To make sure that you do get your special meal, bear the following tips in mind:
- Request the special meal as early as possible.
- Do not change your flight at the last minute.
- If there has been some sort of schedule change to your flight (you've been advised that the time is different than what you originally booked), call the airline to make sure that your meal request is intact.
- If there has been a flight number change (example: Airline ZZ Flight 111 is now Airline ZZ Flight 211), call the airline to make sure that your meal request has been carried over to the new flight number.
- Call each airline that you will be using to ensure that they have your request on file. Reservations systems are not universal and special meal requests are easily lost.
- You may ask for a special meal at check in, and the airline agent will put it on your file, but it is unlikely that you will receive a special meal requested so close to departure. If someone who requested a special meal doesn't show up for the flight you may be in luck.
- If you are at Check in and have forgotten to request special meals you may not have them for your flights out, but you could certainly request them for your return. Ask the airline agent to place your request on your file (your file locator or booking number) so that you don't miss out on your special meals for the return portion of your flights.
- When you are on the flight, mention your name and seat number to a flight attendant, so that your special meal request is acknowledged. This is especially important if you have changed your seat reservation from what you originally had. Don't lose your meal requests because the flight crew can't find you.