Five years ago, Gilbert Ott flew from London to New York on a budget airline. The flight was delayed until the following day because of mechanical issues, he told Insider. European Union rules entitled him to full compensation.
10.10.2023 - 11:25 / afar.com
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Delays and overcrowding are par for the course these days at airports, so any and all opportunities to alleviate stress—and save time—are most welcome. The easiest way to seek calm within the chaos is by getting TSA PreCheck, which allows travelers to breeze through U.S. airport security checkpoints in designated lanes at over 200 domestic airports, with no need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets. According to data provided by the Transportation Security Administration in October 2023, 99 percent of TSA PreCheck–enrolled travelers waited less than 10 minutes to get through security. To skip the lines on the way home from an international flight, Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) trusted traveler program that allows preapproved travelers to fast-track through immigration and customs upon returning to the USA.
Because TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are such seamless, time-saving programs, it’s natural to assume they come with a hefty price tag. However, they cost just $78 and $100, respectively, and membership is valid for five years. It’s also possible to get a BOGO within these trusted travel programs. How? Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck (but not vice versa), so it’s possible to access all the fast-track lanes with only one application.
Even better, numerous travel credit cards—including some with annual fees under $99—offer a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit as a benefit to cardholders. These cards also carry other travel perks aplenty and come with attractive welcome offers. Here are five low-fee travel credit cards willing to pick up the tab for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.
It’s a misconception that only high-fee travel credit cards come with generous statement credits to offset travel costs and annual fees. In fact, there are five solid consumer cards with annual fees under $99 that offer statement credits for trusted traveler programs, effectively covering program application fees in their entirety. At press time, these credit cards promise a $100 statement credit every four years for Global Entry or an $85 TSA PreCheck credit every four years. At some point soon, we expect the fine print to reflect last
Five years ago, Gilbert Ott flew from London to New York on a budget airline. The flight was delayed until the following day because of mechanical issues, he told Insider. European Union rules entitled him to full compensation.
It’s not everyday that you face a travel crisis like a canceled flight and, as a solution, book a Lufthansa first-class ticket across the Atlantic. Even less likely, to then get it for less than $90 in cash. But that’s exactly what happened to me this winter on my way home to the United States from Greece. It turns out that points and miles don't just help you meet aspirational travel goals, they can also save the day during an emergency—and get you on that dream flight at the same time.
If you struggle to differentiate Sweden and Switzerland—you’re not alone. A recent study commissioned by Visit Sweden has found that an incredible 50 percent of respondents in the United States are not entirely sure they could decipher the differences between Swedish and Swiss culture.
Food is my go-to gift when visiting friends, a favorite souvenir to bring home, and usually an essential item on my packing list. So, more often than not, I’ve stashed some sort of tasty treat in my carry-on—which sometimes causes a little delay at TSA checkpoints. Over the years, I’ve had yogurt confiscated, pâté tossed away, and hot chocolate mix sent through additional screening by TSA agents. But I’ve also had countless protein bars, chips, and sandwiches pass through without a problem.
In a new tourism campaign, Visit Sweeden is poking fun at those who mix up the Nordic country with Switzerland, a European country to the south that’s nestled in the Alps.
This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.
This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.
From low-budget to ultra-luxury, there's a Hilton property for everyone. The global Hilton portfolio includes almost 20 brands and over 7,000 hotels.
For many travelers, airline miles and hotel points are extremely valuable—they are a type of currency that can be used to book flights and overnights around the world.
No one enjoys wasting their time in long airport lines—especially when there’s an exciting vacation at the other end. Fortunately, there are programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear that can save travelers valuable time and hassle at the airport. Before takeoff, TSA PreCheck and Clear allow travelers to go through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security lines faster. After landing, Global Entry speeds up checks at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) international checkpoints. All three have their own designated lanes, if they’re available at the airport.
Portugal has long been a popular spot for tourists, but that demand has reached new heights. In fact, the first half of 2023 saw record foreign visitors to the country. So, it should come as no surprise that its national carrier — TAP Air Portugal — has increased its presence within the U.S. in recent years.
Since January, I've spent dozens of hours leapfrogging across the Pacific Ocean on three roundtrip flights between the US and Asia.