Ice cream sundaes are coming back, but United's catering still disappoints
There's a cherry on top of United's pandemic-era catering woes.
Beginning in February, the Chicago-based carrier is bringing back its fan-favorite ice cream sundae cart to all long-haul international flights in the Polaris business-class cabin.
This news was first teased on the airline's social media channels, and United didn't respond to TPG's request for comment.
United brought back its ice cream sundae cart on a handful of long-haul flights from its San Francisco hub on Dec. 1, 2022, as part of a phased approach to restoring aspects of its onboard catering that it cut during the pandemic. (This included routes to Brisbane, Frankfurt, Singapore and Sydney.)
Ice cream sundaes have long been a staple in premium cabins, giving flyers a sweet treat to end what's usually a multi-course meal service.
The ice cream is usually stored on dry ice in the galley, and then defrosted during the flight by flight attendants. The sundae carts are then set up for service with a topping bar, usually consisting of mixed nuts, chocolate and caramel sauces, whipped cream and some candies and fruits to complement your creation.
At the outset of the pandemic, the ice cream sundae service was halted as part of a larger revamp to onboard dining protocols. United (and its major competitors) have since brought back many elements of the pre-pandemic service, though the ice cream sundae cart has been noticeably absent on United.
Before the cart returned to United, the airline offered business-class travelers a scoop of ice cream topped with chocolate brownie bites on most long-haul flights departing from the U.S. Now, however, with the return of the sundae cart, you'll be able to pick your desired toppings.
Meanwhile, American's sundae service returned last year, but the airline is creating these Haagen Dazs ice cream treats in the galley after a flight attendant takes your order.
Delta, on the other hand, brought back three-course meals to business class last March. This included the return of a create-your-own ice cream sundae bar, with the final creation pictured below.
While sundaes are making a comeback, United still has a long way to go to restore its pre-pandemic catering standards in its premium cabins.
In recent months, the carrier's food offerings have drawn criticism from frequent flyers and industry analysts. Comments on United's announcement about the return of the ice cream sundae cart included flyers asking the airline to "fix the rest of your Polaris service."
Others took a stronger tone, saying that "about the rest of the catering, which is probably worse than prison food…. Your [top-tier Premier] 1K and GS [invite-only Global Services] members are losing patience."
Personally, I've taken a handful of Polaris flights recently and have been especially unimpressed with United's catering offerings. I recently posted about the airline's catering woes on Twitter, and travelers generally agreed with my sentiments about the need for United to improve its catering.
United's pandemic-era catering problems seem to be limited in scope to the airline itself.
Both American and Delta have stepped up their premium-cabin offerings, and I recently had delicious meals on routes from the U.S. to Israel on United's two main competitors.
Even TPG's founder, Brian Kelly, had a recent encounter with United's subpar catering, exclaiming on Instagram that "today is the day United officially gave up on catering!"
Kelly shared photos of what was described as chicken tikka masala, and his post drew a strong reaction, with over 1,000 followers commenting on the unappetizing meal.
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The problems have gotten so bad that even United's top executives have publicly acknowledged that the airline needs to improve its catering.
"What I would say is that we definitely got slowed down first by the pandemic itself and now by the supply chain challenges that have been there," chief customer officer Linda Jojo said in response to a question about United's catering at the Skift Aviation Forum in Dallas back in November.
Adding to the complexity is the fact that United contracts with 130 different catering kitchens across the world, Jojo added.
Hopefully, United can actually address its catering woes once and for all before the excitement around the return of the sundae cart melts.
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- 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.
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- $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.
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| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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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)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 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.