Review: United Club at San Francisco Int’l Airport (SFO), Terminal 3, E Gates
United’s smaller overflow club at SFO sports the mid-2010s design
A satisfactory lounge that is highlighted by large windows that face the tarmac, a decent buffet, and plenty of places to plug in to get work done.
The summary
This rather small (for a hub lounge) is located by the entry to the E concourse in Terminal 3. The entry is clearly marked. Given the size of the SFO hub, there was a short line to get it. I was shocked by the sign directing folks to the Maple Leaf Lounge. To the right of the reception desk was a couple of nice looking chairs, a small infused water station, and some trail mix.
From there, guests enter the main room. Frequent travelers will recognize the design: beiges, faux white marble, clean lines, etc. Hi-top counters line two of the walls, beige seating occupies the center of the room, and the bar is on the far right. One of the hi-top counters is backed by a large photograph of a vintage United plane – a common feature in this iteration of United Clubs. I did like the interesting lighting fixture above the one sofa. I actually find the bar rather nice, mainly because it fronts a glass wall, allowing in plenty of light. There is a charge for premium drinks as per usual. Frequent United travelers with notice the familiar chandeliers over the bar.
Behind the main room is a second room, which houses the buffet. The buffet is identical to what I saw the previous day in the G gates lounge: A cooked taco station, minestrone soup, tarragon chicken salad sandwiches, a spinach-feta-tomato wrap, cheeses, fruit, sales, cookies and lemon bars. I found it odd that there were no dining tables in the room. Guests has to mainly have the plates on side tables or on their laps. The few tables were in the first room
Next to the buffet was the beverage station, with the typical soda machine, coffee and teas.
As in all United Clubs, the internet worked very fast. The staff worked hard to keep this crowded club clean. However, the acoustics in this lounge were not good. Voices from the reception desk area seemed very loud and seeped into the main room. This lounge covers the basics, but I would not go out of my way to spend any time here.
The wrap:
…The details. Date – June 23, 2025. Rating: Gets the job done. Access: United club member
…What I like: The windows, outlet availability, decent buffet
…What I don’t like: The noise from the reception area and the lack of tables in the dining area.
I visited this club in May 2025. Coming off a UA Polaris flight from Amsterdam and connecting to San Diego. By the time I made it to this location it was pretty full. There was a line to get in. What upset me the most and I made it known later is that they were allowing people to enter even though they KNEW there were no seats available anymore. Instead of just stopping entries they keep people coming in. So now there were about a dozen people standing in the lounge. WRONG. If it’s full it’s full and no entry. They had a sign up saying no day passes accepted today. I had access due to my Polaris ticket. I told the lobby agent and he just shrugged and said I could use his office area and directed me there. But there was already someone else he had let in (and presumably forgot about) so she could pump her breast. Imagine my and her surprise when I walked in.
If the club is full just stop the entrance of more people.
Otherwise the club is a typical domestic renovated/new Club offering the usual things one would expect.