13 SECRET AIRPORT HACKS That Work in 2024 (NOBODY talks about these!)
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- čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
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Airport Tips and Tricks that ACTUALLY work in 2024! Whether you are a frequent flier or it's your first time going through the airport, there's at least one hack on this list that will upgrade your travel experience. Learn how to maximize your packing space with a secret fanny pack hack and why you should always have a physical and mobile copy of your boarding pass. Speed up your security screening with trusted traveler programs and free fast pass services. Plus, learn how to make the most of your time at before a flight with sneaky hacks like getting into the Airpot Lounge at a discount!
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Welcome to Portable Professional: your go-to resource for stress-free travel. I’m Megan, and I’m here to share my tips and tricks from 300+ flights to help you feel confident about your travels while making the most of every trip.
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Join over 5,000 travelers diving into smart travel secrets, receiving personalized advice, and uncovering savvy hacks.
0:00 Airport Tips & Tricks
0:16 Hack #1: Drop off hack
0:45 Hack #2: Check-in hack 1
1:10 Hack #3 Check-in hack 2
1:44 Hack #4: Carry-on hack
2:20 Hack #5: Flight ticket hack
3:17 Hack #6: Restroom hack
3:33 Hack #7: Airport Security hack 1
3:57 Hack #8: Airport Security hack 2
4:45 Hack #9: Secret menu hack
5:04 Hack #10: Airport Lounge hack
6:32 Hack #11: Alarm hack
7:00 Hack #12: Flight gate hack
7:34 Hack #13: Delayed Flight hack
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One thing I do to avoid with my boarding pass on my phone is to take a screen shot of it. So, even if you can't access Wi-Fi you always have it!
Yes, I do this every single time, even when I know my battery's full and I am (or I know that I will be) connected to the Internet.
Never thought of this!! Thank you!
God, a game changer , also for rail tickets!
Me too
I do this with concert or theater tix too
Want peace and quiet but don't want to pay for a lounge? Find the chapel. Tucked away down a corridor, these places are usually empty and blissfully quiet.
not any more. whole families pack in there to make and eat food. the same people who let their kids scteam, run up and down the plane's aisles.
@@linebrunelle1004 I'm not surprised.
sounds like my library!
I was a customer service agent for American a few years back. And had a young lady came back to me in a panic after checking her bag. She dropped her phone before getting to TSA lines and it broke completely. So her mobile boarding pass could not show at all. So a paper boarding pass is a great backup.
Some airlines REQUIRE paper passes. When I was in France before COVID RyanAir wouldn't board you unless you had printed out your OWN boarding pass. Absolutely ridiculous. There was a tiny print shop in the airport that was the only place to print stuff, there was a queue of about 200 people waiting to print their passes. They did very well out of it!
@@karmatrainingI remembered this in time once while flying with Ryanair. Fortunately I was staying at an airport hotel (Holiday Inn Express). Their front desk was happy to print it, quickly and for free.
@@karmatraining Ryanair did require printed passes when you have bought tickets through their website, using their app didn't required printing passes on MOST airports (not sure if it is still a thing as I am only using app for few years now). Some airports didn't have right equipment to read mobile passes and needed printed ones (Mykonos airport) or they would have check-in only at airport (in those cases - free of charge), so they would print your pass there (Palma the Majorca airport) - not Ryanair fault ;)
ALWAYS print airline information! All know that when you need something critical on your phone, it doesn't work right.
For long flights I prefer to sit in the aisle seat, because I am amazed at how quickly people fall asleep and some sleep most of the flight. As a long haul trucker for my working life I've trained myself not to fall asleep sitting up. Flying from Canada to Thailand is brutal for me and sitting in the aisle seat allows me to get up and stretch without climbing over my seat partners.
same here.
Booked a flight from Toronto to Helsinki with Icelandair and took advantage of their 7 day layover in Iceland. On my return flight from Helsinki to Iceland the airline changed my departure time later by 7 hours. Basically lost a whole day of my trip. I contacted Icelandair to complain as NO notice was given and I only found out when I confirmed my flight (they never contacted passengers). I had to cancel my airport pickup, afternoon tour, etc. As compensation I received $900 Canadian - more than my whole flight cost. Good compensation rates with European airlines. Horrible with Air Canada.
That is a cool trip I’m going to look into that
That is the avantage of the regulation set by the EU
I spent a week in the Amazon jungle. Our return was delayed and and there was no time to shower before going to the airport. The longe shower was a life saver and I'm certain my fellow passangers appreciated it too.
i wish morw people were told to shower, ising soap then deodorant.
best advice is driving up to airport - use arriving lanes for early AM! Awesome.
Megan, I like the hack about setting an alarm an hour in advance…..but I would recommend setting it for an hour before the posted “boarding time,” rather than departure time. Well, at least in larger or unfamiliar airports, anyway.
Agree
Had a few internal flights recently, and many had the boarding process also include the security checks, and they started an hour and a half before the flight time.
Hi Megan I'm from Australia I went to Vegas had 2 large suit cases so full I new coming home my cases were going to be over the limit . As I had been to Vegas previously I knew there was a curb side check in.
As soon as the shuttle bus dropped my mum and I at the United airlines I went straight to curbside gave him a nice smile and a $10 note and spoke politely he put my bags threw gave us our tickets with a smile I said thank you and have a lovely day. I think he knew they were over the limit but put them threw. I was so happy as I knew it would have cost me at the counter. God bless that gentlemen. Thank you Megan for your great videos.🇦🇺💞💞
That was smart thinking, Tanya! Glad it worked for you! Happy travels!
I had an overweight bag at PBI. Checked it and we were pleasant to the agent as always and they tossed it down the chute and off we went. If it's not egregious and you are pleasant they usually return the favour.
It is to help those who have to handle your bag. It is hard on your back if you work security or loading the plane. Those heavy bags get abused for a reason.
@@user-ch9if6px6rAlso the plane may crash in flames 🔥✈️🔥 as it struggles to get into the sky with all those overweight bags it doesn't know it's carrying! Thank you, smiling charming customers !!
Nice works wonders!
I fly AA regularly, and they're pretty strict about the one carry-on and one personal item rule. The only thing I notice is people who are carrying huge bags and stuffing them into the overhead bins.
As for personal wear, consider using a Scotty vest, jacket or vest. They provide mini pockets in some of their models that can take many items. Then you just take the jacket off and have it scanned
My Scottevest has a back pocket that holds my laptop plus many other pockets.
When I go I leave from home with the bare minimum of watch, keys, and wallet in my pockets. I check that all metal items, including belt, are in my carry on so I can quickly go through the scanners. I also only have clothes in the main compartment and all small items in the outside zippered compartment. Have your pocket items in your hand, five people in advance, so you can just drop it in when you get to the bins.
Great advice. Recently while traveling internationally I picked up really easily that if you're close to being ready with your coats, jackets, sweaters and shoes off they really help you through faster because they know you've made an effort. Neck scarves, small travel bags and of course no belts at all and shoes off. I like flying with clogs but small, easy take off boots are good too.
Flight Aware is so useful when expecting and or just tracking a loved ones flight. And yes, for sure, check the gate again close to expected boarding time.! I almost ended up in a line to a different continent when I arrived at gate and found it had changed then had to scramble like mad to find my gate!
Our youngest splurged for a lounge pass for his father and me. The three of us relaxed and had a lovely soup and salad at DFW.
Nice! Happy travels!
Excellent tips Megan! At DFW I have enjoyed the American Airlines Admirals Lounge when traveling internationally so that I can relax, eat and take a another shower before the flight, however right next to that lounge is the Capital One Lounge which I consider to have better food and is nicer aesthetically... Love your videos...!
Great tips! You always have such useful and practical travel information. Thanks for sharing. How is that adorable pup of yours. You need to feature him more often as a co-host. 🐕🦺
Also, if you’re picking someone up, pick them up outside the Departure area…..no crowds.
Avoid Arrivals!
Thanks for sharing
Glad to be watching your videos. I have a trip in a few months, visiting my brother. It’s been 7 years since I last got on an airplane, so any tips before my trip have been more than helpful, especially for a carry-on only flight.
That is awesome! Have a great trip!
Thanks for your video, M.
Regarding tip number 6: depending on the airport especially when flying international, the airside (post-security) might run deep with an extensive main concourse and multiple side-piers. If I have the time, I'll go for a walk to the farthest end, taking note from departure screens which gates have had flights already depart or gates with few to no flights ahead. That's a good time to do the "business", before finding some quiet space to charge-up and relax with perhaps food and drink, with a time-estimate in mind about how far I am from my own departure gate (for a healthy stretch of the legs in return).
When I traveled in August 2023, in Boston Southwest Airlines did not let you have a sling, a backpack and a carryon, you had to pack the sling. Two items only
I traveled with American in Sept 2023 they wouldn’t let the girl in front of me to board with carry on, purse and sling too
It's always been that way. Your purse counts as the personal item along with the normal carry on suitcase. I always pack my small purse in the small under seat item.
Watched a video from another CZcamsr who had just gotten back from a trip from Mexico and she said that she had to pack her belt bag in her purse/totebag
We just flew with American earlier this month. In the past, Hubby and I have sometimes gotten away with a fanny pack (in addition to a carryon and backpack). This time, however, they were very strict about NOT allowing it when boarding. Once on the plane, I put my fanny pack back on, and nothing was ever said about it. I look at my fanny pack as the equivalent of a man’s wallet, and that’s where my ID and money go. I REALLY want that fanny pack on my body in case of an emergency evacuation!
Megan, I like the hack about setting an alarm an hour in advance…..but I would recommend setting it for an hour before the posted “boarding time,” rather than departure time. Well, at least in larger or unfamiliar airports, anyway.
Most lounges now have 30 min to 1 hour waits, even if you have a credit card or pass that allows access. Priority Pass holders are routinely turned away from lounges that are supposed to accept that card, because the lounges are so full. In the last 5 years the only place we've been able to get into a lounge was in Auckland New Zealand. The only other time we were able to get into a lounge was when we bought Business Class tickets. Bradley Terminal at LAX no longer has a Priority Pass lounge. KAL used to take Priority Pass, but they no longer do. The restaurants that Priority Pass show on their website that are supposed to substitute for a lounge are no longer open.
I learnt something new- to check in near business. Also-lines and bathroom info. You’re a wealth of info, as usual :)
Thanks, Roberta! Glad it was helpful!
Always love your content Megan. Greetings from Zimbabwe!
Thanks so much!!
One of your best videos! I saved it in favorites. So much useful information in one video.
Better than a sling, I do find that most airlines will actually allow a relatively large backpack as your “personal item”. I do this all the time.
And as far as lounge passes, go, I get two free United passes with my United credit card, but I live in Italy, so I don’t have a chance to use these as much as I would like. But I was surprised on my last flight, which was on Lufthansa from San Francisco to Frankfurt, when I went into the United lounge area and asked “I assume that you need to be on a United flight to use the United lounge pass?” “No, as long as you have any flight” was the reply, which got me a free lunch, and a great environment prior to my flight.
Glad you liked it, Nathan! Thanks for watching!
This video is packed with great information! Thank you for posting! Downloaded ❤
Thanks, Deborah! So glad you think so!
Excellent video
Thank you, Elizabeth! So nice to hear!
On my vacation trip to Mexico right now. Your tips have certainly helped me navigate everything with ease, including luggage! I carry a fanny pack/turn it into a shoulder bag. It does add a bit of extra space. Happy Sunday, Megan, and thanks for everything! 😊
Your welcome, Tammy! Enjoy that sunny Mexico vacation!
Just an FYI, Alaska Air is eliminating self serve kiosks for boarding passes but does make you print your luggage tag at the airport. I also haven't been able to print my ticket at home last couple times I flew with them.
Excellent 😊
Thank you Megan for your information to travel outside the country.
You are so welcome!
Always use the lounges where available, very nice, less chaotic and can chill. And yes I set an alarm 60min prior to boarding to ensure the flight isn't delayed/changed gates. I do ask the staff before I leave if they have an update on flight XYZ, That is a bonus. Great video!
Since 2016, I have only used a carry on backpack for my 1-2 week travels to Europe. Just cut down on things that I didn’t use on the last trip. So bag is even lighter this year.
As someone who flew over 100k miles annually for the past several years (before and after COVID), I have never seen a physical boarding pass line vs a mobile boarding pass line. Ever.
On the other hand, mobile passport when coming back into the US is awesome.
Another excellent video. Thanks.
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it!
I have very light weight cargo hiking pants that I slip over my jeans. If there is a spill or get dirty, I still have clean jeans on. Many pockets that I can put things in once through security. Even my mini iPad fits in a calf level pocket. Easy access and the empty purse fits into my personal bag. If they are weighing your carryon it really helps because they don’t weigh the passenger 😂
Great job
Thank you, Rodrigo!
I am off to London in a few months, and even though, I have travelled often, I always find your tips so helpful
Awesome! Thank you! Have a great trip!
great tips and tricks
Thanks! Glad you like them!
Good tips. Lounge experience at JAL, Singapore Airline, UAL and Air Canada. Best were JAL and Singapore. Thanks for the vlog. Enjoyed.
Curbside check-in has a cut-off time prior to flight - totally worth the expense when airport is crazy busy
0:24 as a cab driver that does a lot of airport drop offs, I have to point out that certainly in most UK airports, this is not possible any more, a cab company can get banned from the airport for doing this, also, London Airpots charge a minimum of £5 for a drop off, and want to make the money
is that a new thing or is it just for cabs? in the good old days my sister drove me, now I use the busses.
It has been the case around London airports for over a year now, it is since Covid. Gatwick and Heathrow Airports use ANPR at the arrivals drop off, and charges are raised for each car entering. Luton and Stansted have a barrier you have to go through, and you pay on exit
What is not possible anymore?
@@user-tj8zm4jh3d to either pick up at the drop off, or drop off at the pick up, both incurs a charge anyway these days, but picking up at the drop off gets you blacklisted from using the airports at both Gatwick and Heathrow if caught.
Going to download flight aware now. Thanks for the tip. Always fun and useful tips.
Glad it was helpful! Happy travels, Carl!
Thank you for the helpful information. We have a trip to France booked for later this year. The airline has changed the times twice. Currently, they have us leaving an hour earlier and arriving at our final destination 2 hours later than our original ticket. We also have a longer layover on the way back. Flying has become such a nightmare!
Glad it was helpful! What you describe is unfortunately happening more often. Have a nice time in France!
Hi Megan. Your videos are super helpful. Something that I have not heard you mention yet (and as I recall you are from Canada?) are the new carry on and personal item bags automated measuring systems to ensure your bags are not a centimetre over size requirements. Air Canada is using them at major Canadian airports such as Pearson in Toronto. I am soon going on a trip to Spain with my sister, and we are worried that a slightly slouchy soft sided personal items bag could easily register as over, even if it isn't really. Also I read some peoples' comments that their carry on's are 22" high.... 1/2" larger than allowed. They were having difficulty finding a bag that was just slightly smaller then limits, and were finding many that were significantly smaller, thus greatly reducing packing space. Have you experienced this yet? Any advice? Thanks a bunch! Carolyn
More good tips. Thank you, Magan. Rarely check a bag. If I do, will now use your suggestion. Sometimes, when attempting to print a tkt @ the kiosk (occasionally out of order), an employee tells me it's not needed. Sigh.
Thanks, Kim! It's always great to hear from you! Hope you have some exciting travels ahead!
Love your hacks!
I’m so happy to see how within mins, you accrue so many views. You deserve it!
We only get to see the video now. But if you look at her pinned comment. That was done 17 hours ago from right now. So, there must be an early release version for her community.
Just came back through MIA. Arriving there we discovered that not only were many elevators closed but so were the restrooms in the baggage handling areas. A real mess, for sure!
On return our flight departures changed to later twice. Then slowly the times became earlier and earlier, albeit only by 3-5 minutes each of those 3-4 times. I’d never seen that happen before and thought that if I’d been in a lounge it might have been a bit trickier too.
The lounges we have gone in have the departure flights board which is nice. We really enjoy having access to these lounges.
McCarran/ Harry Reid airport in Las Vegas does not allow drop off at the arrival point. The officers patrolling will ticket you and make you get back in the car. I've haven't done it but I have seen it happen while waiting to pick up someone
If you’re doing carry on only, use a soft side bag and you’ll have more options on where to put it.
Do you ever do reviews of your travels? Destinations, airlines, hotels, etc?
Have you heard of the 4D Packs that are going through crown funding right now? They're a combo packing cube and dry bag with vacuum compression. They look really cool!
I was able to use airport lounges when I went to Europe. I loved the wifi and being able to grab some breakfast when we had to get up at 3am to catch our flight.
Do you have any tips for packing all the items you want at your seat on a long haul flight into a 30 X 40 X 10 cm bag?
Good post. To your point about TSA pre and Canadians-anyone who has been approved for a Nexus pass is also part of Global Entry and will get TSA pre.
Cannot find the link you mentioned to the US Dept. of Transportation Customer Care comparison. Did I miss it? I always enjoy your commentary Megan.
Whoops! I am adding it now, thank you so much for letting me know. I really appreciate it!
When we had a stopover in Denver with 1st class ticket, we were denied access to United lounge or pay $200 to go in.
I never knew about the gate changes, till last month. 40 minute flight. Glad I checked online after printing my ticket.
A lot of very good advice!😁
Glad you think so!
I hadn’t heard about the sleeping in airports app - totally gonna check that out!
Great! Hope you find it helpful for your next “sleepover”. Happy travels!
I used the app when I had an unexpected overnight delay in Chicago. I learned a lot about what goes on in the airport in the wee hours. Interesting and noisy. 8:43 8:43
Gf has amex card and I am falling in love w lounges- food, drinks, comfortable seating…
Love your channel
Thanks!
Great to have you on the channel and seeing your Super Thanks made my day. Really appreciate you letting me know the video was helpful. Happy Travels! 😍😊🌎
I love spending time in the lounges. Thanks for reminding me about Lounge buddy!
You bet! Great to have you on the channel!
The lounges in Guayaquil and Quito are good.
Good to know! Thanks for sharing!
a simple "hack" is when you are going trough customs (entering the EU).. If an airport has electronic custom gates and there is a line. Just skip them and go to a manned booth. Lines are mostly shorter and on entering the EU (as EU citizen) they are quick(er).
I couldn't find the app loungebuddy. Your tip about checking flight aware or the airport monitor before going blindly to the gate is spot on. I had taken a screenshot of my boarding pass and went to that gate only to find that my flight was not leaving from there. By the time I got an agent to check I only had a few minutes to get to the other side of the concourse. It was a nightmare.
Last I heard, Loungebuddy is only available for iPhone.
Just watching this brings back anxiety from my last American Airlines experience.
Oh no! Hope your next experience is better!
I almost passed by this video because I thought it would be the same old stuff. But it was very informative and helpful. Thank you.
You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it and hope to see you back!
Lots of uk airports offer security time slot bookings too
I have used lounges before. Mostly with Delta, but with the new rules and less travel for me it’s much more difficult now. I have seen very long lines at a number of airports for Delta Lounges now.
Curb-Side who knew.............the best
The United Club at SFO International Terminal, Boarding Area G, was very busy on Feb 18 Sunday night between 9:00 pm - 10:30 pm, some guests even had to stand inside the lounge to grab food and drinks making the room crowded and busy. Isn't there a "maximum occupancy" at the lounge?
Great tips, as usual! I would say though that a few of them seem (to me at least) to be very/entirely specific to North America. Which is fair enough, that's your main market, but it's worth pointing out that I've never seen e.g. curbside drop-off at airports in Europe, Asia or Australia and I don't think I've ever boarded a plane where they have been separate lines for paper and digital boarding passes at the gate :)
Megan, I love your videos, but I will like to have all that information in Spanish! Where can I download all that important information in my mother’s and friends‘ language? Thanks!
Flight aware is so awesome!
That compensation bonus for long delays certainly came in handy one trip where through no fault of our own we missed 4 flights in one day. It took quite a bit of wrangling, some prayers and the right agent to make it happen.
Once got dropped off at Toronto arrivals by mistake and security immediately stopped me and tersely dirrected me to a distant stairway, while my home airport of SeaTac sometimes encourages this.
As a Canadian, we make every effort possible to avoid Toronto Pearson.
@@Michael_LivingstoneSame.
SeaTac is a nightmare right now with all the construction.
@@lindybrockington4539 I cannot recall when SEA is not a nightmare !
2:05 Nope. Fanny packs are now considered an additional item, supposedly per FAA rules. This appears to be a recent change that I just encounter a couple weeks ago. You have to put your fanny pack in your carry-ons now. HOWEVER, you could always use your jacket pockets. During winter months, I wear an two layers of jackets, more for the extra storage space than the need to keep warm. Or, use a hoodie with mitten pouch that can be zipped or buttoned closed.
Last August was the first time I ever used a lounge, we were flying first class for the first time and it was included in the ticket. While it was well worth it coming with the ticket, I am pretty sure I wouldn’t be paying for it if it regular price.
Another carrier which offers free layover city tours is Turkish Airlines in Istanbul. This is something worth considering, since 1) they operate the biggest network of any airline globally, and Istanbul is their hub, so it can often be a long time between your first and second flights - and no airport anywhere is *that* interesting or comfortable to be in for 8-12 hours! - and 2) the full-day tours they offer normally include a meal as well as the tour itself, which itself might feature a boat trip on the Bosphorus. Given all this is free, it's worth checking out!
Worth looking into. Thanks for sharing this!
It will depend on the airline and sometimes even the gate agent if a sling or Fanny pack is considered apparel. Some are very strict, so are not. On one f my recent flight, I saw someone carrying a takeout bag of food from one of the airports restaurants (it was just a sandwich & chips) but because it was in a bag the gate agent was giving them a hard time about having 3 bags…
If you look online, airlines will tell you if you can take a bag of food.
If the food on an airplane is not free than it look logical that you can bring your own food or snack. If the snack on board cost 15 dollars and you can buy the same snack in the airport for 10 dollars than I will be buying my food at the airport and bring it on board.
I made a trip LAX-HNL last year with UA and you have to upload your credit card for buying food on board then I bought my food at the airport and took it on board.
With alcohol it is an other story.
What’s USO?
If you have a credit card that permits lounge access, these lounges often say there is a time limit. However, I've never had this enforced and was once told the lounge would close at 10pm, but I could go to another lounge. I had a 12-hour layover at that airport. Also, avoid the lounges in Toronto Airport; they even charge for water.
Arrivals is always packed. Departures not so much. I fly to Orlando often and I always arrange to be picked up at departures as it is always less crowded.
Right!? Happy travels, Brian!
Since 2021, I have been using lounges. Like the SAS lounge in Stockholm or the American Airlines Admiral's Club in Chicago. Or the Maple Leaf Lounge in Frankfurt. United Airlines offers a great and affordable way to purchase a lounge pass for a day for any US airport.
Nice! Happy travels!
#3 is a good tip. I don't like lounges. Prefer to walk around and stretch my legs before sitting for some hours.
And some airports have so much to explore! Thanks for watching!
6:19, My uncle go to the lounge, before his flight and it's good.
I now find it necessary to have a print-out of my exit ticket from any destination. With mass migration, most countries want to make sure you're flying out before letting you into the country. Or even, checking into a flight, they want to see proof of your exit flight before allowing you on your arrival flight. Gone are the days of casual one-way travel and I'll buy my departure ticket when I feel like it.
Look somewhat friendly, unstressed when you are TSA and customs and matter of fact.
Put loose stuff and valuable from pockets in a zip lock or such clear bag for scanning, instead of loose in tray.
I only fly from NYC airports twice a year.
So I look for best combination of good deals and convenience.
But am using UBER for most trips to an from each airport. Worth it. Transit is low secondary choice.
I din't see the link for the security line pass by or the crossover bag links
I enjoy your travel hack videos. I normally travel with just a carry-on backpack. I’ve used an inflatable neck pillow on longer flights, but am considering a neck pillow which can be stuffed with small clothing items, to reduce items in carry-on.
If I wear a neck pillow at gate check in, is it considered a “personal item”?
Good question, Tony! A travel neck pillow is not usually considered an additional carry on item as you place it in your lap or on your neck when flying and not under your seat or in the overhead bin. I used to travel with a neck pillow and was never denied it.
Unluckily the main airports I use are so small they don't have any curb check in, which suck cos I'm in a wheelchair and need more help the minute I arrive at the airport.
You have cool tank tops
The VIP lounge in Kingston Jamaica the staff will actually wake you up for your flight if you fall asleep. I love using it
Nice! Some lounges are so relaxing it's hard not to fall asleep. Happy travels!
Loved all your content. I’m retired and been traveling these past years, someone suggested me to get one of the two, TSA pre check or global entry. Which one do u think I should get? Thank u…))
Great to hear you are enjoying travelling, Debbie! They both serve somewhat different travel. I have included a link to a video I did on TSA precheck specifically and another link explaining the difference between the two. Hope this is helpful. Happy travels!
czcams.com/video/wo6oyAyC6Bo/video.html
www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/what-difference-between-global-entry-tsa-precheckr-and-other#:~:text=TSA%20PreCheck%C2%AE%20provides%20expedited,as%20part%20of%20their%20membership.
If you travel internationally, get Global Entry, which includes TSA Precheck.
USO lounges are great if you're eligible. I had been eligible for using the USO for 23 years before I "discovered" them. Only recently, thanks to my wife, I started using the first tip (dropping off at arrivals or the converse, picking up at departures).
Having both a paper and a digital boarding pass may seem like a belt and suspenders approach but there is a video now running where a travel agent only had a paper pass. Customs had damaged the bar code so it would not scan on boarding. So travel with both.
I’ve used lounges. I’ve always kept a close eye on departures. I’ve never missed a flight yet.
Thanks! All good to know. You might want to re-edit this one.