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]
Jul 23, 2016, 9:09 pm
#2057
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: 67,175
I hate sitting farther forward than row 3 on the 737s; the first overhead bins do not accommodate many legally-sized rollaboards placed in lengthwise. Mine is exactly the legal size (I wish it were smaller, but it is holding a big supertelephoto lens whose length kind of dictates the size of the bag), and I hate having to put it in sideways and take up 2/3 of a bin used by two rows of seats.
Thus, I do complain both onboard and online when they don't follow the procedure and it yields a completely poor choice (that's rare IME; except at breakfast, one of the other choices is usually fine for me).
Thus, I do complain both onboard and online when they don't follow the procedure and it yields a completely poor choice (that's rare IME; except at breakfast, one of the other choices is usually fine for me).
Sep 29, 2016, 11:29 am
#2058
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA1K MM, BA Gold, Hyatt LT Globalist, Bonvoy LTE, IHG Diam, HH Gold, Amtrak Sel Exec
Posts: 3,170
I'm on UA 419 SEA-IAD as I write this and the FA took first and second choice orders. As a 1K in the last row I did not get my first choice order of French toast so ended up with the cornflakes. Not terrible just not very inspiring. Two questions -
(1) how do they prioritize WITHIN the 1K group? Do they just go front to back?
(2) will they give gs or 1k passengers their second choice so that they can give other passengers at least one of their two choices or will they strictly prioritize gs, then 1k, and let the chips fall where they may for the others.
My guess is different crews do different things but wondering if there is a procedure.
On breakfast flights I don't care and will be fine with one of the choices but as a vegetarian, on domestic lunch / dinner flights it matters. So now i tell them as soon as I get on the plane and I'd say 75% of flight attendants are accommodating and 25% insist on following the strict procedure, which I frankly think is a bit mean.
All that said United needs to up its game. There is no reason why they can't offer preorder like American or offer at least a limited selection of special meals like delta.
I actually find flying united domestically to be mildly stressful for this reason (I know- first world problems!), and as I easily make 1K anyway and can book premium cabin tickets, I usually fly American or delta if it's a legitimate alternative.
(1) how do they prioritize WITHIN the 1K group? Do they just go front to back?
(2) will they give gs or 1k passengers their second choice so that they can give other passengers at least one of their two choices or will they strictly prioritize gs, then 1k, and let the chips fall where they may for the others.
My guess is different crews do different things but wondering if there is a procedure.
On breakfast flights I don't care and will be fine with one of the choices but as a vegetarian, on domestic lunch / dinner flights it matters. So now i tell them as soon as I get on the plane and I'd say 75% of flight attendants are accommodating and 25% insist on following the strict procedure, which I frankly think is a bit mean.
All that said United needs to up its game. There is no reason why they can't offer preorder like American or offer at least a limited selection of special meals like delta.
I actually find flying united domestically to be mildly stressful for this reason (I know- first world problems!), and as I easily make 1K anyway and can book premium cabin tickets, I usually fly American or delta if it's a legitimate alternative.
Sep 29, 2016, 11:39 am
#2059
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,025
I'm on UA 419 SEA-IAD as I write this and the FA took first and second choice orders. As a 1K in the last row I did not get my first choice order of French toast so ended up with the cornflakes. Not terrible just not very inspiring. Two questions -
(1) how do they prioritize WITHIN the 1K group? Do they just go front to back?
(2) will they give gs or 1k passengers their second choice so that they can give other passengers at least one of their two choices or will they strictly prioritize gs, then 1k, and let the chips fall where they may for the others.
My guess is different crews do different things but wondering if there is a procedure.
On breakfast flights I don't care and will be fine with one of the choices but as a vegetarian, on domestic lunch / dinner flights it matters. So now i tell them as soon as I get on the plane and I'd say 75% of flight attendants are accommodating and 25% insist on following the strict procedure, which I frankly think is a bit mean.
All that said United needs to up its game. There is no reason why they can't offer preorder like American or offer at least a limited selection of special meals like delta.
I actually find flying united domestically to be mildly stressful for this reason (I know- first world problems!), and as I easily make 1K anyway and can book premium cabin tickets, I usually fly American or delta if it's a legitimate alternative.
(1) how do they prioritize WITHIN the 1K group? Do they just go front to back?
(2) will they give gs or 1k passengers their second choice so that they can give other passengers at least one of their two choices or will they strictly prioritize gs, then 1k, and let the chips fall where they may for the others.
My guess is different crews do different things but wondering if there is a procedure.
On breakfast flights I don't care and will be fine with one of the choices but as a vegetarian, on domestic lunch / dinner flights it matters. So now i tell them as soon as I get on the plane and I'd say 75% of flight attendants are accommodating and 25% insist on following the strict procedure, which I frankly think is a bit mean.
All that said United needs to up its game. There is no reason why they can't offer preorder like American or offer at least a limited selection of special meals like delta.
I actually find flying united domestically to be mildly stressful for this reason (I know- first world problems!), and as I easily make 1K anyway and can book premium cabin tickets, I usually fly American or delta if it's a legitimate alternative.
(1) Yes, front to back
(2) GS/1K first choice is the priority, unless you tell them otherwise.
Sep 29, 2016, 11:46 am
#2060
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 383
Sep 29, 2016, 12:11 pm
#2061
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
I was sitting in last row of FC on a 737 and when she got to me she asked me if XX was ok, but if I wanted YY, she would have to re take some orders.
I thought this was a crappy way to handle it. In this case I wanted XX, so it didn't matter, but still putting the DYKWIA on the passenger for having status and expecting to get what you want ahead of others.
I like it when they ask everyone their 1st and 2nd choice, then handle it in the Galley
I thought this was a crappy way to handle it. In this case I wanted XX, so it didn't matter, but still putting the DYKWIA on the passenger for having status and expecting to get what you want ahead of others.
I like it when they ask everyone their 1st and 2nd choice, then handle it in the Galley
Sep 29, 2016, 12:20 pm
#2062
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K 1.45MM, Marriott+SPG Plat, Clear, Nexus, Global Entry and MEX Viajero Confiable
Posts: 1,777
Sep 29, 2016, 12:22 pm
#2063
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA1K MM, BA Gold, Hyatt LT Globalist, Bonvoy LTE, IHG Diam, HH Gold, Amtrak Sel Exec
Posts: 3,170
I was sitting in last row of FC on a 737 and when she got to me she asked me if XX was ok, but if I wanted YY, she would have to re take some orders.
I thought this was a crappy way to handle it. In this case I wanted XX, so it didn't matter, but still putting the DYKWIA on the passenger for having status and expecting to get what you want ahead of others.
I like it when they ask everyone their 1st and 2nd choice, then handle it in the Galley
I thought this was a crappy way to handle it. In this case I wanted XX, so it didn't matter, but still putting the DYKWIA on the passenger for having status and expecting to get what you want ahead of others.
I like it when they ask everyone their 1st and 2nd choice, then handle it in the Galley
I hate going up to them before the flight and asking them to save a vegetarian choice for me also. But I feel like I have to do that, otherwise they may give them all out before they get to me. Maybe I just fear rejection too much.
There is also the occasional flight where there is no vegetarian choice.Some of you might tell me to bring my food on the plane but airports just don't have very good food options and I actually think the food on most planes is better than the fast-casual crap at airports, so I'll just take my chances.
Sep 29, 2016, 12:22 pm
#2064
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,041
So wrong. But (for me) so right...
Sep 29, 2016, 12:24 pm
#2065
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,979
I was sitting in last row of FC on a 737 and when she got to me she asked me if XX was ok, but if I wanted YY, she would have to re take some orders.
I thought this was a crappy way to handle it. In this case I wanted XX, so it didn't matter, but still putting the DYKWIA on the passenger for having status and expecting to get what you want ahead of others.
I like it when they ask everyone their 1st and 2nd choice, then handle it in the Galley
I thought this was a crappy way to handle it. In this case I wanted XX, so it didn't matter, but still putting the DYKWIA on the passenger for having status and expecting to get what you want ahead of others.
I like it when they ask everyone their 1st and 2nd choice, then handle it in the Galley
Sep 29, 2016, 12:30 pm
#2066
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
I was sitting in last row of FC on a 737 and when she got to me she asked me if XX was ok, but if I wanted YY, she would have to re take some orders.
I thought this was a crappy way to handle it. In this case I wanted XX, so it didn't matter, but still putting the DYKWIA on the passenger for having status and expecting to get what you want ahead of others.
I like it when they ask everyone their 1st and 2nd choice, then handle it in the Galley
I thought this was a crappy way to handle it. In this case I wanted XX, so it didn't matter, but still putting the DYKWIA on the passenger for having status and expecting to get what you want ahead of others.
I like it when they ask everyone their 1st and 2nd choice, then handle it in the Galley
Sep 29, 2016, 12:38 pm
#2067
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, MP 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 466
I flew AA TATL in May for the first time and loved the ability to chose the meal before the flight.
Even for a domestic flight, it seems ridiculous that passengers don't get their choice of meal. I know they only load so many, blah, blah, blah but seriously, for the prices, it's crazy to be told that you get what's left. Why is this acceptable ?
Even for a domestic flight, it seems ridiculous that passengers don't get their choice of meal. I know they only load so many, blah, blah, blah but seriously, for the prices, it's crazy to be told that you get what's left. Why is this acceptable ?
Sep 29, 2016, 12:53 pm
#2068
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,350
I was sitting in last row of FC on a 737 and when she got to me she asked me if XX was ok, but if I wanted YY, she would have to re take some orders.
I thought this was a crappy way to handle it. In this case I wanted XX, so it didn't matter, but still putting the DYKWIA on the passenger for having status and expecting to get what you want ahead of others.
I like it when they ask everyone their 1st and 2nd choice, then handle it in the Galley
I thought this was a crappy way to handle it. In this case I wanted XX, so it didn't matter, but still putting the DYKWIA on the passenger for having status and expecting to get what you want ahead of others.
I like it when they ask everyone their 1st and 2nd choice, then handle it in the Galley
Or maybe she'd just make a generic announcement to all of FC announcing that a 1K in the last row wants the <beef>, who would change to accommodate this inflexible passenger?
Really depends on how good/bad the FA is.
I was on SEA-ORD a few days ago and the FA took orders back to front. I was in row 1. He still offered me a choice and I got it. No note about being 1K or bouncing around or anything. It worked out. It's just inconsistent.
-RM
Sep 29, 2016, 1:10 pm
#2069
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
Yeah, that's the way it's supposed to work and probably best, but I really appreciated the FA who was standing at the front of coach for the safety announcement and leaned over to me in 4E of a 738 LAX-OGG and spoke softly "Looks like you're our only 1K tonight, the dinner choices are...". After the safety announcement, she went to back of coach to get my Moscow Mule and she brought it right to me after reaching 10k. Then she proceeded to take drink/dinner orders from other passengers.
So wrong. But (for me) so right...
So wrong. But (for me) so right...
Sep 29, 2016, 1:20 pm
#2070
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,041