Paying for Snacks in F - is this our future?
Jun 26, 2011, 7:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: Recovering after 7 years of UA 1K, Still UA Silver (Which means nothing), Marriott Lifetime Plat Pre
Posts: 1,950
Paying for Snacks in F - is this our future?
I just got off my first CO flight in F this year. My itinerary kept fluctuating between “Snacks Available for Purchase” and “Dinner.” I even asked here once about Snacks for Purchase in F, and was told it was a mistake. Finally for the last 2 weeks or so it said Dinner every time I logged in, so I figured the mistake had been fixed.
I boarded my flight today looking forward to Dinner, as many people have stated CO food is better than UA. About an hour into the flight (UA usually starts after about 10-15 min), the flight attendant came by and took my drink order. First off, the wine was served in a glass smaller than UA’s old glasses, so that was disappointing. It was also worse than the UA wine, which surprised me as people keep saying it was better. Anyway, when she brought the wine, I asked what the dinner options were, and was told, “This is not a dinner flight.” I explained that my itinerary stated Dinner, and she said that this was never a Dinner flight, it’s a snack flight, and Snack Boxes or Ala Carte items are available for Purchase only.
I asked if they had anything that was not for purchase. She told me they can provide nut mix for free. She brought me a small bag of cashews. Later when I asked for more cashews she said that cashews were limited to one per passenger, and that there are still snack boxes available should I want to purchase one.
I was not the only shocked person, several passengers were arguing with the FA about this. The guy next to me said he is in paid F and on this flight ever single week and they always serve dinner. He argued far more than I did, even loudly stated, “I paid for a first class ticket, and now you are going to tell me I have to pay for my meal too?” The FA told him this is the new CO policy.
I really hope this is not a new CO or UA policy. I am quite scared that this is the way SMI/J is going to take things. Has anyone else experienced this? I am going to e-mail CO and see what they say, I am also going to ask for a portion of my miles back as I paid for the upgrade with miles.
Classy CO, classy!
I boarded my flight today looking forward to Dinner, as many people have stated CO food is better than UA. About an hour into the flight (UA usually starts after about 10-15 min), the flight attendant came by and took my drink order. First off, the wine was served in a glass smaller than UA’s old glasses, so that was disappointing. It was also worse than the UA wine, which surprised me as people keep saying it was better. Anyway, when she brought the wine, I asked what the dinner options were, and was told, “This is not a dinner flight.” I explained that my itinerary stated Dinner, and she said that this was never a Dinner flight, it’s a snack flight, and Snack Boxes or Ala Carte items are available for Purchase only.
I asked if they had anything that was not for purchase. She told me they can provide nut mix for free. She brought me a small bag of cashews. Later when I asked for more cashews she said that cashews were limited to one per passenger, and that there are still snack boxes available should I want to purchase one.
I was not the only shocked person, several passengers were arguing with the FA about this. The guy next to me said he is in paid F and on this flight ever single week and they always serve dinner. He argued far more than I did, even loudly stated, “I paid for a first class ticket, and now you are going to tell me I have to pay for my meal too?” The FA told him this is the new CO policy.
I really hope this is not a new CO or UA policy. I am quite scared that this is the way SMI/J is going to take things. Has anyone else experienced this? I am going to e-mail CO and see what they say, I am also going to ask for a portion of my miles back as I paid for the upgrade with miles.
Classy CO, classy!
Last edited by emanon256; Jun 26, 2011 at 9:51 pm Reason: typo
Jun 26, 2011, 7:58 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,243
This most certainly isn't a policy - it's a flight where no meal is served, that's all. In the past there would have been nothing served in Y at all so having access to the food they're selling in Y is actually an improvement.
What was the route and departure time?
What was the route and departure time?
Jun 26, 2011, 8:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS (South End)
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, TrueBlue, IHG Plat Amb, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Accor Platinum, National Exec Elite
Posts: 907
Similiar experience on a return IAH - BOS flight. Upgraded to F four days out and called CO to ask about a gluten-free meal as I've done in the past on UA. CO said they don't honor special meals. In flight there was only one meal selection (pasta) and had to purchase one of their a la carte meals for $10. Granted I was upgraded so I guess can't really complain and should have brought some food with me but the FA onboard wasn't accomodating at all. The wine was pretty lousy too!
Jun 26, 2011, 8:02 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: Recovering after 7 years of UA 1K, Still UA Silver (Which means nothing), Marriott Lifetime Plat Pre
Posts: 1,950
FLL-ORD 4:05pm. The guy next to me said he is on this flight ever week, same day and time, and it's always a dinner flight, and my itinerary still says it's a diner flight when I log in.
I thought in the past CO served meals in Y as well as F.
I thought in the past CO served meals in Y as well as F.
Last edited by emanon256; Jun 26, 2011 at 9:48 pm Reason: Merge
Jun 26, 2011, 9:38 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 1,208
If that's how they make F, then why not just fly WN? This is getting ridiculous! After many upgrades, I'm finally going to have a paid intl' C class ticket early next year, and was going to book it on UA or CO metal all the way through to give them my business and feel like I'm giving back after the many upgrades of Y purchased tickets. But no way am I going to pay $5,000 for a ticket when 2 legs are domestic and they may want to charge me for food.
Jun 26, 2011, 9:43 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LAX
Programs: HYATT DIAMOND, STARWOOD PLAT, UA 1K,AA PLAT [2.5MILLION], LH SENATOR, AMEX BLACK
Posts: 79
Are you on an rj or co express?
I just got off my first CO flight in F this year. My itinerary kept fluctuating between “Snacks Available for Purchase” and “Dinner.” I even asked here once about Snacks for Purchase in F, and was told it was a mistake. Finally for the last 2 weeks or so it said Dinner every time I logged in, so I figured the mistake had been fixed.
I boarded my flight today looking forward to Dinner, as many people have stated CO food is better than UA. About an hour into the flight (UA usually starts after about 10-15 min), the flight attendant came by and took my drink order. First off, the wine was served in a glass smaller than UA’s old glasses, so that was disappointing. It was also worse than the UA wine, which surprised means people keep saying it was better. Anyway, when she brought the wine, I asked what the dinner options were, and was told, “This is not a dinner flight.” I explained that my itinerary stated Dinner, and she said that this was never a Dinner flight, it’s a snack flight, and Snack Boxes or Ala Carte items are available for Purchase only.
I asked if they had anything that was not for purchase. She told me they can provide nut mix for free. She brought me a small bag of cashews. Later when I asked for more cashews she said that cashews were limited to one per passenger, and that there are still snack boxes available should I want to purchase one.
I was not the only shocked person, several passengers were arguing with the FA about this. The guy next to me said he is in paid F and on this flight ever single week and they always serve dinner. He argued far more than I did, even loudly stated, “I paid for a first class ticket, and now you are going to tell me I have to pay for my meal too?” The FA told him this is the new CO policy.
I really hope this is not a new CO or UA policy. I am quite scared that this is the way SMI/J is going to take things. Has anyone else experienced this? I am going to e-mail CO and see what they say, I am also going to ask for a portion of my miles back as I paid for the upgrade with miles.
Classy CO, classy!
I boarded my flight today looking forward to Dinner, as many people have stated CO food is better than UA. About an hour into the flight (UA usually starts after about 10-15 min), the flight attendant came by and took my drink order. First off, the wine was served in a glass smaller than UA’s old glasses, so that was disappointing. It was also worse than the UA wine, which surprised means people keep saying it was better. Anyway, when she brought the wine, I asked what the dinner options were, and was told, “This is not a dinner flight.” I explained that my itinerary stated Dinner, and she said that this was never a Dinner flight, it’s a snack flight, and Snack Boxes or Ala Carte items are available for Purchase only.
I asked if they had anything that was not for purchase. She told me they can provide nut mix for free. She brought me a small bag of cashews. Later when I asked for more cashews she said that cashews were limited to one per passenger, and that there are still snack boxes available should I want to purchase one.
I was not the only shocked person, several passengers were arguing with the FA about this. The guy next to me said he is in paid F and on this flight ever single week and they always serve dinner. He argued far more than I did, even loudly stated, “I paid for a first class ticket, and now you are going to tell me I have to pay for my meal too?” The FA told him this is the new CO policy.
I really hope this is not a new CO or UA policy. I am quite scared that this is the way SMI/J is going to take things. Has anyone else experienced this? I am going to e-mail CO and see what they say, I am also going to ask for a portion of my miles back as I paid for the upgrade with miles.
Classy CO, classy!
Jun 26, 2011, 9:57 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The Americas
Programs: *G, CO Plat, UA 1P, Etihad Gold, Marriott Prem Plat, Avis Pres
Posts: 118
That's weird. I've been on a number of flights between 2-3 hours and there's been a meal in F. I wonder if it has anything to do with it being a non-hub to non-hub flight?
Apparently it's just that 4:05 flight - the early flight and routing through CLE have meals in F. Very strange. You'd think they would cater to snowbirds like to eat dinner early.
Apparently it's just that 4:05 flight - the early flight and routing through CLE have meals in F. Very strange. You'd think they would cater to snowbirds like to eat dinner early.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jun 26, 2011 at 11:37 pm Reason: merge
Jun 26, 2011, 10:04 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,954
I usually carry a few bars with me so I never have a problem and usually do not purchase anything anyway.
Even when you fly BF in Continental the gluten free meal is the same stuff you get in coach but presented nicely. I usually forgo that and let the flight attendant find a way of making my meal gluten free by mixing a matching whatever is available.
Jun 26, 2011, 11:12 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
Jun 26, 2011, 11:51 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,134