Travel Tips: How to Save Time at the Airport

Your heart is pumping, sweat is dripping down your back, your bags are bouncing against your body, and your kids are trailing behind you as you race through the airport. You know you look like a crazy person, but you MUST make your connection. There’s no way you’re going to be stranded indefinitely at the Miami airport … AGAIN.

If this scenario sounds familiar, you know firsthand that saving time at the airport can often make or break your vacation. Whether it’s getting through security more quickly or clearing passport control/immigration with no lines, shaving minutes off your wait times can make a big difference, especially if you have a tight connection. Here’s an overview of how you can spend less time waiting in lines at the airport.

You’ve probably heard of most of these programs - TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, Mobile Passport Control - but you may not understand the benefits of each and how to enroll. I’m here to give you Travel Tips on how to save time at the airport!

TSA PreCheck: Faster, easier airport security lines in the U.S.

Given how relatively easy TSA PreCheck is to secure, I’m always surprised how many people are waiting in the regular security lines. Not having to take off my shoes and walk barefoot on the dirty airport floor is reason enough for me to get TSA PreCheck. Add in not removing jackets, belts, laptop, and 3-1-1 liquids plus faster/shorter lines, and it’s a no-brainer!

TSA PreCheck: How to enroll

Online application: Fill out the application form on the TSA website. Cost: $85 for 5 year membership.
In-person appointment: Schedule an appointment at an enrollment center (airport, Office Depot, Staples, etc.) to provide fingerprints, documents (valid passport or driver’s license AND birth certificate), and have a brief interview.
Background check: TSA will review your information and conduct a background check.
Notification: Once approved, you'll receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which you add to all flight reservations to enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits.
Travel: Look for the TSA PreCheck lane at airport security and enjoy the expedited service! This service only exists at U.S. airports.

Traveling with Kids?

Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction.
Children 13-17 may access the TSA PreCheck lanes if they have a TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass. To be eligible, the child must be on the same reservation as a TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian.

Global Entry: Expedited re-entry into the U.S. for international travelers

Global Entry allows you to clear passport control/immigration with typically zero wait time upon reentry to the U.S. after international travel. With facial recognition kiosks, you don't even have to show your passport or Global Entry card. You stand in front of the kiosk, and you're cleared within seconds. Global Entry is available at major U.S. airports. It can also be used for expedited entry into many other countries with reciprocal agreements: Canada, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, India, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Global Entry enrollment also includes TSA PreCheck for free.

Another upcoming processing technology option for travelers will be the Global Entry Mobile App. This app will enable members to validate their arrival to the U.S. on their phone before entering the Inspection Services area.

You'll see below that enrolling in Global Entry is time-consuming. But for frequent international travelers, especially those that don't live near a major airport hub (like me), it's invaluable. Living in Indianapolis (or other smaller cities) means most flights require a connection. Any time you have a stop, your chances of delays, cancellations, and missed connections increase. This is especially true on your return to the U.S. because of the added steps required for immigration. You must complete these steps at your first stop back in the U.S. - even if that’s not your final destination. For example, your flight from Rome to Indianapolis stops in Chicago. You will complete the following steps in Chicago before boarding your flight to Indianapolis.

Clear immigration and passport control. The walk from the plane to passport control can be long, but the lines once you get to passport control can often be longer. This is why you’ll see travelers running off the plane to get to the front of the passport control line.
Claim checked luggage. This step often surprises travelers who don't travel internationally often. Baggage claim often has long waits, and if you have a tight connection, you may miss your next flight. Unfortunately, the airlines don't usually hold flights for delayed passengers. After watching our friends be turned away at the gate because they were delayed waiting on their bags, I’ve vowed to travel with carry-on bags only. Check out how to Pack Like a Pro so you can skip this step!
Clear customs. If you’re not claiming any goods, this step is quick and simple. But if you aren’t at your home airport and have a connecting flight, then you still have a few more steps before you can go to your gate.
Recheck your luggage. This step is usually quick and easy, but you may have to walk to get your luggage to the right spot. If you only have carry-on bags, you can skip this step.
Go back through security. The airports have a special security line for international travelers with connecting flights, so you don’t have to go back to the front of the airport. But wait times can still be long here, which is why TSA PreCheck is so crucial, because those lines are always quicker and easier.
Go to your gate. You will have arrived at the international terminal, but your connecting flight will be at the domestic terminal, so the walk to your gate may be quite long. At many large airports, you will need to get on a train to get to your correct terminal.

That’s a lot of steps, right?! If you plan to check luggage and aren’t enrolled in Global Entry or Mobile Passport Control/TSA PreCheck, make sure your layover time is at least 2.5-3 hours. If you aren't checking bags and you are enrolled in Global Entry, you can feel comfortable with a shorter connection time.

Global Entry: How to enroll

Application: Apply online through the Global Entry website, answering thorough background questions, and paying the application fee. Cost: $120 for a 5-year membership that includes TSA PreCheck membership.
Conditional approval: If you pass the initial screening, you’ll receive conditional approval and can schedule an in-person interview at an enrollment center.
Interview: During the interview, you'll provide documents (valid passport), have your fingerprints taken, and answer a few questions. We interviewed at a major international airport on the way home from a trip.
Approval: Once approved, you’ll receive a Trusted Traveler membership number to include when booking flights. This number will also serve for TSA PreCheck.
Travel: Look for Global Entry kiosks after landing. There is usually a separate line with no waiting for Global Entry.

Traveling with kids?

Unlike TSA PreCheck, children cannot “tag along” on their parents’ Global Entry membership. You must apply for each person separately. However, children’s membership is free if their parent or legal guardian is an enrolled member or has submitted a Trusted Traveler Program application.

Mobile Passport Control: Free app that expedites re-entry into the U.S. for international travelers

Mobile Passport Control is an easy alternative to cut wait time upon re-entry to the U.S.

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is an easier alternative to cut wait time upon re-entry to the U.S. However, not all U.S. airports offer MPC. See below for participating airports.

Mobile Passport Control: How to enroll/use

Application: Download the Mobile Passport Control app from the App Store.
Select the location for U.S. entry (airport arriving in the U.S.).
Select the people you are traveling with. You can add up to 12 passengers in the same household under one group submission. You will need a clear headshot of each person and their passport.
Answer the declaration questions.
Save your submission.
Submit and receive the QR code: Wait until you have arrived at your U.S. point of entry. Once you have arrived, tap the Submit Now button.
Use designated lane: Upon arrival at select U.S. airports, head to the MPC lane, scan your QR code, and proceed to an officer for final processing (no paper forms required).

Airports that currently offer Mobile Passport Control: ATL, BOS, DCA, DFW, DEN, FLL, IAD, IAH, JFK, LAX, LGA, MIA, MCO, MSP, ORD, SEA, SFO

Which Program Is Best for Me - TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, Mobile Passport Control?

If you typically only fly domestically, you need TSA PreCheck.
If you travel internationally at least once a year, especially if you have a connecting flight after arrival in the U.S., you need Global Entry. This will also give you TSA PreCheck membership.
Mobile Passport Control is a good option for infrequent international travelers. However, not all airports participate in MPC, and you'll need to apply for TSA PreCheck separately.

Heather Vergara is a former PepsiCo marketing executive who left the corporate world to be a Mom and never found her way back. Instead, she focused on her passion for travel and adventure and created Show Them the World, a travel concierge service for busy families longing to reconnect and see the world together. In four years, she's helped more than 350 families experience Hawaii, Alaska, Costa Rica, France, England, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, the Caribbean, National Parks, and more to come!

Heather has an MBA in marketing from Indiana University, a Digital Marketing Executive Education certificate from Columbia University, and a BA in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives with her husband, two kids, and two furry dogs in Zionsville, Indiana.