Pre-ordered meals........... or not

[Mike65]

My last 3 international flights out of MEL, I have pre-ordered meals using the standard online process. How many times did I receive aforesaid meal?...........none. At least not through recognition of the order. Is the system broken, been scrapped, fallen out of favour or am I just unlucky? First world problem I know, just curious if I should bother any more.

 

[defurax]

I've stopped pre-ordering meals. It seems that they have removed the "online exclusive" option anyway. From time to time they had something special (e.g. lobster salad). On a recent flight from HKG to MEL the online pre-ordering said that you could only pick one plate (supper service), but onboard it was actually a full meal service (small plate, large plate and dessert), so very happy I didn't pre-order.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I've had few issues with online ordered food appearing at my seat with the 'exclusive' generally superior to other items especially on the overnight flights from Asia.

One time, not at band camp, my choice of small plate made it through but not the main course selection. Still don't know how that happened but I still got my choice so all good.

 

[Mike65]

I've stopped pre-ordering meals. It seems that they have removed the "online exclusive" option anyway. From time to time they had something special (e.g. lobster salad). On a recent flight from HKG to MEL the online pre-ordering said that you could only pick one plate (supper service), but onboard it was actually a full meal service (small plate, large plate and dessert), so very happy I didn't pre-order.

Thanks defurax. I miss those exclusive meals too.

 

[JohnK]

Haven't noticed the online exclusive for a while. I did order a meal recently and it wasn't acknowledged but I did get my choice anyway.

 

[yld200]

I have pre ordered meals 2 times recently. Got it both times, once it came out with the run of kids and special meals, the other time it was acknowledged and given to me during the normal meal service

 

[ajw373]

I have never had an issue getting what I have ordered when using this system both in J and Y.

Though interestingly my family and I are flying on QF82 this weekend and the option to see and select from the menu isn't there in our bookings.

I rang Qantas about a seating issue related to this booking (my wife and my seats selection disappeared but our 3 and 4 year old children still had assigned seats) and asked why I couldn't see it, they had no idea. But they did wonder if it is because this is a one way flight that was booked in Thailand (from qantas.com) with the first leg being on CX. If so it is a bit odd, as you wouldn't think where you booked or who the first carrier on the booking was. But as mentioned not a biggie anyway as will probably eat in lounge anyway.

 

[N860CR]

Recently was flying BKK-SYD and my partner (same booking) was able to book a meal, but it wouldn't allow me to. Tried to followup with Qantas via social media, but got a pretty clear "don't give a s**t".

Flight ended up 7 hours late anyway so I didn't really want to eat. Partner got a serve from the CSM for ordering online and then deciding to go to sleep instead of waiting for it (who would want to just sleep at 1am....).

Wouldn't even bother to be honest. The catering is pretty ordinary of late anyway

 

[PointsFinder]

I used it a month ago on QF11 SYD > LAX and they served me my chosen meal way earlier than everyone else in the cabin, to the point where my colleagues were wondering what secret deals I had made with cabin crew.

Not sure how they manage it on their back end to have such inconsistency?

 

[AIRwin]

Though interestingly my family and I are flying on QF82 this weekend and the option to see and select from the menu isn't there in our bookings.

Menu Select is available on selected flights only:
Menu Select terms and conditions | Qantas AU

Are you booked in Economy on QF82 (which is excluded)?

 

[Daver6]

I've used it previously a few times where there was an online only special. As others have noted that doesn't appear to be offered now, so I don't see the point.

 

[ajw373]

I saw that table and didn’t notice 82 missing from economy. In fact most of not all inbound flights are missing in economy.

 

[Mark Lee]

Last week, BRIS->LAX Pre-ordered meal not honoured. Same SFO->SYD. Never had any issues before.

 

[AIRwin]

I used it a month ago on QF11 SYD > LAX and they served me my chosen meal way earlier than everyone else in the cabin, to the point where my colleagues were wondering what secret deals I had made with cabin crew.

Not sure how they manage it on their back end to have such inconsistency?

Another inconsistency - On QF52 SIN-BNE last night, I'd ordered my meal online but they didn't seem to be aware of it and still came around to take my order...

 

[Mark213]

Are the meals in menu select the same as on the plane offering? This is for PE class.

 

[serfty]

Are the meals in menu select the same as on the plane offering? This is for PE class.

Yes - there used to be a pre-order only option but this has been discontinued.

 

[Scott K]

The wife's meals always arrive - but she selects gluten free options. My means however, well... It has been a bit of a roll of the dice.

 

[ajw373]

The wife's meals always arrive - but she selects gluten free options. My means however, well... It has been a bit of a roll of the dice.

Gluton free is a special meal which is different from a pre-order.

 

[Jack_OC]

My last 3 international flights out of MEL, I have pre-ordered meals using the standard online process. How many times did I receive aforesaid meal?...........none. At least not through recognition of the order. Is the system broken, been scrapped, fallen out of favour or am I just unlucky? First world problem I know, just curious if I should bother any more.

I use it all the time and have never had it fail … although on my last flight the person seated next to me said they had ordered online but the staff on board had no record of it. So clearly it can go wrong. 3 in a row is pretty unlucky though. Just a thought - after you have pre-ordered, have you gone back into MMB to see if it shows that you have done so? Just in case the issue is that your orders are not submitting properly in the first place?

On a recent flight from HKG to MEL the online pre-ordering said that you could only pick one plate (supper service), but onboard it was actually a full meal service (small plate, large plate and dessert), so very happy I didn't pre-order.

It wouldn't have mattered if you had pre-ordered. Although the choice when pre-ordering is limited to one plate, they still offer you the starter and desert on board in this situation. AFAIK, desert is never available to pre-order.

You can change your mind on board anyway - they don't guarantee everything will be available, but they will make "reasonable efforts" to give you whatever you want to order on board. And of course there are no guarantees that all choices will be available to you if you don't pre-order either.

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[Scott K]

Gluton free is a special meal which is different from a pre-order.

I’m aware of that. And i’m greatful the two systems are seperate. On other airlines the consistency with specialised meals has been a lot poorer.