Repooc17

You will get a meal.

PTahCha

Interestingly, they brought back the "free food" language on the premium transcon section of the website. Then again, the amenity kit language is incorrect (or rather, just copy and pasted from the other amenity kit page).



Also love the random caveat.





It's normally snack. However, their current red-eye snack is the same as full meal, as opposed to the reduced offering.

Infinite1K

Confused by their caveat - are they saying not all flights on EWR-SFO/LAX offer premium transcon service?

Unitedloyalflyer

from what has been posted in the meal threads, by some, UA means no routes offer premium transcon service

Repooc17

Website is not accurate.

E+ has no meals. E+ has not offered meals for years now.

All flights in business and premium economy cabins will have a plate; quality of the plate notwithstanding.

JerseyCityS

I am so frustrated right now with UA on these "premium" transcon route. I recently ticket myself on a 777 EWR LAX in April in Premium Economy. A bit later I did a cabin upgrade to First, which is a polaris seat. Within a few days, equipment was changed to a 757. Major difference in the seating. I then did a change to EWR SFO LAX to a 777 on the first leg, and of course, I lost the cabin upgrade fee, as that isn't refundable. My choice. I upgraded a second time to a Polaris seat. Today, open the reservation, and yet another equipment change to a 777 with the ridiculous 2 - 4 - 2 seating. A completely different product. Mind you, my initial purchase was Premium Economy. That does not exist on the lastest equipment change. I lost one upgrade fee, and would have never in a million years chose a 777 with the 2-4-2 seating. I realize things change, but this is a bit much, and I have twice paid a cabin upgrade. They won't budge and allow another change.

Be careful when you think you're getting a polaris equiped aircraft on a transcon. They just won't budge in giving me a break after multiple changes, and I've thrown away almost $1000 in cabin upgrades to a cabin that I"m not flying in. ugh.

PTahCha

You can request a refund for the first upgrade fee.

Confused about throwing away the second upgrade fee - you're cancelling the flight because it's a domestic 777?

JerseyCityS

I'm not going throw away the second upgrade, but I would have never paid for it if I had known the equipment. I did if for the Polaris seat both times. If I had known it would be the 2-4-2 horrible busines class arrangement, I would have never paid the upgrade fee. Actually, I would rather be on a 757 in Y than on this plane. I just think it's awful how UA won't budge in assisting with changes with just a dramatic change in seating options.

abbydancer

We had a 10am flight on a Premium Economy seat for Newark around Thanksgiving. They downgraded the plane to a 757, and moved us to economy. I was able to get them to move us to a later 777 flight, but not an earlier one the previous day (only center PE seats on the same day). They'd do it but charge us the fare difference.

UAFAM

I would take snack over this:

Infinite1K

What is that?

Repooc17

The same sad chicken, polenta, broccoli dish on eastbound flights for years now.

Infinite1K

Judging by your handle, it sounds like you are based in Jersey, so flying out JFK might not work as well as EWR.

However if you can go with JFK, flying AA is such a better experience.

Seats
AA does have 2-2 configuration, but that will be better than United 752 and 777HD. Even though the seats are similar to 752, since the Airbus has a wider fuselage, the non bulkhead seats have much bigger wedges for the footwell than on UA 752.
Also, it’s not uncommon to get an op-up to AA First in which case the 1-1 configuration is so much more spacious than what you’ll get on United.

Onboard Service
AA catering is better than what United offers. Everything from a proper pre-order (none of this options not being available during pre-order), printed menus, bread basket, entree served seperately and larger portions (even the nuts ramekin is bigger). And AA has the snack basket and pre-landing baked cookies.

Lounges
AA Flagship/Greenwich lounges are much better than United Club. And again if you get the op-up upgrade to First, you can use the Chelsea/Soho lounge at JFK which is arguably better than Polaris Lounges and not as busy.

PTahCha

There is literally a thread complaining about the opposite: United cutting first class meal service on flights less than 900 miles? (now "snack")

They now flip direction every month, but yes the same transcon chicken special that has been ongoing since March 2020. For Jan 2024, chicken/polenta/broccolini combo is on westbound flights.

So if the itinerary crosses over into a different month, you end up with the same meal choices both directions.

Fortunately, they now have additional pre-order options, so hopefully that will provide some relief of serving the same options for almost 4 years.

Kacee

Sympathies to those in northern NJ who are basically stuck with UA at EWR.

I haven't flown UA premium t-con since I matched over to AA in late 2019. Good riddance.