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, 7:52 pm
#76
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 721
Finally, a change I like.
I didn't realize this was even important to me until they changed to the front-to-back system and I was getting the "second and only choice" when I dared to sit behind row 2 or 3. Hey, I fly a lot and it's nice to have a perk that goes along with it.
I prefer the discreet method of taking first and second choices and sorting it out in the galley but I admit to getting a cheap thrill when the FA comes to me at or near the beginning of their zig-zag trek through the cabin.
I didn't realize this was even important to me until they changed to the front-to-back system and I was getting the "second and only choice" when I dared to sit behind row 2 or 3. Hey, I fly a lot and it's nice to have a perk that goes along with it.
I prefer the discreet method of taking first and second choices and sorting it out in the galley but I admit to getting a cheap thrill when the FA comes to me at or near the beginning of their zig-zag trek through the cabin.
Nov 30, 2012, 7:57 pm
#77
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,320
It is interesting that AA's elite-agnostic FEBO somehow manages to offend almost no one.
Nov 30, 2012, 7:59 pm
#78
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Austin
Programs: 1K MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, AA Exec. Plat
Posts: 403
+1. Finally something sensible is happening.
Nov 30, 2012, 8:13 pm
#79
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Plat, AS MVPG, Bonvoy Plat/LT Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,266
Nov 30, 2012, 8:39 pm
#80
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,894
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.
Finally, a change I like!
Nov 30, 2012, 8:46 pm
#81
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SFO and OAK
Programs: FAF, Hyatt <>, SPG PLT
Posts: 2,240
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.
Of course loading more meals could render this whole discussion moot.
Nov 30, 2012, 8:55 pm
#82
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tulsa, OK
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,264
Nice change. Let's see it in practice otherwise it's just a rumor.
Nov 30, 2012, 9:00 pm
#83
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,509
Nov 30, 2012, 9:07 pm
#84
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SIN
Programs: UA 1K MM, SQ PPS, CX Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Gold, SPG Silver
Posts: 679
The FA told her explicitly that she had to take 1k meals first, but luckily my wife only wanted the soup, so there was no status debate.
Nov 30, 2012, 10:07 pm
#85
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA1MM*GL/1K, AA, BnVy PlatL, HH Silver,
Posts: 681
[QUOTE=dayone;19774981
It is interesting that AA's elite-agnostic FEBO somehow manages to offend almost no one.[/QUOTE]
It seems to me, now that I'm booking AA F, that they load more meals. Granted its a small sample of 6 flights this fall, but haven't had an issue with choice and I have 0 AA status.
would be great to see one of the two step up and bring back special meals...that would be a differentiator like it was for pmUA. Might also help them to get some of their premium buyers back...
It is interesting that AA's elite-agnostic FEBO somehow manages to offend almost no one.[/QUOTE]
It seems to me, now that I'm booking AA F, that they load more meals. Granted its a small sample of 6 flights this fall, but haven't had an issue with choice and I have 0 AA status.
would be great to see one of the two step up and bring back special meals...that would be a differentiator like it was for pmUA. Might also help them to get some of their premium buyers back...
Nov 30, 2012, 10:13 pm
#86
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
^^^^ if this is true. I'm sorry, call me a guy who needs my ego stroked, I guess. I just think that my loyalty to an airline should be valued over a guy who bought the cheapest possible fare and then bought a TOD and next time will fly whoever is cheaper and has no loyalty to a particular airline.
The meal priority on sUA was VERY important to me, as it allowed me to select my preferred seat AND get my meal choice. With the current/previous(?) system, I usually had to choose either/or.
While it seems there is some good level of confirmation here, I'd liked to page UAInsider to confirm this great change for us.
The meal priority on sUA was VERY important to me, as it allowed me to select my preferred seat AND get my meal choice. With the current/previous(?) system, I usually had to choose either/or.
While it seems there is some good level of confirmation here, I'd liked to page UAInsider to confirm this great change for us.
Nov 30, 2012, 10:16 pm
#87
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: UA 2mm 1K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 267
I hope all this is true. Now if we can bring back the red carpet with GS, First, and 1K, boarding only line, this would be great. One could only dream.
Nov 30, 2012, 10:18 pm
#88
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K 3MM , Marriott Amb, Hyatt D, HH D, Hertz PC
Posts: 851
Nov 30, 2012, 10:32 pm
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,029
Let me get this right. People who pay for economy (and are upgraded) get to choose the meal they want ahead of the people who actually pay for their meal???
Sorry, but that's just about the ultimate over-entitled-elite ego-trip.
Jeff, you have a good thing going, but you're wimping out on me. Catering to people who are not happy with simply a free upgrade from a $300 seat to a $1200 seat is not the way toward a profitable airline.
Sorry, but that's just about the ultimate over-entitled-elite ego-trip.
Jeff, you have a good thing going, but you're wimping out on me. Catering to people who are not happy with simply a free upgrade from a $300 seat to a $1200 seat is not the way toward a profitable airline.
This is a change I like. Two thumbs way up.