Jan 29, 2015, 5:33 pm
Last edit by: mfkne
- Utensils: sporks are popular. Disposable spoon, fork and knife cadged from fast food places.
- binder clips for cables and curtains both. Curtains tip: use the hangers with pants clips.
- Resusable small vacuum bag
- Micro scissors. Jetpens has various small pens for travel, too.
- Bento soy sauce containers used for liquidsFilling instructions - squeeze container to expel air, touch the tip to product, slowly release to pull in the product.
- Packing tape strips and Coghlans Handy Duct Tape which is flat.
- Gear Tie can be used to tie one bag to another and a lot more.
- Ranger bands instead of rubber bands.
- CashStash
- 8 foot extension cord
- Compass
- Bottle opener
The little useful things no one thinks of
Jan 27, 2015, 9:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
The little useful things no one thinks of
I will start: a teaspoon. It's surprising how often you wish you had a utensil and a little spoon takes no space or weight. (I just bought a spork + case, I will report back how well it works)
Jan 27, 2015, 10:42 am
#2
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 715
I've been carrying a spork for the last two months since my client went "green" and no more plastic utensils are provided.
It's a little annoying having to wash it twice a day but serves me well.
It's a little annoying having to wash it twice a day but serves me well.
Jan 27, 2015, 11:18 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
I carry a dual-plug 12v usb charger and extra lightning/micro-USB cables because my co-workers rarely remember to bring a car charger with them and pack even their USB cables in their main luggage (usually in the trunk) for whatever reason.
I can honestly say I've not, to date, been in a position where I've had food but no utensils to eat with... though after reading this and NOT packing them it'll likely happen on my next trip.
I can honestly say I've not, to date, been in a position where I've had food but no utensils to eat with... though after reading this and NOT packing them it'll likely happen on my next trip.
Jan 27, 2015, 11:30 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UAL 1k, MM flyer, Marriott Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 48
A white 6-foot 3-plug extension cord. Comes in handy at the airport when there aren't enough wall plugs, or you don't want to sit on the floor, and in the hotel when there isn't an convenient plug near the bed. White ... because it's more noticeable and less likely to leave behind. Definitely a must when traveling abroad. Only one adapter needed, and you get three outlets.
Jan 27, 2015, 11:34 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
A white 6-foot 3-plug extension cord. Comes in handy at the airport when there aren't enough wall plugs, or you don't want to sit on the floor, and in the hotel when there isn't an convenient plug near the bed. White ... because it's more noticeable and less likely to leave behind. Definitely a must when traveling abroad. Only one adapter needed, and you get three outlets.
Jan 27, 2015, 11:51 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
Yep, we have lexan sporks - always carry with us. Usually have a few plastic disposable from takeout (in my husband's bag
) as well. Sometimes I'll have chopsticks as well - those can come in handy for more than just food, depending on the width....
We like to carry small nylon shopping bags (have some from monoprix, we paid 1E, they are light and fold to nothing in their own stuff sac but can carry a couple of meals worth of food or days worth of laundry, can use if going to the pool or beach etc - handy on business and leisure trips for me!)
Our newest thing as of last year - small plastic pill bags. My husband carries his daily dose in a bag (labeled) and adds a dental flosspick for each day, and we found the leftover bags have come in handy, having one or two in a pocket - we used them to store our SIM cards when we installed prepaid sims in Europe, I've used them to hold earrings so they don't get lost inside a larger bag. They can hold seasoning if you're salt intolerant but still need some flavor. And so on.
If I'm traveling in the US and renting a car (not a very common occurrence for me) I try to remember an AUX cord so I can plug my mp3 player into the car radio....
) as well. Sometimes I'll have chopsticks as well - those can come in handy for more than just food, depending on the width....We like to carry small nylon shopping bags (have some from monoprix, we paid 1E, they are light and fold to nothing in their own stuff sac but can carry a couple of meals worth of food or days worth of laundry, can use if going to the pool or beach etc - handy on business and leisure trips for me!)
Our newest thing as of last year - small plastic pill bags. My husband carries his daily dose in a bag (labeled) and adds a dental flosspick for each day, and we found the leftover bags have come in handy, having one or two in a pocket - we used them to store our SIM cards when we installed prepaid sims in Europe, I've used them to hold earrings so they don't get lost inside a larger bag. They can hold seasoning if you're salt intolerant but still need some flavor. And so on.
If I'm traveling in the US and renting a car (not a very common occurrence for me) I try to remember an AUX cord so I can plug my mp3 player into the car radio....
Jan 27, 2015, 11:53 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LGA - JFK
Programs: UA, AA, DL, B6, CX, KE, Latitude, VIFP, Crown & Anchor, etc.
Posts: 2,589
Low-tech, good old binder clips (black, assorted sizes - I take the small ones, as useful as good old duct tape, leave no residual stickies behind.) Good for those room-darkening shades when you wanted to sleep late (a luxury on weekends, LOL) and to keep those lengthly micro-usb & HDMI/audio cables neatly together & better than paper clips in holding stacks of papers/receipts/etc. together - inexpensive & no big deal if lost.
Jan 27, 2015, 12:04 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: UK somewhere North of London
Programs: DL Skymiles, HiltonH, AA Advantage
Posts: 107
Resusable small vacuum bag I keep in my carryon, which works well if you roll it, should no vacuum be available. Mine accommodated several changes of underwear, T shirts and spare pants. Left room for sandals, laptop charger, travel blanket etc.
I also carry a can opener, bottle thingy and plastic spoon and fork.
I haven't chanced a plastic knife after I was made to repack my tweezers in my check in bag!
I also carry a can opener, bottle thingy and plastic spoon and fork.
I haven't chanced a plastic knife after I was made to repack my tweezers in my check in bag!
Jan 27, 2015, 12:36 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
A tiny pair of round nosed retractable blade scissors. I got them in Japan but jetpens.com has a few similar ones.
http://www.jetpens.com/Sun-Star-Peti...White/pd/11111
Folding fork which fits into my thermos http://www.rei.com/product/849663/msr-folding-fork
Pair of plastic chopsticks sized for lunch boxes
Bento containers for soy sauce, but I fill them with some liquids of which I only need tiny amounts (face deep moisturizer for TA, cleansing oil for waterproof mascara, saline nasal gel, actual soy sauce). It holds about a small cosmetic sample sized amount and plenty of different sizes for a couple ml to 10ml.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Pic...item2ed45169b5
Filling instructions - squeeze container to expel air, touch the tip to product, slowly release to pull in the product.
Toss it in one of those pill bags Hoyaheel mentioned to corral them.
Short ballpoint pen with clip lives in my purse
http://www.jetpens.com/Tombow-Pfit-C...-Clip/pd/10499
Pilot Slim Knock Hi-Tech-C gel pen is also handy for small spaces like a receipt pouch/passport wallet
http://www.jetpens.com/search?q=slim+knock
http://www.jetpens.com/Sun-Star-Peti...White/pd/11111
Folding fork which fits into my thermos http://www.rei.com/product/849663/msr-folding-fork
Pair of plastic chopsticks sized for lunch boxes
Bento containers for soy sauce, but I fill them with some liquids of which I only need tiny amounts (face deep moisturizer for TA, cleansing oil for waterproof mascara, saline nasal gel, actual soy sauce). It holds about a small cosmetic sample sized amount and plenty of different sizes for a couple ml to 10ml.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Pic...item2ed45169b5
Filling instructions - squeeze container to expel air, touch the tip to product, slowly release to pull in the product.
Toss it in one of those pill bags Hoyaheel mentioned to corral them.
Short ballpoint pen with clip lives in my purse
http://www.jetpens.com/Tombow-Pfit-C...-Clip/pd/10499
Pilot Slim Knock Hi-Tech-C gel pen is also handy for small spaces like a receipt pouch/passport wallet
http://www.jetpens.com/search?q=slim+knock
Last edited by freecia; Jan 27, 2015 at 12:43 pm
Jan 27, 2015, 1:32 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
freecia, you are the reason I started this thread 
I am eyeing a Sun-Star PetitChokit Micro Scissors and a Zebra Penpod Mini Keychain Ballpoint Pen already. Fantastic. Never heard of these things before. langham123, which can opener? I found the Nogent Super Kim, curious
I am eyeing a Sun-Star PetitChokit Micro Scissors and a Zebra Penpod Mini Keychain Ballpoint Pen already. Fantastic. Never heard of these things before. langham123, which can opener? I found the Nogent Super Kim, curious
Jan 27, 2015, 1:56 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,829
A couple of outlet protectors. For some reason hotels always place the bathroom light switch right next to the outlets. Last thing I need at night is to be groping around for a light switch in an unknown place with wet hands.
Jan 27, 2015, 4:44 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA | DEN
Programs: AA EXP/2.9mm | Marriott LT Titanium 1.6k nights | NEXUS
Posts: 981
About 30 feet of 3.0mm utility cord, 3mm-utility-cord 50-ft 6-8 cheap wooden clothespins, and a Nite Ize tensioner.nite-ize figure 9 small. I put a loop in one end double it, and use the tensioner to make a tight clothesline in hotel rooms between towel bars or doorknobs. Wash the socks and other stuff, even UA tees with a Dr. Bronners bar or just the hotel soap & I can make 2 or pairs of each work for a lengthy trip.
And a 6-way spice missile for the bland air travel food: I even made small P-Touch labels for lemon pepper, Old Bay seasoning, celery salt, cumin, sea salt and black pepper. gsi-outdoors-spice missile
And a 6-way spice missile for the bland air travel food: I even made small P-Touch labels for lemon pepper, Old Bay seasoning, celery salt, cumin, sea salt and black pepper. gsi-outdoors-spice missile
Last edited by AATrout; Jan 27, 2015 at 5:00 pm