Special Meal in Profile - Do I need to call?
May 31, 2010, 3:47 pm
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
I have chosen non-dairy vegetarian in my profile (I am vegan). When I do get the special meals, I am normally very impressed. I found out the hard way that you have to call to order the meals.
I still don't know if I would get the meal if I was upgraded only at the gate. I can't imagine that they could figure out to load a special meal on such short notice. Maybe I need to mention it at the gate when the upgrade is awarded?
I still don't know if I would get the meal if I was upgraded only at the gate. I can't imagine that they could figure out to load a special meal on such short notice. Maybe I need to mention it at the gate when the upgrade is awarded?
Apr 15, 2011, 7:58 pm
#137
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United 1K, SPG Platinum
Posts: 69
no meal requests for NF?
hi everyone, quick question regarding meal options when upgraded into first class (domestically).
i am a vegetarian and specify this in my profile. despite this, a special meal is never loaded on the plane when i'm upgraded into NF (even several days prior). i assume that paid F passengers would receive their meal choice. is this non-action intentional or do folks think there may be a solution somewhere?
also of note. i have flown paid F once or twice and also missed the meal, so perhaps the information exchange is just non-existant in general?
curious for thoughts. thanks!
i am a vegetarian and specify this in my profile. despite this, a special meal is never loaded on the plane when i'm upgraded into NF (even several days prior). i assume that paid F passengers would receive their meal choice. is this non-action intentional or do folks think there may be a solution somewhere?
also of note. i have flown paid F once or twice and also missed the meal, so perhaps the information exchange is just non-existant in general?
curious for thoughts. thanks!
Apr 15, 2011, 8:03 pm
#138
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MMGold, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,263
Need to call to ensure the special meal is loaded. I had luck before to have special meals loaded without calling but it is not common.
Apr 15, 2011, 8:03 pm
#139
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SEA/YYZ
Posts: 1,561
You should always call to order your special meal once you've been confirmed in F. SPML requests must be made more than 24 hours before departure.
Apr 15, 2011, 8:31 pm
#140
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SOW
Programs: UA GS 5 MM, Delta 1.6MM & Hilton Diamond, Avis Chairman, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 768
I have a special meal listed in my profile, however I always call when upgraded, IIRC I've been told more than once by RES that its a known "issue". I've also had a fair number of meals mis catered when in paid F/C, per UA that should not occur. Bottom line, call more than 24 hours before the flight to confirm the special meal is entered into the reservation.
Apr 15, 2011, 8:54 pm
#141
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,992
Apr 15, 2011, 9:29 pm
#142
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United 1K, SPG Platinum
Posts: 69
thanks everyone ^
Jan 30, 2013, 9:06 am
#143
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ohio
Programs: HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Gold, United 1K
Posts: 190
You MUST call more than 24 hours in advance to get a special meal.
Also, note that there are no more special meals on domestic flights. So this only matters for international flights anyway.
Jan 31, 2013, 10:54 am
#144
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The City/Honolulu
Programs: UA 3MM; Hyatt Glob*****; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,474
Feb 5, 2013, 3:29 pm
#146
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS
Posts: 3,534
I should have found this thread beforehand but I entered a special meal request 48 hours in advance online via the "Edit Traveler Information" screen on the United website. I just got off the phone with the 1K line and of course they state nothing was found.
Is that screen useless essentially? Does a special meal always require a call for all reservations?
<insert angry comment how LH does this all electronically without a call even in Y>
Is that screen useless essentially? Does a special meal always require a call for all reservations?
<insert angry comment how LH does this all electronically without a call even in Y>
Feb 6, 2013, 10:06 am
#147
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,992
Feb 6, 2013, 11:02 am
#148
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,061
I've had a special meal in my profile for many years and have flown countless p.s. segments since the most recent cutback in special meal service. In all cases, no special meals were boarded. However, I flew HNL-ORD a few weeks ago and a special meal was boarded - I was shocked. I then flew HNL-IAD last weekend and no special meal was boarded.
Go figure...
Go figure...
Feb 6, 2013, 12:48 pm
#149
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS
Posts: 3,534
I sent an email to CS via the website shortly after my above posting. They actually replied relatively quickly stating they had gotten a reservation supervisor to add the request but since it was within 24 hours they could not guarantee the meals would be loaded. They thanked me for my 1K status and stated they would forward it to the UA technology team.
It's better than the response I got on the phone.
It's better than the response I got on the phone.