Disappointed with lack of pre-departure beverage (PDB) & other experiences
Mar 31, 2019, 11:22 pm
#241
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 77
Less than pleasant experience at the gate, but when i got on the plane (SFO-BOS) the FA were empathetic and apologetic (for something they did not have any part of). The PBD (Glenfarcals on the rocks) service definitely helped reset the flight experience.
Apr 1, 2019, 12:07 am
#242
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I have to say that I'm really impressed with UA in this regard. Even top international airlines are moving to limited PDB service (on JAL F (which I love) I was offered champagne, water, or juice. Asked for a beer and was told "after takeoff"). Kudos to UA for sticking with full bar.
Apr 1, 2019, 6:06 am
#243
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
The tray offered and subsequent receiving of requested drink sounds a lot like PDB service in J btw...
Apr 1, 2019, 7:58 am
#244
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Surprised as well here. Just got off the puddle jumper EWR > LHR evening flight with dinner service. Was seated in Y and requested Champers with my UA drink voucher. My jaw dropped when I learned they weren't serving Champagne let alone the good stuff (read Krug and Dom). I'd be curious to learn if Krug and Dom as still on the Polaris J menu or if this has been one of the recent cut backs as I plan on flying them in January in J!
-James
-James
Apr 1, 2019, 9:39 am
#245
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA-GS; WN A-list;Hyatt - CC; Hertz - PC
Posts: 644
Had a flight LAX/DEN yesterday. 739, boarding was quick and a little crazy. I boarded first as GS. FA is trying to get somethings done before she quickly goes through the PDB orders and jackets. Gets to row 4 and starts collecting. I always sit in row 5 so I can recline a little early. Still holding my jacket. Aislemate tries to get her attention with no luck. Take off, and she starts again in row 1 with orders and drinks etc. Gets to us and kind of barked that she had already collected jackets when my aislemate asked if we could maybe get our drinks now as she may have been rushing earlier and missed us. He was actually nice about it. It took about an hour into the flight before I had my first cocktail. Given the hangover I was nursing, I really could have used it earlier. The service by her was almost comical. I am not even sure she knew she had a 5th row. Let alone that 3 of us in the row were GS. Pretty sure the guy across from me was going to write something. I just gave up early and chose not to expect anything better.
Apr 1, 2019, 9:55 am
#246
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
Was seated in Y and requested Champers with my UA drink voucher. My jaw dropped when I learned they weren't serving Champagne let alone the good stuff (read Krug and Dom). I'd be curious to learn if Krug and Dom as still on the Polaris J menu or if this has been one of the recent cut backs as I plan on flying them in January in J!
-James
-James
Apr 13, 2019, 11:34 am
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
4 domestic F UA flights so far this year; 5 PDBs (yesterday I was offered a refill during a fairly lengthy boarding process). All full bar service.
Apr 13, 2019, 1:11 pm
#248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
Surprised as well here. Just got off the puddle jumper EWR > LHR evening flight with dinner service. Was seated in Y and requested Champers with my UA drink voucher. My jaw dropped when I learned they weren't serving Champagne let alone the good stuff (read Krug and Dom). I'd be curious to learn if Krug and Dom as still on the Polaris J menu or if this has been one of the recent cut backs as I plan on flying them in January in J!
-James
-James
Apr 13, 2019, 4:05 pm
#249
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
8 Domestic UA flights in the F cabin in the past two weeks; Full PDB consistently offered; one flight had a mechanical delay, so Flight Attendant came by and offered refills, stating "we may be here awhile". ^
Apr 13, 2019, 6:19 pm
#250
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: UA 1K, LH FT, Marriott Plat, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PPlus
Posts: 72
EWR-DTW and EWR-DAY this week: both times I managed to pour down 3 G&Ts and was even offered more including PDB. On the other hand the mainline flights I took EWR-MSY and EWR-MIA I have not been offered a PDB. On all flights everything went normal, so no IRROPS and such. Anyone else's experience that UX flights might be a little more consistent in regards to PDBs?
Apr 13, 2019, 9:20 pm
#251
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
EWR-DTW and EWR-DAY this week: both times I managed to pour down 3 G&Ts and was even offered more including PDB. On the other hand the mainline flights I took EWR-MSY and EWR-MIA I have not been offered a PDB. On all flights everything went normal, so no IRROPS and such. Anyone else's experience that UX flights might be a little more consistent in regards to PDBs?
Apr 13, 2019, 9:26 pm
#252
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
Polaris has never touched Krug or Dom Perignon, as far as I am aware anyway. The upgrade with Polaris was that it always offers some proper (contrôlée) Champagne, rather than Prosecco. (Polaris PDB being the exception, when it is so-called 'California Champagne', i.e. not Champagne but rather sparkling white.)
Apr 14, 2019, 4:47 am
#253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
EWR-DTW and EWR-DAY this week: both times I managed to pour down 3 G&Ts and was even offered more including PDB. On the other hand the mainline flights I took EWR-MSY and EWR-MIA I have not been offered a PDB. On all flights everything went normal, so no IRROPS and such. Anyone else's experience that UX flights might be a little more consistent in regards to PDBs?
I am on UAX a lot. PDBs are pretty consistent, with the exception of E175s. Seems like half the FAs just give up trying to get 12 PDBs served, along with all the other front door duties, in the short boarding time that they have.
The times I am on mainline, I have always had a PDB.
Apr 14, 2019, 8:03 am
#254
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ORD / PHX
Programs: UA LT 1K 3MM (former 12 yr GS), Bonvoy Amb/LT Plat
Posts: 1,341
No pdb Friday night E175 ORD-SAT. FA claimed “short turnaround” as his excuse, but plane was on the ground > 1 hr and normal boarding 🙄
Apr 14, 2019, 9:58 am
#255
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
Polaris has never touched Krug or Dom Perignon, as far as I am aware anyway. The upgrade with Polaris was that it always offers some proper (contrôlée) Champagne, rather than Prosecco. (Polaris PDB being the exception, when it is so-called 'California Champagne', i.e. not Champagne but rather sparkling white.)
United Polaris has possibly the worst premium class wine/champagne selection in the skies. It's rare to see anything that sells for more than $15/bottle and even that tends to be swill.
