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 30, 2012, 4:21 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
Nov 30, 2012, 4:28 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
I got the same 'tude from a CO crew when I complemented them on their service. They looked at the manifest and then razzed me for being 1K, saying that I'm not supposed to be nice. I told them, "Well, if we're going to go with stereotypes, you're a CO crew, and you're not supposed to be so attentive."
The liked that.
The liked that.
Nov 30, 2012, 4:54 pm
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
Just for some follow-up. The overheard conversation was because the one FA noted how many emails the other had on their phone and he said then it is hard for you to take note of emails like the "important 1k one we got today" (most sarcastic tone there). He then went on to explain that they are supposed to prioritize meals for 1k passengers now like they do for GS. But then said if there is a passenger sitting next to a GS or 1K then he just takes their order as well "because one customer isn't more important than another".
Nov 30, 2012, 4:59 pm
#49
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
Add me to the +1^ category and maybe (n.b. maybe) COdbaUA is starting to see the light that status DOES mean something-and with that, could reverting back to a boarding process that worked be far behind?
Nov 30, 2012, 5:00 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: IAD UA1K, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Programs: Random acts of kindness and senseless beauty
Posts: 1,235
Good news, but it would be better news if my upgrades would clear as often as they did before 3/3/2012!
Nov 30, 2012, 5:02 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Sounds like the normal line from a CO FA...
Next up is the return to Apollo 
Nov 30, 2012, 5:13 pm
#52
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,581
I don't care if it is a giveback, I'm happy to see it. ^
Nov 30, 2012, 5:39 pm
#53
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LAX NYC
Programs: UA 1K 3.01MM, Global Entry, RCC LIFETIME (pd $2k in '90)), HH GOLD, Pan Am Clipper Club Lifetime
Posts: 178
Earlier this week (LAX/EWR) FA taking meal orders addressed all F pax by their first name. That was a refreshing change since it was the beginning of the holiday rush and it set the tone for an intimate gathering. Also, FA mentioned to me that the manifest indicted that I fly a lot. Since this was a sCO crew I was floored that my loyalty was finally recognized.
Nov 30, 2012, 6:00 pm
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Don't get me wrong, it is a plus for me for selfish reasons, but I have seen some customers act like DYKWIAs when it comes to ordering meal such as refusing to give second choice or fully expecting to get his/her first choice as 1K. If they don't then they get mad and they will not get a skykit like they used to in the past. The FAs should not have to be in that position having to deal with someone with an inflated ego who expects to have what he/she wants only to be upset that other customers are more important.
Alternatively, on PS flights, it's been a looooong time since they've asked me a second choice, even though I'm ready to give it.Funny SMI/J alot of us think the same about you!
Nov 30, 2012, 6:00 pm
#56
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
Can confirm this policy starts today!
Nov 30, 2012, 6:10 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 644
Big ^ with this policy change!
Nov 30, 2012, 6:20 pm
#58
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: UAL 1KMM,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 758
Two days ago on the ORD-FRA, the FA taking my order as "What would I ike for dinner?" And then said to the effect I would get it. The woman beside me he asked for her first and second choice. She looked puzzled. I explain that I was a 1K and said cool.
I was very pleased that we had returned to the old system. Now I can return to my favorite seats on certain planes.
I was very pleased that we had returned to the old system. Now I can return to my favorite seats on certain planes.
Nov 30, 2012, 6:22 pm
#59
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sunshine State
Programs: UA2MM AND 1K, HYATT GLOBALIST, AVIS PRES CLUB.
Posts: 97
I think prioritizing meals is ridiculous. If orders are taken from front to back, just select a seat towards the front, if this is important to you. Since upgrades are prioritized, you should have a better choice of seats the earlier you're booked in the cabin. Using a predictable seat choice method, I never missed a meal choice on CO. As a lifetime Platinum, I have plenty of "prioritized" benefits already. What's next? Prioritizing the use of the toilet? Let the status game end once everyone is seated.
Nov 30, 2012, 6:39 pm
#60
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: 2013: UA 1K (2013: 4/7 UDU, 2012: from GM to 1K!), Global Entry
Posts: 66
1K Meal orders to be prioritized again
Flying paid F for/on my birthday. Perhaps I can get my meal choice too?