But UA does cover the cost of the hotel for non-weather-related cancellations.
Yes. For now. If the meal abolishment sticks, hotels are probably the next to go.
And even now, to get a hotel, generally (1) the pax must ask for it, (2) the agent must be familiar with the policy, or the passenger must argue with the agent, and (3) the agent must be willing to follow the rules instead of making up their own.