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]
May 2, 2018, 6:28 pm
#2251
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Yes, but any passenger paying $7k is more likely only be paying $7k once. Meaning it is her only UA flight of the year or very few in number (or i assume some sort of status would be accrued).
GS/1K members spend >$7k a year, year after year. Often times in multiples of that.
Would you value one person who spends only $7k a year on one flight? Or one person who spends at least $12k a year on you, year after year. I can understand why UA has a policy like this.
GS/1K members spend >$7k a year, year after year. Often times in multiples of that.
Would you value one person who spends only $7k a year on one flight? Or one person who spends at least $12k a year on you, year after year. I can understand why UA has a policy like this.
#2 Last I checked minimum spend for 1K is $12k per year. I spend well in excess of that and don't always make 1K GS of course is based on spend so I wager they are often buying expensive fares.
#3 As stated above my view (even as 1K) is that upgraders should go to the back of the food choice line regardless of status. I understand others have different views. I very much doubt anyone is going to pull their business regardless of the procedure as UA FAs often fail to prioritize 1k/GS (as detailed in this thread) and the food is really a small factor for most people when choosing flights.
May 2, 2018, 7:47 pm
#2252
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
May 2, 2018, 8:30 pm
#2253
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: NZ *E
Posts: 345
I don't understand why upgraders aren't prioritized behind paid F passengers.
In my case, I'm an NZ*G so get no priority at all (even though I easily fly the 1K level of mileage on UA alone) -- I've actually started just buying whatever domestic first product is convenient because of this (and liking the AA preordering system!)
(Slightly ranting since when they cut back from the two hot meals a year of or ago, meal choice actually matters!)
In my case, I'm an NZ*G so get no priority at all (even though I easily fly the 1K level of mileage on UA alone) -- I've actually started just buying whatever domestic first product is convenient because of this (and liking the AA preordering system!)
(Slightly ranting since when they cut back from the two hot meals a year of or ago, meal choice actually matters!)
May 2, 2018, 9:11 pm
#2254
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,192
#3 As stated above my view (even as 1K) is that upgraders should go to the back of the food choice line regardless of status. I understand others have different views.
I felt differently when I was a 1K, but there was a time when F was also prioritized near the top with 1K. That was a nice balance.
May 2, 2018, 9:21 pm
#2255
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
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Posts: 5,722
If we’re talking true “F” class, then that opens up a whole new argument. “I paid for an Z fare but apparently only full F (or A or J or whatever other higher domestic “First Class booking code”)allegedly qualified for first meal choice”. In reality, any “paid” first fare takes us back to square one.
Last edited by MBS MillionMiler; May 2, 2018 at 10:01 pm Reason: To fix aircraft type from 773 to 753.
May 2, 2018, 9:41 pm
#2256
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,192
Have you seen an upgrade list lately? Almost everyone, at least on midcons is paid F. My 773 referenced above had exactly one upgraded person in it. I even see ORD-LAS flights go out with two, one or none upgraded people on it. In reality, any “paid” first fare takes us back to square one.
Oddly enough I have had empty seats in F on other airlines, but no go on UA.
May 2, 2018, 10:26 pm
#2257
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But really they could just have several decent options and it would be okay for most people, I think. The meal cuts have made all of this so much worse.
May 2, 2018, 11:57 pm
#2258
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But of course that's nonsense
Even though virtually all my front cabin tickets are now paid (out of my own pocket), not upgrades, I still believe that UA's policy on meal priority is fair and appropriate and I'd be disappointed to see it altered. 1Ks do earn their perks, limited as they now are.
May 3, 2018, 1:29 am
#2259
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
If we're going to play that game, I might take the position that since I spend personal funds for premium cabin, I should have meal priority over those who are spending OPM.
But of course that's nonsense
Even though virtually all my front cabin tickets are now paid (out of my own pocket), not upgrades, I still believe that UA's policy on meal priority is fair and appropriate and I'd be disappointed to see it altered. 1Ks do earn their perks, limited as they now are.
But of course that's nonsense
Even though virtually all my front cabin tickets are now paid (out of my own pocket), not upgrades, I still believe that UA's policy on meal priority is fair and appropriate and I'd be disappointed to see it altered. 1Ks do earn their perks, limited as they now are.
May 3, 2018, 4:18 am
#2260
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
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By limiting meal catering and not having pre-order, UA has created the problem and doesn’t seem to want to solve it. UA, for good or bad (dependent on who you are and how you got into the cabin), has decided to avoid antagonizing it’s best customers while it continues its self-imposed bad situation.
May 3, 2018, 10:19 am
#2261
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: NZ *E
Posts: 345
A GS who spends $100,000 on business tickets upgrades with a GPU into PN on a vacation trip. If I want to avoid any slight to that customer, I’m gonna give that customer his/her choice. This argument is endless. Both sides have valid points.
By limiting meal catering and not having pre-order, UA has created the problem and doesn’t seem to want to solve it. UA, for good or bad (dependent on who you are and how you got into the cabin), has decided to avoid antagonizing it’s best customers while it continues its self-imposed bad situation.
May 3, 2018, 12:49 pm
#2262
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,770
Using a lower number, others have quoted of $8 per meal times 3 extra times the lower 2,000 meals per day times 365 days == $17.5 million -- not an insignificant number. I would many might prefer that to be used to raise the quality of the food.
One way would be to cover some expense by selling the extra meals on the aircraft, but that would create an inconsistent supply issue and perhaps complaints "I ask for but was denied the opportunity to purchase a first class meal: threads.
May 12, 2018, 9:38 am
#2263
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: NJ,US
Programs: Lifetime United Gold and 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Marriott and SPG Platinum , AA, Hilton
Posts: 379
I find that many times they don't even go by medallion level when doling out food - too much work. I have complained about it but once you get the food its too late. Its great when people don't follow the rules and they impact you and then call you a cry baby when you complain. Love it.
May 12, 2018, 10:00 am
#2264
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,770
If you are referring to UA flights and based on your profile, UA Gold -- you have no special meal priority. Only GS and 1Ks have meal priority based on status. See thread's wiki for more.
May 12, 2018, 10:25 am
#2265
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: NJ,US
Programs: Lifetime United Gold and 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Marriott and SPG Platinum , AA, Hilton
Posts: 379
I AM 1K