UA lounge access with VA gold?

[ohmoomtang]

Hi there,
I have VA Gold, just booked Discounted Economy on UA - SYD-SFO-SEA and SEA-LAX-SYD all on the same ticket number and same PNR.

What I understand is I’ll have access to SQ Lounge at SYD, but I’m wondering about layover at SFO, whether I’m eligible for lounge access and which lounge that I can use? The same question for SEA-LAX-SYD, I understand that I’ll have lounge access all the way at SEA and LAX

A bit anxious too whether 2:30 hrs is enough for connection from International to Domestic at SFO as I understand that SFO port quite busy for immigration, any input on this?

Thanks very much.

 

[odysseus]

According to United, who distinguish between departure, connecting and arrival on their page, you would only be able to enter at Sydney and Seattle (departing).

https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/airport/lounge-access.html

As you're on the single ticket you don't need to worry about the connection as that's the airline responsibility once ticketed.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

It's not correct that access for Velocity members is only at origin airports. The rules are:

"Velocity Gold, Platinum, and VIP members can visit United Club locations and United Club Fly at departure airports. You will need a same-day boarding pass for an international United or Virgin Australia-operated flight. You can bring one guest to United Club locations."

'Departure airports' means you need an onward flight, but that doesn't have to be the first flight on your itinerary. 'Same-day boarding pass for an international flight' means you can either be departing on the overseas leg from that airport, or be connecting to or from that same-day flight.

In other words, you'll be able to access the SFO United Club prior to SFO-SEA on the basis of having the same day inbound connection and an onward departing flight. You'll be able to enter the SEA United Club prior to SEA-LAX because you have both a departing flight and a same day international flight. You'll also be able to enter the LAX United Club on the basis of your same-day departing international flight (LAX-SYD). And of course, at the beginning of the journey, you get access to the SQ lounge in SYD, thanks to the arrangement directly between Velocity and SQ for members on UA flights.

It's complicated in theory, but under this scenario, quite straightforward - you're good to go for lounge access. (United prints "INTL" on the boarding pass to signal to lounge staff that you're on an eligible itinerary.) If you were to break up the journey and do a standalone domestic leg, that's where access is 'technically' supposed to be declined. Technically. Wink.

In all instances, you'll need to show your actual Velocity card for access. It's easiest if you have the digital card with the QR code because United's computers prompt the agent to scan that code as part of entry, which delivers an easy 'computer says yes'.

 

[bcworld]

A bit anxious too whether 2:30 hrs is enough for connection from International to Domestic at SFO as I understand that SFO port quite busy for immigration, any input on this?

I haven't tried it yet (next US trip is in July) but there is an app called MPC (Mobile Passport Control) which I think can be used to skip some queues.

The advice given by ChrisFlyer above is correct...you will have access to the United Club at SFO, SEA and LAX. In my experience a simple boarding pass scan at the turnstiles is enough though.