I visited United’s Global First Class lounges in Tokyo and San Francisco on my mileage run last week and I took advantage of the shower rooms offered in each in hopes of adding to my amenity kit collection.

Truth be told, I had freshly showered at my hotel in Tokyo before arriving at the airport, but I was keen to see if the former Murad kits had been swapped out for newer ones since my last visit in 2010. Sadly, there was no wrapped kit, but instead individual bottles of Plegaria shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, along with a toothbrush, toothpaste and comb.

United Airlines Global First Shower Room Amenities in Tokyo

I did end up taking a shower (why not?!), but didn’t use the delicious smelling Plegaria products as I wanted to save them for my collection. And my Google search skills must be failing as I can’t seem to find Plegaria products online. The English part of the blurb on the bottles note they’re made in Thailand. I’d love to order retail-size versions.

On my arrival in San Francisco, I skipped the Arrivals Lounge that’s on the lower level after exiting customs having been there before and being unimpressed with the food offerings. In retrospect, I should have visited just to see if anything had changed, as well as pick up more amenities. Ah well… I’m a bad blogger. Instead, I re-cleared security immediately and headed to the Global First lounge.

Here, I definitely wanted a shower and after a quick nosh, I asked to use one of the two shower rooms available to passengers. Towels and an amenity kit were promptly provided.

United Airlines Global First Lounge Shower Amenity Kit SFO

The zipper bag itself isn’t really anything special or luxe, but I’m happy to have received one. Inside an internal plastic pouch are small tubes of conditioning shampoo, body wash, facial cleanser, shaving cream, body lotion and facial moisturizer. They’re not branded, but are remarkably similar in appearance and scent of the previous Murad offerings.

United Global First Lounge Shower Kit Contents

Also included with the kit: a small circular stick of deodorant, razor, Colgate toothpaste, toothbrush (identical to the one found in the Global First amenity kit) and a folding brush/comb. I do quite like the individual amenities as opposed to mass-use versions found in other shower rooms, usually in business class lounges.

I’ll have a detailed lounge review of the Tokyo location coming up shortly here on Frequently Flying, as well as a look at the ANA Suite Lounge and a San Francisco to Tokyo flight review in Global First.

Related posts:

The Reality Check That Is United Airlines Global First Class

I’m Off on a Weeklong Mileage Run… In Style

Amenity Kit Reviews

It’s time for another amenity kit review and I’ve selected the current United Airlines Business Class kit this time around. For a better description of each category, and the 7-point scale for scoring, please review my introduction post here.

Bag/Container: The small zippered pouch is made of a metallically plastic material and feels rather cheap in my opinion. Several options in header colors differentiate the kits as they are found near your seat upon boarding, and include a fabric tab with United & the tulip branded on one side and the Murad logo on the opposite. I suppose it could be reused for receipts or to hold money, but otherwise I think it’s pretty useless. Score: 2

Skin Care: United chose the Murad line of skin care products for their current kits, and included a product information card with additional details, as well as an offer to visit Murad’s website for a free cleanser ($35 value) and shipping with a purchase of $125 or more. The lotion is nearly scentless (can’t determine its “flavor”) and contains enough for a couple of uses. If this were the only item for skin care, I’d rate this category poorly, but United stocks additional amenities in the lavatories including a pomegranate body lotion in a pump, refreshing facial mist that I really like, and another liquid skin cleanser. Score: 5

Oral Care: The difference between the First Class kit & this one for oral care is pretty significant. Here, United provides a downgraded toothpaste (Fresh Mint) and the small medium-bristled toothbrush. No mints or mouthwash for which I believe should be standard for business class as well. Score: 2

Comfort Items: This kit contains the standard eyeshades, socks & earplugs found in most business class amenity kits, but United does downgrade them a touch from the first class kit. The eyeshades fit snugly and are effective blocking out the light, but have a more plastic feel to them. The socks are also slightly cheaper but fine for a single use, and the earplugs are just terrible. These are the same ones found in the first kit and are hard & uncomfortable in the ear. Please, United, bring back the Ear® brand for the next version! Score: 3

Intangibles: Amenity kits in my opinion should feel substantial and emit a sense of luxury. This kit is so light that one could easily mistake it for a small neck pillow (or maybe not, but if you’ve received one you probably know what I mean). I think it’s cheap and fairly insulting especially if you had paid a business class fare. Score: 1

Total score & comments:

With the exception of fairly decent skin care products in the lavatory, I have a hard time finding much else good to say about this kit. In fact, I think this kit is a downgrade from the previous drawstring version. One plus, however, is United finally includes a pen with their kits, but again this one is very cheap and easily breakable. I’m hoping the new United business class kit will be a hybrid of Continental’s current version & United’s First Class model. As such, I feel the total score of 2.90 accurately reflects the overall impression this kit leaves with a premium passenger.

I’ve selected the current international first class kit from United Airlines for my first amenity kit review. For a better description of each category, and the 7-point scale for scoring, please review my introduction post here.

Bag/Container: The nylon/canvas bags come in varied colors, include leather accents attached to the zipper, and a gold fabric United logo tag sewn into one side. The bag itself is functional and can be reused, but the zipper doesn’t operate smoothly and the fabric just feels cheap. Score: 3

Skin Care: United chose the Murad line of skin care products for their current kits, and included a product information card explaining each item, as well as an offer to visit Murad’s website for a free cleanser and free shipping with a purchase of $125 or more. The lip balm is flavorless and effective. The pomegranate body lotion is a touch greasy, but its scent doesn’t overpower, and the skin perfecting lotion goes on light and blends in smoothly. In the lavatories, United stocks the same pomegranate body lotion in a pump, a refreshing facial mist that I really like, and another liquid skin cleanser. Also included in the kit is Purell hand sanitizer, so I feel United excelled in this category. Score: 6

Oral Care: I always appreciate brand name items, and this kit includes Crest toothpaste and Scope mouthwash with security seals intact. The toothbrush bristles are soft and while a full sized handle would be better, this does the job for its limited use. I would have liked mints as United had included in the past, and perhaps a toothpick, but otherwise this category was acceptable, and earned a slight bonus for the brand names. Score: 5

Comfort Items: The eyeshades are soft on the eyes and effective in blocking out the light without feeling heavy. I’ve had “noisy” eyeshades in the past, and these quietly shift as you move. The socks are good for single use and are big enough for all sizes. There are three facial tissues in the mini-pack provided, and are definitely softer than those found in the lavs. The earplugs are just terrible… hard, rough and painful as they don’t roll easily. I’ve read recent reports on Flyertalk that United may be in the process of changing them out, so I certainly hope so. Score: 3

Intangibles: While this kit doesn’t scream luxury or exclusivity, it contains pretty much everything you need and feels substantial. The branding is subtle, not in-your-face, and I liked the wrapping of the socks and eyeshades with the tied gold ribbon featuring the United tulip and font. Although at a steeper price point, the bonus Murad offer is a nice touch. Score: 5

Total score & comments:

Overall, this amenity kit and those items stocked in the lavatories were good and served their purpose. While the bag itself felt cheap, the actual skin and oral care items were quality and I enjoyed them. I’m hoping United brings back the former Ear-brand earplugs, and I kind of missed that little package of Smints. The pen is handy for filling out the customs and immigration forms, but it is definitely single-use and feels incredibly fragile. All told, I feel the score of 4.45 is fair as this kit is smidge above adequate.