Having not had to fly long haul in Y (Y+) as a 1K so far this year, I'm a bit confused about what the "standard" is - or should be - on UA in the Y+ cabin these days...

Both segments were on a new config 777Q, both flights departed on time, and whilst I was very impressed with the product and service on the outbound leg, the return leg was something of a letdown:

LHR-SFO 12OCT2010 Y+ (new config 777Q)

• Pre-boarding for 1Ks in Y+/Y at same time as C-cabin pax
• As a 1K, I got a personal welcome/handshake from the Pursor after I was seated, along with note (pursers name, my name, segment, flight, date etc. hand-completed), welcoming me and thanking me for flying United and saying that if there was anything they could do...
• First alcoholic beverage prior to meal service was complimentary
• Pretzels (trail mix?) provided with beverages
• Complimentary premium entertainment provided on IFE (this seemed to be only directed to those who got the welcome notes mentioned above)

So getting off in SFO I had the impression UA cared (particularly for us 1K-folks), and was improving. Then...

SFO-LHR 16OCT2010 Y+ (new config 777Q)

• No pre-boarding for 1Ks in Y+ - we were told biz class would have to be completely boarded before we could board
• No personal welcome from purser, no note, despite flight being more lightly loaded than the outbound
• First alcoholic beverage had to be paid for - flight attendant said "We used to have a special promotion, but it ended a long time ago"
• Pretzels (trail mix?) not provided with beverages despite asking - we were told the meal tray would be served shortly, and if we wanted any other snacks we had to pay for them
• Premium entertainment had to be paid for on IFE

So, back to UA's earth with a bump!

Maybe I just got a very good crew on the outbound, maybe I was expecting too much after the outbound flight? But I'm left wondering what really is / should be the standard UA offer in Y+ and to 1Ks sat in that cabin, and why the product offer varies so much?

Andy