Consumer News: United Airlines boosts its MileagePlus Card perks

When its a lifesaver and when its a hassle

• Home Depot offers same-day delivery (order by ~4 p.m.) on many items, often arriving within hours via Instacart, Uber, or DoorDash. Fees typically start around $2.99.

• Great for parts, tools, filters, or light fixtures when youre mid-project. Usually not ideal for appliances or bulky items.

• Look for the Get it Fast badge, order before cutoff, and remember deliveries are handled by third parties which can affect tracking and support.

Home Depot offers same-day delivery on many items ordered online or via their app if you order by 4 pm. This includes small tools, hardware, and even larger products like hot water heaters and flooring.

Through partnerships with delivery services Instacart, Uber, and DoorDash, same-day delivery can arrive in as fast as one hour in many locations. The delivery cost typically starts at $2.99 and can rise from there, depending on the size of your order.

This service is part of HDs broader Get it Fast options which includes same-day pickup, same-day delivery, and jobsite delivery.

When it's actually worth it

Quick fixes or unexpected needs

Lets say you suddenly need a part (like a faucet, bolt, light bulb, filter, etc.) to finish a project today. Thats when same-day delivery beats a store trip or waiting one to three business days.

For most items priced under $50, the same-day delivery fee will be less than your time and gas driving to a store.

Free or low-fee orders

Some items actually qualify for free same-day delivery (especially with promotions), which makes it a no-brainer if you can wait a couple hours for the item.

In the screenshot above, the hanger bolt I needed only cost $1.47, and Icould get it delivered for just $2.99. Totally worth it, as I didn't have to stop working and drive 25minutes to my nearestHome Depot. I would have lost over an hour of time, plusthe cost of gas, just to go get one little bolt.

When you might regret it

Large/bulky items

Large items like appliances, lumber, and big/heavy tools may still take longer or cost much more to delivereven if labeled same day.

Appliances, in particular, are better off with standard delivery + installation services for reliability reasons, as dealing with any issues becomes much easier.

Customer experience issues in delivery

Some customers report late deliveries, missed windows, or cancelled deliveries with little notice.

Third-party couriers are often handling the delivery, which can mean poor communication from the driver.

Customer service hurdles

If something goes wrong with delivery or returns, it can take longer to get answers.

Some shoppers have reported that HD customer service can be frustrating to work with, especially when dealing with deliveries that are provided by a thirdparty.

Insider tips & potential gotchas

1. Order early.Cutoff times matter when considering same-day delivery. Specifically, 4 p.m. is the cut-off time. So, if youre close to the cutoff, and you desperately need something to finish a project, your safest bet is going to be to drive to the store.

2. Check item eligibility before you buy. Not every SKU qualifies for same-day delivery, so be sure to look for the Get it Fast badge in search results.

3. Be realistic on big items. Same-day delivery on small to medium products is fairly common. For appliances, furniture, or bulky materials, same-day may not actually be available or it might be very expensive.

4. Know whos delivering. Because same-day delivery comes from Instacart or another courier, they are not Home Depots own drivers. Be aware that this can affect tracking, customer support, and the quality of the service you receive.

The supplements were sold online for the last 12 months

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Ambrosia Brands, LLC of New York is recalling certain lots of its Rosabella Moringa Capsules due to possible Salmonella contamination.

• Seven illnesses, including three hospitalizations, have been reported nationwide, and federal health officials are investigating a possible link to the product.

• Consumers are urged to immediately dispose of affected bottles, which were sold online nationwide beginning in February 2025.

Ambrosia Brands is recalling dozens of lots of its Rosabella Moringa Capsules after federal health officials warned the product may be contaminated with Salmonella, a potentially dangerous bacterium.

Salmonella infections can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness, particularly in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with the bacteria often experience fever, diarrhea which may be bloody nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream and lead to more severe conditions, such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis, and arthritis.

Whats being recalled

The recall applies to Rosabella Moringa Capsules sold in 60-count white plastic bottles. The affected products were distributed nationwide through the companys direct-to-consumer website, tryrosabella.com, and through TikTok Shop beginning in February 2025. The company said it is also aware of possible unauthorized third-party sales on platforms such as eBay and Shein.

Although none of the impacted lots were sold directly by Ambrosia Brands on Amazon.com, the company said it does not have authorized resellers on Amazon and advised consumers who purchased the product there to verify lot numbers.

To date, seven illnesses linked to Salmonella contamination have been reported across the United States, including three hospitalizations. According to the company, three of the reported illnesses may be connected to a single product. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating a possible connection between the outbreak and Rosabella Moringa Capsules.

Affected expiration dates

The recall covers products with expiration dates ranging from March 2027 through November 2027. Affected lot numbers include:

• Lots 5020591 through 5020596 (exp. 03/2027)

• Lots 5030246 through 5030251 (exp. 04/2027)

• Lots 5040270 through 5040279 (exp. 05/2027)

• Lots 5050053 through 5050056 (exp. 06/2027)

• Lots 5060069 through 5060080 (exp. 07/2027)

• Lots 5080084 through 5080086 (exp. 09/2027)

• Lots 5090107 through 5090118 (exp. 10/2027)

• Lots 5100039 and 5100048 (exp. 11/2027)

All impacted lot numbers begin with 1356 as the SKU and end in -1 or -2 following the lot code. The lot code appears on the bottom of the bottle and is the middle seven digits printed above the expiration date.

No other Ambrosia Brands products are included in the recall.

The company said it has discontinued the use and purchase of raw moringa leaf powder from the supplier associated with the affected lots and is working closely with the FDA as the investigation continues.

Consumers who purchased the recalled capsules are advised not to consume, sell, or distribute the product and to dispose of it immediately.

Starting April 2, cardholders can earn up to twice as many miles

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• United Airlines is giving travelers three new reasons to hold and use a United MileagePlus credit or debit card: the ability to earn up to twice as many miles as non-cardholders, at least 10% off United award tickets and access to special inventory of its lowest-priced award seats.

• Starting April 2, primary cardholders can earn significantly more miles per dollar on United flights and receive automatic discounts on award redemptions.

• Cardholders will also gain expanded access to Saver Award seats in United Polarisbusiness class, with some seats priced as low as 68,000 miles.

United Airlines is enhancing its MileagePlus loyalty program with a number of new perks designed to reward customers who carry and use a United-branded credit or debit card.

Beginning with tickets purchased on or after April 2, primary United MileagePlus cardholders will earn more miles per dollar on United-operated flights than non-cardholders in some cases up to twice as many miles. Cardholders will also receive automatic discounts on award tickets and gain expanded access to Saver Award inventory, including in the airlines premium United Polaris business class cabin.

Andrew Nocella, Uniteds chief commercial officer, said the changes are aimed at strengthening the value of the airlines loyalty ecosystem.

The most rewarding way to fly United is as a MileagePlus member, and the best way to get the most value from the MileagePlus program is to have one of our credit or debit cards, Nocella said.

MileagePlus members can now earn more miles faster with a United card and every one of those miles will go further with our always-on award ticket discounts and expanded access to Saver Award fares.

Earning more miles

Under the revised earning structure, MileagePlus primary cardholders will receive boosted mileage accrual on standard United tickets, with additional miles awarded when paying with an eligible United card.

For example, a MileagePlus 1K member using a United Club card can earn up to 17 total miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights among the highest earn rates in airline or travel rewards programs, according to the airline.

Other examples illustrate the shift:

• A MileagePlus Gold member using a United Quest card will earn 13 miles per dollar more than double what a Gold member without a card would earn.

• A general MileagePlus member using a UnitedExplorer card will earn 9 miles per dollar, triple the rate of a non-cardholder.

• A general member paying with a United Club card will earn 11 miles per dollar, nearly four times the non-cardholder rate.

Other changes

United also tightened earning rules for members without a co-branded card. General members must now hold a United card to earn miles on Basic Economy tickets, and non-cardholders will earn fewer miles overall compared to cardholders at the same status level.

Customers can review the updated accrual rates and calculate potential earnings using the airlines online mileage calculator.

In addition to enhanced earning potential, United cardholders will receive automatic discounts on every United award flight they book.

Primary cardholders will save at least 10% on award tickets, while Premier members with a United card will save at least 15%. The discounted pricing is displayed during booking on Uniteds website and mobile app.

Excessive sugar in childhood linked to health issues in adulthood

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Excessive sugar consumption in childhood is linked to long-term health problems, including heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

• Children who consume more than 10% of daily calories from added sugars face higher risks of abnormal cholesterol and metabolic disorders.

• Sugary drinks not candy are the single largest source of added sugar in kids diets, often delivering a full days recommended limit in just one serving.

While many parents keep a close eye on the candy jar, health experts say the more serious sugar threat to children may be hiding in the refrigerator.

A growing body of research shows that consistent, high sugar intake during childhood can set the stage for serious health consequences later in life. Kids who consume more than 10% of their daily calories from added sugars are more likely to develop abnormal cholesterol levels and face a greater risk of type 2 diabetes a condition once seen primarily in adults. Both conditions significantly increase the risk of heart disease.

High sugar intake is also associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, another condition linked to long-term cardiovascular problems.

The risks

The American Heart Association (AHA) warns that consuming foods and beverages high in added sugars during childhood contributes to key heart disease risk factors, including obesity and elevated blood pressure. To reduce those risks, the AHA recommends that children ages 2 to 18 consume no more than 25 grams about six teaspoons of added sugar per day.

However, the average child consumes far more. Sugar accounts for roughly 17% of a childs daily caloric intake, and about half of that comes from beverages such as sodas, fruit drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened teas. Many of these drinks including some marketed as healthy contain startling amounts of sugar. A single 12-ounce can of soda can contain nearly 10 teaspoons of sugar, almost an entire days recommended limit for a child.

Parents are often vigilant about the candy jar, but the real sugar threat to our children's long-term health is hiding in plain sight on the beverage aisle, said Dr. Meghan Tozzi, a pediatric cardiologist at Joseph M. Sanzari Childrens Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center. The alarming truth is that a single sugary drink can contain more than the entire recommended daily sugar limit for a child. This consistent overdose of sugar is a primary driver of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and abnormal cholesterol levels all significant risk factors that pave the way for heart disease in their future.

More milk, less soda

Health experts say cutting back on sugary drinks is one of the most effective steps parents can take. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the AHA recommend serving water and milk instead of soda, sports drinks, sweet tea, sweetened coffee, or fruit drinks. Milk contains naturally occurring sugar, lactose, but also provides essential nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamin D.

AAP said fruit juice, often perceived as healthy, should also be limited because it contains more sugar per serving than whole fruit. The AAP recommends no fruit juice for infants under 1 year old. For children ages 1 to 3, intake should be limited to four ounces per day; four to sixounces for ages 4 to 6; and no more than eightounces daily for children 7 to 14.

Parents are also encouraged to carefully read nutrition labels, where added sugars are now listed separately. Experts advise aiming for less than 25 grams of added sugar per day for children over 2, and avoiding added sugars entirely for children under 2. Hidden sugars can lurk in processed and pre-packaged foods, including ketchup, salad dressings, dried fruit, and baked beans.

Offering whole fruit instead of sugary snacks can help satisfy a childs sweet tooth while providing fiber and other nutrients.