United Domestic First Meal Service Reduction
#242
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 15
Everyone needs to call in and complain. This has now gotten beyond absurd. I think what management has done, effective 1 June, has even made it even more confusing. Probably done intentionally. It is especially amazing to me that they are doing this to there best Customers.
#244
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,620
Admittedly, I do not understand UNITED's thinking with the First Class Soft Product Downgrades in general, I would imagine that Premium Cabins is where you want to spend your limited resources as that is where your most profitable customers will be sitting, either because they paid for the seat in some way or due to their status (which now has a dollar requirement) they received an upgrade.
Economy has been a race to the bottom for some time now, this race has driven me entirely to the mindset that when I fly domestically, it is First Class and if it is too expensive than I simply do not go.
I admit I am a physician and thus my business acumen is poor, but I honestly do not understand the noticeable cost cutting in Premium cabins, even Polaris.
Salt and Pepper packets vs. Shakers, fine whatever it really is not that big of a deal, but snacks as opposed to meals on flights that used to serve full meals, yeah that just does not add up in my brain.
Economy has been a race to the bottom for some time now, this race has driven me entirely to the mindset that when I fly domestically, it is First Class and if it is too expensive than I simply do not go.
I admit I am a physician and thus my business acumen is poor, but I honestly do not understand the noticeable cost cutting in Premium cabins, even Polaris.
Salt and Pepper packets vs. Shakers, fine whatever it really is not that big of a deal, but snacks as opposed to meals on flights that used to serve full meals, yeah that just does not add up in my brain.
#246
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
While by no means or a substitute for a proper meal onboard, I've found that the catering in the UCs has improved significantly. There's still the cheese cubes, but you can usually put together a decent salad with the bean mixes, dressing, and vegetables, and the soups are also pretty decent. At ORD, I've seen pasta and beef stew, and last night in BOS, there was even cured meats, which were very popular... I added it to the salad I made for myself.
Again, I realize that not everyone has a membership and I myself can't always make time to stop by before departure, but I've found this to be an "enhancement" that I actually "like".
Again, I realize that not everyone has a membership and I myself can't always make time to stop by before departure, but I've found this to be an "enhancement" that I actually "like".
#247
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ORD
Posts: 435
It this page no longer accurate?
North America premium cabin dining
3 hrs. to 3 hrs. 59 min.
Scheduled departure time Meal service details
5 a.m. to 8 p.m. A full meal service with two entree choices
8:01 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. Refreshments, which include a selection of premium snacks and fresh fruit
on the website, the ORD-FLL Departing 11:25 am Chicago, IL, US (ORD - O'Hare)Arriving 3:27 pm 3h 2m
is showing as a snack. any thoughts on which is wrong?
North America premium cabin dining
3 hrs. to 3 hrs. 59 min.
Scheduled departure time Meal service details
5 a.m. to 8 p.m. A full meal service with two entree choices
8:01 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. Refreshments, which include a selection of premium snacks and fresh fruit
on the website, the ORD-FLL Departing 11:25 am Chicago, IL, US (ORD - O'Hare)Arriving 3:27 pm 3h 2m
is showing as a snack. any thoughts on which is wrong?
Last edited by elbejt2; Jul 13, 2018 at 3:31 pm
#248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
Yes, they use flight distance ("canonical block time" for the route) rather than the block time for a specific flight. You're falling in the lower Snack block.
#249
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
Your mind set is wrong. This is United, the K-Mart of Airlines. Why would you expect to get lunch in First Class on a flight of over three hours that leaves at 11:25 am? Why would UA give you a real meal when they can save $5 by not feeding you. Think "big front seat" = UA and all will be well.
#250
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ORD
Posts: 435
Your mind set is wrong. This is United, the K-Mart of Airlines. Why would you expect to get lunch in First Class on a flight of over three hours that leaves at 11:25 am? Why would UA give you a real meal when they can save $5 by not feeding you. Think "big front seat" = UA and all will be well.
#251
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: 42,211
It this page no longer accurate?
North America premium cabin dining
3 hrs. to 3 hrs. 59 min.
Scheduled departure time Meal service details
5 a.m. to 8 p.m. A full meal service with two entree choices
8:01 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. Refreshments, which include a selection of premium snacks and fresh fruit
on the website, the ORD-FLL Departing 11:25 am Chicago, IL, US (ORD - O'Hare)Arriving 3:27 pm 3h 2m
is showing as a snack. any thoughts on which is wrong?
North America premium cabin dining
3 hrs. to 3 hrs. 59 min.
Scheduled departure time Meal service details
5 a.m. to 8 p.m. A full meal service with two entree choices
8:01 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. Refreshments, which include a selection of premium snacks and fresh fruit
on the website, the ORD-FLL Departing 11:25 am Chicago, IL, US (ORD - O'Hare)Arriving 3:27 pm 3h 2m
is showing as a snack. any thoughts on which is wrong?
#252
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,063
#253
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Tx
Programs: AA, UA, WN
Posts: 812
#254
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: 42,211
#255
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
sub 3 hour breakfast and lunch times get:
Meal service which includes fresh fruit and breakfast bread on morning flights or a chilled plate with chocolate on afternoon flights.
Recent DEN-SFO breakfast was ranchero eggs, yogurt, fruit.
Recent SFO-DEN lunchtime was fruit and cheese plate or smaller salad with chicken.