Please raise your hand if you’ve ever cut your airport arrival too close for comfort. 🙋
Yeah, me too. All too often, you’ll find yourself joining an airport security line that may as well be 100 people deep. And what does that mean for you?
- Best case scenario: your stress levels increase minimally. You regularly check the clock against your boarding time, and you hustle to your gate once you’ve made it through security.
- Worst case scenario: your stress levels are off the charts. You wind up wasting your time, missing your flight and needing to find a new way to get to your destination.
Y’all, this is no way to live. You can pass through airport security fast with a little pre-planning and start (or end) your trip without any additional stress. In fact, you can take the time you didn’t spend in the security line to relax, with or without an overpriced alcoholic beverage. Here are your options:
- Show up earlier. This option is the most intuitive, but it can be the hardest to execute. Yes, it’s annoying to “waste” time in the airport before your flight, but by budgeting wiggle room, you avoid the stress that comes with cutting it close. The TSA recommends contacting your airline for guidelines, though they also have an app which can provide insights into how busy your airport is likely to be for your specific day and time of travel.
- Book flights for less popular times. Friday and Sunday evenings are extremely popular for those weekend travelers, and Monday morning is when many business people fly out for projects. It’s also important to factor in the holiday schedule. For example, I have gotten many great flight deals on Easter because people are usually spending the day with their families, and I very frequently take a morning flight home after New Years Eve because people aren’t as willing to get up early after the ball dropped at midnight. Keep in mind when people are most likely to want to travel, and if you go against the grain, you likely won’t have to wait in a long line (or spend as much money).
- Pay for an expedited airport security program, like:
- TSA PreCheck. In 2017, I was approved for TSA PreCheck, and when I say it was life-changing, I mean it. I have breezed through many security lines, without ever having to remove my liquids and laptop OR take off my shoes. It does require an online application and a background check, as well as $85 to secure a 5-year membership. If you predominantly travel domestically in the US, I cannot recommend this option more highly.
- Global Entry. Now, if you travel internationally a little more frequently, Global Entry may be the better option for you. Not only does it include TSA PreCheck, but it also allows you to check-in during the customs process at the Global Entry kiosk, which can drastically speed up the process. To apply, you will need to complete an application, schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center and pay $100 for a 5-year membership.
- CLEAR. Unlike PreCheck and Global Entry, CLEAR is not a government-run program, though they are SAFETY Act Certified, according to their website. Rather than rely on your ID, they use biometrics – your eyes and fingertips – to confirm your identity. They’re currently available in 65+ locations, which expand beyond airports. They don’t require an appointment to sign up, and bonus: you can test out their services with a two-month free trial using code 2FREE. If you’re ready to sign up now, you can get your first year for just $149 with code AFF149.
Note: many travel-focused credit cards offer reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. This is a great resource of the “credit cards and loyalty programs [that] cover the TSA PreCheck™ application fee as a member benefit, provide a statement credit towards the application fee, or allow members to use rewards points to pay for the TSA PreCheck™ application fee.” However, the best way to confirm is to check directly with your credit card.
Whatever option you pursue to speed through airport security, it should help you start or end your future travels on a (mile) high note. Enjoy that $16 glass of wine!
