United Ditches Meals on Certain First Class Flights, Rebrands 'Snacks' as 'Meals'
Update 5/10/2018: In a tweet and confirmed by email with an airline spokesperson, United has reversed its plan to phase out tomato juice on flights:
Last September, United angered its elites and first class flyers by "testing" reductions in meal services on "select" domestic flights. Now it appears United is making some permanent changes to its on-board catering. Through a mass update to its website on Friday, United unveiled a score of changes in its on-board food and drink service — from cutting first class meals on some flights to removing tomato juice as an option.
Removal of Meals from 3-4 Hour Flights
The most notable change to the food and drink offerings is the elimination of first class meals on domestic flights between 3-4 hours that depart before 4pm. For reference, here's what was previously offered on flights between 3 hours and 3:59 hours in length:
- 5 a.m. to 1:29 p.m. A full meal service with two entree choices is available on flights 3 hours or longer
- 1:30 p.m. to 2:59 p.m. A full meal service with two entree choices is available on flights 3 hours or longer
- 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A full meal service with two entrée choices is available on dinner flights
- 8:01 p.m. or later Refreshments, which include a selection of premium snacks and fresh fruit
Now, flights between 2:20 hours and 3:59 hours will be offered:
The options starting at 4pm are identical — however, the "full meal service" for flights departing before 3pm have been replaced by a not-so-full "meal service." Speaking of which...
Rebranding "Snacks" as "Meal Service"
The first class menu for flights between 2:20 hours and 2:59 hours in length used to state (emphasis added):
- 5 a.m. to 1:29 p.m. Snack, which includes fresh fruit and breakfast bread on morning flights or a chilled plate with chocolate on afternoon flights
- 1:30 p.m. to 2:59 p.m. Refreshments, which include a selection of premium snacks and fresh fruit
- 3 p.m. to 3:59 p.m. Snack, which includes a chilled plate with chocolate truffle
This has all been replaced by one line:
5 a.m. to 3:59 p.m. Meal service which includes fresh fruit and breakfast bread on morning flights or a chilled plate with chocolate on afternoon flights.
While the details of the snack/meal is staying the same ("fresh fruit and breakfast bread on morning flights or a chilled plate with chocolate on afternoon flights"), it seems United is just rebranding this service from "snack" to a "meal service." And based on early reports, the "meal service" doesn't look particularly large:
New Brand for Mixed Drinks
According to changes on multiple website pages, United is trading out its Crafthouse Cocktails Moscow Mule and replacing it with On the Rocks Cocktails' Old Fashioned. Economy passengers can order an Old Fashioned "on select United flights" for $9.99.
Change in Beer Selection
As part of United's "rotating craft beer selection," the airline is swapping the current Shiner Bock and Breckenridge Lucky U IPA for New Belgium Citradelic Tangerine IPA and Lagunitas Sumpin' Easy Ale. These cost $7.99 for economy passengers to purchase — except when it's complimentary on trans-Atlantic flights, flights between the United States and Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and trans-Pacific flights between the United States and Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.
Removal of Alcohol Drink Options
According to changes to United's website, the following alcohol drink options will no longer be available: Canadian Club Whisky, Jim Beam Devil's Cut Bourbon Whiskey, Courvoisier VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac and Crown Royal Canadian Whisky. The updated spirit choices and prices are:
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Changes
There are a few removals from United's non-alcoholic inflight beverage selection, including Sprite Zero and Mott's Tomato Juice.
Removal of Soup Course from Polaris First Class
United isn't selling Polaris First Class for flights after June 20, 2018, but it's cutting a course from the menu for those that are hoping to experience United's last international first class option. The airline updated its dining website, which formerly read as follows (emphasis added):
Customers seated in United Polaris first class will enjoy a six-course meal. Menus feature appetizers, soup and salad, a choice of entree, a cheese course and a selection of desserts including our signature ice cream sundae.
The new text makes the following alterations and deletions (emphasis added):
Customers seated in United Polaris first and business class will enjoy a five-course meal. Menus feature a chilled appetizer, salad, a choice of entree, a cheese course and a selection of desserts including our signature ice cream sundae.
Removal of Midflight Snack Options
One last minor change appears when you scroll down to the midflight snack section — "sandwiches and wraps" have been removed from the list of options:
Depending on the destination and length of your flight, we offer a selection of midflight snacks, including fresh fruit, packaged snacks, sandwiches and wraps and a variety of hot bites.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.