Global Entry is a program that will allow you expedited entry back into the United States when returning from an overseas flight. You will see a line at customs marked as Global Entry, and this line is usually MUCH shorter than the general re-entry line.

You simply navigate to https://ttp.dhs.gov/ and complete your application. Once the application is complete, you wait for "Conditional Approval". Once you get that conditional approval, you can set up an in-person appointment, where you will have your finger prints taken, a photo taken for your Global Entry Card, and answer a few simple questions that you likely already answered in the application. These appointments are usually scheduled pretty far in advance, so if you have an international trip coming up, apply as soon as you can.

Yes! Once you complete your in person appointment for Global Entry, you will be provided a 9-digit pass ID, also known as "Known Traveler Number". You can enter this number when booking flights (or after your booking) so that your boarding pass will show TSA Pre-Check.

Starting in October 2024, Global Entry price is increasing from $100 to $120 and is still good for 5 years. Many travel credit cards come with a benefit of receiving a statement credit for the cost of Global Entry when you pay using that card.

TSA Precheck is a way to get access to a usually shorter line at security when going through an airport. Not only is the line shorter, but it typically moves faster as, in most cases, you aren't required to remove liquids from your bag, take off your shoes, or place large electronics in a separate container going through the scanner.

Item descripYou simply navigate to https://ttp.dhs.gov/ and complete your application. Once the application is complete and you are approved, you will get your "Known Traveler Number" which you can use when booking your flights (or after booking) so that TSA Precheck will show on your boarding pass.

The current cost of TSA Precheck is $77.95, however many travel credit cards come with a benefit of receiving a statement credit for the cost of TSA Precheck when you pay using that card.

CLEAR Plus is basically a way for you to get to the front of the line at security at the airport. CLEAR (without the plus) is for things like stadiums and arenas, but you need the paid CLEAR Plus to utilize this at the airport.

You can signup for CLEAR Plus through their website here:

https://www.clearme.com/

CLEAR Plus typically costs $199 per year. There are multiple credit cards available that come with either a discount or a credit for the full amount.

The list of items you can and can't bring through the TSA security checkpoints at airports is quite long. The most common rules you should be aware of are

• 3-1-1 rule which states you can carry multiple liquids, each in their own 3.4oz (100ml) container, and all containers must fit into one quart sized, see through bag. Each person is only allowed one of these quart sized bags.

• No weapons. This includes small pocket knives

• No harsh chemicals such as pesticides

To view a full list by TSA, you can see it here:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all-list

You can also message TSA on their social media accounts if you want to ask about something specific.

There are multiple networks of airport lounges that can offer things like free food and drinks (including alcohol), comfortable seating, plenty of charging stations, showers, nap pods and more. There are:

• Priority Pass Lounges

• Plaza Premium

• Escape Lounges

• Credit card specific lounges

• Airline specific lounges

• and more

Many travel credit cards come with free membership to priority pass for at least a few visits a year up to unlimited visits per year. Many include the ability to bring at least 2 guests with you into the lounge as well. Credit card issuers such as Chase, Capital One, and American Express have their own network of lounges as well that you'd gain access to from certain cards they each offer. Same goes for airline credit cards. The more premium cards will grant you airline specific lounge access.

Other ways are to

• purchase a priority pass membership directly from priority pass

• book a premium cabin ticket for airline specific lounge access

• buy a day pass for a specific lounge directly

A good rule of thumb is to get to the airport 2 hours before departure time for domestic flights and 3 hours before departure time for international flights. You can actually download the TSA app on your phone to get an idea of how busy the security lines are.

Assuming you have a way to access the lounge you'd like to visit, they typically have rules on when you can visit. Most lounges allow you to enter up to 3 hours before departure time. This means you will likely have to present your boarding pass to enter. Also, many lounges only allow entry for departure trips, but not for arrival. There are exceptions to these rules, so check with the specific lounge for their rules.

Different airlines have different rules. Generally you can take 2 pieces of luggage with you onto the airplane. A personal item and a carry-on. Sizes vary on these with airlines outside the US typically having stricter size rules as well as weight restrictions. Most airlines will also charge for any checked bags for domestic travel but some will allow 1-2 free checked bags on international travel. One exception is Southwest Airlines, which allows 2 free checked bags even on domestic flights, given the bags meet certain weight and size restrictions.

This can vary based on a few things. If you are sensitive to the cold/heat, then try to wear something that can regulate your body temperature. Layers is typically the best way to do this.

If you are really struggling to fit everything into your luggage, you could choose to wear your bulkiest items onto the plane to save space. Maybe even wear items of clothing that have pockets so you can put things in your pockets. Be mindful of how this will affect your comfort level on long plane rides.

This will vary by person, but I personally try to download movies and/or tv shows onto my phone or tablet and bring noise canceling headphones as well as a portable charger. I also keep any of my valuables that I can't afford to lose with me. Checked baggage can get lost, and sometimes your carry-on will need to be checked if you're in one of the later boarding groups, so I make sure to have things like my keys, ID, passport, documents and expensive electronics like my camera on me or in my personal item. Lastly, my reusable water bottle.

A few things that some may or may not bring depending on flight duration are:

• Snacks

• Perhaps a travel pillow (I still haven't found a great one, so on the fence if this is even worth it)

• Lip balm and/or eyedrops (air on the plane is very dry)

• Hand sanitizer or wet wipes

• Extra set of clothing in case of lost checked bags

• Ear plugs

• Sleeping mask

• Extra pair of wired headphones that you can use to watch the in flight entertainment

• Bluetooth adapter so you can avoid those wired headphones and just use your own wireless ones to watch the in flight entertainment

You can bring and empty one with you to the airport, then once you go through security, you can fill up your container at a water fountain, at a restaurant, or in one of the lounges. If you can't access any of those, you could also buy a drink at one of the many stores after security.

EU261 is a set of rights that travelers have when traveling certain itineraries related to Europe. This includes things such as compensation for delays in travel:

• If your flight is within the EU and is operated either by an EU or a non-EU airline

• If your flight arrives in the EU from outside the EU and is operated by an EU airline

• If your flight departs from the EU to a non-EU country operated by an EU or a non-EU airline

• If you have not already received benefits (compensation, re-routing, assistance from the airline) for flight related problems for this journey under the relevant law of a non-EU country.

To read more about this, you can visit the website here:

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm

There are many useful apps out there. You should definitely have at least some of the following, depending on your trip:

• App for the airline you're using. You can get digital boarding passes and see the most up to date information such as gate changes or delays

• App for the hotel you're staying at. You can get a digital key so you don't have to worry if you misplace your physical key card.

• The app for whatever company you are getting your rental car from.

• If you're avoiding hotels, there are apps like AirBnb or VRBO.

• If you're booking through a third party travel agency like Expedia or Viator, download their app for organization.

• If you are avoiding the big car rental agencies and want something similar to AirBnb, but for cars, you can try Turo.

• For flight tracking, you can try FlightAware or Flightradar24

• For currency exchange rates, you can try XE

• If you have access to priority pass, they have an app where you can check where lounges are within a specific airport and their hours.

• The TSA app will show you how busy security lines currently are

• There are eSIM apps like Airalo and Holafly

• For getting help to adjust your sleep schedule and avoid jet lag, you could use something like Timeshifter.

• AllTrails is good if you're going hiking to see maps of your hike

There are several ways in which you can have cell service abroad:

• Pay for a short term plan through your current carrier that'll be active for the duration of your trip.

• Buy a physical sim card (if your phone takes these) once you arrive at your destination

• Rent a portable hot-spot at your destination if you are just wanting data for maps and websites, and don't care about cell service

• Buy an eSim (if your phone allows).

Buying an eSim is probably the best option for those with phones that allow it. Doing this is like cheaper than paying for a short term plan from your current carrier and more convenient that the other options as well. You can buy it ahead of time and have it ready to go as soon as you land instead of having to blindly find an overpriced physical sim shop at the airport. A few eSim providers for travel are Airalo and Holafly.

In some cases, yes, you will be required to get some vaccinations. This depends on your itinerary. You can check the CDC site below for information on recommended as well as required vaccinations depending on where you are going.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Typically the earlier the better, however, there are certain times where, if you're booking with points, you could get cheaper options. Typically airlines release award flight availability (seats that are available to be booked with points) about 360 days prior to departure. Another window for decent award availability seats opens up about 30 days before departure.

If you are traveling to a different country and want to have cash, then try to avoid going to foreign exchange kiosks as you will not get a great deal. You can ask your bank if they have a program, but generally, it is best to just use an ATM once you get to your location. I personally have a Charles Schwab checking account simply so I can have the associated debit card. This card works worldwide, and any ATM fees are refunded back to you when your monthly statement closes.

Some cards to have foreign transaction fees, however, there are plenty that don't. Typically cards marketed as travel cards do not have foreign transaction fees. There are more basic cards as well that have no foreign transaction fees. For example, none of the Capital One branded cards have these fees

Status matching is when you have status with one program, and use that to get status with a different program. For example, many travel credit cards come with elevated status with either airlines, hotels, or rental car companies. So if you have Hilton Diamond status (this status comes automatic with the Hilton Aspire card from American Express) then you can call Choice Hotels, Enterprise Rental cars, and several other companies to get status with them as well. You'll need to do some research to figure out what matching you can do with your specific level of status.