Why doesn’t UA have meal pre-order?
Sep 20, 2018, 10:55 am
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,565
I like the AA system and it has always worked for me.
But, it is not a service diferentiator for me.
I would not consider flying or not flying UA because I could or could not order a specific meal.
That may answer the "why" question because UA may believe that there are lots of people like me out there.
But, it is not a service diferentiator for me.
I would not consider flying or not flying UA because I could or could not order a specific meal.
That may answer the "why" question because UA may believe that there are lots of people like me out there.
Sep 20, 2018, 11:08 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,004
I would have thought UA has this by now. AA does and it works great for me so far. Their BOB is very good and fresh food. Their chicken wrap is way better better than anything served up front plus I get it free as an EXP in Y.
Sep 20, 2018, 11:33 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,651
I long for the day I have a meal in first on a UA flight, let alone pre selection. Most of my flights are around 2hrs, like DEN-ORD for example. Used to be a meal, period, now a snack.
Sep 20, 2018, 1:23 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Same for those of us in ORD, and I assume IAH. And for those flights that are 4 hrs or less, I'd rather eat before or after, or buy something in the airport to eat on board. Much better quality. And a pretty good reason that pre-order on domestic flights aren't something a lot of people value. A pre-order function would probably work well on transcons though.
Sep 20, 2018, 1:24 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: NZ *E
Posts: 345
I'd even be with something like choosing between the hot meal vs the cold salad/cheese plate option (which seems to me like a lesser meal than you can get in Economy BoB).
Sep 20, 2018, 4:05 pm
#22
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
The AA system has always worked for me, as well. I'm always sure I get the non-pasta slop instead of the pasta slop. 
What AA does that UA really should copy, though, is allow the selection of special meals when the flight distance is great enough. AA has some pretty good special meals, like Asian spicy vegetarian, which are really quite good.
What AA does that UA really should copy, though, is allow the selection of special meals when the flight distance is great enough. AA has some pretty good special meals, like Asian spicy vegetarian, which are really quite good.
Sep 20, 2018, 5:29 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
UA seems to barely be able to keep their kitchens open at all. It would be amusing to see the disaster that will ensue when they start allowing pre-orders.
Sep 21, 2018, 9:02 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
The AA system has always worked for me, as well. I'm always sure I get the non-pasta slop instead of the pasta slop. What AA does that UA really should copy, though, is allow the selection of special meals when the flight distance is great enough. AA has some pretty good special meals, like Asian spicy vegetarian, which are really quite good.
What AA does that UA really should copy, though, is allow the selection of special meals when the flight distance is great enough. AA has some pretty good special meals, like Asian spicy vegetarian, which are really quite good.
Sep 21, 2018, 9:58 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 1,032
I think it's been discussed before, but...
I'd much rather have a great SDC and no pre-order than have a pre-order option but crappy SDC. This is the trade I'm willing to make. (Of course, if you can have it both ways, even better, but if I had to choose one...)
I'd much rather have a great SDC and no pre-order than have a pre-order option but crappy SDC. This is the trade I'm willing to make. (Of course, if you can have it both ways, even better, but if I had to choose one...)
Sep 21, 2018, 11:27 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SNA
Programs: UA LT Plat, 2.5mm, Hilton LTD, SPG LT Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Whatever
Posts: 161
So with the new boarding process and once again feeling the shaft as a 2MM who often buys domestic F, I’m wondering why UA doesn’t have pre-order of meals in Domestic F?
I know that AA has it. Don’t think DL does and AS spotty.
Reason I ask is it seems they start need to somehow improve the Domestic F experience for non-GS/1K passengers. Last flight I had to take a coach meal because the only choice left was the hamburger and I don’t eat beef. Now I’ll also get to board with with the masses since 1K and GS get to board first. It’s really making me want to fly anyone except UA on domestic F routes. As I get treated better as non-status then i do as a 2MM on UA.
I know that AA has it. Don’t think DL does and AS spotty.
Reason I ask is it seems they start need to somehow improve the Domestic F experience for non-GS/1K passengers. Last flight I had to take a coach meal because the only choice left was the hamburger and I don’t eat beef. Now I’ll also get to board with with the masses since 1K and GS get to board first. It’s really making me want to fly anyone except UA on domestic F routes. As I get treated better as non-status then i do as a 2MM on UA.
Sep 22, 2018, 10:00 am
#30
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,830
Yes, available on Polaris flights and most domestic flights over 2,000 miles
For more specifics, see https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...solidated.html
For more specifics, see https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...solidated.html