SFO Lounge option -- UCs vs Centurion
May 21, 23, 10:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium Elite, United LT 1M Gold
Posts: 549
SFO Lounge option -- UCs vs Centurion
Two of us will be flying out of SFO tomorrow (Monday), international flight from the G concourse. First time as Gold so we'll have the option of the United Club (not Polaris) in G or the Amex Centurion lounge (we both have Platinum cards for access). Suggestions as which is a better option? It's an evening flight so we'll have plenty of time. Thanks in advance.
May 22, 23, 9:14 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1K 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Ti, LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 55,196
The UC in G is awful. Rotunda Club in F is better. Amex CL is less crowded since expansion and restricted guest policy, but the food has gone way downhill (while it's improved at UC).
May 22, 23, 10:46 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,177
As amex plat cardholders:
If you are flying out of SFO ( not connecting at SFO), then you can only access Centurion lounge 3hr before departure.
So you can only access UC at noon, then Centurion later in the day, for your evening flight.
If you are flying out of SFO ( not connecting at SFO), then you can only access Centurion lounge 3hr before departure.
So you can only access UC at noon, then Centurion later in the day, for your evening flight.
May 22, 23, 12:01 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1K 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Ti, LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 55,196
May 22, 23, 12:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,311
The Amex CL food was already going downhill (also getting really boring and repetitive when I was doing frequent domestic flights). That trend has continued, but at least now one can usually find a place to sit and get some work done. Amazing how much better the Amex CL in DEN is.
The UC's continue to improve - I don't have a membership, so I only check them out if I'm upgraded to New York, or flying international and bored of sitting in the PL. Rotunda is definitely the way to go, but it can get overcrowded in my limited recent experience. Then gain, the one in G gets even more overcrowded...
May 22, 23, 12:40 pm
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 59,797
Here just to agree with the narrow point that Rotunda is the best of the UC options. Just give the extra 5-ish minutes to walk to the gate.
Also - if you have Priority Pass through Chase SR, then a restaurant option should be on your list.
Also - if you have Priority Pass through Chase SR, then a restaurant option should be on your list.
May 22, 23, 12:57 pm
#10
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.96MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 65,109
May 22, 23, 1:01 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,373
May 22, 23, 1:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: West Coast
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 263
Just here to agree with every single part of this.
The Amex CL food was already going downhill (also getting really boring and repetitive when I was doing frequent domestic flights). That trend has continued, but at least now one can usually find a place to sit and get some work done. Amazing how much better the Amex CL in DEN is.
The Amex CL food was already going downhill (also getting really boring and repetitive when I was doing frequent domestic flights). That trend has continued, but at least now one can usually find a place to sit and get some work done. Amazing how much better the Amex CL in DEN is.
May 22, 23, 2:01 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SRQ, PDX
Programs: UA 1 MM, AA, DL
Posts: 913
Agreed, however Saturday afternoon during a four hour stay due to delayed flight, the relative quiet at the back was interrupted by a guy who carried on a lengthy, loud cellphone conversation. Who ARE these people?
May 22, 23, 2:02 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,311
SF Centurion has had the worst food in the system since shortly after it opened when they seem to have settled on "Bland" as their culinary theme. I guess their theory is that Bay Area people like spa food. Never mind that a ton of people in the lounge are passing through and don't live there or are Asian Americans used to properly seasoned food. They should just make halfway decent Chinese food and it would be a huge improvement. Chop up those gamey chicken thighs and cook them in a decent sauce with salt, sugar, umami and fat.
