Why do we have Stupid Amenity Kits???
May 25, 2019, 7:18 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 88
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, 8:33 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Complaining about something provided that you don't need is how economy travel had become so miserable. "I don't need a meal." "I always carry on, who needed checked bags." "I don't need advance seat assignment included, I can sit anywhere for a few hours." "Drink service included? What a waste I already bring my own water."
So that said,
Dear airline executives.
Please ignore the OP Letter, I very much like the kits. The mask is basically essential and easier to use yours than remember one. I often use the socks (prefer airlines that give slippers though). The pens are nice for landing cards. The lip balm is great in low humidity. OH! and the toothbrush is great so I can leave my dopp kit packed.
You bags themselves vary in usefulness. The older soft Tumi ones from Delta hold camera accessories and cables. The BA ones hold tiles for various games, or shoes. KLM was useless but my Delft house is on the mantle at home.
So that said,
Dear airline executives.
Please ignore the OP Letter, I very much like the kits. The mask is basically essential and easier to use yours than remember one. I often use the socks (prefer airlines that give slippers though). The pens are nice for landing cards. The lip balm is great in low humidity. OH! and the toothbrush is great so I can leave my dopp kit packed.
You bags themselves vary in usefulness. The older soft Tumi ones from Delta hold camera accessories and cables. The BA ones hold tiles for various games, or shoes. KLM was useless but my Delft house is on the mantle at home.
May 25, 2019, 9:16 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
+1 for more pens, i’ve never understood why so many airlines seem to leave them out (bonus points if the pen is branded and retractable)
also +1 for either taking them and donating or not accepting at all- I can see the trash aspect, although there is always someone who will take them off your hands if you take a partially used one with you (they also have a fair resale value on eBay)
also +1 for either taking them and donating or not accepting at all- I can see the trash aspect, although there is always someone who will take them off your hands if you take a partially used one with you (they also have a fair resale value on eBay)
May 25, 2019, 9:46 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 811
I find my 'regular' socks to be uncomfortable/dry after a few hours if I've taken my shoes off.
The socks provided in an amenity kit are great to wear without shoes even on 16-hour flights, whether sitting, standing, walking around the cabin, or whatever else. I haven't really found wet restrooms to be an issue (I imagine it would vary with the clientele and the crew, of course).
A lot of these items are provided to minimize customer dissatisfaction. Eye shades so you don't have to ask the person next to you to stop watching their movie. The issue with providing slippers is that some might walk around the cabin solely in slippers (similar to walking around in flip-flops), and I don't want to smell someone's feet.
The socks provided in an amenity kit are great to wear without shoes even on 16-hour flights, whether sitting, standing, walking around the cabin, or whatever else. I haven't really found wet restrooms to be an issue (I imagine it would vary with the clientele and the crew, of course).
A lot of these items are provided to minimize customer dissatisfaction. Eye shades so you don't have to ask the person next to you to stop watching their movie. The issue with providing slippers is that some might walk around the cabin solely in slippers (similar to walking around in flip-flops), and I don't want to smell someone's feet.
May 25, 2019, 11:14 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
I put the socks on over my socks, peal off and leave when I deplane.
Liked the AA zip up cases that held the ipad 1 or 2 from A few years ago. Qantas had some nice little bags in the 2000s, collected 20 of them and still use them.
And I do use toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash.
Usually have by own earplugs. Never understood the need for eye shades- I close my eyes.
Liked the AA zip up cases that held the ipad 1 or 2 from A few years ago. Qantas had some nice little bags in the 2000s, collected 20 of them and still use them.
And I do use toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash.
Usually have by own earplugs. Never understood the need for eye shades- I close my eyes.
May 25, 2019, 11:25 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 143
Just don't use or take them when you leave the plane, the airline execs will figure this out soon enough when their overflowing storage facilities are stockpiling this stuff, great excuse to cut out this expense due to "customer feedback" about not wanting it, though they won't lower your ticket price.
May 26, 2019, 1:25 am
#24
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,417
Will have to politely disagree with you on all these points...
I do indeed have dozens of them; however, I put them to good use. I use them on planes. I use them in hotel rooms without good blackout curtains. I use them when I take naps in my car or in lounges.
Interesting. I see them used on almost every flight I’ve been on. I see some folks put them over their socks. Others will use them if they board the plane wearing sandals and want to pad around the cabin. And like others, I donate unused ones.
Why are they not amenities? 
Many people use them, just like toothbrushes, branded pens, wet wipes, and other things that you prefer in your kits.
Perhaps I’m just a hoarder (okay, I AM a hoarder. 
), but I use the amenity kit bags for all sorts of things. The longer, narrow ones become pencil/pen cases. Any that are box/pouch-like hold cords and wall adapters when I travel. I use some to store random accoutrement in my car doors and glove compartments. Some of my friends use the pouches for travel toiletries, make-up, and accessories. On one business trip, I used one to store all the business cards I accumulated, as I didn’t want them loose in my briefcase and didn’t fit in my cardholder since cards now come in all sorts of non-standard sizes.
Many people use them, just like toothbrushes, branded pens, wet wipes, and other things that you prefer in your kits. ), but I use the amenity kit bags for all sorts of things. The longer, narrow ones become pencil/pen cases. Any that are box/pouch-like hold cords and wall adapters when I travel. I use some to store random accoutrement in my car doors and glove compartments. Some of my friends use the pouches for travel toiletries, make-up, and accessories. On one business trip, I used one to store all the business cards I accumulated, as I didn’t want them loose in my briefcase and didn’t fit in my cardholder since cards now come in all sorts of non-standard sizes.
May 26, 2019, 5:11 am
#27
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: I'm a nobody everywhere
Posts: 424
Agreed on most things, its a tricky balance i'm sure between all the people that get to have input on what goes inside the Amenity Kit. Marketing department, customer experience department, of course the accounting department, and i'm sure a multitude of others get to have a say.
Myself, I love getting them and collecting them. Only flew up front a few times and still get super giddy when one is passed out to me regardless of which cabin i'm in. Socks i'll agree I basically never use. I've used the masks multiple times, not on the flight itself because I always pack my own but sometimes you go on quick trips and you forget to bring it.
Myself, I love getting them and collecting them. Only flew up front a few times and still get super giddy when one is passed out to me regardless of which cabin i'm in. Socks i'll agree I basically never use. I've used the masks multiple times, not on the flight itself because I always pack my own but sometimes you go on quick trips and you forget to bring it.
May 26, 2019, 6:43 am
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
The "amenities" I need in flight I bring with me. The kits are of no interest unless the case they come in is of some use. I'm still using zippered cloth bags from old SAA amenity kits to carry plug adapters and cables.
May 26, 2019, 7:02 am
#30
Join Date: May 2019
Location: HK / TPE
Programs: CX / BR / Marriott / Hilton
Posts: 7
Complaining about something provided that you don't need is how economy travel had become so miserable. "I don't need a meal." "I always carry on, who needed checked bags." "I don't need advance seat assignment included, I can sit anywhere for a few hours." "Drink service included? What a waste I already bring my own water."
I DO personally use most of the stuff in the J amenity kit and I saw many people DID use them too. My colleagues and I often took the kit and leave at office pantry. People are happy to take them for short road trips and it save us time to pack our own toiletries for sudden business trips.