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United changes the way you'll get your free snacks

Feb. 01, 2020
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2 min read
United Airlines Inflight Snacks
United changes the way you'll get your free snacks
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Who doesn't love a complimentary snack?

Well, United just made an improvement to how it presents your complimentary onboard snack choices. Though the nosh fare isn't changing, flight attendants will now be offering snacks choices in a basket presented to each customer. Previously, the crew simply asked passengers for their preferred choice without showing the options.

Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy

The airline moved to the snack basket presentation after receiving feedback from customers that they prefer seeing their choices before making a decision, a United spokeswoman told TPG.

On flights of 90 minutes or more, the basket of complimentary snacks will distributed from the gallery cart during the regular in-flight service. The snack basket will join the existing and more substantial buy-on-board Choice Menu items.

Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy

This improvement doesn't impact what's actually in the snack basket. The carrier will still offer a rotating selection of munchies, including pretzels, stroopwafels and recently-introduced Lotus Biscoff cookies.

I recently flew from LaGuardia Airport to Denver to catch a first look at United's first retrofitted 787 Dreamliner.

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My Premier 1K complimentary upgrade didn't clear, so I was sitting in coach when I first saw the new snack basket. I personally much prefer seeing my choices before making a decision, so I was quite happy. I asked a few of my fellow passengers, and they agreed that the new presentation is a positive improvement to the carrier's service flow.

United isn't the only airline to serve snacks in a basket. Of the domestic carriers, JetBlue is perhaps the most famous for its complimentary snack selection and presentation. The airline offers an unlimited choice of five brand-name snacks, including Terra Sweet & Blue chips and Cheez-it Crackers.

Though UA isn't upping its nosh fare, presenting them in a basket is a customer-friendly move. It's time for other airlines to take note and do the same.

Featured image by Wayne Slezak

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

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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.
  • 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.
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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.
  • $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.