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United Testing 'Complimentary Sandwich' on Key Hawaii Route

April 17, 2019
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2 min read
United 777-200 Retrofit Tour Polaris Economy
United Testing 'Complimentary Sandwich' on Key Hawaii Route
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US-based airlines have begun offering a full meal to some economy passengers on certain transcontinental flights — including American, Delta and United — but, in some cases, unless you're in the right seat on one of those premium routes, you're not going to get free grub.

Although United's one of the participating carriers — with a hot meal available in Economy Plus on select transcons, in this case — the airline's longest domestic flights only have "buy onboard" food, including those from the mainland US (and even East Coast) to Hawaii, an up-to 11-hour trip.

This month, United's trialing a new "complimentary sandwich" offering on one of its longer Hawaii flights, however. Economy passengers will get the below sandwich on flight 253, operating daily from Houston to Honolulu.

The reader who shared a picture from their flight offered up a mixed review:

United has confirmed that this is only a test, scheduled to run through the end of April and intended to enable the airline to "gather feedback about its impact on the overall customer experience." While the balsamic chicken sandwich on offer doesn't look tremendously appetizing, free food is free food — and on an 8+ hour daytime flight, it's better than nothing at all.

Featurred image by Zach Honig/TPG

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $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.
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