Random (or not?) Air Canada perks when booking via United Miles?

Currently a little pleasantly surprised/puzzled on a plane right now, thought I'd make a PSA post and try to do some fact-finding, since after googling around and asking claude I can't find any documentation of this.

I have Gold status on United, and *G, and booked a one way award ticket with a leg operated by Air Canada, YUL to YYJ. Got the standard confirmation email, with Economy (X), and on the mobile booking site the 22.5k + Taxes fare was the only economy available. I selected their economy plus equivalent seat, assuming it was apart of the *G benefit. Onboard after take-off, the FA informed me that I was entitled to 2 premium snacks from the bistro, and a meal option from the bistro, pre-paid for, which was a shock to me for a domestic flight in economy.

After digging in a little, I realized that it was because my ticket was a "Latitude" fare, which is AC's highest economy cabin fare, which entitles you to seat selection anywhere in the economy cabin for free, as well as extra checked bags and the food items on 2hr+ flights. Again, United marketed this as just a regular economy flight, and it turns out the extras I got were not even relevant to status.

I found one other Reddit post from a few months ago where someone encountered the same thing: https://www.reddit.com/r/aircanada/comments/1t5zsb8/star_alliance_gold_benefits_when_flying_air/

Unsure if anybody on here knows the policy; is this what United miles awards tickets operated by AC default to, or did I (and this other traveler) just get lucky? In any case, just so everyone is aware, getting more than you expected is a possibility if you go this route.