United Airlines - possibly changing flight time

I am after a bit of an opinion and advice here and hope someone can help. I'm flying out to the States on VS007 LAX at the end of this month and flying back on VS020 SFO in mid-November. I have a connecting flight when returning from San Diego to San Francisco on United that gets into SFO at 3.15pm (flight change of time just received). VS020 leaves at 4.45pm. Aside from the fact that it won't give me much time in the well lauded Clubhouse at SFO, do you think this seems a bit rushed? I will need to get from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 at SFO and am thinking that any delay on the domestic will leave me a bit tight on time. Can I check my bags in at SAN straight through to LHR or will I need to check in again at SFO (I am assuming I do)?

The second part of my question is, having been told by my TA that I can't change the United flight until I have started travel, how easily do you think I will be able to get the earlier flight which gets into SFO an hour and a half earlier and which makes me more comfortable? I'm going to take a printed copy of their website 1-800 numbers for reference.

Thanks for any advice you can give this connecting flights novice[:I].

Phil

[honey lamb]

Earlier this year I travelled to Lake Tahoe with the SFO-RNO leg on United. That ticket was sold as a non-refundable, non-transferable, non-changeable, non-this-that-and theother flight. I wanted to return a day earlier to SFO and for a change fee I was able to do so.

From the point of view of the connecting times, I quite frankly would be a nervous wreck with that connection, although you should be able to check your bags through. I've managed to check my bags when flying from other areas to VS gateways (although admittedly not SFO).

If you can't change your United flight before you go, I would certainly consider trying after you get there. After all the SFO Clubhouse is an experience not to be missed.

Well you can thru-check you luggage from UA to VS, but you will not get priority luggage (even if *A Gold/First Class) so that's a bit of a pain when you get back to LHR.

I fly a lot on that route (SAN - SFO) and the UA flight is run like a bus service so get there early and if there is space they may let you on the earlier flight if your are luck (especially if First Class).

The connection time you have is a little tight I would say, not impossible but any delay will be a pain, and as you say no chance for the CH at SFO! I would look to move to the earlier flight depending on your ticket.

Christine and Kryten, thanks for your replies. I am going to ring United when I get to LA at the start of the holiday and ask them if I can get on the earlier flight on my way home. If they aren't able to give me a definitive answer or they say no, then I'll still get to the airport early and see what I can do. The more I think about it the tighter for time it seems, but I'm sure it will work out. I really do want to spend a bit of time at SFO Clubhouse, but connecting with my flight home is number one priority!

Phil