lower level.
They're not UA employees. Sodexo.
While the area near the bar and buffet is often packed, I've never had a problem finding a quiet area to sit, either at the eastern end of the upper level or on the lower level.
They're not UA employees. Sodexo.
Also it’s only 10:15 but some lunch type food has come up to the buffet and it’s a better selection than breakfast.
Nov 21, 2019, 11:16 am
#753
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
Nov 21, 2019, 1:20 pm
#754
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,998
Pathological narcissism will be the destruction of our society-that along with unbridled consumerism.
Nov 21, 2019, 2:54 pm
#755
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
And what is with that buffet? Are there warmers under each pan and that’s why they can’t move them?
I can’t think of any other reason they would have them displayed so far apart as if they were museum pieces.
Why not have a few more dishes? It really was pathetic.
But the biggest mystery to me is, has something changed? Or has it always been like this and now I’m just jaded?
I thought the place was heaven on earth when it first opened.
ORD is so much better.
Nov 21, 2019, 3:04 pm
#756
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,864
Nov 21, 2019, 3:42 pm
#757
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
Absolutely true. But I've spoken with some of the staff who care, and they express frustration with station management as out of touch and unresponsive. There's certainly little evidence of active management in the Polaris lounge.
Nov 21, 2019, 3:57 pm
#758
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
The SFO Polaris lounge is contracted to/managed by Sodexo. A recent job posting shows $22/hr for a lounge food supervisor.
Nov 21, 2019, 4:10 pm
#760
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
That is usually my go-to place, but the sofa area had a large family sitting in it and they somehow convinced the staff to put the cartoon channel on the TV above it!
Nov 21, 2019, 5:36 pm
#761
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,864
A recent job posting shows $22/hr for a lounge food supervisor.
Nov 21, 2019, 6:16 pm
#762
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,332
I totally agree with you that even at $22 is hard to find someone to be a lounge food supervisor, especially in Northern California.
Nov 21, 2019, 6:54 pm
#763
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
The number $22 sounds quite good.
The problem is it's the SF Bay Area, and it's hard to live on $22/hr, $25/hr, even $30/hr. That means you will be commuting from far away — Gilroy, etc. — or relying on family support, or maybe both. Then when you get to the nice Polaris lounge, you won't be very happy to see the patrons.
UA should just pay more. Relative to their net system costs, it wouldn't be that much, but it would make a large difference for the passenger — and employee — experience.
The problem is it's the SF Bay Area, and it's hard to live on $22/hr, $25/hr, even $30/hr. That means you will be commuting from far away — Gilroy, etc. — or relying on family support, or maybe both. Then when you get to the nice Polaris lounge, you won't be very happy to see the patrons.
UA should just pay more. Relative to their net system costs, it wouldn't be that much, but it would make a large difference for the passenger — and employee — experience.
Nov 21, 2019, 8:35 pm
#764
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
I find most of the employees pretty enthusiastic (excepting the front desk, who I believe are UA). They're just not managed well.
Nov 21, 2019, 9:44 pm
#765
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
HUD considers a family of 4 making $117,000 in San Francisco as low income.
You are considered low income if single at $82,000
It doesn't change that much as you move away from SF
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/28/fami...francisco.html
You are considered low income if single at $82,000
It doesn't change that much as you move away from SF
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/28/fami...francisco.html