Feb 2, 2015, 1:14 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Official UNITED policy for meal preferences is to prioritize in the following order: (as of late 2023)
The proper way is to take orders front-to-back, and apply priority in the galley afterwards. Some FAs may still hop around the cabin seeking GS and 1Ks and take their orders first.
With the sharp increase in passengers pre-ordering meals, front-to-back ordering is now predominant.
Previous thread: Current UA Process for Prioritizing Meal Orders in Premium Cabins [ARCHIVE]
- Pre-orders
- Global Services members
- 1K members
- All other revenue passengers from front to back (no difference between $$$ or mileage or upgraders)
- Non-Revs
The proper way is to take orders front-to-back, and apply priority in the galley afterwards. Some FAs may still hop around the cabin seeking GS and 1Ks and take their orders first.
With the sharp increase in passengers pre-ordering meals, front-to-back ordering is now predominant.
Previous thread: Current UA Process for Prioritizing Meal Orders in Premium Cabins [ARCHIVE]
Current UA Process for Prioritizing Meal Orders in Premium Cabins
Jun 10, 2015, 7:18 pm
#31
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 270
i understand and used to be of this opinion...paid first shouldn't lose priority to someone else...they paid more. but then again, if u are going to prioritize vs. $$ spent, then probably that upgraded GS or 1k probably should trump the no status paid first
Jun 10, 2015, 7:22 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
And who knows what "paid first" versus "upgraded economy" even means dollars wise? I just did a flight change from an instant-upgraded expensive Y economy fare to a discount P first-class fare on the same route and got a $1200 refund. It is a fallacy to think that "paid first" versus "upgraded GS or 1K" tells you anything about who paid what.
Jun 10, 2015, 8:31 pm
#33
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 189
This entire thread is ridiculous. The issue is that United does not board enough meals so that each passenger has his/her own choice of entre. There is not a respectable international carrier that does not board enough options that each passenger has the choice. My recent flight on Etihad completely changed my perspective on this. United is running the premium classes like they are a third class airline, at best with respect to catering. No guaranteed first choice entre, low quality wines, club soda instead of sparkling water and ridiculous coffee, not to mention not having espresso and cappuccino like other premium cabins.
Jun 12, 2015, 2:14 pm
#34
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,220
This entire thread is ridiculous. The issue is that United does not board enough meals so that each passenger has his/her own choice of entre. There is not a respectable international carrier that does not board enough options that each passenger has the choice. My recent flight on Etihad completely changed my perspective on this. United is running the premium classes like they are a third class airline, at best with respect to catering. No guaranteed first choice entre, low quality wines, club soda instead of sparkling water and ridiculous coffee, not to mention not having espresso and cappuccino like other premium cabins.
Jun 12, 2015, 4:10 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
It's not that simple, as then they have to implement a process for conveying the information to the caterers, as opposed to them just having a standard load for each flight. (Not that I disagree they should do this, but it's not trivial.)
Jun 12, 2015, 4:49 pm
#36
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,220
The process already exists to handle special meal orders - just add the entire menu plan to that same interface and let people pre-order from the same webpage/process.
Jun 12, 2015, 5:28 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
YVR-IAH morning flight couple weeks ago, I was in 3rd or 4th row. I paid attention as FA announced 3 choices ahead of me, but was down to only 2 by the time she got to me. I enquired as to being asked first since on GS on flight. She said they go front to back, "I can show you the operations manual if you want". Wow. Apparently the printer at YVR cuts off a character for the manifest, so they couldn't tell I was GS. Nice words? No. Snark--> after exiting the lav the FA shoved the ops manual in my face with the pertinent line highlighted. I was pleased to fill out my survey after that flight, but of course got no feedback. Inconsistent behaviour across the system, plus doesn't help if FA gives a bunch of attitude. 
Jun 18, 2015, 11:42 am
#38
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
Two mini-paragraphs were highlighted. One mentioned front-to-back, then other prioritizing GS and 1K. The problem with execution was that I could hear the 3 options offered to rows 1 & 2, but only 2 options when she got to me in row 3. Ideally should have been asking for 1st & 2nd choices ahead and still offered me 3 options, then sorted it out after all pax asked. THAT is what is in the manual.
Jun 18, 2015, 11:54 am
#39
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SFO, IAH
Programs: UA MM, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 434
I'm a vegetarian, and my pre-requested special meals internationally (in C) are boarded maybe 60-70% of the time. When UA actually allowed special meals domestically (don't get me started on this cut for non-ps), it as closer to 25% of the time... so I wouldn't really rely on that system as the benchmark. UA just can't get operations right.
Jun 18, 2015, 12:29 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
I'm flying AA DFW-HNL and LAX-DFW next month as was floored when I found out I'm able to choose my meal online 30 days in advance. I had no idea any of the domestic carriers did this. wow.
Jul 23, 2021, 3:02 pm
#41
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
Flew with the family this week and we had all four seat in row 4 (back row). FA takes A side 1-3, then goes back to the front and takes D side 1-3, then back to my wife and I in 4A&B, then my kids in 4D&E(?). My wife was a little miffed, We got out choices because a few people didn’t have anything. Just a Plat now, but a full F fare, no upgrades or points.
Service was pretty weak the entire flight. No pre-boarding drink. They disappeared after the meal.
Service was pretty weak the entire flight. No pre-boarding drink. They disappeared after the meal.
Jul 23, 2021, 3:18 pm
#42
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Flew with the family this week and we had all four seat in row 4 (back row). FA takes A side 1-3, then goes back to the front and takes D side 1-3, then back to my wife and I in 4A&B, then my kids in 4D&E(?). My wife was a little miffed, We got out choices because a few people didn’t have anything. Just a Plat now, but a full F fare, no upgrades or points.
Service was pretty weak the entire flight. No pre-boarding drink. They disappeared after the meal.
Service was pretty weak the entire flight. No pre-boarding drink. They disappeared after the meal.
PMUA had priority for paid F, but that's no longer the case. Also, pre-departure beverage is not back yet officially.
Jul 23, 2021, 3:23 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 98
Flew with the family this week and we had all four seat in row 4 (back row). FA takes A side 1-3, then goes back to the front and takes D side 1-3, then back to my wife and I in 4A&B, then my kids in 4D&E(?). My wife was a little miffed, We got out choices because a few people didn’t have anything. Just a Plat now, but a full F fare, no upgrades or points.
Service was pretty weak the entire flight. No pre-boarding drink. They disappeared after the meal.
Service was pretty weak the entire flight. No pre-boarding drink. They disappeared after the meal.
Jul 23, 2021, 5:39 pm
#45
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,468