Jun 29, 2022, 11:33 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
united.com/preordermeals
Generally available on all flights (including widebodies) over 900 miles except Premium Transcon (EWR<>SFO/LAX)
Pre-order has priority on the flight even about GS/1K and while originally pre-order was limited to a portion of each inflight choice, recent reports pre-order can consume the entire flight's allocation of a particular offering.
archive thread: UA preorder premium cabin meal, Y snacks/drinks {Archive}
Generally available on all flights (including widebodies) over 900 miles except Premium Transcon (EWR<>SFO/LAX)
Pre-order has priority on the flight even about GS/1K and while originally pre-order was limited to a portion of each inflight choice, recent reports pre-order can consume the entire flight's allocation of a particular offering.
archive thread: UA preorder premium cabin meal, Y snacks/drinks {Archive}
UA preorder premium cabin meal, Y snacks/drinks - all >800 (900?) mile
Aug 2, 2023, 2:36 pm
#181
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Preorders and then GS &1K will have priority regardless where they are in the cabin, if neither you will be asked for a second chance and may not get your first.(or second).
Aug 3, 2023, 10:09 am
#182
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I have flights in separate PNRs, LAX-IAD-YUL, YUL-IAD-LAX. Both transcons are on 787. The o/b is tomorrow within 24 hours, so I didn’t expect to be able to select a meal. But when I click on the pre-order link, I don’t get an option to select which flight/PNR, I just get a message that preorder window is closed with a link to access my reservation for tomorrow. My return flight is within 5 days, but I don’t see any way to get to it. Any way to select individual PNRs?
Aug 7, 2023, 7:45 am
#186
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Aug 7, 2023, 9:32 am
#187
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Aug 7, 2023, 10:55 am
#188
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Unfortunately, this has to do with how UA does the pre-ordering - it's not a stated preference and then they change the number of each meal needed; rather, the overall number of meals remains the same, but a percentage of each meal choice is made available for pre-ordering, and the remainder is available onboard on a first come first serve basis. GS/1K still receive first choice unless there are too many GS/1K, in which case a dance-off would be required.
Puts the FAs in an impossible situation. Are they really going to tell a Global Service passenger that just moved onto the flight that they are stuck with a duo of celery for dinner, because that is all that's left by United being so cheap?
The entire mind-set behind this is very telling how United perceives passengers in their premium cabins.
Aug 7, 2023, 11:12 am
#189
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I understand how United chose to implement this process, but I stand by my statement...it is ridiculous.
Puts the FAs in an impossible situation. Are they really going to tell a Global Service passenger that just moved onto the flight that they are stuck with a duo of celery for dinner, because that is all that's left by United being so cheap?
The entire mind-set behind this is very telling how United perceives passengers in their premium cabins.
Puts the FAs in an impossible situation. Are they really going to tell a Global Service passenger that just moved onto the flight that they are stuck with a duo of celery for dinner, because that is all that's left by United being so cheap?
The entire mind-set behind this is very telling how United perceives passengers in their premium cabins.
When the 10 beef and 10 chicken have been pre-selected, 10 of each remain available for onboard ordering, but showing as "sold out" on the pre-ordering site. If nobody pre-ordered the cod or celery duo, then 12 cod and 8 celery duo are available onboard.
Your last minute GS still has all options available and not stuck with celery duo.
Aug 7, 2023, 11:14 am
#190
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I'm in coach (for now - CPU looks possible) on a 753 Thursday morning HNL-LAX. Got e-mail to pre-order snacks and beverages. Followed link and got options to pre-order snack and/or beverage, but Bistro items were not shown as option. By "not shown", I mean they weren't even there. Previously, they were shown, but the indicated inventory was always "unavailable".
Aug 7, 2023, 9:49 pm
#191
Join Date: Oct 2018
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I agree - this entire "game" with pre-ordering has gotten silly
For those of you who say "1k/GS" get what they want - clearly this is not the case
I dont even bother with this anymore - even when I clicked on the link immediately up getting the email, everything but the usual basics were not available
I am also noticing that there is no alcohol options most of the time to pick thru
they still want to charge me even though I am 1K on occasion
and let us not forget that I am not sure what is more rare - the slice of cheese and cracker that they call a cheese plate or the mystery of the Old Fashions (yes, there is an entire thread devoted to this)
For those of you who say "1k/GS" get what they want - clearly this is not the case
I dont even bother with this anymore - even when I clicked on the link immediately up getting the email, everything but the usual basics were not available
I am also noticing that there is no alcohol options most of the time to pick thru
they still want to charge me even though I am 1K on occasion
and let us not forget that I am not sure what is more rare - the slice of cheese and cracker that they call a cheese plate or the mystery of the Old Fashions (yes, there is an entire thread devoted to this)
Aug 8, 2023, 8:15 am
#192
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Posts: 2,263
I agree - this entire "game" with pre-ordering has gotten silly
For those of you who say "1k/GS" get what they want - clearly this is not the case
I dont even bother with this anymore - even when I clicked on the link immediately up getting the email, everything but the usual basics were not available
I am also noticing that there is no alcohol options most of the time to pick thru
they still want to charge me even though I am 1K on occasion
and let us not forget that I am not sure what is more rare - the slice of cheese and cracker that they call a cheese plate or the mystery of the Old Fashions (yes, there is an entire thread devoted to this)
For those of you who say "1k/GS" get what they want - clearly this is not the case
I dont even bother with this anymore - even when I clicked on the link immediately up getting the email, everything but the usual basics were not available
I am also noticing that there is no alcohol options most of the time to pick thru
they still want to charge me even though I am 1K on occasion
and let us not forget that I am not sure what is more rare - the slice of cheese and cracker that they call a cheese plate or the mystery of the Old Fashions (yes, there is an entire thread devoted to this)
Aug 8, 2023, 10:24 am
#193
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Maybe I'm not explaining the situation, so here's a hypothetical example for a 60 seat J cabin:
When the 10 beef and 10 chicken have been pre-selected, 10 of each remain available for onboard ordering, but showing as "sold out" on the pre-ordering site. If nobody pre-ordered the cod or celery duo, then 12 cod and 8 celery duo are available onboard.
Your last minute GS still has all options available and not stuck with celery duo.
When the 10 beef and 10 chicken have been pre-selected, 10 of each remain available for onboard ordering, but showing as "sold out" on the pre-ordering site. If nobody pre-ordered the cod or celery duo, then 12 cod and 8 celery duo are available onboard.
Your last minute GS still has all options available and not stuck with celery duo.
Trying to think of another carrier that has pre-order, but then indicates to their premium cabin customers that certain options are already unavailable.
Trying to think of a rationale besides cheapness for setting up this way. As opposed to letting everyone that spends time and effort to make the choice get their choice. And using that data to know what is popular to load for any outliers.
Aug 8, 2023, 8:48 pm
#194
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Aug 8, 2023, 11:23 pm
#195
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A big part of the problem is that UA's allocations are weighted towards the cheapest options. For a 60 seat J cabin, they may only get five of the salmon (or whatever is the most expensive entreee), and 30 of the short rib. So while a GS will probably get first choice, 1Ks well may not.