I was putting away my small old leather amenity kit bag from American Airlines and it got me thinking. I use this old one for small plugs and chargers I take when I travel. It’s really, really old and it’s held up super well. I can’t even remember the first amenity kit I ever received but when I look at my old AA one, I realize how much they’ve changed. Some are super big and I use them for things like carrying around an iPad. Over the years, I’ve collected so many of them that when people come and stay at my house, I’ll often put one for them by their bedside as a gift. This gets their visit with me off to a flying start :)
My Two Favorite Amenities
One of my favorite amenity kit type gifts I ever received was a big bag the size of a shopping bag. It was from an Emirates flight and made from a straw-like material and was a fun gift to give to my cousin. I kept my Emirates pajamas for myself! I don’t recall the amenity kit, but when I got off from a Brussels Airlines flight, I was gifted a big box of delicious chocolates. That was a sweet surprise.
Of course, I’m talking about the amenity kits from either business or first class long haul flights that I book using my award booking team. And I know many of you have also flown business or first class on your international flights and peeked into an amenity kit or two. Most of the kits do include many of the same things like a toothbrush, eye shades, ear plugs, and socks. Many people tell me they use these items instead of using their own. And everyone seems to like when an amenity kit has a pen and also when it includes mints.
Grant takes an extreme stance on amenity kits. He gives all his amenity kits to his girlfriend because he doesn’t care about them and doesn’t get why they are so popular. He thinks they are wasteful, so maybe other people feel the same.
But I wonder, what’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever gotten in an amenity kit? Do you find any of the items useful? I do tend to put the socks on over my socks. For those of you who have been traveling for many, many years, what did the airlines used to include that you wish they’d bring back? Let me know in the comments below.
I recently found the Delta Airlines CD Case amenity kit. I think I got it in the early or mod 90s. It held 10 of my mix-CDs. What a fun memory.
This sounds like a fun amenity kit version. Probably a collector’s item by now!
On JAL a couple years ago I got the regular amenity kit, and also got a separate kit with Shiseido products for men. Included in the kit was a hydrating lotion that looked exactly like a miniature voss bottle of water. The liquid wasn’t oily, but did feel more like lotion than just water when using it…
Hydrating lotion is a good item to include in a kit. I don’t see it in kits these days, but do sometimes see it in the bathrooms in business class. Good to use when it works with your skin type. I tried a hydrating lotion today in CX business class that seemed OK for me. Thanks, Brenton.
Some of the stuff in my kits go to my local service to the homeless provider.
I can’t seem to find a service here in San Diego that will take miniatures of items. Which items does yours in northern CA accept? Good reminder, Gary. Thanks.
I first questioned why did the AA (legacy airline edition) kits contain a pen (I had never seen a pen in a kit before), but it is so ridiculously practical when you just can’t seem to find a pen in your carry on.
In my view, as long as you use or donate the items, they’re not wasteful, but I can see why others may not agree.
My Swissair (SR, not LX) kit is STILL used today as a pouch for my laptop power cord. It’s bright yellow and easy to find in a deep, dark backpack. My AA kit has been repurposed as a jump rope pouch for my workout bag. I’m sure others have found even more useful uses.
I agree with your pen point. I’ll usually keep the pens even if I keep nothing else from the kit. Your jump rope pouch is a brilliant idea! Now you’ve got me thinking about more creative uses for the kits. And I love jumping rope, too!!
Way back in the day United would provide free scented tampons.
Interesting. I don’t seem to remember that. Thanks for reading.
I love the united ones that you pictured, they are perfect for holding my tens unit when traveling and I use them in my business as they hold a fair amount of cash for bank deposits. I use most everything on road trips or when staying with friends so I don’t have to pack larger items. I am a junkie for these kits, I just can’t figure out why on my United Polaris flight from EWR to NRT on a 777 The kit was a metal can with everything labeled 747…
Great creative uses for the kits, Judy. That’s interesting about the Polaris flight and the labeling. I’ve flown Polaris once but don’t remember the kit at all. I’m not a fan of the metal or hard-sided kits. Thanks for reading and adding your suggestions.
I like Delta’s Tumi cases. I’ve use the hard cases to store external hard drives. The soft cases I have used as a camera case, a small tool bag and a gadget bag. The Tumi bags seem to be built to last. Some of the other airlines kits are not made well, zippers break, stitching comes undone, etc.
Thanks for the reminder, James. I have a soft-sided Tumi case from I believe a JAL flight. Very nice one, indeed. Good ideas for uses, thanks. I agree on the zippers part. That’s the first thing I test to see if the kit is a keeper or not. Thanks for reading!
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I work with the military so I always give mine to soldiers. Usually even with an extra goodie bag. ( hope this is ok: but if anyone would like to donate yours please email me. I’ll pay for shipping) kcncsy@gmail.con
Thanks!
Good idea, Phil. Thanks for reading and taking the time to post about your offer!