Don't Order a "Special Meal" if You're Hoping for an International Op-Up
Aug 28, 2009, 6:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Astoria, NY: LGA, JFK
Programs: Delta PM; Sheraton's Vistana BOD; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,035
Don't Order a "Special Meal" if You're Hoping for an International Op-Up
Returning to JFK from AMS on KL, I (NW Platinum) flew through the gate check-in. Mrs. Yogimax (NW Gold - separate reservation), got the welcomed red light and was informed she was upgraded. Yeah!
So, the question was why was a NW Gold upgraded and not a Platinum. Turns out I had ordered an Asian Vegetarian meal (hoping for something better than the usual chicken). That was the snafu! The computer would not upgrade because of the special meal request! The agents were great, though, and got us both seats in Business although they could not issue me a new boarding pass. The simply crossed out the old seat and wrote in the new one.
Moral of the story? Don't order a special meal if you're hoping for an international op-up!
So, the question was why was a NW Gold upgraded and not a Platinum. Turns out I had ordered an Asian Vegetarian meal (hoping for something better than the usual chicken). That was the snafu! The computer would not upgrade because of the special meal request! The agents were great, though, and got us both seats in Business although they could not issue me a new boarding pass. The simply crossed out the old seat and wrote in the new one.
Moral of the story? Don't order a special meal if you're hoping for an international op-up!
Aug 28, 2009, 8:15 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
Returning to JFK from AMS on KL, I (NW Platinum) flew through the gate check-in. Mrs. Yogimax (NW Gold - separate reservation), got the welcomed red light and was informed she was upgraded. Yeah!
So, the question was why was a NW Gold upgraded and not a Platinum. Turns out I had ordered an Asian Vegetarian meal (hoping for something better than the usual chicken). That was the snafu! The computer would not upgrade because of the special meal request! The agents were great, though, and got us both seats in Business although they could not issue me a new boarding pass. The simply crossed out the old seat and wrote in the new one.
Moral of the story? Don't order a special meal if you're hoping for an international op-up!
So, the question was why was a NW Gold upgraded and not a Platinum. Turns out I had ordered an Asian Vegetarian meal (hoping for something better than the usual chicken). That was the snafu! The computer would not upgrade because of the special meal request! The agents were great, though, and got us both seats in Business although they could not issue me a new boarding pass. The simply crossed out the old seat and wrote in the new one.
Moral of the story? Don't order a special meal if you're hoping for an international op-up!
I was on an international flight once where an GA crossed off the old seat and wrote the new seat number on my boarding pass (also op-up to business). I was stopped at the entrance to the plane until one of the FA's could verify and have a new boarding pass printed.
I understand that - I guess anyone could scribble a new seat number on their boarding pass to try and sneak into business class. Learned my lesson though - insist on a new boarding pass when my seat changes.
Aug 28, 2009, 11:44 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Programs: NW Gold; lifetime WorldClubs
Posts: 286
Aug 28, 2009, 11:49 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 520
My experience has been better with DL's reservation system. I have been op-up'd twice leaving from ATL and once from CDG despite having ordered a special meal.
Several SC agents and GA's have confirmed to me that a special meal does not influence op-up chances.
Several SC agents and GA's have confirmed to me that a special meal does not influence op-up chances.
Aug 28, 2009, 1:45 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Astoria, NY: LGA, JFK
Programs: Delta PM; Sheraton's Vistana BOD; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,035
It's possible that the problem was specifically that the special meal was vegetarian and there were no vegetarian choices in business class.
Aug 28, 2009, 8:58 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SEA (previous locations: DTW, TLV, EWR, BOS)
Programs: AS: 75K; DL/NW: Plat; DL SC: Lifetime; Hyatt: Diamond; HH: Gold; SPG: Plat;
Posts: 3,383
Hindu, Kosher, etc - forgetaboutit. So it must have been something else...
Aug 28, 2009, 9:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 36
I find this especially true for flight originating out of AMS or on KL. I have been through it before and learned my lesson.