By: Miriam Bribiesca
Sometimes traveling during the holiday season can feel like that group project no one wanted to be a part of, especially at the end of the year when the entire world is flying somewhere. But the good news is that you can beat the chaos with these four smart hacks that will help you dodge the long lines, skip the stress, and spend more time actually traveling.
Oh, and before we get into it, if you’re scouting the best flight deals for your study abroad, holiday, or semester break, a friendly reminder that we got your back (and wallet) so make sure to check out our flight deals exclusively for students like you!
Now where were we? Ah yes, four travel hacks that will save you time, money, and sanity this holiday season.
Consider TSA PreCheck
Ever wondered how to make flying a bit more enjoyable? Us too! Now if a lot of your flights are domestic and you want to be that cool guy/girl that can just walk through security, PreCheck is the way to go. All you have to do is apply and pay a non-refundable $85 fee for 5 years, and after approval you get to use faster security lanes where you don’t have to remove your belt, light jackets or pull out your laptop. Sounds like a good deal to us!
And yes, while there is an upfront cost to pay, many travel credit cards can reimburse the cost, so make sure you check before paying. Plus, when you think about it, time is money, and having TSA Precheck means you can have more peace of mind every time you fly within the United States and that is definitely worth more than $17 a year.
One quick note to keep in mind, having TSA PreCheck doesn’t help when you’re re entering the U.S. from abroad. But if that interests you, keep reading because we have a solution for that!
Why not Global Entry Too?
If you consider yourself a globetrotter in training, Global Entry is basically your golden ticket. It’s a faster way to get through customs when you land back in the U.S., and automatically hooks you up with TSA PreCheck for domestic flights. Sweet! There is, however, a one time, non-refundable fee of $120 for five years, which honestly is a steal considering you’re getting both the domestic fast lane and the international express pass in one go.
BONUS TIP: If you’re heading abroad soon and still haven’t applied for PreCheck, skip it and go straight for Global Entry. You’ll glide through lines, and avoid paying twice for the same perk. Sure, it’s a little pricier than PreCheck alone, but think of it as the upgrade that pays for itself in peace and time, which as we’ve said before are priceless during holiday travel.
BUT WAIT! There’s a small catch, Global Entry takes a bit longer to process because it comes with a background check and a quick 5-10min in-person interview. So if you know you’ve got an international trip coming up, submit that app ASAP (we hear that sometimes having a flight on the calendar can nudge your approval faster). You’re welcome!
Lastly, both programs require that you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and include a full security threat assessment. So if you’ve got serious legal stuff in your past or unresolved immigration issues, this might not be your moment. But for most students, a minor blip won’t ruin your chances. Just triple check your record, make sure you don’t have any surprise warrants, and fill out your form correctly the first time. Easy peezie!
If not that, then try CLEAR
If you are not eligible for the two above, Clear, which is run by a private company and not the government, is way more flexible. That means U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and even some visa holders (like students or work visa travelers) can sign up. You just need to have a valid government ID (like a passport or driver’s license) and be 18 or older.
With this membership, you still go through security screening, but you skip the “ID check” line and get funneled quickly. Making it especially useful when you don’t have PreCheck.
To be honest, though, the cost of this membership is higher and currently going for $209 per year, so you’ll want to weigh how many flights you take and whether or not it is worth it. Also, it doesn’t replace PreCheck, meaning you’re only getting a shortcut to the front of the line for the normal TSA line. And lastly, this service may only be available at certain U.S. airports so keep that in mind when flying through smaller airports.
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) App
Last but not least, we have a final cheat code, the MPC App! It’s perfect for occasional international trips or that one dreamy study abroad adventure.
If you’re flying back to the U.S. from abroad and don’t have Global Entry, downloading this app is the next best way to save some time. All you have to do is plug in your passport info and arrival details after landing, or while you’re waiting to get off the plane, and then head to the dedicated MPC line at customs. It’s totally free, super low effort, and will make you look like a travel pro.
This app can only be used when you’re flying internationally, and while it doesn’t come with TSA perks, it does get you through customs faster on most days. Occasionally, though, if everyone else has the same idea, the line might move slower, but hey, at least you didn’t spend a dime.
When it comes to traveling, you can’t control the weather or the airport staff, but you can control your travel game. And with these programs, you will officially become that friend who actually enjoys traveling because you know how to maneuver your way to a shorter line. So whether you’re heading home for the holidays or jetting off to somewhere new, travel smarter, and maybe let ScholarTrip handle the “cheap flights” part. Au revoir, jet setter!
