A few U.S. government programs that’ll save you real time on travel day, whether you’re flying to a Getaway or anywhere else. If you don’t already have these set up, now’s a good time. (Non-U.S. citizens: most countries have their own equivalent expedited-screening programs — check with your home government.)
REAL ID — required for domestic flights
REAL ID is now required for all U.S. domestic flights. If your driver’s license has a star in the upper-right corner, you’re good. If it doesn’t, you can’t use it at a TSA checkpoint — you’ll need to either upgrade your license or fly with a passport instead.
If you’re flying internationally on your passport, REAL ID doesn’t matter for the international leg — but if you have a domestic connection on the way to the airport (say, a flight from your home city to a hub before going international), you’ll need REAL ID or your passport for that leg too.
Upgrading your license is a one-time visit to your state DMV with a few extra documents. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for the new license to arrive.
TSA PreCheck — faster security on domestic flights
TSA PreCheck gets you through airport security in a separate, faster line. Keep your shoes on, your laptop in your bag, your liquids packed. Most regular travelers swear by it.
- Cost: $78 for 5 years (about $15/year).
- Application: online + a 10-minute in-person appointment at an enrollment center.
- Turnaround: usually 2 to 3 weeks, sometimes longer.
- Best for: domestic flights only. (For international trips, Global Entry is the better deal — see below.)
Global Entry — the one that matters for international trips
If you fly internationally at all, get Global Entry. It lets you skip the long Customs and Immigration line when you re-enter the U.S. through any major international airport — instead of standing in a 90-minute line after a 10-hour flight, you scan your passport at a kiosk and walk out. It pays for itself the first time you use it.
- Cost: $120 for 5 years.
- Includes TSA PreCheck at no extra charge — so if you’re deciding between the two, Global Entry is the better deal for any international traveler.
- Application: online application, then conditional approval, then a 15-minute in-person interview at an enrollment center (many are inside major airports — you can do it during a layover).
- Turnaround: can be slow — sometimes 3 to 6 months from application to interview. Start early.
Mobile Passport Control — free and underused
If you don’t have Global Entry and aren’t going to get it before your trip, download Mobile Passport Control (the free CBP app) before you fly. On your return to the U.S., you fill out your customs form in the app, scan your passport, and walk through a separate (much shorter) line. It’s not as fast as Global Entry, but it’s a real time-saver and it’s free.
The recommendation
If you can only do one thing before your Getaway: get Global Entry. It covers TSA PreCheck, makes the U.S. return painless, and pays for itself fast. If you can’t get Global Entry in time (the interview backlog is real), download Mobile Passport Control as your backup.
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