Living Rootless: Airline Freebies You Should Collect

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Airline Freebies You Should Collect

Ethiopian Airlines, amenity kit

You can get some cool travel stuff on your flights.

Based on the detritus I see when I debark planes, I think most passengers discount the post-flight usefulness of these items.

A caveat: Domestic flights in the U.S. are pretty Spartan when it comes to freebies. So this post is based mostly on international flights. But: Keep your eyes peeled on domestic flights as you pass through business and first class when you debark at your destination.

A number of airlines provide these free goodies on international flights, even for cattle class:

The amenity kit:

Lip balm
Sleep mask
Slipper socks
Ear plugs
Tiny toothbrush and toothpaste
A container to hold these items

In-flight meals:

Packaged crackers
Packaged cheese
Packaged jam or honey
Packaged moist towelette
Pretty-good quality paper napkins
In some airlines, free alcohol dispensed in cute little sealed bottles

Lip balm

I'm not a user myself, but many fellow travelers are addicted to the stuff. It's a nice item to give to someone.

Sleep mask

Generally, I don't need a sleep mask, but many people have a terrible time sleeping when there's the least sliver of light in their vicinity. So it makes a thoughtful small gift to a light sleeper.

For an ESL teacher, sleep masks are great tools for classroom games. For example, split a class into two or more teams. Each team has someone who wears the mask while the other team members direct him through a maze of obstacles using only English. The team who gets its masked member through the obstacle the fastest wins.

Slipper socks

Good to wear to bed in a cold climate, whether on your feet or your hands. Pitch 'em out when you want. Or continue to wash and wear.

Ear plugs

I've found that in some countries, people PLAY THEIR TELEVISIONS REALLY, REALLY LOUD! OR THEY TALK VERY LOUDLY! OR THERE'S CONSTRUCTION GOING ON NEXT DOOR! OR THE CALL TO PRAYER BY THE MUEZZIN IS RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW!

Ahhhh, so anyway, even these cheap ear plugs take the edge off the volume. They make the difference between painful and tolerable.

Collect all unopened packages of ear plugs you can find, left behind by fellow passengers. Keep one pair in your personal bag. Just a few weeks ago, I pulled a pair out of my purse when I found myself too close to the speakers during the international dance competition in Istanbul.

Tiny toothbrush and toothpaste

Collect for:

Houseguests who forget their toothbrush
Domestic flights in your personal bag or a pocket
Cleaning grout or other hard-to-reach areas

Container the freebies come in

I use the Ethiopian Airlines case to keep my small electronic paraphernalia.

Until recently, Turkish Airlines put its comfort items into a nice, ivory-colored, leather-like zippered bag that was useful as a small toiletry bag. Now TA uses a flat metal container; don't know why.

Other potential uses for such bags:

Small toys or crayons for kiddos
Sewing kit
First-aid kit
Hand laundry kit (line, clothespins, universal plug)
A tidy place to pack a collapsible hat, lightweight scarves or bandanas
For one-night trips to hold underwear, socks
Pack a swimsuit

Packaged crackers, cheese, jams, etc.

If you've got a long layover for a second flight after you debark, you can save some serious money by conserving such items til you land.

Alcohol

Unless you've got to move through another security check to board a next flight, conserve a sealed bottle of your desired alcohol for:

A relaxing drink upon arrival at your destination; or
A sweet token gift to someone

Decent-quality paper napkins

If your destination is a developing country, then these will come in handy for toilet paper. Stash your extras into a snack-size ziplock bag you packed. (You did pack ziplock bags, didn't you?)

Debarking through business or first class

Take a look at what these passengers have left behind but not used, such as the ear plugs, socks, or whatever your favorite amenity is. Collect one or two on your way out.

Amenity kit reviews