Dec 2, 2013, 10:00 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
As of the last update from an inside source, the meal choice prioritization policy is to prioritize in this order:
1. Global Services
2. Premier 1K
3. All other revenue passengers
4. Nonrevs
This prioritization is done in the galley, after taking orders. If you saw a flight crew take orders front to back, but did not see any GS/1K passengers denied their first choice, you have not witnessed a violation of the policy. Indeed, taking orders front to back is correct under the policy.
Post #30
Hi, UA-NYC,
Yes, your assertion is accurate. Premier 1K will still be prioritized as you stated, but again, this is to be done in the galley.
-UA Insider
1. Global Services
2. Premier 1K
3. All other revenue passengers
4. Nonrevs
This prioritization is done in the galley, after taking orders. If you saw a flight crew take orders front to back, but did not see any GS/1K passengers denied their first choice, you have not witnessed a violation of the policy. Indeed, taking orders front to back is correct under the policy.
Post #30
Hi everyone,
As several of you have mentioned, there has been no procedure change to prioritizing premium cabin meal orders.
As a reminder, our standard procedure is to take meal orders from front to back of the cabin and ask for a second choice in case your first choice is not available. After meal orders are taken, our inflight crew will prioritize meal orders in the galley. This way, we can streamline the order-taking processes while eliminating skipping around the cabin for order-taking.
-UA Insider
As several of you have mentioned, there has been no procedure change to prioritizing premium cabin meal orders.
As a reminder, our standard procedure is to take meal orders from front to back of the cabin and ask for a second choice in case your first choice is not available. After meal orders are taken, our inflight crew will prioritize meal orders in the galley. This way, we can streamline the order-taking processes while eliminating skipping around the cabin for order-taking.
-UA Insider
Yes, your assertion is accurate. Premier 1K will still be prioritized as you stated, but again, this is to be done in the galley.
-UA Insider
Current UA Process for Prioritizing Meal Orders in Premium Cabins [ARCHIVE]
Nov 8, 2015, 2:19 pm
#1996
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York
Programs: UA GS/BA Silver/HH Gold
Posts: 36
Current UA Process for Prioritizing Meal Orders in Premium Cabins [2015]
Sorry guys, but I have to disagree. Preordering might solve this one issue, if they implemented it correctly, but it highlights the inconsistent service aboard UA. The inconsistency needs to be fixed in my opinion.
Nov 8, 2015, 2:55 pm
#1997
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,985
Currently in flight from EWR to ORD sitting in row 2. Heard FA make offers offer of meal selections to row 1 and when she got to row 2 the option I wanted was not offered - I inquired about it and was told it was already gone - so much for a process lol. This is the third domestic flight I haven't gotten my choice in the last month - and there are 20 F seats in this flight (I usually sit in the last row of F so in previous fails I've chocked it up to sitting too get back) - but come on - have a process and stick to it or don't - the in between is exactly what is killing UA today!
They are very interested about this. They will ask for a name or description of the FA and will follow-up. And as a gesture of goodwill, they will offer you a travel certificate for this service lapse.
Hopefully this will help educate the FAs to start following policy.
I encourage you to do this.
Dec 3, 2015, 9:46 am
#1998
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,281
ORD - SJU earlier this week. FA got to me and no choices left. Wrote in to 1K and received a response basically stating UA does not and has not prioritized meals for passengers in F 
No wonder why the FAs can't get it right if the ones who can easily look up the procedure and see it can't get it right either.
The good news, UA is consistent on one thing: being inconsistent
No wonder why the FAs can't get it right if the ones who can easily look up the procedure and see it can't get it right either.
The good news, UA is consistent on one thing: being inconsistent
Dec 3, 2015, 11:35 am
#1999
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,765
ORD - SJU earlier this week. FA got to me and no choices left. Wrote in to 1K and received a response basically stating UA does not and has not prioritized meals for passengers in F
No wonder why the FAs can't get it right if the ones who can easily look up the procedure and see it can't get it right either.
The good news, UA is consistent on one thing: being inconsistent
No wonder why the FAs can't get it right if the ones who can easily look up the procedure and see it can't get it right either.
The good news, UA is consistent on one thing: being inconsistent
Dec 7, 2015, 10:22 pm
#2000
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,249
I had 3 flights on Saturday, mix of crews AFAIK (2 were on the same 739 airframe, but one with what used to be a sUA flight # and the other a sCO flight #). 3 different meal order taking techniques...
Jumped around the cabin on the international-config 752 (domestic flight), taking 1k and GS orders first. On one 739, they took orders front to back down the left, then back to front on the right. On the other, they took the front half of the cabin while taxiing, then jumped around to the GS and 1k pax in the rest.
Got my choice all three times and was glad to see full meals on all three, even the 2 hour hop to IAH from DEN. That one must be just over the cutoff, as it's not much longer than IAD-TPA which still serves just a single tiny scone at breakfast time.
Jumped around the cabin on the international-config 752 (domestic flight), taking 1k and GS orders first. On one 739, they took orders front to back down the left, then back to front on the right. On the other, they took the front half of the cabin while taxiing, then jumped around to the GS and 1k pax in the rest.
Got my choice all three times and was glad to see full meals on all three, even the 2 hour hop to IAH from DEN. That one must be just over the cutoff, as it's not much longer than IAD-TPA which still serves just a single tiny scone at breakfast time.
Dec 27, 2015, 3:19 pm
#2001
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: UA 1K, BA GGL/CCR, TK Elite Plus, Marriott Gold4Lyfe, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Tesco Blue
Posts: 270
"status doesn't mean anything"
Is this new, or at the purser's discretion?
I'm on an ExCon transatlantic 764 in businessfirst (row 1) from IAD and the purser said he was already out of my first selection for my meal. I politely asked if it was by status, and he said status doesn't mean anything (his words), and that he goes front to back A-side first and that's that - that's how he's always done it. Apparently I'm on the wrong side of the plane.
I really don't care in this particular case, but as a 1K on a flight full of non-revs in businessfirst, I'm a little disappointed.
Is this new, or purser's discretion, or is it a Continental-vs-United way of doing things?
I'm on an ExCon transatlantic 764 in businessfirst (row 1) from IAD and the purser said he was already out of my first selection for my meal. I politely asked if it was by status, and he said status doesn't mean anything (his words), and that he goes front to back A-side first and that's that - that's how he's always done it. Apparently I'm on the wrong side of the plane.
I really don't care in this particular case, but as a 1K on a flight full of non-revs in businessfirst, I'm a little disappointed.
Is this new, or purser's discretion, or is it a Continental-vs-United way of doing things?
Last edited by SkyTeem; Dec 27, 2015 at 3:40 pm
Dec 27, 2015, 3:26 pm
#2002
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
Status does not mean anything, servings meal, depends on where you set, as to who is ask first, get first choice...
One way they start in front, the other way they start in the back..
One way they start in front, the other way they start in the back..
Dec 27, 2015, 3:29 pm
#2003
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA GS & Million Miler, AA Lifetime Gold (MM)
Posts: 206
I think the official policy is by status (GS, 1K, et al), although in general I see them prioritize in the galley. I travel a lot internationally, and as a 1K, I'm rarely even asked for a second choice. There are a number of UA FAs who post here who may be able to clarify.
I would write this one up to 1KVoice, with the date & flight number. To some extent, I believe that this is the front-line employee attitude that the new management team is trying to root out and improve (e.g., free 1K drink in coach).
I would write this one up to 1KVoice, with the date & flight number. To some extent, I believe that this is the front-line employee attitude that the new management team is trying to root out and improve (e.g., free 1K drink in coach).
Dec 27, 2015, 3:30 pm
#2004
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
What sort of survey did you do to determine everyone else was a non-rev?
Edit: There's an entire thread on meal taking methods that is discussed ad nauseam.
Edit: There's an entire thread on meal taking methods that is discussed ad nauseam.
Dec 27, 2015, 3:41 pm
#2005
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: UA 1K, BA GGL/CCR, TK Elite Plus, Marriott Gold4Lyfe, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Tesco Blue
Posts: 270
"status doesn't mean anything"
You can tell who is a non-rev because they are both on the stand-by list and on the upgrade list.
And not everyone else - but quite a few!
And not everyone else - but quite a few!
Dec 27, 2015, 3:43 pm
#2006
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 2,505
Back in September, I wrote 1K voice about this subject and this is part of the response:
Dear Mr. Wilp888:
I certainly regret the inconvenience on your most recent flight in regards to the meal service provided.
To ensure that we properly recognize our Premier customers in our premium cabins, we did expand the meal order preference to include 1K customers and regret if that is not what transpired.
Previously, this amenity was offered only to our Global Services customers.
It does seem to be official UA policy that meal choice goes by status for GS and 1K.
Dear Mr. Wilp888:
I certainly regret the inconvenience on your most recent flight in regards to the meal service provided.
To ensure that we properly recognize our Premier customers in our premium cabins, we did expand the meal order preference to include 1K customers and regret if that is not what transpired.
Previously, this amenity was offered only to our Global Services customers.
It does seem to be official UA policy that meal choice goes by status for GS and 1K.
Dec 27, 2015, 3:54 pm
#2007
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
I thought they had specifically created a status+fare-based order where, for example, full Y passengers got "***" and guaranteed first choice, etc. Is that long gone?
Back to front, front to back, is moronic. How is anyone supposed to know to expect that? Why even change with the direction at that point? Do the meals somehow know which way they're facing?
Back to front, front to back, is moronic. How is anyone supposed to know to expect that? Why even change with the direction at that point? Do the meals somehow know which way they're facing?
Dec 27, 2015, 4:21 pm
#2008
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DEN, or so it says...
Programs: UA1K/RCC, Avis CHM, NWA Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 2,892
In any case, the purser could have been little more friendly or diplomatic about it.
Dec 27, 2015, 6:46 pm
#2009
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,681
GS => 1K => everyone else
They are supposed to ask for first and second choices then sort orders in the galley. This has been confirmed by UA multiple times.
Some FAs - usually sCO, and usually EWR based - just choose to ignore it.
OP, I would complain to 1K voice - not because I didn't get my meal choice, but because the FA is deliberately not following policy.
Dec 27, 2015, 10:55 pm
#2010
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,555
[edit: actually I guess I had, now that I see the wiki again.]
Is there any procedure for choosing who to disappoint when they come up one short but there are several non-GS/1K aboard? I've seen a few times now that the flight attendents seem to specifically prepare one or two passengers for second choice (e.g., 'if we don't have the quiche today, would french toast be OK?' said only to one person). Is that just down to random, assuming proper training and conduct?
Last edited by fumje; Dec 27, 2015 at 11:54 pm