Snooze Packs to replace Amenity Kits

Originally posted by virgin is the best
Before you slate it why cant you wait and see what its like.

Because every change in the UC amenity kit over the past 5 years has been for the worse?

As Decker implies, the reason why I leave the OB kit behind is that it's crap. The reason why I take the Anya Hindmarsh kit on BA, albeit in FIRST, is that it's good.

BC

You can add my vote to the 'Reason the kits are left behind is that they are rubbish' column.

I guess it makes sense not to offer less than desirable products/services if nobody wants them. It would of course make more sense to return those products/services to a level where they were desirable but as we all know that costs money.

Further if a toothbrush and toothpaste are commonly used items then why arent they being included in the 'new and improved' amenity kit?

ooh this is rapidly turning into 'daughter of gnf' [}:)]

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by slinky09
ooh this is rapidly turning into 'daughter of gnf' [}:)]

Red headed step child more like.

Anyways,let's take another point of view from this.

So the bean..I mean braintrust over at VS is trying to figure out a new kit for UC,well they see that a lot of the old kit's are being left behind,scratching the their head's they wonder "are people not using them because they suck or are they just enjoying the jetsetter lifestyle to much to use them?"

"Tell you what,let's see what they want,keep the basic's in a little bag then load up a few baskets with other stuff and see what get's taken,we will put those items in the next bag and give everyone what they want"

Now that would be the way I would do it,put the baskets in the bar area so people can run down to the bar to get a lip balm etc.

Of course it could just be the same people that figured they could save a couple of pennies on meal's with the GNF being let out of their play pen's again.

VITB Blimey don't you see that we feel like we are being short changed.
If you have info on what is on offer and exactly how it is going to work it may be beneficail to tell us so we can e more objective.

By the way have VS not heard of recycling? why cant they top up and make new kits from old? That would stop waste. And putting things we like in and as the same people seem to fly so regular why not have a special Gold kit changed more regularly?

[Decker]

Special Gold Kit - now there's an idea

"We know you fly with us a lot so rather than give you stuff you won't use please accept this {insert monthly changing promo item} with our compliments.

Originally posted by Monkey
VITB Blimey don't you see that we feel like we are being short changed.
If you have info on what is on offer and exactly how it is going to work it may be beneficail to tell us so we can e more objective.

By the way have VS not heard of recycling? why cant they top up and make new kits from old? That would stop waste. And putting things we like in and as the same people seem to fly so regular why not have a special Gold kit changed more regularly?

Apparently (allegedly?) the kits ARE recycled in that left kits are collected, sorted and re-used where possible In all cabins.The same is true (again allegedly)with sleep suits that are used and left on board -I think the description is "laundered for reuse" Yeuk- a 2nd hand (or previously enjoyed)sleepsuit and nowhere near E bay!!!All the above is in black and white on the VS website if you look carefully enough.So I don't think the changes afoot are for environmental reasons I really do believe it's further evidence of penny pinching. Short changed?-more like being robbed!- I will feel pretty miffed come October to get a pathetic little bag and have to "request" anything else.BA will be laughing their socks off -even the Molton Brown kits are nice with a decent lip balm,moisturiser, mouth wash etc and the Anya Hindmarsh kits can park themselves in my bathroom any day.
Rant over.

Frankly, I think the amenity kits should contain items of use for the flight and nothing too fancy else. I'd suggest VS doing that and spending the money saved on something relevant to the flight, like food, red cushions or flowers on the bar*

I'm still confused what use cufflinks are in a kit, unless I'm going straight to work on arrival and I've managed to somehow leave mine in my hotel wherever I've just been. Imagine if the situation was reversed: You went into a store, bought some Ozwald Boateng cufflinks and the sales assistant gave you a free eye mask as well ("You know, for sleeping"). You'd give them a funny look, surely?

On my last UC trip, I kept the toothpaste, toothbrush, eye mask, pen and socks on the outbound and left the rest on board. This I used on the return trip and then flogged the full unopened return kit on eBay....

A 'lite' kit containing the essentials - I'd take it over a full kit every time.

Thanks,

David.

* Sorry, couldn't resist.

All I am saying is give it a chance. You dont know what is on offer. Maybe you do like the BA kits more but hey were not BA were Virgin. I am sure there are things you like more on VS than you do on BA! Thats not a question.

Paying UC prices and choosing VS, I want an amenities kit on point of principle. I do hate the current box packaging it comes in and always leave that behind. I do empty the contents of kit into the washbag (pen etc) and just take that.

I hardly ever buy socks these days as I have a drawer full of the Oswald Boteng ones and do use the VS socks to work. Lots of static when they come out of the tumble dryer but perfectly usable. The toothbrush and toothpaste are always used when I am travelling away from home and on the odd occasion when I forget to restock at the supermarket. Lots of short little pen that hardly ever get used lying around the house. I still use the VS old plactic rectangular UC amenities kit from years ago when I travel.

The cuff-links and keyrings are a nice touch. I treat them as a little gift from VS but never use them.

Would I miss these items? To be honest, if I seldom flew in UC, I really would do like many others here. Since I am privileged to fly UC relatively often, I would not miss them.

SQ still get high load factors in Business when they only give out socks cum slippers (I really dont like these) and eye shades. You can get toothbrushes and toothpaste in the toilets (and which I help myself to a few).

It may sound like penny pinching but do frequent business travellers (i.e. the main stay of any airline) really mind not having an amenities kit. I see many regulars in F leave their nice SQ F kits behind (and happily collect these by hanging around in F and let them deplane first). I suspect it is only those leisure travellers saving up miles to upgrade or get award flights that will really moan and feel as if we are missing out. I suspect the majority on this board fall into this category so the opinion will be biased.

Whoops--just remembered what I like best --and look forward to most in my amenity kit besides the luggage tags and Virgin Vie items long gone--The VS branded PEN. Now these are wonderful when they are well crafted, immediately useful during flight (are notepads history as well?) and a wonderful (unisex) reminder of a great VS flight. Handy for completing landing cards as well as actual non-laptop notes enflight.
I for one, am always grateful to have a lovely pen and notepad to replace the ones I have just, ahem, misplaced as am great believer in the wonderful world of passing pens along; I lose mine, you lose yours, I find yours, etc. and there we are writing a note with a pen that has just appeared, mysteriously bearing the brand of an exotic airline, Coney Island or a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Nice to have them rather more upmarket by cabin as well e.g. the black or silver durable ones for UC.

If they have gone as well, will I have to nick one from Y? [:0] RR

[preiffer]

Originally posted by KenJohn
It may sound like penny pinching but do frequent business travellers (i.e. the main stay of any airline) really mind not having an amenities kit. ... I suspect it is only those leisure travellers saving up miles to upgrade or get award flights that will really moan and feel as if we are missing out. I suspect the majority on this board fall into this category so the opinion will be biased.

Actually, KenJohn - there are an awful lot of us on here (many of which have responded in this thread) who fly paid UC regularly for both work and pleasure.

I (as one of them) am very much on the side of "keep" rather than just sitting and watching yet another erosion from what WAS once launched as the "full" Upper Class Suite experience.

Your assumption may be applicable to you, but not to many others.


Anyone remember the little hot water bottles, by any chance?! [:0]

I'm a leisure traveller who has saved up hard to upgrade to UC (not using miles plus money, or reward, just hard earned cash), and I'm really looking forward to my first UC experience. To me the amenity kit is part of the experience, I hope I won't be disappointed.

I have taken 8 UC flights up to now, 6 paid and 2 reward. I love the amenity kit and it definately contributes to the UC serive IMHO.

I will still go UC and fly Virgin whenever possible (Im a diehard Virgin supporter) but will miss the kits big time!!

Maybe if virgin buy them off ebay (about £7 each) they can recycle them indefinately LOL

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by preiffer
Anyone remember the little hot water bottles, by any chance?! [:0]

Or those 'heavy' red pillows?

Oh I can't wait til UCS is just a bigger flat seat. When does the IFBT area/staff go?

Originally posted by KenJohn

I suspect it is only those leisure travellers saving up miles to upgrade or get award flights that will really moan and feel as if we are missing out. I suspect the majority on this board fall into this category so the opinion will be biased.

As preiffer has indicated a significant number of this board are not "leisure travellers" so I think the debate about this will be healthily balanced. Having said this I AM (and proud of it) -my employer doesn't run to international expeditions for me (I struggle to get my travel expenses paid in the UK)and MR DLs boss sticks him in Y when he needs to go to anywhere - so when it's my (or his) very hard earned cash/miles etc I want the full experience of travelling in a premium cabin (amenity kits included)when I travel in one.Not an inreasonable expectation I think.

I am one of those who does a fair amount of long haul business travel (more or less monthly) as well as at least three or four leisure trips each year. I have been keen to support VS over the last 10 years but in-flight product has been suffering even if the seats have improved. We seem to have reached a point where VS is saying, "We've given you a flat bed, so why are you whinging about the pillows, the flowers, the iffy food, the poor quality wine and the amenity kit?" That's a gross generalisation but you take my meaning.

With further diminution in Upper Class service VS are going to lose my custom to another airline, probably BA where my miles will go on MFUs, my mileage earning through BA Amex and my leisure travel through 2-4-1 vouchers. Is that what they really want?

BC

Originally posted by BlackCat
I am one of those who does a fair amount of long haul business travel (more or less monthly) as well as at least three or four leisure trips each year. I have been keen to support VS over the last 10 years but in-flight product has been suffering even if the seats have improved. We seem to have reached a point where VS is saying, "We've given you a flat bed, so why are you whinging about the pillows, the flowers, the iffy food, the poor quality wine and the amenity kit?" That's a gross generalisation but you take my meaning.

With further diminution in Upper Class service VS are going to lose my custom to another airline, probably BA where my miles will go on MFUs, my mileage earning through BA Amex and my leisure travel through 2-4-1 vouchers. Is that what they really want?

BC

Succintly stated BlackCat...

I agree with Black Cat and DL.

I must say I think what people must not lose sight of is the amount paid for the service and the product recieved. The variable comes with differing expectations.

(Just as an aside Etihad Business class give slippers, plus toiletries in 2 really nice bags a shoe bag that contains the whole lot and the VS old style size kit stuffed full. just FYI) I'd love to know what other airlines give perhaps a new thread on this?

As has been said before, a lot of these kits get left behind after landing. I don't believe that's because people don't like them, just that they don't need them. I have several at home now and have given up taking them off the plane. A lot of the contents, and certainly the case itself, is a waste as far as I am concerned. I would be happy with eyeshades, earplugs, a pair of socks and a toothbrush kit. I neither need nor want anything else.

It's also worth noting that all hotels in Korea now are banned from giving out freebie toiletries (beyond shampoo, soap etc). There are no free combs, razors, toothbrushes etc - no matter how swanky the hotel. All these things are available from room service on request if you need them - they're just not put out in your room regardless. This is simply to cut down on unnecessary waste and is "a good thing" as far as I can see.

Perhaps Virgin's changes could be viewed in this light?

I think someone has already mentioned Singapore's premium classes where staples like toothpaste etc are not put in the kit but provided free of charge in the toilet. That seems to make more sense to me.

Chris

Originally posted by cshore

I think someone has already mentioned Singapore's premium classes where staples like toothpaste etc are not put in the kit but provided free of charge in the toilet. That seems to make more sense to me.

This happens in SQ J, not SQ F -- people up the front still get a decent amenity kit.

BC

BA give you a basic kit in first mouth wash tooth brush sockets shades and ear plugs but a razor kit and ladies face bits and bobs are on request.The Anya Hindmarsh bags are quite nice and useful though.

I think what everyone is getting upset with is that sometimes our expectations are not met on VS flights. Yes you now get a fantastic flat bed. However, it was only a few years ago SRB was taking a chainsaw to a BA first bed advertising how a flyer can get a fantastic and better product cheaper. The perception is that there is sometimes an over keen aim to slim things down on a premium product. Over the last couple of years it started with the flowers on the bar and has slowly evolved. Yes we get a large flat bed, but a lot of people expect and I think people would agree deserve a bit more for their money.

I can't comment about business travellers not wanting stuff, however as someone who flies a lot on pleasure only I don't want to shed out my ££ for just the biggest flat bed. After all, yes size is important but quality is vital as well

I just received the usual kit on the VS034 yesterday/this morning. I wasnt expecing to see that on the flight, I guess there must be supplies to run down.

I have flown business with a number of airlines and the trend to penny pinching on the "little" luxuries seems to be the prevalent, they should remember that the little touches will stick in peoples minds longer.
On the LHR to MTL flights - Air Canada now provide a little plastic wallet as the daytime amenity kit, terrible, but their overnight kit has improved over last year! A useful sized case that is great for holding Ipod, cables, earphones, batteries, T3 Palm for Video etc. Rather than loading the seat pocket with all your gadgets when you dump yr bag in the locker - which you then forget to retrieve!

Come on VS- Don't devalue the UC experience