United Club
© 2010 United Continental Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
© 2010 United Continental Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
The new United Club at San Diego airport opened in 2013. The lounge occupies a prime location at the heart of Terminal 2, on a mezzanine above the Sunset Cove food court, with a bird’s eyes view on the tarmac and airport grounds. The club features a private terrace overlooking the concourse and runway.
The United Club and rival Delta Sky Club are virtually mirrors of each other — at the top of the escalator, make a left towards the United Club, while the Sky Club is immediately to your right. In an innovative space saving design, the reception desk, which doubles as the customer service desk, is located outside the club itself. A glass door separates the reception area from the lounge proper.
United Club SAN design
The United Club boasts United’s new design, with its signature white marble, clean lines, and designer light fixtures. The décor can occasionally feel cold and boring – it’s a bit heavy on the whites, perhaps excessively minimalistic to some extent. But bathed in sunlight, it feels warm and welcoming. With a long glass wall, the lounge benefits from plenty of natural light, as well as exciting views.
The layout maximizes the size of the gorgeous “open air” terrace at the edge of the mezzanine, which overlooks the food court and tarmac in a serene but vibrant setting. The welcoming terrace is furnished with United’s typical large and comfortable armchairs, grouped in clusters of four. Along the railing runs a bar-style work table with a first row view on the action.
The terrace is a welcome departure from the traditional cookie cutter lounge environment, and an enjoyable place to relax or catch up on work, as long as one doesn’t mind the noise that inevitably bleeds from the concourse. United didn’t make an attempt at customizing the space: it’s all furnished with standard lounge furniture, whereas Delta, over at the Sky Club, offers cool rocking chairs. That said, the terrace remains unique while relatively private and intimate.
On the other side of the glass wall are two more traditional interior areas. A long and narrow hallway-like space flanks the terrace, and is adorned with a majestic oversized picture of vintage United aircraft. Away from the bar, and with an intimate layout with just a few tables, it is the most private space in the lounge.
The main lounge zone is centered around the bar. The surrounding open area features dining tables as well as traditional seating. Power outlets and side tables are located at every seat.
United Club SAN amenities
The amenities at the San Diego location are pretty standard for a United Club, though they’re somewhat extensive for a lounge at a secondary airport.
Patrons will find continental breakfast in the morning, followed by a selection of snacks, soups and salads throughout the day. The menu is rotated on a seasonal basis and the fare is simple but tasty. The selection isn’t overly abundant, but sufficient for a quick snack in between meals. Soft drinks, house wines and well drinks are complimentary from the bar, while premium beverages come at a cost.
Business amenities include a printer (which might be difficult to locate – it’s behind the bar, in the far left corner), as well as a meeting room which can be reserved in advance upon request. There is no business center per se, but plenty of spaces that are suitable for laptop users, with power outlets throughout. While there is no dedicated space for phone calls, the buffer area between the lounge and the bathroom is as private and quiet as it gets, if a bit odd looking.
The bathroom is located way in the back of the lounge – we’re unsure how United settled on a design that includes a single stall in the men’s room when there is so much unused space. Fortunately San Diego is hardly a major destinations and the lounge is unlikely to be crowded.
A selection of newspapers and magazines is also available.
United Club SAN bottom line
Overall, the United Club at San Diego airport is one of United’s better and most unique lounges system wide.
The terrace is a unique feature which gives the club a dynamic, fun, and relaxing vibe. The sunlight is uplifting. The design is convenient and functional, and the space pristine. The food doesn’t impress, but it’s no better or worse than at any other United Club location. Perhaps our only gripes are the limited number of bathroom stalls and the lack of dedicated space for phone calls.
The pluses- The modern and pristine design.
- The gorgeous open air terrace and views on the tarmac.
- The abundance of power outlets.
The minuses- The lack of private spaces.
- The limited number of bathroom stalls.
All food items are complimentary. Soft drinks, house wines and well drinks are complimentary, while premium drinks are available for purchase. All selections and pricing are subject to change.
Breakfast (until approximately 10am)
- Banana nut breakfast bread, mini corn muffin, selection of bagels, sliced whole wheat bread, rye bread and white bread, served with butter, cream cheese and preserves.
- Fresh cut honeydew and cantaloupe.
- Rotating: fresh blackberries, fresh cut pineapple, orange segments, minted grapefruit segments.
- Whole apples and bananas.
- Greek vanilla yoghurt.
- Granola.
- Selection of cereals: Raisin Bran, Cheerios, Special K and Corn Flakes; whole milk, semi-skimmed milk.
- Orange juice, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice.
- Assorted teas with steeping ingredients: honey, lemon, fresh mint, sliced ginger
- Citrus infused water (lemon, orange, lime)
- Rotating infused waters: Cucumber mint; Mango and ginger; Strawberry basil; Watermelon; Apple and mint; Cranberry lime.
Lunch menu
- Rotating soup 1: Chicken corn chowder with sweet peppers, mushroom onion bisque; Cheddar cheese and beer; Chicken noodle; Beef pot roast; Butternut squash; Beef barley.
- Rotating soup 2: Mushroom onion bisque; Roasted vegetable; Southwestern vegetarian chili; Broccoli and cheddar; Italian wedding; Roasted tomato and red pepper.
- Fresh chopped herbs, chopped green onions, croutons, baked tortilla strips, whole wheat crackers, whole wheat roll, and seeded parker house roll.
- Salads: Spring, romaine, kale mixed green; Chopped tomatoes; Sliced red onions; Sliced cucumbers; Shredded carrots, served with LF ranch, honey mustard, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Rotating signature composed salads: Tuscan bean; Honey bean barley; Wheat berry crunch; Cranberry quinoa and pumpkin; Tri‐color chickpea; Pad Thai.
- Rotating desserts: Lemon bars, Toffee brownie bites; Oreo brownie bites; Blondie bites; Melt-a-way bar; Carrot cake bars.
- Double chocolate chip cookies.
- Whole apples and bananas.
Afternoon menu
- Cheeses: Swiss, Cheddar.
- Rotating artisanal feature item: Wheel of parmesan; Chandoka; Smoked gouda; Fontina; Brie; Ementhaler.
- Crudites: carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber slices, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing.
- Mediterranean board: prosciutto, chorizo, salami, mortadella, served with capers, gherkins, whole grain Pomery mustard, sliced baguettes.
- Mediterranean board rotating options: Sopressata, Capicola; Bresaola; Pate or terrine.
- Snack mix: 4 hour power trail mix (cashews, pumpkin seeds, golden raisons, dried blueberries.)
- Hydration station: citrus infused water (lemon, orange, lime.)
- Rotating infused waters: Cucumber mint; Mango and ginger; Strawberry basil; Watermelon; Apple and mint; Cranberry lime.
Complimentary drinks
- Water, soft drinks and juices.
- Red Bull and Red Bull sugar free.
- Coffee, espresso, latte, cappuccino, tea, hot chocolate.
- House red and white wines.
- Prosecco: Mionetto.
- Vodka: Smirnoff.
- Red Gin: Beefeater.
- Rum: Cruzan.
- Whiskey: Evan Williams, Black Label.
- Scotch: Cutty Sark.
- Beer: Miller Lite, Bud Lite, Budweiser.
Premium cocktails
- That Toddlin’ Town: Chicago distilled Koval Four Grain Whiskey, Rare Tea Cellar Sicilian Blood Orange Tea, Balsam American Amaro, Strawberry, Citrus and Mint: $10
- The Hanky Panky: A modern twist on the classic 1903 cocktail first introduced at London’s Savoy Hotel American Bar Hendrick’s Gin, Blood Orange, Sweet Vermouth, Fernet Branca, and Rosemary: $10
- Basil Raspberry Margarita: Delightfully refreshing with a hint of the unexpected Patron Reposado, Lemon, Lime, Cointreau, Pure Agave, Raspberry Puree, fresh Basil & Salt Schmear on the side: $10
- Mule Cocktails: A delicious combination of house-made ginger beer, juicy lime and any spirt of your choice topped with aromatic bitters: $10
- Texas Mule: Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Angostura Bitters: $3
- Spicy & Stormy: Captain Morgan Rum and Dale DeGroff Aromatic Bitters: $3
- Orange Ginger: Veuve Cliquot Champagne and Regan’s Orange Bitters: $3
- London Buck: Bombay Sapphire Gin and Regan’s Orange Bitters: $3
- Presbyterian: The Duke Whiskey and Angostura Bitters: $3
- Moscow Mule: Grey Goose and Angostura Bitters Grand Marnier Float: $3
Premium beers and wines
Beer- Local craft: $3
- Blue Moon: $5
- Corona Extra: $5
- Goose Island 312: $5
- Heineken: $5
- Lagunitas IPA: $5
- Revolution Anti-Hero IPA: $5
- Sam Adams: $5
- Stella Artois: $5
White wines- Esperto Pinot Grigio: $9
- Love Block Sauvignon Blanc: $12
- Moonlite White Blend: $9
- Rombauer Chardonnay: $15
- Fleur de Prairie Rose: $8
Champagne- Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut: $15 By the Glass
- Piper-Heidsieck Rose: $30 Half Bottle
Red wine- Layer Cake Pinot Noir: $9
- Decoy by Duckhorn Merlot: $9
- Motto Gun Ho Red Blend: $9
- Bonterra Zinfandel: $9
- Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon: $15
- Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon: $15
Premium spirits
Vodka- Deep Eddy: $7
- Ketel One: $9
- Grey Goose: $12
Gin- Bombay Sapphire: $9
- Hendrinck’s: $12
Tequila- Patron Silver: $9
- Patron Reposado: $12
Rum- Bacardi: $7
- Captain Morgan: $7
Bourbon, Whiskey & Rye- Jim Beam White Label: $7
- Buffalo Trace: $9
- Bulleit Rye $9
- Jameson: $9
- Crown Royal: $12
- Maker’s Mark: $12
Scotch & Cognac- Glenfiddich 12 year: $12
- Courvoisier VS: $12
- Macallan 12 yr: $15
- Glenlivet Founde’s Reserve: $12
- Balvenie DoubleWood: $15
Liqueurs- Baileys: $7
- Campari: $7
- Cointreau: $7
You may have access to United Club as a premium customer of one of the following airlines, or as an elite member of their frequent flyer program. Check the Access rules tab for more details.
Star Alliance
Access for eligible customers traveling on any Star Alliance member airline.
ANA (NH) Aegean (A3) Air Canada (AC) Air China (CA) Air India (AI) Air New Zealand (NZ) Asiana (OZ) Austrian (OS) Avianca (AV) Brussels Airlines (SN) Copa Airlines (CM) Croatia Airlines (OU) EVA Air (BR) Egyptair (MS) Ethiopian Airlines (ET) LOT Polish Airlines (LO) Lufthansa (LH) SAS (SK) SWISS (LX) Shenzhen Airlines (ZH) Singapore Airlines (SQ) South African Air (SA) TAP Air Portugal (TP) Thai Airways (TG) Turkish Airlines (TK) United (UA) United Club at San Diego, CA (SAN) welcomes:
- United Club members departing on a same-day flight operated by United or a Star Alliance member airline, or arriving on a United flight (+2 guests, or the member’s spouse and children under the age of 21.)
- United Polaris business class passengers departing or connecting (no guests)
- United Business passengers departing on a United transcontinental Premium Service flight at the origin and destination of their premium transcontinental flight (no guests)
- United Business passengers departing on an United international flight (to/from Mexico, Guam, Caribbean, Central America, Columbia and Ecuador) at departure, connecting and arrival airports (no guests)
- Business Class passengers departing on an intercontinental flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier (no guests)
- First Class passengers departing on an intercontinental flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier (+1 guest)
- United Premier Gold, Premium Platinum, Premier 1K, and Global Services members departing on an intercontinental flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier in any class of service (+1 guest)
- Star Alliance Gold Members (except United Premier members and above) departing on a domestic or international flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier in any class of service (+1 guest)
- United Club one-time pass holders (paper or electronic passes) (no guests)
- Active U.S. military personnel departing on a same day United flight (+family members)
- Amtrak Guest Rewards Select Plus and Select Executive members departing on a same day United flight (+1 guest and children under the age of 21.)
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members departing on a flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier (no guests for Air Canada Maple Leaf Club North America members, +1 guest for Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide members)
Notes:
- Passengers in domestic First class do not receive United Club access. United Business passengers flying on a Premium Service flight between San Francisco/Boston, San Francisco/Newark, or Los Angeles/Newark receive access at the origin and destination of their premium transcontinental flight.
- A government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license, passport or military ID) may be required.
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- ed w.2019-08-02 16:31:46Review is for access only. I think if you purchase an *international flight in business or first, you should be granted access to the lounge. Had I known...Cheryl B.2019-06-24 13:25:28As lounges good it's ok. It;s in terminal 2 and although I left out of terminal 1 TSA let me thru.Amanda K.2019-05-20 11:41:18My husband and I stopped here before our flight. I was surprised at the number of food options compared to other United lounges throughout the United...Alaa B.2018-07-29 23:07:09Jonny w is the worst welcome desk representative. There is zero character or any manners that this person owns. He is such a shameful addition to the...Natalie M.2018-06-10 10:57:23This small airport lounge is a cool place to relax before your flight. It features standard amenities like seats with charging ports, a bar, a TV, WiFi, and...Kathy G.2018-03-22 10:13:17It's good to be back home again... Vegas was definitely fun. Played golf a little. Played well for some reason. now just relaxing to get back home. I am...
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A beautiful lounge with an open-air terrace, though the food options are limited compared to what is on offer at the Sky Club.