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15 Best Beaches in Texas to Visit – Oceans and Lakes!

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Image Credit: Unsplash, Thomas Park

Texas is home to over 350 miles of Gulf of Mexico coastline and 7,000 lakes, so it’s no wonder that there are so many incredible beaches in the Lone Star State. No matter where you’re staying, you’re sure to be close to a decent beach. But if you’re planning a trip to Texas and want to know the best places to swim, snorkel, and more, keep reading.

We’ve looked at what makes a great beach–from how many activities there are to do to how clean the shores–to put together a list of the top 15 beaches in Texas. In this guide, we’ll talk about the ideal time of year to visit, average rates for lodging, distance to airports, and other information you’ll want to know before coming.

Best for Families – Stewart Beach

Native Texas families know that this is the place to go for a fun day trip. Stewart Beach is a gem of Galveston Island with something for everyone. Play volleyball at the courts, take your kids to the playgrounds, or participate in a beach challenge or sandcastle lesson. There are plenty of lifeguards, restrooms, and pavilions even when the beach is busy.

Stewart Beach is open from March 13 to October 10, but the best time to go for the best weather and events is between May and September. However, just be warned that it can get pretty crowded in the summer. You’ll likely pay around $260 a night for an Airbnb in the Galveston area, as this is a popular tourist destination and space on Galveston is limited. The nearest airport, William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), is about a 40-minute drive away.

Galveston Island is one of the best places to go in Texas, period. If you’re in the area, stop by Stewart Beach.

Best for Dogs – Port Aransas Beach

Image Credit: Unsplash, Natalie Rhea Riggs

As one of the most dog-friendly beaches in Texas, you’re likely to see leashed and off-leash dogs all over Port Aransas Beach in Port Aransas. There are over 18 miles of Gulf shoreline for you and your pup to enjoy. You can let them off-leash at the Coastal Bend or keep them on a leash throughout the beach where they are permitted to roam the sand and water. This beach also offers camping, water sports, and other activities.

Port Aransas is open year-round but it is known for being busy in the summer (especially in the designated off-leash zone), so it’s best to bring your dog in the spring and fall. The Port Aransas area can be a bit pricey at between $250 and $375 a night for Airbnbs, but you can save money by booking during the off-season or farther from the coast. Port Aransas is about an hour and 15 minutes away from the nearest airport, Corpus Christi (CRP). You can drive or ferry in to the beach.

Best for Scuba Diving – Lake Travis

Image Credit: Unsplash, Yuhan Du

If you’re in Austin, Texas, you have to visit Lake Travis. This is the best beach in the state for scuba diving whether you’re a novice or pro. This lake (and the only lake to make our list this year) has a mix of manmade and natural features including shipwrecks and grottoes to explore. When you’re finished scuba diving, take a trip in a kayak, go ziplining, or rent a party boat. Lake Travis offers many events throughout the year, including concerts, tournaments, and games. Visit nearby Volente Beach Water Park for water slides and other family-friendly outdoor attractions.

Lake Travis is open year-round, and there’s really no bad time to visit because there’s always something to do. But for the best scuba diving conditions, shoot for the spring. The average daily rate of an Airbnb in Austin is around $250, and there’s no shortage of properties to choose from. The Austin Airport (AUS) is just a half hour’s drive away.

Best for Fishing – San Jose Island

If it’s fishing you’re after, you’re going to need to make a trip to San Jose Island. This is another incredible destination in Port Aransas, but this one is only accessible by boat. The beaches offer some of the best saltwater fishing in the state where visitors can catch trout, flounder, and red snapper among many, many others. This island is quiet and secluded, ideal for relaxing by the water and appreciating the view. Don’t forget to take a stroll on the beach to comb the sand for seashells and sand dollars before you leave.

Visit San Jose Island any time of year, as anyone from Texas can tell you that there’s good fishing year-round. You can stay in mainland Port Aransas for about $250 to $375 a night, but there are also some Airbnb rentals available right on the island that’ll run you between $175 and $250 a night. The best time to fish on San Jose Island depends on what kind of fish you’re hoping to catch. You can visit anytime, but note that you are prohibited from catching certain protected fish.

Best for Foodies – Surfside Beach

Image Credit: Unsplash, Peng Chen

Surfside Beach is the beach for you if you mainly go to beaches for the cocktails and concessions. This beach and city in Brazoria County, Texas, is full of locally-owned restaurants serving fresh seafood and other regional eats and teeming with food trucks and concession stands. It’s a good choice if you’re just looking to lounge or swim, but it’s a foodie’s paradise. You can even catch dinner yourself if you visit the crabbing pier. Work up an appetite by going surfing or deep-sea fishing on one of many charter boats.

The best time to visit Surfside Beach is between early spring and late fall when many types of fish are in season and the weather is likely to be as pleasant as Texas gets. You can rent an Airbnb here for a little less than $200 a night on average, but you can snag one for barely $100 if you plan ahead. William P. Hobby (HOU) is the closest airport, and it’s about 60 miles away.

Best for Sailing – Bird Island Basin

For the best sailing on Laguna Madre, a hypersaline lagoon stretching 130 miles, you’re going to want to stop at Bird Island Basin in Padre Island. Bird Island Basin boat ramps are open to the public. Depending on the time of year, you might see terns, orioles, skimmers, and more. Launch here for a day of boating, fishing, birding, or all of the above for a daily fee of just $5. You can even bring your dog if you keep them on a leash. The park is simple with just restrooms and some first-come, first-served campsites, but it’s the best beach in the area for sailing.

We recommend visiting in the spring or fall for good weather and boating conditions. The beach is occasionally closed due to high tides, so keep an eye on closures. The average price of an Airbnb in Padre Island is about $250 and the nearest airport, Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO), is about 20 miles away from the basin.

Best for Nature Lovers – Padre Island National Seashore

Image Credit: Unsplash, Joshua Cotten

Another spot in Padre Island you don’t want to miss, the Padre Island National Seashore is the best beach in Texas for seeing some wildlife. This beach, which boasts the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, sits between the hypersaline Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico.

The Padre Island National Seashore is home to many, many species, including the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle known to nest here. You can safely visit their protected nesting grounds to see the hatchlings make their way to the sea. Learn about sea turtle conservation efforts at the park and attend a ranger program.

If you want to see the turtles, you want to visit between June and August during their nesting season. You’ll likely spend around $250 a night for an Airbnb in Padre Island, but it depends on how close to the beach you stay. The Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) is about 43 miles away. This beach is just a 20-minute drive from Bird Island Basin, so you can easily hit both in a day for even more adventures.

Crystal Beach

Crystal Beach in Galveston County, Texas, is a 7-mile stretch of sand on the Bolivar Peninsula. This is a great place to go if you’re around the Upper Texas Gulf Coast and you’re looking for a good old-fashioned beach day. Crystal Beach and the Bolivar Peninsula Beach are not as popular with tourists as other beaches on this list, so they shouldn’t be too crowded when you go. Hunt for Shark Teeth, build sand castles, or go swimming in this clean and quiet beach.

The beaches on Bolivar Peninsula are always open, but they’re liveliest and most eventful in the summer months. Staying right in the Bolivar Peninsula will cost you between $200 and $300 a night, but campers and RVs are also welcome. The closest airport is Jack Brooks Regional Airport (BPT/KBPT) and it’s about 60 miles from Crystal Beach.

Rockport Beach

Image Credit: Unsplash, Andrew Barlow

Rockport Beach is a gorgeous sandy beach in Rockport, Texas, that holds the title of being the first beach in Texas with Blue Wave certification (given by the Clean Beaches Coalition to beaches that are clean and responsibly managed). This beach is notoriously well kept and generally pretty quiet, and there are a lot of rules that keep it that way. There are no dogs, cars, or campfires allowed at any time and overnight campaign is not permitted. What you can do are play water sports, have a picnic, or comb the beach. Just be sure to clean up after yourself!

You can visit Rockport Beach year-round. It is open seven days a week, 375 days a year. Most festivals and events such as fishing tournaments and art fairs take place during the summer in June and July, but there’s almost always an upcoming event. On average, an Airbnb in Rockport, Texas, will run you about $200 a night, but prices are considerably lower in the fall and winter. Corpus Christi (CRP) is the nearest airport and it’s about 38 miles away.

South Packery Channel Beach

Also known as Jetty Beach, this stretch of sand in Corpus Christi sits between the scenic Padre and Mustang Islands. You’ll find South Packery Channel Beach in Packery Channel Park, a county nature park along the Gulf Coast with an endless selection of things to do. This beach is swimming- and snorkeling-friendly, and it’s home to a variety of wildlife. You might be lucky enough to spot sea turtles in the water during the warm summer months.

South Packery Channel Beach is an especially great one for anglers. The pier offers prime fishing for trout, mackerel, sheepshead, tarpon, kingfish, perch, and even grouper. The average price of an Airbnb in Corpus Christi is around $200 a night, and the drive to the Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) is just shy of 23 minutes.

Also worth a visit is North Packery Channel Beach, located on the other side of the Packery Channel. It’s just a short walk away and you may prefer this side for typical beachgoing activities like lounging and swimming as it can be less crowded during the busy season.

Matagorda Bay Nature Park

You don’t want to miss the Matagorda Bay Nature Park if you’re in the Matagorda Area. This park in southeastern Texas offers gorgeous views of the Gulf and something for everyone. Anything you might want to do during a casual beach day, you can do here. You can boat (bring your own or rent) or try your hand at fishing, or you could play a game of mini-golf or go river rafting. There are 70 different campsites for overnight trips and even 2 Airstreams for rent that sleep up to four people each. Plus, it’s pet-friendly.

This park is open every day from sunrise to sunset, so the best time to visit is in the summer when you’ll have the most daylight to enjoy the 1,600-acre park. If you’re staying in Matagorda, you will likely pay about $120 a night for the average Airbnb. The nearest airport, Palaios Municipal Airport (PSX), is about a 45-minute drive away.

Balmorhea State Park

Balmorhea State Park is a man-made park featuring the largest spring-fed swimming pool in the world. It’s not a traditional beach, but rather a welcome swimming hole in the middle of hot and dry West Texas. The crystal clear water that bubbles up from San Solomon Springs is cool and inviting, to both people and fish. There are a number of endangered and rare fish in the water, so scuba diving is encouraged. For a unique “beach” experience in the desert, stop by this historic Balmorhea park.

This destination is open all year long, but the capacity is limited and the pool is busiest during the summer as people try to beat the heat. Your best bet is to visit in the spring or fall. To stay in Pecos, Texas, where this park is located, you are looking at an average nightly Airbnb rate of around $150. The Pecos Municipal Airport (PEQ) is about 35 minutes away.

Lighthouse Beach

Not to be confused with Lighthouse Beach in the Bahamas, this sandy beach located in Port Lavaca is for all of the RV enthusiasts reading. This beach is unassuming, but it’s a favorite among the camping crowd. Enjoy a perfectly pleasantly getaway when you reserve a campsite here for anywhere from $50 to $55 a night for RVs (or $20 for a tent site without amenities). Lighthouse Beach is serene and rarely crowded. Both Houston and San Antonio are just over two hours away.

Lighthouse Beach is always open, so it makes the most sense to just plan your trip around your weather preferences. If staying in an RV isn’t your style, the price of an Airbnb in Port Lavaca starts at just $100 a night. This beach is about a 10-minute drive from Calhoun County Airport and about a 25-minute drive from Victoria Airport (VCT).

Boca Chica Beach

Boca Chica Beach is a necessary stop if you’re ever in the Cameron County area. This beach can be found on a peninsula that splits the busy Brownsville Ship Channel and the Gulf of Mexico. Boca Chica has been kept very natural, so it’s a good place to go for a classic beach day. Boca Chica is teeming with sea life and you’ll see a lot of people snorkeling and exploring. You can take a boating trip or expedition to see dolphins, just one of the things this area is famous for, or birdwatch from the shore or a boat. Sea turtles often come here to lay their eggs in June and August as well.

The best time to visit Boca Chica Beach is between March and May when you are most likely to see dolphins coming through to breed, or in June or August when you are most likely to see sea turtles. You can stay in an Airbnb in Boca Chica for a modest price of about $130 a night. The Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) is about 35 minutes away from Boca Chica Beach.

Mustang Island State Park

Managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Mustang Island State Park is a beautiful barrier island park that’s well worth a trip. Take a trip down the 20-mile Paddling Trail to get up close and personal with local birds and wildlife. If you’re a fan of geocaching or hunting for hidden “treasure, this is an excellent place to do it. There are many RV campsites with and without hookups and community showers open to the public.

This beach is open year-round, but the best times to visit are during the spring and fall. This is when most birds are migrating and you don’t want to miss them. The average price of an Airbnb in Corpus Christi, Texas, is about $200 a night and the closest airport, the Corpus Christi Airport (CRP), is about 25 minutes away.

Mustang Island State Park is located between Corpus Christi and Port Aransas, and it’s just a short drive to the Padre Island National Seashore and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

Bonus: Beach Park at Isla Blanca

Though not a beach in the strictest sense, we had to include Beach Park at Isla Blanca on our list. This is a waterpark and amusement park located in Cameron County, Texas, on South Padre Island. There are more than 24 different attractions including rides, waterslides, and pools, and there’s a boardwalk in the park that’ll take you right to the beach. The cost per person is $3 for kids, $5 for students, and $6 for adults to get into the park and there are added costs for many attractions.

This park is open all year, but we recommend visiting in the spring and fall when it won’t be as crowded if you’re just going for a day or two. Or, you can purchase season passes and visit as many times as you’d like. On South Padre Island, an Airbnb costs around $250 a night on average, but you might be able to save some money if you stay a little farther inland. The drive to the nearest airport, the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport, is about 30 minutes.

Final Thoughts

Are you planning a trip to Texas in the near future? The next time you’re visiting Texas, use this list to find the right beach for you based on your favorite activities. Hopefully, this article helps you budget and plan your perfect Texas trip. Let us know which Texas beach is your favorite.

Note that some of the locations on this list may have COVID-19 rules in place. Check ahead of time for temporary closures and restrictions.

10 Tips to Snag Your Own Row on Your Next Flight

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Can you really get the experience of flying solo on a commercial flight?

While sharing limited space comes with the territory, there are some ways you can boost your chances of getting a row to yourself on an airplane.

People who fly a lot know that there are some unspoken rules about how seats fill up on planes. You can use these trends to get in position to snag your own row. Of course, the stars really do need to align perfectly for this to happen, but take a look at the 10 ways to maximize your chances of getting a row to yourself on your next flight.

Pick the Middle Seat When You Book Your Flight

This one requires a little faith. While claiming the middle seat on an untouched row is always a gamble, this is the easiest way to boost your chances of getting your own row. Other travelers will be more likely to skip over your row if they can get window or aisle seats without a neighbor. Taking the middle seat essentially “claims” a row unless the flight is full.

Know How to Board for Keeps in a “Wild West” Boarding Scenario

What if you’re flying on an airline that doesn’t assign seats? Make a beeline for the back. You’ll have the advantage of letting the rest of the plane fill up before the passenger traffic trickles down to you. The strategy of picking a middle seat mentioned above can also be a big help here. A middle seat located in the back of a plane boosts your odds of getting your own row more than almost anything.

Keep Your Head on a Swivel After Boarding

You have a prime opportunity for a “do-over” if you find yourself stuffed in a full row by the time the announcement is made that boarding is complete. Look around the airplane to see if any empty rows remain. Consider any empty row your eyes can see as yours to claim!

Ask the Gate Agent for a Favor

It’s actually perfectly acceptable to politely ask a gate agent about what the situation looks like for seating while you’re waiting for boarding. Most gate agents and ticketing agents will help you out with switching or upgrading seats to avoid getting stuffed into a full row. Most people don’t take advantage of the opportunity for a pre-boarding boost simply because they don’t know that you’re allowed to ask.

Don’t Travel During Peak Times

Picky passengers know to never fly during peak times. If you have a real aversion to being stuck in a full row, it’s smart to try to fly during off-peak times. It’s not unusual for empty rows to be bountiful. Midweek flights are best when jockeying for position in an unoccupied row. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually the days with the lowest flight volumes. Flying on those days actually gives you the benefit of getting the lowest fares most of the time. That means you’re paying less for a more private flying experience if your schedule allows you to jet off on weekdays.

Pick Row 13 When You Book Your Flight to Get Lucky

Let the superstition of other people be your good luck! Yes, some people really are afraid to book seats in row 13 on flights. The negative connotation that goes along with the number even causes some people to subconsciously skip over it when they’re selecting rows. Grabbing a seat in row 13 when you book might be all that’s necessary to avoid seat neighbors.

Get a Good Seat Map App

While some airlines are pretty good about providing seat maps, you might want to consider a third-party app. In addition to showing you existing seat layouts, many apps will actually send alerts to your phone when new seats open up. This can help you to strategize for getting into an empty row before your flight.

Fly on Newer Routes

Passenger volume is often skimpy on new routes when they’re first introduced by airlines. Part of the reason is that passengers simply don’t know about these routes yet. Others are hesitant to try out “experimental” routes. It’s all good news for you if you want your own row. There’s also a secret perk to this. Airlines tend to really roll out the red carpet with the best service when launching new routes because they want to build customer momentum. You may end up having one of the best flights of your life if you’re one of the first people to fly on a new route. This same rule applies for booking flights with newly launched carriers. You’ll probably have good luck with getting your own row if you give a newer carrier a try.

Travel Using Smaller Airports

This hack doesn’t come with any guarantees. However, you’re less likely to get a row to yourself on a flight if you’re flying out of a big hub like Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX) or New York (JFK). Check out the flight offerings out of a smaller airport that’s in your region to see what you may have been missing this whole time. Many smaller airports actually have pretty impressive routes with steady departures to popular places.

Bonus Tip: Reserving a Row for Two

What if you’re traveling with someone else? You might be wondering how the two of you can increase your odds of not having to awkwardly share your row with a third party. This hack for getting your own row on a flight is pretty foolproof. Simply take the window and aisle seats when booking your flight. This will leave the “awkward” middle seat open. Nobody will choose this seat unless the flight is absolutely full. However, you won’t necessarily be stuck sitting on either end of a stranger just because you’ve chosen to try this strategy if your flight does fill up. The third party will more than likely be happy to swap the middle seat for the window seat or aisle seat once they show up. There’s really no reason to ever book side-by-side seats as your default when traveling with another person!

Getting an Airplane Row to Yourself: Is It Really Just Luck?

Yes, getting your own row on a flight partly comes down to luck. However, smart travelers know how to make their own luck by simply being proactive about the how and where of booking their seats. The disclaimer here is that there’s really nothing you can do to get some space when a flight is booked to capacity. However, these tips will put you in position to seize the opportunity if there is room for an empty row on your flight. The final thing to say is that nobody likes an entitled airline passenger. While it will be great if you can make the stars align to get an empty row on your flight, this isn’t something you should expect every time. What’s more, it’s not the responsibility of airline staff to try to help you play airline-seat chess to get into an empty row. While asking for a little inside information before you board is fine, make sure you’re not pestering gate agents or flight attendants to do your dirty work.

Virgin Atlantic Baggage Fees, Allowance and Policy

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image credit: virginatlantic.com

Virgin Atlantic is a popular international airline that flies out of the UK to more than 35 destinations in the United States, Africa, Asia, and Europe. This four-star airline offers a solid rewards program, called Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, that gives generous rewards and numerous redemption opportunities. Virgin Atlantic flights are consistently comfortable and clean, so you won’t find us complaining.

Have a Virgin Atlantic flight coming up? We’ve put together a review of this airline’s baggage fees, allowances, and policies to give you a good idea of what you can expect when you fly.

Virgin Atlantic Baggage Rules

Virgin Atlantic’s baggage allowances and policies are pretty standard all around. This airline is really transparent about its fees and offers a straightforward process for purchasing baggage and checking it in.

One thing to note is that Virgin Atlantic made several changes to its baggage policies since December 9, 2019. If you haven’t flown with this airline since then, you might find that some rules are different from what you remember. We will point out any significant changes here in case you’ve been sitting on a reservation for a while.

Checked Baggage Allowance

Most Virgin Atlantic tickets included free checked baggage. Only Economy Light passengers need to pay for all of their bags as this inexpensive flight class does not include any checked baggage in the price of a ticket. Here are the checked bags included in all other classes.

Passengers in Economy Classic and Economy Delight are permitted one piece of checked baggage, passengers in the Premium Cabin are permitted two pieces of checked baggage, and passengers in Upper Class are permitted two pieces of oversized checked baggage.

Checked bags in Economy and Premium cabins can measure up to 90 x 75 x 43 centimeters or 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches and weigh up to 23 kilograms or 50 pounds. Checked bags in Upper Class can measure up to 90 x 75 x 43 centimeters or 35.5. X 29.5 x 16 inches and weigh up to 32 kilograms or 70 pounds each.

Flights booked before December 9, 2019, allow for three checked bags in Upper Class. All flights booked after must follow the above allowance.

Note that you cannot combine your checked baggage allowance with other people in your party no matter what class you’re in.

You will need to follow a partner airline’s checked baggage rules if your ticket does not begin with “VS.” For example, Delta Airlines if your ticket begins with “DL.” Also, checked baggage allowances are different for Virgin flights when one of your destinations is:

  • Delhi
  • Islamabad
  • Johannesburg
  • Lagos
  • Lahore
  • Mumbai

You can read more about the exceptions for these flights here.

How to Get Free Checked Bags

Virgin Atlantic gives almost everyone free checked bags. Unless you’re flying Economy Light, your ticket includes complimentary checked baggage.

If you’re in Economy Light and you want to purchase checked luggage or another seat class and you want to pay for excess baggage fees, here are two of our favorite travel credit cards for earning rewards.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 within three months of signing up. This card earns 5x points on travel purchased through Chase, 3x points on all other travel, and 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase. This card also gives you a 50% value when you redeem points for travel. You can book Virgin Atlantic flights and pay fees with Chase rewards points.

Capital One Venture Rewards

Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 within three months of signing up. This card earns 2x miles on travel purchases made through Chase and 1.25x miles on everything else. Cardholders receive a $100 credit toward Global Entry and TSA PreCheck membership fees. Use your points to pay for tickets and baggage. Be sure to understand your odds of approval and credit score required before applying.

Excess Baggage Fees

You will need to pay excess baggage fees if taking extra bags or bags weighing or measuring over the allowance for your flight class. You can add up to seven extra bags to your reservation online or up to 10 extra bags at the airport.

Checked bags measuring greater than 90 x 75 x 43 centimeters or 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches are considered oversized unless you are in Upper Class. Checked bags are considered overweight in Premium and Economy if they weigh greater than 23 kilograms and in Upper Class if they weigh greater than 32 kilograms.

The fee for overweight baggage is $100 per bag and the fee for oversized baggage is 300 USD per bag. You need to pay both fees for a bag that is oversized and overweight.

Small instruments and pieces of sports equipment such as tennis rackets can be carried with you as your personal item. Larger instruments and sports equipment can count as checked baggage, but you’ll need to pay excess baggage fees if it weighs or measures more than the standard allowance. You will pass these off at the departure gate to be stored in the plane’s hold and returned to you at the arrival gate.

Sports equipment weighing more than 32 kilograms cannot be checked, but you may be able to transport them with Virgin Atlantic Cargo. Contact Cargo directly to discuss cargo bookings. Select sporting equipment such as bows and arrows and sporting firearms require additional paperwork.

Alternatively, you can book a seat for your oversized musical instrument. Instruments with their own tickets can weigh up to 75 kilograms or 165 pounds and measure up to 20 centimeters or 12 inches above the seat’s top. A cello, for example, would be acceptable. These must be strapped in and secured safely with an extension, if necessary.

Carry-On Allowance

Hand luggage or carry-ons are included in the price of every ticket. Passengers in Economy Light, Classic, or Delight and those in Premium are allowed one piece of hand luggage for free. Upper Class passengers are permitted two pieces of hand luggage.

Your carry-on can measure up to 23 x 36 x 56 centimeters or 9 x 14 x 22 inches. This is the maximum size allowed in every cabin class. In Economy and Premium, carry-ons may weigh no more than 10 kilograms or 22 pounds. In Upper Class, your carry-ons can weigh up to 16 kilograms or 35 pounds total, with a maximum individual weight of 12 kilograms or 26 pounds.

Personal Items

All passengers may bring a personal item in addition to their hand baggage on every flight. These may include purses and backpacks, duty-free goods, coats, infant food or formula, umbrellas or canes, laptops and electronics, etc.

There are no strict size and weight requirements for personal items, but the expectation is that you are able to comfortably carry them with you throughout the duration of your travel.

Medical assistive devices and mobility aids such as wheelchairs and breathing apparatuses are permitted at no additional cost. These do not count toward your baggage limit.

Infants and Children

Checked baggage allowances are the same for children and infants as they are for adults. They are permitted one piece of checked bag weighing up to 23 kilograms in all cabin classes except for Economy Light.

Children and infants may bring carry-ons, but there are different allowances determined by age. Babies between the ages of 0 and 23 months may fly with one carry-on weighing up to 6 kilograms or 13 pounds and children older than two may fly with one carry-on weighing up to 10 kilograms or 22 pounds.

Infants and children in all classes can travel with a fully collapsible stroller and travel car seat at no additional cost. These are held at the gate.

You may purchase one checked bag per infant at a price of $75.

Bringing Pets Onboard

Pets are permitted on flights to and from the following Virgin Atlantic flight destinations:

  • Atlanta
  • Antigua
  • Barbados
  • Boston
  • Hong Kong
  • JFK
  • Johannesburg
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Manchester
  • Miami
  • Newark
  • Orlando
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • St Lucia
  • Washington
  • Sydney
  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne

If you don’t see your flight listed, pets aren’t allowed. However, service animals are permitted on most flights. Call customer service with questions about service animals.

Book travel for your pet at least seven days before your plane is scheduled to depart and note that space is not guaranteed, so the earlier you add them to your reservation, the better. You will need to provide paperwork such as proof of vaccinations for your pet. Contact cargo to find out what fees you will pay.

Currently, pet bookings are unavailable. They have been paused until 2022 for new reservations.

Valuable, Fragile, and Other Items

Valuable and fragile items are not to be packed with the rest of your checked luggage. They should travel separately in a marked suitcase or carry-on of their own for maximum safety. Virgin Atlantic is not responsible for valuable items that are damaged.

If you’re traveling to an event and need to bring a large garment bag such as a suit or gown, Virgin Atlantic can accommodate. You can count a garment bag as your carry-on in Economy or Premium class as long as it does not exceed 23 x 36 x 56 centimeters or 9 x 14.2 x 22 inches. Otherwise, you’ll need to check it. In Upper Class, a garment bag can count as part of your carry-on as long as it doesn’t weigh more than 12 kilograms.

Prohibited Items

Some items are strictly prohibited in hand baggage on every flight. These include:

  • Smart bags
  • Flame lighters and matches without safety
  • Toy and replica weapons
  • Sharp items
  • Sporting bats
  • Power tools
  • Flammables

If you need to travel with one of these items, you may be able to pack it safely in your checked luggage. Read the full terms and conditions for dangerous items on the Virgin Atlantic website.

Duty-free liquids such as alcohol are also prohibited on some flights. They are permitted on flights departing from the UK and United States, for example, but prohibited or restricted on select connecting flights. Some destinations require proof of purchase, plastic bags, etc. Read the rules for duty-free liquids by destination before flying.

When to Pay for Baggage

If you have an Economy Light ticket and would like to add baggage to your reservation or you need to pay for excess baggage, you can pay for these when booking your ticket. You can also add bags to your reservation from your account at any time before you fly, even at the airport on the day of your flight (though not recommended).

Don’t wait until the last minute because you need to check your bags at least two hours before your flight. You can check in online as early as 24 hours before your flight.

Exclusions and Waivers

Flying Club Gold tier members get an extra piece of free checked baggage weighing up to 23 kilograms on all flights operated by Virgin Atlantic.

Virgin Atlantic offers flight discounts to active members of the UK Armed Forces when they register for the Defence Discount Service. These discounts apply to most flights and other types of travel, but do not include free baggage.

Wheelchairs and other assistive devices are exempt from size and weight restrictions.

Final Thoughts

Virgin Atlantic gives most passengers free checked bags and carry-ons, and its allowances for size and weight are pretty standard across the industry. This airline stands out for its crystal clear policies. It makes it easy to add bags to your reservation and lets you know exactly what you’ll pay for additional bags, excess baggage, and add-ons such as pets.

Also worth pointing out is that passengers can add 10 additional checked bags to their reservation and the price does not increase for every extra bag. This is an all-around great airline with more than fair baggage conditions.

Turkish Airlines Baggage Fees & Allowance + how to avoid paying them

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image credit: turkishairlines.com

Turkish Airlines is the largest mainline carrier in the world with passenger flights to over 315 locations across four continents and over 20 countries. This three-star airline is known for safety and flight availability, and you may find yourself on a Turkish Airlines flight or partner flight if you have international travel plans.

To prepare for your next flight on this carrier, make sure you’re familiar with their baggage terms and conditions. Find out everything you need to know about Turkish Airlines baggage allowances and policies in this complete guide.

Turkish Airlines Baggage Rules

As is often the case, the baggage rules for Turkish Airlines are not the same for every flight. Because some routes enforce additional restrictions and some flights are operated through partner airlines, you need to calculate baggage for every trip. Use the site’s baggage calculator to find the policies and fees for your flight.

If you find that you will need excess baggage or other paid luggage, it’s always a good idea to pay these fees ahead of time. Here, we’ll go over this airline’s standard rules for baggage and how to pay for checked bags.

Checked Baggage Allowance

The way that registered or checked baggage allowances are calculated varies by flight class and route. This airline uses two concepts to determine baggage rules called the piece concept and the kilogram concept.

Flights under the piece concept of baggage restrict each of a passenger’s individual bags to a certain weight, and flights under the kilogram concept of baggage restrict all of a passenger’s luggage together to a certain weight. Under the kilogram concept, it doesn’t matter how many bags you bring as long as you’re under the total weight restriction. Under the piece concept, you get two registered or checked bags included in the price of your ticket.

Not all policies and fees are the same even for flights that use the same concept. With that said, here are a few rules found to be true for most flights.

On international flights, under the piece concept, in Economy class each individual piece of baggage can weigh up to 23 kilograms and passengers are permitted to register up to two bags for free.

In Business class, each piece of baggage can weigh up to 32 kilograms or about 70.5 pounds. Infant passengers are permitted one bag and one stroller at no cost. Each bag is not to exceed 158 linear centimeters or 62 linear inches.

On domestic flights that use the piece concept, Economy passengers in EcoFly are permitted to bring two bags weighing up to 15 kilograms or 33 pounds each, Economy passengers in ExtraFly are permitted to bring two bags weighing up to 20 kilograms or 44 pounds each, and Economy passengers in PrimeFly are permitted to bring two bags weighing up to 25 kilograms or 55 pounds each.

Business class passengers on domestic flights can carry bags weighing 30 kilograms or about 66 pounds each.

Generally, flights that use the kilogram concept permit passengers in Economy class to carry a total of 20 kilograms or 44 pounds and passengers in Business class to carry a total of 30 kilograms or 66 pounds. Still, check the exact weight allowance for kilogram concept flights as it varies by route.

Most destinations in the U.S. and several in South America and parts of Africa use the piece baggage concept, but the majority of flights use the kilogram concept. Kilogram concept destinations are separated into five zones. You can see all destinations by zone here.

Certain international routes may have lower weight allowances or impose additional baggage restrictions. If you are taking a flight with multiple legs and Turkish Airlines is not determined to be the Most Important Carrier by IATA methods, then you will follow another airline’s baggage policies.

How to Get Free Checked Bags

For most flights, passengers can check two bags for free. But if you are traveling with excess baggage, you can get your fees reimbursed with a travel credit card. Here are two of our favorites.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 within three months of signing up. This card earns 5x points on travel purchased through Chase, 3x points on all other travel, and 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase. This card also gives you 50% value when you redeem points for travel. You can book Turkish Airlines flights and pay fees with Chase rewards points.

Capital One Venture Rewards

Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 within three months of signing up. This card earns 2x miles on travel purchases made through Chase and 1.25x miles on everything else. Cardholders receive a $100 credit toward Global Entry and TSA PreCheck membership fees. Use your points to pay for tickets and baggage.

Excess Baggage Fees

Sports equipment including golf bags and skis, musical instruments, and other common forms of baggage that exceed weight restrictions are permitted, but you will need to pay excess baggage fees.

Turkish Airlines gives you a free pass for sports equipment on your first international flight.

On piece concept flights, you are permitted to carry bags weighing no more than 32 kg each. Any bag weighing more than the standard allowance of 23 kg and less than the excess baggage allowance of 32 kg incurs a fee of 80 USD each. On kilogram concept flights, the price for excess baggage is determined by the route you’re taking.

Most domestic flights charge an excess baggage fee of $2 per kilogram or a little over a dollar a pound. The price of excess baggage for international flights may be anywhere from $7 per kilogram to $30.50 per kilogram. Generally, flight zones 3, 4, and 5 are the most expensive when it comes to traveling with extra weight.

If you need to travel with more than your two checked bags, excess baggage fees also apply. The cost for an additional bag on a piece concept flight may be anywhere from about $160 to about $290.

You can purchase excess baggage online at the time of booking or before checking in for your flight using your ticket number.

Carry-On Allowance

On most flights, each Economy Class passenger is permitted one carry-on. Passengers in Business class are permitted two cabin or carry-on bags of standard size.

In general, each carry-on item  may not exceed 55 x 40 x 23 centimeters or 21.7 x 15.7 x 9 inches. This is a total of 118 linear centimeters or about 46.5 inches. Each bag may weigh up to 8 kilograms or about 17.6 pounds.

Carry-ons must fit in the overhead bins and remain closed completely when flying.

Personal Items

All passengers may bring a personal item at no additional cost regardless of their flight class. This item is not to exceed 40 x 30 x 15 centimeters or 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches.

You are free to take non-prohibited liquids, toiletries such as shaving cream and toothpaste, respiratory devices, medication, beauty items, and small forms of sporting equipment such as tennis racquets with you in the cabin as your personal item.

Infants and Children

Infant passengers may travel with a piece of baggage weighing up to 10 kg. Strollers measuring less than 115 centimeters or 45.3 inches that fold up are permitted on every flight at no additional cost.

Children and adults must follow the same baggage allowances. If you are traveling with an infant, you can carry baby food with you for in-flight feeding.

Bringing Pets Onboard

There is a pet transportation fee for bringing your pet with you on a flight, either in the cabin or with the plane’s cargo.

As of October 2021, cats and dogs with respiratory problems are only permitted to travel in the cabin and may weigh no more than 8 kilograms or 17.6 pounds together with their crate. These breeds include Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Boston Terriers.

Small birds such as parakeets may travel in the cabin as long as their carrier fits underneath the seat in front of you and your seat is not in a row with emergency doors or reserved for strollers.

Puppies and kittens less than 10 weeks old are not permitted. Trained service dogs used for medical, not emotional, support are permitted to fly. You may be required to fill out additional forms for select flights that adhere to U.S. DoT regulations for service animals.

A pet’s crate can measure up to 23 x 30 x 40 centimeters or 9 x 11.8 x 15.7 inches if they are traveling in the cabin. Crates over these dimensions will be placed in cargo. All pet crates must be of hard material.

The United States CDC prohibits dogs considered to be at high risk of carrying rabies from entering. See a complete list of these countries – which includes Kenya, Peru, India, and Vietnam –via the link.

For more information about prohibited pets and fees, visit this page.

Valuable, Fragile, and Other Items

You can fly with fragile items in your checked or carry-on bags as long as they are secured. Fragile items such as glass may not be permitted if they are likely to break or leak.

If any of your baggage is damaged in the airport or airplane, Turkish Airlines will reimburse you for the full costs of the damages.

Prohibited Items

Under no circumstances can you take unsecured liquid or semi-solid substances with you on a Turkish Airlines flight. You must vacuum seal or otherwise securely contain such substances to avoid the risk of leaks or spills. You may travel with up to five liters of said substances with no more than one liter per container or package. 

Accessibility and mobility items such as foldable wheelchairs and walkers and medical items such as portable electronic breathing equipment may be taken with you on a flight.

Smart baggage that uses lithium batteries is also permitted in the cabin, but batteries must be separated from their devices when traveling and placed in their original packaging.

Items prohibited in the cabin include:

  • Sharp objects such as knives and weapons (toy or real)
  • Oversized sports equipment such as golf clubs and baseball bats
  • Flammable items such as camp stoves and weaponized lighters

When to Pay for Baggage

If you are traveling with the two checked bags, carry-on, and personal item included with every ticket and all of your bags meet size and weight restrictions, then you will not need to pay for baggage. If you are traveling with extra bags or overweight luggage, you will need to pay fees.

You can pay most fees when booking your ticket online or before flying by logging into your account and adding it to your flight. It is not recommended to wait until checking in. If you qualify for baggage discounts, check with the airport Sales Office to make sure your discounts are applied.

Exclusions and Waivers

Soldiers of the Turkish Peace Force in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus qualify for discounts on excess baggage. If you qualify for a discount,

Students also qualify for baggage discounts if they are enrolled in the Miles & Smiles program as a resident of Turkey or a student from another country studying abroad in Turkey.

The fee for qualifying students and soldiers is $0.40 for every 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds.

Final Thoughts

Turkish Airlines flies to “most countries,” so it’s no wonder that their baggage policies are so varied. Your best bet when choosing this airline is to check the fees and conditions for every flight so that there are no surprises. Use this guide to familiarize yourself with the general allowances and policies, then double-check the rules for your route and pay for your baggage (if applicable) in advance of your flight.

Getting Bumped From Your Flight? Here’s How to Get Paid

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Bad news turns into good news once you realize you can get paid to get bumped from a flight.

Yes, some people are making serious bank by getting bumped with payouts totaling thousands. How are they doing it?

First, you need flexibility and freedom. Trying to make money by getting bumped on your way to an important conference, work event or family wedding can quickly turn into a case of “be careful what you wish for” if you end up stranded while the festivities go off without you. Let’s talk exclusively about perfecting the skill of getting paid to chill when you have time to kill.

The Criteria for Getting Paid for Getting Bumped

It’s important to know the difference between “paying” bumps and “non-paying” bumps. Getting paid means qualifying for something called involuntary denied boarding compensation after an airline has asked you to give up your seat on an oversold flight. Here’s what’s needed:

  • You have a confirmed reservation.
  • You checked in for your flight on time.
  • You showed up for your departure gate on time.
  • The airline is incapable of getting you to your destination within an hour of your flight’s scheduled arrival time.

It’s equally as important to know when you’ll be barking up the wrong tree when you ask for compensation after getting bumped. Not every flight hiccup means a payout is coming. Here are the scenarios where you won’t quality for payment:

  • Your airline had to substitute an aircraft due to some type of operational or safety reason.
  • You were bumped due to weight or balance restrictions.
  • You were downgraded to a lower seating class. While you won’t get special compensation, you will at least get a refund for the price difference.
  • You were traveling on a charter flight that isn’t part of an airline’s regular schedule.
  • You were traveling on an aircraft that maxes out at 30 passengers.

Next, take a look at the tips for increasing your odds of getting paid to get bumped. While these tips don’t offer any guarantee that a payday is coming your way, they will help to boost your chances of getting cash in exchange for a little inconvenience. Let’s power through some bump-worthy tips.

Tip #1: Fly With the Airlines That Are Notorious for Bumping Passengers

The Bureau of Transportation really does most of the hard work for you on this one.

You can look up data on “denied confirmed space” for all major carriers for the most recent year reported to see exactly where airlines stand with miscalculating room to sit.

Here’s a look at how involuntary denied boardings looked in 2020 for the five worst “offenders:

  • 1. Frontier Airlines: 6.28 bumps per 10,000 passengers.
  • 2. Spirit Airlines: 5.57 bumps per 10,000 passengers.
  • 3. Alaska: 2.30 bumps per 10,000 passengers.
  • 4. PSA Airlines: 2.29 bumps per 10,000 passengers.
  • 5. American Airlines 1.95 bumps per 10,000 passengers.

It also helps to know about the “winners” for keeping passengers in their seats to avoid if you’re trying to cash in on getting bumped out.

Delta airlines actually does the best for getting you where you’re going without getting bumped by bumping just 0.02 per 10,000 passengers. Endeavor, United, and JetBlue also barely bump.

Tip #2: Make It Easier to Say “Yes” to the Bump by Clinging to Your Luggage

Checking your luggage removes some of that flexibility that’s needed for jumping at the chance for a payout by getting out.

Get in the habit of living with a carry-on bag if you’re flying with a cashing-out perspective. Of course, it’s easier to stick with this one if you’re flying on an airline that doesn’t provide a free checked bag.

Tip #3: Ask for Cash Because Cash Is Your Right

Very few airline passengers know this.

Let a woman named Allison Preiss be your inspiration for never settling for anything less than cash when you’re offered compensation from an airline.

Allison Preiss made headlines in 2018 when she was given a $10,000 voucher from United Airlines after turning down a $2,000 voucher that was offered to her after getting bumped from her flight. However, Preiss only got the $10,000 voucher because she asked for cash when she turned down the $2,000 flight voucher.

Preiss was the rare passenger who actually knew that she was entitled to ask for cash under federal law. The amount she was entitled to for this flight was around $650. Uneager to part with the cash value, United came back to her with an offer for a $10,000 travel voucher that represented the maximum payable amount under United’s compensation policy. The bottom line is that you can’t lose by asking for cash. There’s a good chance you’ll end up with a bigger voucher even if you aren’t wowed by the cash amount.

Tip #4: Relax by the Gate

Fortune favors the alert when it comes to getting bumped for money. Gate agents often make announcements for passengers willing to be voluntarily bumped once it’s determined that a flight is overbooked. You’ll only hear the offer if you’re located close enough to the gate to pay attention. Get in the habit of hanging out close enough to be seen if you want to throw your hand up to volunteer.

Tip #5: Remember That You Don’t Have to Be Sneaky About Your Intentions

There’s actually nothing stopping you from simply walking up to gate agents to let them know that you’re happy to be bumped if the need arises.

This may actually prevent the need for them to get on the microphone to open up the offer to others. While volunteering doesn’t mean your flight will actually be oversold, you can relax a bit knowing that you don’t have to be on high alert to be first in line if an announcement is made.

Tip #6: Fly at Bump-Friendly Times

When you fly can actually determine your chances of being bumped from your flight. The big bump days are holiday travel days. You can use this to your advantage if you’re flying for a casual getaway around Thanksgiving or Christmas instead of making the rush to family gatherings like 90 percent of the travelers around you.

Mondays and Fridays are also big days for getting bumped because those are big days for business travel. Travelers getting places on Mondays and Fridays may also be trying to squeeze in weekend getaways that leave no wiggle room for getting to their destinations late. That makes you a prime candidate for being the only bump-worthy passenger on a flight if you’re not eager to get back to the grind.

Lastly, once-daily and once-weekly flights without good alternatives are treasure troves for passengers wanting to get bumped.

Tip #7: Always Check Seat Availability Before Booking

If you’re flying to get bumped, this last tip is major. You can look up how full a flight is online before you book your seat. If it looks like a flight is filling up quickly, this could be a hot one to grab. You might even want to get in the habit of booking at the last minute for this reason. A flight that’s practically empty just before departure day doesn’t offer great chances for being bumped.

Final Thoughts on Getting Bumped From a Flight to Make Money

It’s important to go in with the mindset that there’s no sure thing when it comes to being asked to give up your seat. You should also remember that speaking with a gate agent once is enough. There’s no need to hover by the gate to try to get the inside scoop on overbooked flights. Gate agents have enough to worry about without managing expectations for payouts. The bottom line is that you should have fun with it. Just make sure you’re familiar with things like blackout dates and expiration dates before you agree to a new flight because there’s no “undoing the offer” once you give up your seat.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry – Are they Worth the Cost?

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Airport security screening is a universally unpleasant experience, no matter how often you travel and which airports you frequent. It always takes longer than you’d like it to and can be pretty confusing, and most of us wish there were a way to avoid it.

Well, there’s no way to completely get out of going through airport security (and really, that’s for the best), but there may be ways to make the process a little less tedious. For some, that’s TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. Find out here if these programs are worth it and how to get started.

What Is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is a program of the United States Transportation Security Administration that provides smoother airport screening. It saves members time during security checks and lets them go through without removing most items.

According to the TSA, 95% of passengers with TSA PreCheck coverage waited less than five minutes at security checks in October 2021. Typically, going through airport security takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes on average but can take even longer depending on which airport you’re at.

So how does it work? Basically, you answer questions about your travel history and personal life when applying for membership, and your answers are saved in the TSA PreCheck system. This allows for a streamlined check-in process because the system can automatically determine whether you present a security risk.

If you are determined to be low risk, which you must be to be approved for membership, then you will be allowed to pass through security checkpoints without presenting items such as electronics and liquids from your luggage or removing your jacket and shoes for screening.

TSA PreCheck members do not need to remove or present the following when checking in:

  • Shoes
  • Light jackets
  • Belts
  • Laptops
  • 3-1-1 liquids

This program is family-friendly. Children under the age of 12 can accompany their parents in TSA PreCheck when traveling and do not need to be members themselves. Children between the ages of 13 and 17 may also go through TSA PreCheck lines with their parents if they are traveling on the same reservation, provided that they have received a TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass. These are given randomly, so there is no guarantee that a child of this age will get one.

TSA PreCheck is not available at all airports. As of right now, there are more than 200 airports with over 80 airlines allowing TSA PreCheck, including most major airports in all 50 states.

Anyone can apply for TSA PreCheck, but approval is not guaranteed. This program is restricted to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents only. Membership is valid for 5 years.

What Is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a program of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allows members to travel more quickly through security screening when entering the United States. Members enjoy reduced wait times and shorter lines than non-members and do not have to present paperwork when going through security.

Global Entry membership also comes with TSA PreCheck membership for everyone enrolled. If you apply for Global Entry and are determined to be low-risk, you are approved as a member and granted expedited clearance when flying or traveling by boat into the United States.

Global Entry enrollees use designated kiosks at 75 different airports to go through security. They then use the kiosk to scan their passport or U.S. permanent resident card and fingerprints and fill out a digital customs declaration. Upon completion, members receive a receipt and can proceed to get their bags and leave.

There are not usually lines at these kiosks and in the event that kiosks are down, Global Entry members can jump to the front of the line at standard security.

You can apply for Global Entry if you are a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or foreign national. Membership is valid for 5 years.

What Are the Differences?

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are very similar. The TSA PreCheck is an entity of the Transportation Security Administration and Global Entry is an entity of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, but they’re both classified as Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler programs.

They also offer many of the same benefits to members including shorter lines and wait times.

The primary difference between the two is that TSA PreCheck is used when members are flying out of a U.S. airport and Global Entry is used when members are flying into the U.S. from an international destination.

Here are the key similarities and differences between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry:

TSA PreCheckGlobal Entry
Air travel onlyAir, land, and sea travel
Flights out of U.S.Travel into U.S.
Open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residentsOpen to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and some foreign nationals
5-year membership5-year membership
$85 enrollment fee$100 enrollment fee

All Global Entry members are also TSA PreCheck members but not all TSA PreCheck members are also Global Entry members.

How to Apply for TSA PreCheck

You can apply for TSA PreCheck in person at one of more than 400 TSA PreCheck application centers including 50 airport locations and 350 designated office locations. Appointments are not required, but having one may reduce your wait time. You can optionally pre-enroll before arriving to save yourself more time.

The first thing you will need to do is fill out an application. You’ll answer a series of questions demonstrating proof of citizenship and identity during this step. If you are able, provide one of the following unexpired documents to prove your citizenship status and identity:

  • U.S. Passport
  • Enhanced Tribal Card
  • Free and Secure Trade Card
  • U.S. Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced Identification Card
  • Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
  • Foreign Passport and Immigrant Visa with I-551 annotation showing permanent residence of one year
  • Re-Entry Permit

If you do not have one of these documents, you will need another form of photo identification as well as proof of citizenship. Valid photo IDs include:

  • Driver’s license issued by a state or outlying possession of the U.S.
  • Temporary driver’s license and expired driver’s license
  • Photo ID card issued by the federal government, state, or outlying possession of the U.S.
  • U.S. active or retired military ID card
  • U.S. military dependent’s card
  • Native American tribal document with photo
  • Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration Transportation worker Identification Credential
  • Merchant Mariner Credential

Valid proof of citizenship documents include:

  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Citizen Identification Card
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Certification of Report of Birth Abroad
  • Expired passport that is within 12 months of expiration

After providing these materials, you will have your fingerprints scanned and undergo a thorough background check. If your application is accepted, you’ll receive your unique Known Traveler Number that you will use when booking flights and checking in at the airport. Note that applications can take up to 60 days to process. You can check the status of your application online.

When applying for TSA PreCheck membership, be aware that you will likely not be accepted if you have a criminal record or history of security violations. Also, you need to re-apply for membership every five years. You need to visit an enrollment center again to renew your membership.

The cost for a five-year membership is $85. Most people need to pay for TSA PreCheck enrollment, but certain travel credit cards provide membership as a benefit.

How to Get Free Membership

Many travel credit cards and loyalty programs offer TSA PreCheck as a benefit to members. Membership may be free to cardholders or cardholders may be eligible to pay the fee with points or rewards. We’ll list a few of our favorite cards and rewards programs that qualify here, but you can visit the TSA PreCheck site to see the complete list.

Credit cards that offer free TSA PreCheck include:

  • Capital One Venture Card
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
  • American Express Platinum Cards
  • Bank of America Premium Rewards Card
  • Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve American Express Cards
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card
  • United Club Infinite Card

Loyalty programs that offer TSA PreCheck include:

  • IHG Rewards Club
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Orbitz Rewards
  • Radisson Rewards
  • United MileagePlus

How to Apply for Global Entry

Global Entry applications include an exhaustive background check as well as an interview. To apply, start by creating a Trusted Traveler Program account. Then, complete the online application that will ask you questions about your background and history. There is a non-refundable $100 fee for applying.

Once your application is complete, it is reviewed and either rejected or conditionally approved. With conditional approval, you can schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center where you will meet with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer and learn more about Global Entry. Bring your driver’s license or ID card and valid passport. The officer will ask you questions about why you’re applying for membership and review your application. 

At select airports (called an Enrollment on Arrival airport), you may be able to complete an interview after your next international flight. This is subject to availability, but you can view a list of Enrollment on Arrival airports prior to your next trip.

If you want to be a member of both programs, apply only for Global Entry. This application is longer and more involved, but it gives you faster screening at more locations (not just airports) and includes TSA PreCheck. Plus, certain populations, such as Mexican Nationals, may be able to qualify for TSA PreCheck by first becoming Global Entry members. However, be aware that Global Entry applications take a while to process and you might wait several weeks for an interview.

Pros and Cons

One of the main advantages of these travel programs is that they are affordable, especially when you consider how much time they can save you at airports and that membership is valid for five years.

The long membership also means that you won’t have to go through the application process often, making the programs useful even if you don’t travel a ton. If you do a lot of traveling, you can save many hours at airports and enjoy a generally smoother check-in experience.

One of the main disadvantages of these programs is that not all airports participate. Although many major airports and travel ports accept TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, some airports and airlines choose not to. For example, some smaller airports and certain international airlines don’t participate. It’s always worth checking before you travel so you know what to expect.

Another disadvantage is that it can take a while for your applications to process and your interview to be scheduled. You could be waiting several months to hear back about your application and it can be tedious to gather everything you need to apply, especially if you are not a native U.S. citizen.

Final Thoughts

We feel that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are well worth the time and money to enroll. Although the processes to apply are no walks in the park, it’s very doable for most people and you can save a significant amount of time at airports. And since most major airports participate in these programs, you don’t really need to plan travel any differently.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are not the same and you may benefit from one more than the other. Global Entry is best for people who take regular international flights and TSA PreCheck is best for people who travel domestically a few times a year. We recommend looking into credit cards and loyalty programs that include TSA PreCheck as a benefit if this program makes the most sense for you.