My last two international flights from San Francisco SFO were United and SAS Scandinavian departing from the International Terminal G gate 96, but the only lounge access I had was via Diners Club at the Air France-KLM lounge in the A gates on the opposite side of the terminal through a separate security checkpoint.
[Article Correction: The original version of this article reversed the A and G Gates at SFO stating Air France was G area and United/SAS in A gates section of SFO. I realized after reading the first two comments about my mistake 6 hours after posting this article that at the time of writing I was sitting in a Copenhagen Airport lounge drinking Carlsberg beer after having only slept 4 hours in the previous 46 hours since I woke up and started traveling from Monterey to Copenhagen to Malmo, Sweden for a restless night with the European spring daylight savings hour leap forward and then back to CPH airport for a flight to Prague. At least I was not performing brain surgery. I plan to sleep in another 6 hours when it is midnight in Prague. ‘Travel is the frivolous part of serious lives and the serious part of frivolous ones.‘ – Sophie Swetchine ]
Made record time in 2 hours from Monterey Airport MRY to SFO, gassed up and dropped off rental car, rode Air Train to the International Terminal A gates, passed through a no line Pre TSA checkpoint and walked into the Air France-KLM lounge feeling like a carefree traveler shining star, all doors opening my way with just-in-time efficiency.
“Sorry sir. The lounge is at capacity and only our flight passengers are being admitted.”
“When will I be able to enter?”
“Please come back at 3:45.”
It was 2:30pm.
![a glass door with signs and a railing](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9965-300x225.jpg)
There are several lounges just to the left after clearing the SFO International Terminal A Gates security checkpoint, but only the Air France-KLM lounge admits Diners Club and Priority Pass members.
![a screenshot of a large screen](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9927-300x225.jpg)
A Wendy’s burger defeated one of the main purposes of arriving early to SFO for lounge food. A bite to eat and leisurely tour of the SFO Museum exhibit Caticons – The Cat in Art used up an hour of my time. One of the highlights of traveling through San Francisco Airport are changing art exhibits in the terminals.
![a cat on a wall](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9948-300x225.jpg)
![a group of cats on display](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9935-300x225.jpg)
At 3:30 I returned to be let in to the Air France lounge.
When in the Air France lounge I generally choose Kronenbourg 1664 as my drink of choice.
![a bottle of beer on a table](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_8135-2-225x300.jpg)
Plenty of other beverages and food items in the main dining room at the back of the lounge.
![a group of bottles of wine](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9957-300x225.jpg)
![a bar with bottles of alcohol and food](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9958-300x225.jpg)
![a coffee machine on a counter](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9954-300x225.jpg)
![a salad bar with food in plastic containers](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9956-300x225.jpg)
![a buffet table with different types of food](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9959-300x225.jpg)
![a tray of food on a counter](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9960-300x225.jpg)
Meatballs, pasta and chicken soup were in covered hot bins.
The lounge is divided into three main areas and one side room.
![a room with a table and chairs](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9962-300x225.jpg)
![a table with a television on it](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9961-2-300x225.jpg)
The main room has more casual seating with cushion chairs and a fireplace. This area is always the most crowded and I don’t ever get a chance for photos without intruding on guests’ privacy.
![a poster on a wall](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9950-300x225.jpg)
![a room with chairs and a television on the wall](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9951-300x225.jpg)
![a poster on the wall](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9953-2-225x300.jpg)
Two hours in the Air France-KLM lounge allowed me to have a couple of beers and some veggies before heading back across the international terminal to the A gates and my Scandinavian SAS flight to Copenhagen.
![a plane parked at an airport](https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_9966-300x225.jpg)
My flight to Copenhagen was my Star Alliance Gold elite qualification flight as an Aegean Miles+Gold member. Next time through SFO will likely be a Star Alliance lounge visit, as long as I am departing on a Star Alliance ticketed flight.
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