Fast-track airport clearance lets travelers skip passport lines

By Chicago Tribune and Seattle Times Travel staff

For $100 and a copy of your fingerprints, U.S. citizens flying from abroad into some U.S. airports, can skip passport-checking lines and proceed almost directly to baggage claim.

The Global Entry program, which was added Chicago’s O’Hare airport recently, is run through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It’s designed to let travelers get through certain airports faster but also affords a key benefit for the Department of Homeland Security: It makes it easier to track who is coming into the country.

Global Entry has been rolled out this year at seven of the nation’s busiest airports, and it’s hoped will expand to 20 within the next year. The nearly 5,000 people who have enrolled nationally are able to pass through security at automated kiosks instead of standing in sometimes painfully long lines to have their passports stamped. The process at the kiosk takes about a minute and involves having your photo taken, letting both index fingers be read on a scanner and answering a few questions on a computer screen. Passports are not stamped for people in Global Entry, and customs declarations are done on the kiosk screen.

“The goal is obviously to make things faster,” said David Murphy, director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Chicago.

Only travelers deemed “low risk” are eligible, he said, and must undergo background checks. Any criminal conviction — even misdemeanors — is grounds for rejection. The $100 fee is good for five years.

Other airports participating in the Global Entry program are New York’s John F. Kennedy International, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental, Dulles in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles International, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta and Miami International.

On the Web: Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program

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More Money-Saving Ideas

Of course, the best way to save money is to start with a resale timeshare, which will save you 60% to 80% right off the top. But here are a few articles that offer other suggestions on how to cut back on expenses. Not all of the ideas are directly related to timesharing, but others can be quite helpful for stretching your vacation dollars.

Saving Money While On Vacation

Save Money for Your Family Vacation

Save Money on Vacation Dining

(Don’t forget to pre-plan to utilize your timeshare’s kitchen as often as possible for making meals. Cut down on food bills by planning ahead where and when to dine out.)

Ten Money-Saving Vacation and Travel Tips

Air Travel Trends: Looking Ahead to 2010

Rick Seaney reports:

The year 2010 sounds so far away, but – face it – it’s really just around the corner.

I was thinking about this, after being asked to participate in a panel discussion on the future of air travel – a discussion hosted by Southwest Airlines.

So will the future be all that different? To an extent. What I’ve done is isolate some of the trends I expect will continue – so take a look – and add to the list if you like, in the comments section.

14 AIR TRAVEL TRENDS: 2010

1. Decline of Human Interaction: it started with Alaska Airline’s “virtual customer service agent Jenn” and kiosks galore

* Ticket and luggage barcodes sent directly to phones, handheld devices
* Retinal scans at TSA checkpoints
* Noise-canceling headphones — for relief from the cell phones on planes

2. Airplane Cabins Resemble Subway Cars: the advertising age meets flying

* Ads on tray tables, overhead bins and boarding passes have already started
* Look for future ads on barf bags and on “free” blankets/pillows

>>Read Story

Hat tip: One Bag, One World

More Vacation Money-Saving Ideas

Of course, one of the best ways to save money on your vacations is to start with a resale timeshare, which will save you 60% to 80% right off the top. But here are a few articles that offer other suggestions as well. Not all of the ideas are directly related to timesharing, but others can be quite helpful for stretching your vacation dollars.

Saving Money While On Vacation

Save Money for Your Family Vacation

Save Money on Vacation Dining (Also, don’t forget to utilize your timeshare’s kitchen as often as possible for making meals. Cut down on food bills by planning ahead where and when to dine out.)

Ten Money-Saving Vacation and Travel Tips

Do You Know Your Travel Personality Type?

Planning on taking a vacation this year with someone else? Chances are good that your travel personalities will differ. She loves the beach; you hate sitting around, baking in the hot sun. He likes concerts and lots of action; you prefer museums and out-of-the-way historical sites. When it comes down to it, your picture-perfect vacation might not match the travel personality of your significant other, your family members, or your friends.

So, what’s the solution? Have all members of your next vacation take a travel-personality quiz before you start planning your next vacation. It’s a great way to discover the true “inner-traveler” of your fellow vacationers. And, remember, the sanity you save just might be your own.

Even if you don’t agree with some of the results, it’s still fun to take “personality” quizzes. So go ahead, find your “inner-traveler”!

Plog Travel Personality Quiz

What’s Your Travel Personality?

JetGurl Personality Quiz

Vacation Personality Quiz (top of page, in the middle)

flerdle’s one-bag adventure

Via One Bag, One World

August 25, 2008
Posted by Registered CommenterBrad in Luggage, Packing

OBOW reader flerdle went one-bag for one month in Europe and here account read likes a textbook for the novice light traveler. Enjoy:

One month, five countries, one bag: Europe!

(flerdle’s one bag adventure)

I live in Australia, which is a long, long way from just about anywhere (except New Zealand), so when the opportunity to attend a conference in Lausanne, Switzerland arose for mid July, I decided to combine work and play, extend my stay to a whole month, and see how I went traveling as lightly as possible.

I was also recovering from recent major shoulder surgery, so traveling light was an absolute necessity.

Verdict: it certainly worked for me, and I would not hesitate to travel this way again.

I would like to echo John’s comment on a recent thread: “Pack the right gear, get the high-tech, lightweight, quick drying gear, and pack right”. I got an MEI Voyageur, a Rick Steves Civitas daypack, an Asus EeePC, three pairs of light pants from Ex-Officio, and went from there. A complete (women’s) packing list is at the end of this post, with a photo of it all. Yes, despite how it looks all spread out it all fitted in the bag, with room to spare. I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything. [read more]

Ten Ways to Save Up Money for Your Timeshare Vacation

Whether you’re planning to purchase a timeshare or rent a timeshare unit for an upcoming vacation, here are a few ways you might be able to sock away the cash you need without feeling the pinch:
1. Dedicate your income-tax refund to your timeshare vacation fund.
2. Got a raise this year? Put the extra money in your vacation savings account.

3. Forego your fancy latte from the neighborhood barista, and brew your own instead.

4. Put your monthly gym membership on hold–or negotiate a membership for less money with fewer perks.

5. Women: Do your own nails instead of visiting the manicurist once a month. Men: Try to limit visits to the barbershop; if your wife, girlfriend, daughter or friend can wield some clippers, you might consider investing in a set for future haircuts.

6. Rent movies from online DVD memberships that arrive by mail so you never have to pay late fees for film rentals. Already belong? Change your membership to a cheaper option, such as one that limits you to renting only two or three at a time.

7. Stop drinking pricey bottled water at home. If your tap water is icky, buy an inexpensive filter for your faucet (the environment will thank you, too).

8. Reduce your energy bills by making sure your house or apartment is as efficient as possible–close blinds at night, check for air leaks at your doors and windows, turn off lights when you leave the room.

9. As you shop for clothes, ask yourself: “Is this a want or a need?” Put down the item, and if you’re still pining for it, return to the store tomorrow. Better yet, host a clothing swap with friends. Ask a bunch of buddies to bring their gently used clothes to display in your living room; have fun trying them on and modeling for each other over (cheap) bottles of wine.

10. Talk to your friends and family about not exchanging birthday or holiday gifts this year, or draw names so that each person buys only one gift for one other person. If your mom really wants to get you something, suggest that she donate to the cause–ask for cash to deposit in your vacation savings account!

Maria’s 7 Secrets to Timeshare Exchange

Learn to Exchange Like a Pro
If there is one thing about timesharing that causes grief for people, it’s got to be exchanging. Now for me, I believe there are two reasons for this:
Over-promising at the resort, and understanding how it works.

ARDA, the American Resort Developer’s Association, says that exchanging is one of the main reasons why people buy. I don’t know about that, but it’s certainly one of the big promises made by every timeshare salesperson on earth. “Just bank and go,” they say, “it’s that easy!” Well, it’s not and you and I know it! But before I reveal to you Maria’s Seven Secrets of Exchanging, let me introduce myself and tell you what I do at Holiday Resales. [read more]

Also: Timeshare Exchange System

Tips for Saving Money on Your Timeshare Vacation

If you’re feeling a pinch in your pocketbook, and would like to stretch your dollars on your next timeshare vacation, consider these hints:
Remember to pack toiletries and first-aid items

It’s a hassle, and it’s expensive, to pick up sunscreen, make-up and other toiletries once you’re on vacation. Make a check-list of all your personal items, medicines, band-aids and ointments that you don’t want to forget to pack before you leave home. Also, be sure to pack anything that might be confiscated at the airport in your luggage rather than your carry-on bag. It can be expensive to replace these items after you’ve reached your destination.
Use your timeshare’s kitchen

Stock your timeshare’s refrigerator to store milk and juice for cereal breakfasts. Same goes for sandwich fixings for lunch, beer for happy hour, and fruit for late-night snacks.

Eat like a local

In Europe, pack a picnic lunch of a baguette, cheese and ham. In the Caribbean, eat fresh fruit from roadside markets. Find neighborhood restaurants or pack lunches made from items picked up from local grocery stores, and you’ll save a bundle of money that you can then spend at a more upscale restaurant once or twice during your vacation.

Don’t use the phone in your timeshare unit

Buy a local phone card or purchase an international calling card before you leave home.

Explore on your own

In touristy locales like Mexico, there are plenty of outfitters offering snorkeling, ruins and other sightseeing tours–for a lot of money. Oftentimes, it’s cheaper just to rent a car or take a taxi to the sightseeing location or beach and enjoy it at your own pace. Ask the front desk or the concierge at your timeshare resort how to rent a car, take public transportation or otherwise get to where you want to go. Be sure to ask if the public transportation or the area you’d like to visit is safe for foreigners to check out on their own.

Bargain for souvenirs

Again, going off the beaten path will help you save money while you’re on vacation. Hit a touristy shopping area and you’ll spend much more than if you seek out less-traveled markets. In places like Asia, Mexico and the Caribbean don’t be afraid to bargain if you’re shopping at an open-air market. Bargaining for items it typically expected. Just don’t come down too low if you’ve found an item you really want to bring home!

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