Oct 23, 2018, 11:19 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Present use of past IFL/GLFs
related threads
Global First Lounge (IFL / GFL) Access Questions and Experiences [2015 forward]
Gutted over loss of GFL
- SFO -- converted to UC
- IAD -- converted to UC
- LHR -- VIP / GS lounge
- NRT -- VIP / GS lounge
- HKG -- VIP / GS lounge
related threads
Global First Lounge (IFL / GFL) Access Questions and Experiences [2015 forward]
Gutted over loss of GFL
UA First lounges/GFL have closed now that GF/PF is gone -- what happens to the space?
Nov 28, 2018, 5:26 am
#106
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,215
Flew out of LHR on Saturday in Polaris on the 11.35am flight to SFO. Access to UC only. No invite to the (former) GFL even though I had 1A (former GF seat).
UC very, very crowded with announcements to please not place carryon/personal items on seats so everyone could have a seat.
Was only a brief stop to grab a coffee, a plate of baked beans and mushrooms, and get changed into leggings for the flight. If I needed to be in the lounge for longer than 30 mins would have gone to the SQ lounge.
The SFO Polaris lounge is a haven compared to the LHR UC lounge.
Nov 28, 2018, 8:47 am
#107
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,444
+1
Flew out of LHR on Saturday in Polaris on the 11.35am flight to SFO. Access to UC only. No invite to the (former) GFL even though I had 1A (former GF seat).
UC very, very crowded with announcements to please not place carryon/personal items on seats so everyone could have a seat.
Was only a brief stop to grab a coffee, a plate of baked beans and mushrooms, and get changed into leggings for the flight. If I needed to be in the lounge for longer than 30 mins would have gone to the SQ lounge.
The SFO Polaris lounge is a haven compared to the LHR UC lounge.
Flew out of LHR on Saturday in Polaris on the 11.35am flight to SFO. Access to UC only. No invite to the (former) GFL even though I had 1A (former GF seat).
UC very, very crowded with announcements to please not place carryon/personal items on seats so everyone could have a seat.
Was only a brief stop to grab a coffee, a plate of baked beans and mushrooms, and get changed into leggings for the flight. If I needed to be in the lounge for longer than 30 mins would have gone to the SQ lounge.
The SFO Polaris lounge is a haven compared to the LHR UC lounge.
The LHR UC still has better food/bev service than both, IMO, but if I'm not hungry, I value the relative solitude of the SKL.
Dec 3, 2018, 4:55 pm
#108
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K (2MM); AA LT Gold (1.9 MM); SQ; WN; DL; "Bonvoy Ambassador""
Posts: 398
Agree. The UC seems more crowded now. I generally take the 6pm LHR-EWR and the SQ lounge is becoming my go-to, as there are rarely more than 20 or so people in there at that hour since the next LHR-SIN doesn't go until 8:35pm. I also like the MLL, but AC has a 6pm departure to YYZ and there's usually a similar level of crowding to the UC.
The LHR UC still has better food/bev service than both, IMO, but if I'm not hungry, I value the relative solitude of the SKL.
The LHR UC still has better food/bev service than both, IMO, but if I'm not hungry, I value the relative solitude of the SKL.
Jan 13, 2019, 8:03 am
#109
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Off to Tokyo and other bits of Asia soon. Can anyone tell me what is situation with former GF lounge and showes?
Jan 13, 2019, 10:05 am
#110
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: 4,388
Jan 21, 2019, 4:46 am
#111
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: 44,302
Jan 21, 2019, 9:49 am
#112
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: 66,783
earlier posts
Jan 21, 2019, 12:17 pm
#113
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: 4,388
I was in the NRT GS lounge (4th floor) this past Friday, and again today. On Friday, it was packed -- every seat taken in the main area, even spilling back into the room with cubes. Today it was about 2/3 full. I think this may in part be to that January has overlapping GS membership years; it will be interesting to see if numbers reduce on February 1 as those not re-invited roll off.
Feb 5, 2019, 11:45 am
#114
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HNL
Programs: United Gold
Posts: 1,581
Does anyone know what United has done with the Global First lounge at NRT now that they no longer have Global First? I’m assuming they are going to turn it into a Polaris lounge but what are they doing with it in the meantime?
Feb 5, 2019, 11:48 am
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,453
UA First lounges/GFL have closed now that GF/PF is gone -- what happens to the space?
Apr 6, 2019, 11:35 am
#117
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ORD / PHX
Programs: UA LT 1K 3MM (former 12 yr GS), Bonvoy Amb/LT Plat
Posts: 1,340
Jun 3, 2019, 6:33 am
#119
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 62
Was in NRT GS/VIP (former GF) lounge on May 16th. Our group consisted of 2 GS and 2 guests (both flying UA business). Overall lounge wasn't too crowded, and much less so than the UC downstairs.
Main advantages seemed to be better food/drink selection and quieter/less crowded.
No sign of Polaris lounge, work or real estate.
-311
Main advantages seemed to be better food/drink selection and quieter/less crowded.
No sign of Polaris lounge, work or real estate.
-311
Jun 15, 2019, 10:50 pm
#120
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,498
In the NRT VIP now. I''m the only one here at the moment. It's 148 pm local time so about 2 hours before the big bank of US flights start boarding. I see little (to my pleasant surprise) change from the GFL (unlike LHR which was downgraded a bit). Excellent assortment of sushi and other foods. Tattinger reserve self serve. I'll enjoy these two hours. 😎
This time with photos. Mods please combine.
This time with photos. Mods please combine.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 15, 2019 at 11:54 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member