Review: United Club at San Francisco Int’l Airport (SFO), International Terminal, G Gates

Former global services lounge retains some interesting design elements, but needs a serious refresh.

This former global services lounge in the concourse that serves international fights by Star Alliance carriers, United included, retains some Asian-inspired features, but is way past its prime.

The summary

This lounge is located near the end of the G concourse, where United and other Star Alliance carriers have departures for various international destinations, many of which are in the Far East. The lounge was a former global services lounge. However, as premium passengers are sent to the outstanding Polaris Lounge, United just transitioned this space into a regular United Club. After reception, you walk down the stairs (or take an elevator) and descend into the small lounge. The stairs themselves are adorned with nice paintings – but they do not evoke San Francisco. At the bottom of the stairs is an Asian (I think) inspired sculpture.

This lounge never received United’s mid-2010s refresh of clean lines and faux marble. It might have helped. The lounge is really just two rooms. When you arrive on the ground floor, there is a customer service desk on the left to provide traveler assistance. The main room really is just a a rather bland room that leans heavily on beige. There are typical tables and chairs throughout. Above to doors leading to the second room are some interesting Asian-inspired sculptures, which do lend a certain elegance to the room. A quiet room is on the left (it was crowded). There are plenty of outlets in this room. Beyond this room are two small alcoves where guests can place their carryon luggage. However, these storage areas were unoccupied.

The next room is where travelers will find the food and drinks. The decor is similar to the first room, with more tables suitable for eating. The leather on the sofa bench was torn – evidence that this lounge needs some serious attention. Similar sculptures are in this room too, as well as a vintage United plane photograph and a nice snapshot of downtown San Francisco.

The food options are rather substantial. A cooked taco station, minestrone soup, tarragon chicken salad sandwiches, a spinach-feta-tomato wrap, cheeses, fruit, sales, cookies and lemon bars. I could not find an outlet near the dining tables – maybe the intent is to just eat here and then move to one of the other chairs to work?

There was a small and rather makeshift bar, with a charge for premium drinks (like all United Clubs), an infused water station, and a large coffee and soft drink station.

The staff in this lounge was very attentive and worked hard to keep this place tidy. Internet was not password protected and it worked very fast. There is not really much more to say about this lounge. United’s SFO hub at Terminal is getting a major glow-up. Let’s hope an improved lounge is part of the plans. SFO is a huge west coast hub, and this lounge does not inspire.

The wrap:

…The details. Date – June 22, 2025. Rating: Only in a pinch. Access: United club member

…What I like: The food, staff, and some design elements

…What I don’t like: Ripped chairs, boring color pallet, lack of outlets in the dining room