9 Ways to Use Your Amenity Kit Once You Get Home
Flying premium, or even economy on select international carriers, usually means that you get to leave your flight with a shiny new amenity kit, which includes all the basic essentials to help you feel comfortable and refreshed during a long-haul flight. Once the flight's over, though, oftentimes the kits are neglected or left behind as passengers deplane. From wearing it as a clutch to hanging it above your fireplace, there are plenty of ways to keep using your amenity kit once you get home. Here are nine of our favorites.
1. Use the Case to Hold Your Tablet
Many airlines have ventured away from the traditional dopp kits and shifted to more practical forms. A new trend has been designing amenity kits and specifically sizing them to double as tablet covers. Air New Zealand, Qantas and Virgin Atlantic are among the carriers currently offering this perfectly-sized pouch.
2. Wear the Case as a Clutch
Some airlines invest more into their amenity kits than others, especially for first-class passengers, which is apparent with carriers like Emirates and Singapore Airlines, which offer kits by Bvlgari and Salvatore Ferragamo. This type of sophisticated, high-end bag can easily be used as a clutch for an evening out on the town long after the trip is over.
3. Store Shoes and Belts
Continuing the trend of venturing away from dopp kits, as TPG contributor JT Genter experienced on his flight home from London, British Airways delivers its business-class amenity kits in a large, fabric, draw-string bag that's large enough for you to store a belt or even a pair of shoes at home — or while you're on the road.
4. Carry Golf Tees
Although not as fancy as the ones provided to business- and first-class passengers, carriers such as Asiana, Etihad and Qatar Airways provide amenity kits to economy passengers on long-haul flights, too. These economy kits often come in small draw-strings pouches, which you can repurpose as golf tee holders and accessory bags once you get home.
5. Protect Your Gadgets
German luggage maker Rimowa, known for its almost indestructible polycarbonate roller bags, currently builds amenity kits for Eva Air, Lufthansa and Thai Airways. The cases handed out onboard are made using the same high quality material as its signature bags, making them perfect for protecting delicate gadgets such as cameras, external hard drives and portable power banks. You can even use it as a case for an electric shaver. And unlike other kits, the Rimowa case is resistant against liquids and stains.
6. Organize Smaller Accessories
Whether in a drawer at home or in a backpack during your trip, storing accessories such as adapters, cords and headphones can become a mess. Instead, these small accessories can be better organized in an amenity bag for easy access no matter where you are. You don't need to limit your options to electronics either; kits can also be converted into easy-to-carry first aid packs.
7. Repurpose it as a Pencil Case
Receiving a metal box as an amenity kit is often disappointing — on the other hand, it's the perfect pencil case. The fuselage-shaped amenity tins United currently provides have plenty of space to store supplies and feature a unique patriotic design.
8. Complement your Fireplace
Swiss is known for presenting its amenity kits in fun, unique ways and rotates its kits seasonally, offering Christmas stockings during wintertime that are perfect for decking out your fireplace.
9. Donate It to Charity
Most of the time, amenity kits that get left behind are simply thrown out. If you don't wish to keep your amenity kit after your flight, you should still take it with you and donate it to a shelter once you get back home.
What do you do with your amenity kits once you get home? Let us know in the comments, below.
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