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United expands pre-order meals, allowing for more entree choices

Jan. 22, 2022
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4 min read
United Airlines Boeing 737-800 takeoff from SFO sunset
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Bon appétit, United flyers.

“What’s your first meal choice? What’s your second meal choice?”

Frequent United flyers are accustomed to flight attendants asking them for their meal preferences, but you never know what you’re going to get until it’s on your tray table.

United flight attendants provide meal choices based on status, at least in theory. For example, if a Million Miler orders chicken, they’re going to get chicken. Sorry, general MileagePlus member. You may also want chicken, but you’re getting pasta.

Related: What to expect for food and drinks on your next flight

Clearly, this system, which has been used for decades, has winners and losers. With the hope of attracting high-paying customers, United realizes that it needs to provide everyone with their first meal choice when possible without having food go to waste. Lengthy discussions over this have finally pushed United to implement a preordering meal feature, which other airlines like Alaska Airlines and Singapore Airlines have done for years.

Related: How to get maximum value from the United MileagePlus program

Domestic first-class meals

  • When flying over 1,500 miles and departing from Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), and Washington, D.C. (IAD), you may receive an email five days before departure inviting you to preorder a meal.
  • After receiving this email, you will have up until 24 hours before the flight to select a meal.
  • If you receive an upgrade within 24 hours of your departure, you will not have the opportunity to preorder your first-class meal.

As reported by Live and Let’s Fly, you should have more domestic first-class meal options if you choose to preorder.

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For example, on their sample flight from Washington, D.C. (IAD)-to Los Angeles (LAX), the following preorder meal choices were available:

  • Roasted vegetable enchilada
  • Grilled chicken
  • Italian ragu
  • Mediterranean falafel bowl
  • Signature butter burger

Customers also had the opportunity to choose one of these options:

  • I will decide onboard
  • I will eat in the United Club/Polaris lounge
  • I do not want to eat

Generally, there are two or three entree options once onboard, so it’s nice to see that five entree choices were available for preorder.

Related: United bringing back special meals

United Airlines domestic first class meal
United Airlines domestic first class meal. (photo by Kyle Olsen/The Points Guy)

Domestic economy meals/snacks

  • When flying from Chicago (ORD) to Honolulu (HNL), you may have the opportunity to preorder a meal or a snack. This could also be an option when flying over 1,500 miles from Orange County (SNA), Sacramento (SMF) and San Diego (SAN).
  • To select a meal or snack, you will need to view the trip in the United app or on united.com. As per the screenshot below, if a meal or snack is available for purchase, “snacks for purchase” will be illuminated in blue font and underlined. After selecting “snacks for purchase,” you will be able to check out and pay for your meal directly on the app or website.
  • Premier 1K and Global Service members will be able to select a meal or snack free of charge.
  • It is unclear whether or not you will receive a refund for any unused food purchases if you cancel or reschedule your flight after buying food in advance.
Preorder Multiscreen Hero
(Photo courtesy of United Airlines)

Related: United passengers can now pre-order meals, snacks and drinks on select flights

Bottom Line

Although preordering food with United was originally announced prior to the pandemic, we are just now seeing the implementation of this software. With more entree choices available, first-class flyers will be much happier. In economy, based on my experience, the food cart is completely picked over by the time it reaches halfway down the aisle, so the ability to reserve a snack or meal and have it delivered to your seat is a phenomenal development for travelers in the economy cabin as well.

Related: Everything you need to know about United Polaris business class

We look forward to seeing this feature available throughout United’s network, and we highly recommend that you preorder your meals if you can.

Featured image by KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.