United Club
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United Club – San Francisco, CA (SFO) Terminal 3 Concourse E
The United Club at San Francisco Airport Terminal 3 Concourse E is the airline’s newest lounge at SFO. (United operates two additional United Club locations in Concourse F and at International Terminal G.) The Concourse E lounge opened in November 2015 in conjunction with the newly remodeled and vastly expanded Concourse E, which is a model of efficiency and design.
United Club SFO design
The United Club at SFO Concourse E is the first to sport United’s new lounge design, which was premiered in Chicago and rolled out at various locations including London Heathrow.
United Club – San Francisco, CA (SFO) Terminal 3 Concourse E
The design language puts an emphasis on clean lines and light tones with dominant whites. The space is modern, pristine, functional but perhaps a bit sterile – unlike the Chicago location which has couches and floor lamps, or the Heathrow location which features visually striking tree sculptures, the San Francisco United Club only implements the basic elements of the design, leaving visitors longing for more exciting visual features.
Ultimately, the daylight and California sunshine are the redeeming factors. The space boasts a large floor to ceiling window, which lets plenty of light in and reveals views of the tarmac. The view functions as a backdrop for the bar, which acts as the focal point of the design.
Other artifacts include designer light fixtures, and large scale vintage pictures of United aircraft – although they’re the same as at every other newly refurbished United Club, so variety would have been appreciated.
United Club – San Francisco, CA (SFO) Terminal 3 Concourse E
At just over 6,000 square feet and with seating for 130 customers, the new club is only slightly larger than the temporary location that it replaced. It’s also much more central and visible from outside, and there’s a plethora of new gates nearby. Therefore, it’s always busy, when it’s not painfully crowded. The floor plan doesn’t help in this regard – the designers have crammed as many seats as possible in a rather uninspired layout, with rows of seats facing each other offering little privacy. The design might be fresh, but the experience is hardly luxurious.
On a more positive note, there are power and USB ports at every seat, as well as individual side tables and table top seating in the back for laptop users.
Next to the bar is a rather compact dining area. To the left of the bar is a side room with additional seating and a buffet, which is more sparsely furnished and typically quieter.
United Club SFO amenities
The amenities are typical of domestic United Clubs – despite San Francisco’s position as a major hub, United has not invested in world class amenities such as showers.
United Club – San Francisco, CA (SFO) Terminal 3 Concourse E
Continental breakfast is available in the morning, followed by crudités, soups and salads throughout the day. The selection is tasty and sufficient for a substantial snack, though it’s hardly a substitute for a meal. The food is replenished here and there – at peak times the buffet often looks somewhat depressing as the staff works slowly through the process of picking up cups and plates and occasionally replenishing the spread.
Soft drinks, house beer and wines and well drinks are complimentary at the bar; all other beverages come at a cost.
Two small private fully enclosed work spaces are located to the right of the bar area and are a convenient option for phone calls or impromptu meetings. They’re naturally popular, and unlikely to be available.
The bathrooms boast a cool design with airplane window shaped mirrors, but they’re under dimensioned, so expect lines at peak times.
United Club SFO bottom line
Overall, the new United Club at San Francisco airport Terminal 3 Concourse E disappoints. The space is pristine and benefits from a prime location, lovely views and ample daylight. Yet, it is severely under dimensioned and painfully crowded; the tight layout offers no privacy, and there are virtually no amenities to speak of.
United Club – San Francisco, CA (SFO) Terminal 3 Concourse E
The United Club at Concourse E would fare well at an outstation, whereas at San Francisco airport it is a paltry offering which lags behind competitors: American offers shower suites and Delta operates a stunning Sky Club with complimentary hot food and spa inspired showers. United has missed a chance to open a true flagship lounge highlighting San Francisco’s position as a key hub within their global network. Perhaps the airline doesn’t need to compete.
As a nearby alternative, the legacy United Club location in Concourse F might be less crowded. If anything, it’s far more spacious.
For information on possible alternatives, other lounges at SFO and rankings, check out our Definitive Guide to the SFO Lounge Scene.
- The views and daylight.
- The availability of power and USB ports at every seat.
- The convenient location for Concourse E passengers.
- The small footprint.
- The lack of privacy.
- The lack of hub or international grade amenities such as showers.
- The crowds at peak times.
United Club at San Francisco, CA (SFO) 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 (subject to capacity restrictions) (no guests)
- Active U.S. military personnel departing on a same day United flight (+family members)
- 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.
Cards accepted
United Club
When flying a Star Alliance member airline.
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, or use our lounge access wizard to find out if you have access.
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) |
 | EGYPTAIR (MS) |  | EVA Air (BR) |  | Ethiopian Airlines (ET) |
 | LOT Polish Airlines (LO) |  | Lufthansa (LH) |  | SAS (SK) |
 | SWISS (LX) |  | Shenzhen Airlines (ZH) |  | Singapore Airlines (SQ) |
 | South African Airways (SA) |  | TAP Air Portugal (TP) |  | Thai Airways (TG) |
 | Turkish Airlines (TK) |  | United (UA) |
Other airlines
 | Virgin Australia (VA) |
2.5 / 5, based on 103 reviews
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Overall ratings
Kind of old fashioned interior, but nice apron view. Quite crowded.
Very limited selection of breakfast items and beverages. Acoholic drinks can be bought at the bar.
Free WIFI, some newspapers and magazines, business centre and clean restrooms.
We’ll go with a harsh two star rating. The club is brand new and a three star rating would be in order considering the pristine décor and views. But the constant crowding and lack of privacy are annoying – in this regard, the two other clubs at SFO fare better despite looking older.
The layout is obviously crafted to maximize the number of people that may be accommodated whilst sacrificing comfort and style completely. On a mid-morning this past Friday it was completely filled to capacity and the impression was of a tightly laid-out office plan. Patrons were saddled very close to one another with absolutely no personal space truly afforded; a cattle-car effect with folks lined up in lengthy rows of side-by-side seating. Indeed, the main terminal hall offers significantly better accommodation for whiling away the time.
Food options were the typical comparatively dismal “new” United fare and not replenished in a timely manner. The bar was small and uncomfortable. And the bright lighting and open floor plan adds no relief from the concept of harried travel. Two smallish bathrooms were almost too readily accessible and situated amidst the flow pattern of the overall space.
Personally, I *very* much preferred the layout and ambiance of the temporary Club that preceded this one. Even the lack of windows there presented a sense of calm and relaxation which the new Club does not come close to replicating. I’ll walk the extra distance to the older Club in Terminal 3 happily rather than be stuck in this swing-and-a-miss new one.