(Update: It's Back!) United Suspends Premium-Cabin Sundae Service
Update 7/5/17: United has now resumed premium-cabin sundae service, with ice cream being served in paper bowls. They're as tasty as ever, but the presentation's a bit lacking with this updated format:
Now this? Oh when will it end...
Assuming you manage to still be in your seat after the aircraft door is closed, you'll (no longer, for now) be in for a treat — well, one treat in particular. The pinnacle of in-flight decadence, an ooey gooey served-at-your-seat ice cream sundae, is but the latest casualty of United's crusade against anything and everything "flyer friendly."
Okay, yeah, that was excessively dramatic and almost entirely tongue-in-cheek, but seriously though... ice cream sundaes are temporarily banned. Let's recap the events that led to this unspeakable travesty.
- 1881 — Edward Berners, owner of Ed Berners' Ice Cream Parlor, inadvertently invents the ice cream sundae in Two Rivers, Wisconsin when he tops a scoop of ice cream with chocolate syrup. Yum!
- 1926 — United Airlines is founded as the Varney Air Lines air mail service.
- 1926-2016 — Other ice cream and aviation stuff happens.
- 2016 — United launches Polaris business and first-class service with ice cream sundaes plated seat-side in fancy new glass bowls.
- 2017 — United discontinues ice cream sundae service due to "glass breakage issues."
What say you, United?
We have temporarily suspended premium cabin sundae service while we review this matter further.
Uh oh... calorie-starved premium-cabin travelers have come to depend on these sundaes for in-flight sustenance. With lives at stake, should they consider taking their business elsewhere as the airline completes discovery and works to develop a (perhaps temporary) solution?
Thank goodness... United's two steps ahead:
In the meantime, we are serving pre-packaged ice cream cups and mousse. We apologize for this and we are working quickly to identify a solution so we can resume service.
Naturally, our next question... what is this "pre-packaged ice cream" you speak of?
The airline responds:
We are temporarily serving Villa Dolce and Beechdean on international flights. Domestic ice cream service varies based upon availability.
So, all things considered, it sounds like business and first-class passengers are still being looked after. Beechdean's slogan is "Making Ice Cream," for goodness sakes, and a Google search of "Beechdean broken glass" returns zero relevant results. Villa Dolce sounds alright, too.
Unfortunately toppings appear to be excluded, however, so you might want to ask for a second serving of pre-packaged ice cream to make up for any lost calories from the generic "candy-coated chocolate," liquid topping and preserved fruit that United will hopefully restore to Polaris and domestic first-class flights soon.
The other assorted Polaris treats (mousse and meringue cups, caramel bars, etc.) are also still in play. So you should be good:
We'll keep you apprised of the situation, of course, so stay tuned to TPG for all things #Sundaegate over the days, weeks and months to come.
Will you be taking your business to Kuwait Airways until this latest United setback has been resolved?
H/T: Live and Let's Fly
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.