United Testing 'Complimentary Sandwich' on Key Hawaii Route
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
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.


