• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Ask Scott
Travel Codex

Travel Codex

Your Resource for Better Travel

  • Subscribe
  • Credit Cards
  • Reviews
  • Guides & Tips
  • Award Travel

SilverKris and United Global First Lounges in San Francisco

by Brad
Last updated April 19, 2019

Update: These lounges are now closed.

Our long awaited Singapore Airlines First Class trip was about to begin.  First up, lounge visits in San Francisco.

singapore-first-boarding-pass

We got off the shuttle from the Westin San Francisco Airport at the International terminal.  I’ve flown from SFO countless times, but never checked in for an international flight from there.  This terminal is quite nice and much more modern than the others.  I have not used the newly renovated SFO Terminal 2, which looks much better than the other domestic terminals.

We checked our bags and scuba gear and received our first class boarding passes and an invitation to the Silver Kris lounge.   I have visited this lounge before, but this was some time ago, before a renovation and before access was restricted to only Singapore Airlines passengers or Star Gold passengers flying internationally.

Matthew reviewed the Silver Kris Lounge previously, so like my visit here, my commentary will be brief.

When we arrived, the lounge was busy, but nowhere near full.  As we relaxed a bit, and had a snack, it got steadily busier.  The lounge itself is furnished very well, there is lots of natural light, and decent tarmac views

silver-kris-sfo-view

United’s international and domestic at SFO

silver-kris-sfo-view2

Star Alliance wide bodies at the International terminal

For food options, I saw both the breakfast and some lunch options while we were there.  Its much better than a typical domestic US airline lounge, but was badly put to shame by other Singapore lounges I experienced on this trip, which I will discuss later.

Hyatt Privé: Addition Perks and NEW Discounts
Trending
Hyatt Privé: Addition Perks and NEW Discounts

It was crowded enough I didn’t want to bug people too much with me taking photos while they were milling about.  Food items included instant noodles, some fresh fruit, and then later a mix of noodles and fried rice and a few other Asian inspired choices.  Drinks were self serve, with a decent alcohol selection, plus some juices, sodas, an espresso machine, and a selection of teas.

silver-kris-sfo-interior

This photo was just after I arrived before it got too crowded.

After a little while, and as the room got a bit more crowded, we decided to head over to the United Global First lounge.  It is arguably a nicer lounge, and it was actually closer to our gate.   I had visited this lounge before, but this was just for a few minutes before it closed when I was flying to Australia several years back.

global-first-sfo-interior

It seems we found this lounge in between departures, since it was mostly empty.  We nearly had the lounge to ourselves.

The lounge is located on ground level, and is pretty spacious.  There is a wide selection of reading materials available from all over the world.  I wanted to watch the UEFA Champions League final, since I was the only person near the TV, I just changed the channel, and enjoyed the exciting conclusion of that match.

global-first-sfo-tv

Also, there were some nice close up views of planes at the international terminal

global-first-sfo-view

well hello your majesty!

Food and drink selection is significantly better than what is on offer in the United Clubs.  Its still pretty sad compared to most other Star Alliance International First Class lounges I have experienced such as in Frankfurt, Tokyo, Sydney, Bangkok or Munich.

global-first-sfo-bar

Nice to have the Woodford Reserve, and not be on Delta!

global-first-sfo-drinks

a decent international selection of cold beverages

Food wise, it was nothing special.  This is the typical fare for United Global First lounges.  Here are my reviews of the Global First lounges in Chicago and Washington in 2012.

global-first-sfo-snacks

Buffet looks a little tired, but with 3 full meals on my upcoming flight, I wasn’t concerned.

As boarding time approached, we gathered our stuff and headed back upstairs to the concourse level and then to our gate.  Boarding is at the lower level, so we went down the escalator and found no line for First/Business Class.

Our first Singapore Airlines flight was finally ready for departure!

  • 0shares
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Read This Next

  • a white airplane flying in the sky
    United Beefs up Domestic Schedule in San Francisco in Response to Alaska
  • United's Global Entry Benefit Is Live
    United's Global Entry Benefit Is Live
  • United Polaris Lounge San Francisco
    Review: United Polaris Lounge San Francisco

About Brad

Brad is a frequent traveler, based in Milwaukee. He typically travels in around 200,000 miles per year, much of it for business, and often in economy. This blog focuses on experiences and tips from the perspective of a frequent business traveler trying to maximize value. In addition to frequent work trips, he uses miles and points for even more travel with his wife and young child.

Primary Sidebar

Over 100K+ Followers

Subscribe to updates from Travel Codex

none

Learn to how to find the cheapest awards.

Search Now

none

Transfer points to get more value.

See Options

none

Compare credit cards to earn more miles.

Explore Offers

Contact

If you have a question or would like to make a press inquiry, please contact:

Scott Mackenzie
Editor in Chief
scott@travelcodex.com

For updates:
Subscribe to RSS
Subscribe to Apple News

Privacy Policy


© Travel Codex, LLC All Rights Reserved.


Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Travel Codex with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.