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Can I get from International Terminal G to Terminal 3 at SFO without going through security?

Can I get from International Terminal G to Terminal 3 at SFO without going through security?

Airside connector between Terminal 3 & International Terminal G

Airside connector between Terminal 3 & International Terminal G

I recently was on a trip to San Francisco, flying from HNL to SFO on Hawaiian airlines and trying to figure out If I could access Terminal 3 without going through security. Our flight attendants and check-in personal said we would have to re-clear security again and online blogs were vague, but we suspected otherwise. Terminal 3 has the American Express Centurion Lounge and 2 restaurants (San Francisco Giants Clubhouse, Yankee Pier) that Priority Pass members & their one other guest can receive $28 of dining credit each.

So can you access TERMINAL 3 from International TERMINAL G?

The answer is: YES, via the Airside Connector

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Directions: Upon landing in International Terminal G, proceed toward the end of the terminal, walking along the left side. DO NOT go outside security or else you will have to re-clear security again, instead make a left and you will see the United Polaris Lounge.

Keep walking and you will eventually come to the Terminal 3 airside connector, a small enclosed walkway that connects both terminals. Continue walking through it and follow the signs that lead to Gate F and you eventually find gate F1 which is Terminal 3.

It’s important to not pass any “No Re-entry Signs” or else you will have to re-clear security again.

More info on SFO Terminals

There are 4 main terminal areas that you can commute to without having to go through security again. Those areas are:

  • International Terminal A (Gates A1-A12)

  • International Terminal G (Gates G91-G102) connects to Domestic Terminal 3 (Gates 60-90)

  • Domestic Terminal 1 (Gates 40-48) connects to Domestic Terminal 2 (Gates 50-59)

  • Domestic Terminal 1 (Gates 20-28)

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Below is a list of Airlines operating from their terminals at SFO:

International Terminal A

  • AeroMexico

  • Avianca

  • British Airways

  • Cathay Pacific

  • China Airlines

  • China Eastern

  • China Southern

  • El Al

  • Emirates

  • Finnair

  • French Bee

  • Hawaiian Airlines

  • Iberia

  • Icelandair

  • Interjet

  • Japan Airlines

  • JetBlue

  • KLM

  • Korean Air

  • Level

  • Norwegian

  • Philippine Airlines

  • Qantas

  • Sun Country Airlines

  • Virgin Atlantic

  • WestJet

International Terminal G

  • Aer Lingus

  • Air Canada

  • Air China

  • Air France

  • Air India

  • Air New Zealand

  • Asiana Airlines

  • Copa Airlines

  • Eva Air

  • Fiji Airways

  • Lufthansa

  • SAS

  • Singapore Airlines

  • Swiss International Air Lines

  • TAP Air Portugal

  • Turkish Airlines

  • United Airlines

Terminal 1

  • Delta Air Lines

  • Frontier Airlines

  • Southwest Airlines

Terminal 2

  • Alaska Airlines

  • American Airlines

Terminal 3

  • United Airlines

Before you plan your trip to SFO, make sure to map out the locations of the lounges you want to visit. The 2 restaurants give you a total of $56 dining credit to use. If you want to take full advantage of this, dine at one restaurant and order take out/have a drink at the other. If you are full, maximize your credit by ordering premium water bottles for your travels.

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Stopping by the American Express Centurion Lounge in SFO

Stopping by the American Express Centurion Lounge in SFO

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On our most recent trip to Gilroy, California, my wife and I stopped by the American Express Centurion Lounge in SFO before our departing flight to Honolulu, HI.

Having an American Express Platinum card grants myself and 2 other guests complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge. This is a mid-tier lounge with a beautiful design, high-quality food, and great amenities. This was not my first Centurion Lounge experience, but I wanted to visit and dine at this one specifically at SFO. Here is our review.


THE CREDIT HACKER LOUNGE REVIEW:

AMBIANCE: (5/5) Centurion Lounges have to be one of my most favorite designed lounges. The modern architecture, chic furniture, and bold colors make this lounge stand out amongst the rest here at SFO. At the entrance stands a two-story glass wall with blue glass doors which then lead you with the option of a glass staircase or elevator to get to the 2nd floor, where the lounge is at.

There are different areas of the lounge created for different uses. A dining area for those just wanted a meal, a lounging area for traveling that wants to eat and rest, and a business area for travelers that are growing their hustle while drinking a glass of wine.


FOOD: (5/5) The food at the Centurion Lounge is always excellent. This one, in particular, had an open kitchen, a lunch buffet, and an open bar.

Open kitchen concept at the Centurion Lounge, SFO

Open kitchen concept at the Centurion Lounge, SFO

Lunch and dinner are served from 11 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. and include items like tomato bisque, salads, grilled chicken, and herb-roasted potatoes. The menu is from the brilliant mind of Chef Daniel Patterson, a James Beard Award winner.

What’s so special about Daniel Patterson you might ask? He is the Oakland-based restaurateur/chef who started Alta Group, which includes the wildly popular San Francisco hotspot, Besharam, located in the Minnesota Street Project of Dogpatch. Besharam offers the global flavors of India just as nicely as his other restaurant, Kaya, does Jamaican. - Upgraded Points

At the bar, I got one of their dignature drinks called the Gin Basil Fizz which was made with St. George Botanivore gin, lime juice, Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie, sparkling wine. It was delicious and refreshing to say the least!

SERVICE: (4/5) The American Express staff is normally very professional and accommodating. The standards are high at these lounges, so you expect all staff to be friendly as well. Everyone was for the most part except the bartender who was a bit rude. Not sure if she was having a bad day.

I read that this lounge has complaints of being always busy with no open seats. That was surely the case when we arrived. I was hoping some of the servers would help us find seats, but instead, we waited around 10 minutes aside until a table was open.

Complimentary Wine Tasting at the centurion Lounge, SFO

Complimentary Wine Tasting at the centurion Lounge, SFO

EXTRA AMENITIES: (5/5)

A special amenity at the SFO lounge is its complimentary wine tasting. To get started, go up to the bartender and ask for a tasting card, a receipt that gives you five free pours from the automatic wine machine. Talk about a great deal! We sadly didn’t get to try this but I definitely wanted to include in this review. This lounge also comes standard with showers, so if you are a bit sweaty from traveling to the airport, you have the option of a nice warm shower!

OVERALL SCORE: 4.75/5

The Centurion lounge is one of the main reasons why I still have my American Express Platinum card. We often visit relatives and travel to San Francisco & Las Vegas, both airports have Centurion Lounges. American Express has an excellent product in their lounges, and I’m hoping they expand and have more around the World. Maybe one in HNL??? lol probably not…

How do I access The Centurion Lounge?

Access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary for global Platinum Card®, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card and Centurion® Members.

  1. Platinum® Card members who receive complimentary access may enter with up to two guests at no additional charge. 

  2. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Members may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.

  3. Centurion members may enter with up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, and children under 18)  at no additional charge. 

To access The Centurion Lounge, the Card Member must present The Centurion Lounge agent with the following upon each visit: his or her valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and a government-issued I.D- name on card must match government-issued I.D.  Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Members are only eligible to visit The Centurion Lounge when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.

Important Centurion Lounge Access Rules

There are 2 very important rules to remember regarding access to the Centurion Lounge and these rules apply to cardholders and guests:

Rule #1 – The Three Hour Rule:

According to American Express, “depending on capacity, we may limit lounge access to within 3 hours of boarding pass departure time to ensure that all guests have an exceptional experience”.

This means that you can be denied access to the lounge until it’s within 3 hours of your departure time. While the policy seems to indicate that it’s based on capacity, it appears to be enforced more times than not especially given how busy SFO is all times of the day. For this reason, don’t plan on getting to the lounge more than 3 hours prior to your flight.

Rule #2 – Departure & Connecting Flights Only Rule:

You must have a departing flight or connecting flight out of SFO to access the lounge. Unfortunately, this means that if you are arriving into SFO without an outbound flight that day, you will not be granted access.

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