Why do we have Stupid Amenity Kits???
May 25, 2019, 10:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kitchener, ON, Canada
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,266
Why do we have Stupid Amenity Kits???
I’m sick and tired of amenity kits that deserve to be thrown away or simply left on the plane.
Dear airline executive: I’m flying in Business Class. I don’t want yet another pair of useless tube socks. I don’t want yet another cheap and ineffective eye mask. I don’t want a tiny fake-leather bag or tin can that’s effectively useless for any other purpose.
The GOOD:
Dear airline executive: I’m flying in Business Class. I don’t want yet another pair of useless tube socks. I don’t want yet another cheap and ineffective eye mask. I don’t want a tiny fake-leather bag or tin can that’s effectively useless for any other purpose.
The GOOD:
- Lufthansa used to use re-usable shopping bags to bundle their amenity kits. I still have those bags today. I use them for groceries.
- The disposable toothbrush. OK - this I get. It’s nice to be able to clean up. But guess what - I have my very own toothbrush with me. Do I need a disposable toothbrush?
- A small pen - handy when we’re visiting a country that has a landing card to fill out.
- Mints. Self explanatory.
- Useless eye masks. Admit it - we all have about a dozen of these things. They don’t do a good job of blocking light. They’re cheap enough to be useless but too nice to just get tossed out without feeling guilty.
- Tube socks. Honestly - why. I have NEVER seen anyone wear the supplied tube socks. Slippers make sense... but why do you keep shoving cheap, useless tube socks at me?
- Sample sets of hand cream and lip gloss. OK - maybe people like this stuff. Sure. But let’s call it what it is - merchandising, not an ‘amenity.’
- Tiny, useless bags. Too nice to just toss out, too useless to use for anything else. I have my own freedom baggie already with liquids and toiletries.
- More pens. That’s a nice touch. Cheap, easy to fulfill, everyone can use one.
- Bags that serve a dual purpose. I don’t need any more tiny, leatherette bags. What would be awesome would be a bag specifically designed to hold electronic cables or chargers. At least that makes sense.
- Moist towelettes.
- Hand sanitizer. Wouldn’t this make more sense than hand cream?
- Thin slippers. Please please please ditch the socks.
May 25, 2019, 10:50 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: DL Gold, AA Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 253
What I would like to see:
- More pens. That’s a nice touch. Cheap, easy to fulfill, everyone can use one.
- Bags that serve a dual purpose. I don’t need any more tiny, leatherette bags. What would be awesome would be a bag specifically designed to hold electronic cables or chargers. At least that makes sense.
- Moist towelettes.
- Hand sanitizer. Wouldn’t this make more sense than hand cream?
- Thin slippers. Please please please ditch the socks.
May 25, 2019, 11:32 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,867
I use the toothbrush, socks, and eyemask on the flight. So....yeah they're useful to me.
The other products I don't use, but it's advertising and probably free (or low cost) to the airlines. Well the cream/moisturize occasionally, so it's not entirely useless.
Moist towelletes they already provide in-cabin, so don't have a problem there. And all the bags I can and do repurpose.
My only gripe then is the lack of pens.
The other products I don't use, but it's advertising and probably free (or low cost) to the airlines. Well the cream/moisturize occasionally, so it's not entirely useless.
Moist towelletes they already provide in-cabin, so don't have a problem there. And all the bags I can and do repurpose.
My only gripe then is the lack of pens.
May 25, 2019, 12:10 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kitchener, ON, Canada
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,266
I use the toothbrush, socks, and eyemask on the flight. So....yeah they're useful to me.
The other products I don't use, but it's advertising and probably free (or low cost) to the airlines. Well the cream/moisturize occasionally, so it's not entirely useless.
Moist towelletes they already provide in-cabin, so don't have a problem there. And all the bags I can and do repurpose.
My only gripe then is the lack of pens.
The other products I don't use, but it's advertising and probably free (or low cost) to the airlines. Well the cream/moisturize occasionally, so it's not entirely useless.
Moist towelletes they already provide in-cabin, so don't have a problem there. And all the bags I can and do repurpose.
My only gripe then is the lack of pens.
And what on earth do you repurpose the bags for? I’m honestly asking. I’ve looked at electronics. There are better solutions out there. The ONLY thing I’ve been able to do with the bags is to throw out all the other stuff and use one bag to hold spare toothbrushes for guests, and another bag for earplugs.
May 25, 2019, 1:47 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305
When I got married, my wife asked why I have dozens of eye masks.....
Nowadays, socks get donated to the annual sock-tober drive at work for charity if not used during the flight.
Some airlines have decent cosmetic products that I use long after the flight (like all the Bvlgari and Armani stuff from EK/QR).
Some go directly into the charity ziploc from budget business class (like AC, ET, AI, etc)
Nowadays, socks get donated to the annual sock-tober drive at work for charity if not used during the flight.
Some airlines have decent cosmetic products that I use long after the flight (like all the Bvlgari and Armani stuff from EK/QR).
Some go directly into the charity ziploc from budget business class (like AC, ET, AI, etc)
May 25, 2019, 1:48 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
just because YOU don’t value them doesn’t make them valueless — just take them home and put them in a plastic grocery bag; when the bag is full, drop it at a Goodwill or Salvation Army store, or a homeless shelter
May 25, 2019, 2:28 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,867
I’m not kidding - I’ve NEVER seen anyone wear the socks. I mean, I don’t suggest you’re lying, and obviously they keep giving them to us... but what do you do with them? Put them over your other socks? Why? A wet floor in the lav means you’re now wearing two pairs of wet socks. Besides, they’re way too small to fit OVER my existing socks. And now my feet are too hot.
And what on earth do you repurpose the bags for? I’m honestly asking. I’ve looked at electronics. There are better solutions out there. The ONLY thing I’ve been able to do with the bags is to throw out all the other stuff and use one bag to hold spare toothbrushes for guests, and another bag for earplugs.
their purpose is for modesty (showing bare foot in cabin is bad behavior) and the bathroom - dont want to have to slip my shoes on and off for each visit.
unused full kits i toss in the office, in vehicles. some kits have smaller pouches i use for electronics - cables, batteries, headphone tips, usb sticks, etc.
on the carriers i fly kits come in all sorts of shapes - folios, stockings, tins, zipper bags, mesh bags, etc. they all find a 2nd life one way or another
May 25, 2019, 2:32 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Riberas del Pilar, Mexico
Posts: 437
I love amenity kits. I use the bags for all kinds of things like holding chargers or corralling loose items in my carryon. Of course, I'm not flying every week so my collection isn't huge but if you don't want them, don't take them.
May 25, 2019, 3:37 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,227
I’m not kidding - I’ve NEVER seen anyone wear the socks. I mean, I don’t suggest you’re lying, and obviously they keep giving them to us... but what do you do with them? Put them over your other socks? Why? A wet floor in the lav means you’re now wearing two pairs of wet socks. Besides, they’re way too small to fit OVER my existing socks. And now my feet are too hot.
And what on earth do you repurpose the bags for? I’m honestly asking. I’ve looked at electronics. There are better solutions out there. The ONLY thing I’ve been able to do with the bags is to throw out all the other stuff and use one bag to hold spare toothbrushes for guests, and another bag for earplugs.
I use the toothpaste until I can get some at the store. I often don't travel with toothpaste if I don't have checked luggage. So, very useful.
I would like a moist hand wipe, but I also carry them with me.
Pens are great. I have AA, Delta, and Cathay pens from Amenity kits.
The hand lotions are just product placement, I don't use them. I don't normally use the eyeshades, but its nice to have them.
I reuse the kits all the time. One is for my chargers, another is for my medical supplies, another serves as a place for change, another I use for things I want in checked bags. Etc.
If I don't find the kit useful, I might just leave the pouch there, on the seat.
May 25, 2019, 6:34 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Arrived in a cardboard box with with no "case" whatsoever.