You get greetings/pillow, blanket and bottled water in short haul as non-CX OWE. I got slippers once in Aus-HK Y.

However I don't recall getting first meal choice.

Not as non-CX OWS. But, lounge/priority boarding/seat assignment even in Y lets me make my flight a lot more comfortable. I can position myself up front (the missus and I aren't exit row/bulkhead fans) and get my meal choice/early exit.