New Amenity Kits for 2019
#16
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
It's quite a stretch to label AA Amenity kits as "Luxury". But that word probably sells more tickets than if they used an accurate word such as "stingy" or "so-so" or "crAApy"
Wonder when we will start to see these come across.
Newsroom - American Airlines Leads the Way with New Luxury Amenity Kits - American Airlines Group, Inc.
Newsroom - American Airlines Leads the Way with New Luxury Amenity Kits - American Airlines Group, Inc.
#17
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: DL Silver, Avis President's Club, Hertz President's Circle, Global Entry (Former AA Plt/Gold)
Posts: 4,417
Are we talking the hard case, or the contents? Because while I dunno about these new kits yet, I used to think CO Bigelow was more luxurious than Kiehl's (DL) and was on par with Elemis (BA). Aside from the toothbrush, AA's was better than LH and JL. If you want to see junk, look at KLM! AF I think is my favorite for luxury, with the Clarins.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Phoenix/Columbus
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Gold, US Airways silver
Posts: 1,716
Believe it or not, these old amenity kits do have value -- resale value. I stored ten years of AA international amenity kits in a closet in my Connecticut house after each overseas trip. A few years ago I leased the house, empty of furnishings, and the kits sold for $5 each at my giant yard sale. And they sold quickly. Kind of amazing.
#19
Join Date: May 2004
Location: TPE
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 504
The first one has been on some ex-LAX flights for a while on and off:
https://twitter.com/xJonNYC/status/1072264429859979264
https://twitter.com/xJonNYC/status/1072264429859979264
#20
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
The 2018 amenity kits were just awful, I wouldn’t even carry them off the flights for family nmembers. The ones in 2017 weren’t bad - I still use two of them for wire storage and dirty clothes.
#21
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW/PHL
Programs: US CP, UA *G; SPG Plat, Hilton Gold; Natl Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 623
Just got the new J bag on LHR - DFW {772}. First impressions are very positive: a nicer style bag and the contents appear improved like a larger softer eye mask, full toothpaste and mini bottle of mouthwash. Even the socks are less.clowny.
Nice job AA!
Nice job AA!
#22
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,191
the other tumi kits are very handy for quite a few items when traveling.
I second AA joining Tumi for kits.. my carry on bag is a Tumi, 9 years running and no issues
#23
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
Is it an actual mini bottle of mouthwash or that mouthwash that is one time use? I may be mixing up AA and QF. Regardless, those one time use mouthwashes are the worst. Forces me to choose whether to use it at night or in the morning!
#25
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,954
After flying NH international F to NRT and getting the very nice tiny luggage bag amenity kits they give and then flying the same route with AA and was extremely disappointed with the kids they provided. Glad to see a change.
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
Which one was the J kit? I saw a few different styles for the International Biz/First and wasn't sure which was for which.
#28
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW/PHL
Programs: US CP, UA *G; SPG Plat, Hilton Gold; Natl Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 623
After some more reflection, I'll say the new bags give a better impression than previous AA bags. AA says they are "luxury" and they certainly feel more refined than the previous bags. The British tan is a lovely timeless color and little touches like a pen slot, an extra coin pocket and zipper pull in the same fabric make the bag feel more designed. On a more functional level, having all of the amenities placed directly in the bag (not wrapped in cheap plastic wrap labelled "Dental Kit" as before) makes everything more accessible and a touch less impersonal. And apparent improvements to the eye mask, toothbrush, and mouthwash were all welcomed (though not tested on the daytime LHR-DFW flight).
I did not personally like the more aggressive scent the Allies of Skin lotion over the C.O.Bigelow, but I do prefer the stick lip balm; though these are obviously a matter of taste.
For those more interested in re-use, I suspect these will not be a huge success. The design I received is roughly the size of those old day planners; and similarly designed as a bifold with button clasp in the middle. Pocket on one side, and zippered compartment on the other. There is no seaming or construction to give the bag depth, and the bag bulges with the contents.
Comparison of 2018 J kit (left) to 2019 J kit (right) - some items may not be shown.
Yes, the prior AA mouthwash is the foil covered one time use variety. The new one is a mini screw top bottle, though I don't think there is any more quantity provided, so you are likely left with the same choice.
Apparently there are four different J designs. In the press release, this image is labelled "Business Intl Bags". I think the British tan one is rotated/repeated in the press release. You can also look at some of the bloggers' photos.
I did not personally like the more aggressive scent the Allies of Skin lotion over the C.O.Bigelow, but I do prefer the stick lip balm; though these are obviously a matter of taste.
For those more interested in re-use, I suspect these will not be a huge success. The design I received is roughly the size of those old day planners; and similarly designed as a bifold with button clasp in the middle. Pocket on one side, and zippered compartment on the other. There is no seaming or construction to give the bag depth, and the bag bulges with the contents.
Comparison of 2018 J kit (left) to 2019 J kit (right) - some items may not be shown.
#30
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,523
Please save and either give them to the homeless or a church/shelter/food bank. I know my local food bank loves the huge box that I give them every year.