Comments on: United considers charging for ALL food and drink on international flights http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:21:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: clydefrog http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-34455 clydefrog Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:07:32 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-34455 I flew United for the first time in June of 2009. I paid $6 for a QuikPik snack box (not bad, actually) and got free Sprite and water with it. Both planes on my round trip were packed so I really don't think anyone's predictions that UAL is going to lose business do to this are true. I flew United for the first time in June of 2009. I paid $6 for a QuikPik snack box (not bad, actually) and got free Sprite and water with it. Both planes on my round trip were packed so I really don’t think anyone’s predictions that UAL is going to lose business do to this are true.

]]> By: Spearhead Soldier http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-25414 Spearhead Soldier Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:27:00 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-25414 I've flown United a couple times internationally since this past September. I had been off the air for a while, and was shocked that I had to pay for a drink on an international United flight when my one-way ticket from western Europe cost most than $1,000. Then I just found out today that United will not honor business class lounge for business class flight passengers from Star Alliance flights. Shocked again I was. United has gone from my favorite to being simply a cheap jerk. Given what I paid for my flights (not discount fares), they truly blow. What else can I say? Well, I can say this: given any similarity in fares, I will ALWAYS chose the European Star Alliance partner from now on. Plain and simple. Loyalty begets loyalty, and my loyalty is out the window on a six dollar glass of wine. I’ve flown United a couple times internationally since this past September. I had been off the air for a while, and was shocked that I had to pay for a drink on an international United flight when my one-way ticket from western Europe cost most than $1,000. Then I just found out today that United will not honor business class lounge for business class flight passengers from Star Alliance flights. Shocked again I was. United has gone from my favorite to being simply a cheap jerk. Given what I paid for my flights (not discount fares), they truly blow. What else can I say? Well, I can say this: given any similarity in fares, I will ALWAYS chose the European Star Alliance partner from now on. Plain and simple. Loyalty begets loyalty, and my loyalty is out the window on a six dollar glass of wine.

]]> By: Downgrade made official: United eliminates free meals on transatlantic flights » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-23222 Downgrade made official: United eliminates free meals on transatlantic flights » Upgrade: Travel Better Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:07:07 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-23222 [...] comes as no surprise to regular readers of this blog. After all, United was polling some of its customers just two weeks ago to gauge their tolerance for international buy-on-board [...] [...] comes as no surprise to regular readers of this blog. After all, United was polling some of its customers just two weeks ago to gauge their tolerance for international buy-on-board [...]

]]> By: Bradley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-23217 Bradley Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:52:37 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-23217 I have been laughing at all the whining over paying for a meal or a glass of water. Americans are the most spoiled group of human beings in the world. Grow up people and get a life. I travel domestically and internationally over 1 million miles a year and I have more things to worry about than paying for a drink or meal. I choose to eat prior to flying and or bring a meal to eat on while I am traveling. Whats the big deal? If you guys were such royalty that you consider yourselves to be, take a charter jet! I have been laughing at all the whining over paying for a meal or a glass of water. Americans are the most spoiled group of human beings in the world. Grow up people and get a life. I travel domestically and internationally over 1 million miles a year and I have more things to worry about than paying for a drink or meal. I choose to eat prior to flying and or bring a meal to eat on while I am traveling. Whats the big deal? If you guys were such royalty that you consider yourselves to be, take a charter jet!

]]> By: Scott http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-23213 Scott Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:52:16 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-23213 And Continental's joining Star alliance can't come soon enough!!!!!! Goodbye Mileage"less" and hello OnePass!!! Seriously Mr. Tilton - I hope you enjoy seeing AA, DL and CO pick off the pieces of your empire at auction! With policies like these I will vote strongly with my wallet - may you pay the price!!! Goodbye and good riddance UA!!! And Continental’s joining Star alliance can’t come soon enough!!!!!! Goodbye Mileage”less” and hello OnePass!!!

Seriously Mr. Tilton – I hope you enjoy seeing AA, DL and CO pick off the pieces of your empire at auction! With policies like these I will vote strongly with my wallet – may you pay the price!!! Goodbye and good riddance UA!!!

]]> By: John http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-22899 John Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:12:22 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-22899 United Airlines is a company that treats its customers with contempt. I have been a Mileage Plus member for as long as I can remember and I tend to fly internationally at least once or twice a year. Flying a foreign airline, including United's Star Alliance partners, is a night and day difference. There's room, complementary snacks and beverages, and friendly staff on board. Being on United is like jabbing yourself in the leg with a fork. United is going to kill its most profitable routes (trans-pacific) with this scheme. Do you think travelers who have flown Singapore, Korean Air, JAL, etc. are going to pay for meals and drinks? They will put themselves out of business on these routes if this plan is instituted. Needless to say, I just emptied my Mileage Plus account with one of United's European partners and I will no longer be flying United in the future. I've had enough. United Airlines is a company that treats its customers with contempt. I have been a Mileage Plus member for as long as I can remember and I tend to fly internationally at least once or twice a year.

Flying a foreign airline, including United’s Star Alliance partners, is a night and day difference. There’s room, complementary snacks and beverages, and friendly staff on board. Being on United is like jabbing yourself in the leg with a fork.

United is going to kill its most profitable routes (trans-pacific) with this scheme. Do you think travelers who have flown Singapore, Korean Air, JAL, etc. are going to pay for meals and drinks? They will put themselves out of business on these routes if this plan is instituted.

Needless to say, I just emptied my Mileage Plus account with one of United’s European partners and I will no longer be flying United in the future. I’ve had enough.

]]> By: Dr. Vino http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-22806 Dr. Vino Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:39:08 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-22806 How much would they charge for "restaurant quality" wine?!? How much would they charge for “restaurant quality” wine?!?

]]> By: Diane http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-22779 Diane Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:19:48 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-22779 I was excluded in the United survey too. I flew internationally in May and June on British Airways. I was excluded in the United survey too. I flew internationally in May and June on British Airways.

]]> By: Lee http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-22776 Lee Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:30:21 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-22776 I was excluded from the survey when I checked no for international travel on United for the last six months. But I have made three round trips SFO to Paris in that time on Air France, simply as a tourist. I travel Economy and pay a higher price for the nonstop flight, but meals and beverages are complimentary, with a snack bar available for self-service mid-flight. I do compare airlines when choosing a flight, and going through a hassle to get fed and hydrated on a flight would eliminate that airline as a choice. I was excluded from the survey when I checked no for international travel on United for the last six months. But I have made three round trips SFO to Paris in that time on Air France, simply as a tourist. I travel Economy and pay a higher price for the nonstop flight, but meals and beverages are complimentary, with a snack bar available for self-service mid-flight. I do compare airlines when choosing a flight, and going through a hassle to get fed and hydrated on a flight would eliminate that airline as a choice.

]]> By: S A http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-22774 S A Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:08:49 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/08/04/united-considers-charging-for-all-food-and-drink-on-international-flights/#comment-22774 I'm not a lawyer, but isn't there a liability risk in doing something like this? On a bus or train, a passenger who needs food can run out and grab something during a stop. An air passenger, not so much. And with TSA restrictions, carry on limits, etc., how long before someone gets dehydrated or passes out in flight because they couldn't or wouldn't pay the extortionary prices? Paying extra for an UPGRADE to the free food or drink makes sense to me (just like buying a beer instead of drinking the Coke). But something has to be included on these long flights, or you're going to see trouble. US Airways just started charging for onboard water, btw, which I think I've seen mentioned on this site when it was announced. People, fly foreign airlines when you can. People have mentioned Singapore, ANA, and Virgin. All good choices. I just wish they could fly within the USA. (Like US airlines are now allowed to do within Europe, by the way.) I’m not a lawyer, but isn’t there a liability risk in doing something like this?

On a bus or train, a passenger who needs food can run out and grab something during a stop. An air passenger, not so much.

And with TSA restrictions, carry on limits, etc., how long before someone gets dehydrated or passes out in flight because they couldn’t or wouldn’t pay the extortionary prices?

Paying extra for an UPGRADE to the free food or drink makes sense to me (just like buying a beer instead of drinking the Coke). But something has to be included on these long flights, or you’re going to see trouble.

US Airways just started charging for onboard water, btw, which I think I’ve seen mentioned on this site when it was announced.

People, fly foreign airlines when you can. People have mentioned Singapore, ANA, and Virgin. All good choices. I just wish they could fly within the USA. (Like US airlines are now allowed to do within Europe, by the way.)

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