It seems every year there is a new program to expedite your way through certain travel-related line ups. The trade-off is simple: you give up some of your information, and if Homeland Security deems you to be non-threatening, you get preferential treatment in certain travel queues.
But which one?
The short answer is for MOST people, GLOBAL ENTRY will do the trick. However, it does depend on your circumstances, AND how you think you’ll be coming and going from the country. Here’s a quick summary:
TSA Pre
- The Benefits: Expedited screening at US Airports. You don’t have to undress and unpack at US airport security checkpoints. You also get through faster.
- Who can apply: US Citizens and Permanent Residents.
- Cost: $78 for 5 years.
GLOBAL ENTRY:
- The Benefits: Expedited Customs and Immigration when entering the US by air, land or sea. You don’t have to do any paperwork upon entering, and there are dedicated entry lines when you arrive in the US. You often get through MUCH faster.
- Who can apply: US Citizens and Permanent Residents, and some foreign nationals.
- Cost: $100 (going up to $120 in the fall) for 5 years
- Note: Global Entry INCLUDES TSA Pre – so you don’t have to decide between them.
NEXUS:
- The Benefits: Expedited Customs and Immigration when entering the US or Canada by air, land or sea. You don’t have to do any paperwork upon entering, and there are dedicated entry lines when you arrive in either country. You often get through MUCH faster.
- Who can apply: US and Canadian citizens OR Permanent Residents. Mexican Nationals. This is essentially the same as Global Entry, but you’d get the same benefits when traveling to and within Canada (400,000 people cross the border daily – it’s a very busy).
- Cost: $50. Going up to $120 in the fall. Good for 5 years.
- Note: Includes TSA Pre (and its Canadian equivalent) for US and Canadian citizens.
SENTRI
- The Benefits: Expedited customs and immigration for entry via air or land to the US from Canada and Mexico.
- Who can apply: US citizens and permanent residents. Some Foreign Nationals
- Cost: $122.25 for 5 years
- Note: INCLUDES TSA Pre for US Citizens and Permanent Residents.
Homeland Security’s website is a bit of a labyrinth, so here’s a link directly to their page comparing the various programs if you want more information: https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/
Today’s Travel Opportunities
WINDSTAR YACHT CRUISES
Windstar has 3 motor yachts and 3 sailing yachts that hold between 148 and 342 guests. It’s the definition of a small-ship cruise, but in a casual atmosphere. Their current promo sweetens the pot quite a bit by offering an all inclusive package (that would normally cost $89 per passenger, per day) on over 300 sailings. I’ve put a couple of examples below, but here’s the complete list if you want to shop:
https://www.windstarcruises.com/specials/sail-beyond-ordinary/?promo=beyond
Reykjavik to Montreal departing September 6 for 14-days.
- Visit Reykjavik, 5 stops in Greenland, 2 stops in Newfoundland/Labrador, then on to Havre St. Pierre, Quebec City, and Montreal. Tick off Iceland and Greenland from your bucket list, and only have to fly one-way to Europe. Also don’t overlook Newfoundland – it is spectacular.
- Fares start at $6799.
Tahiti and French Polynesia departing November 27 for 8-days
- Visit Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora (overnight), Huahine. Imagine the Polynesian beauty of Hawaii, without the strip malls, and throngs of tourists.
- Fares start at $5399, and include air from LAX, and pre hotel night in Papeete, and the 7-night cruise.
The above cruises include all drinks, gratuities, wifi on the ship, and only through our agency, we can get you an additional $150 per person on board credit.
EUROPE RIVER CRUISES WITH TAUCK
Tauck is the most inclusive of the European river cruise lines, and their expertise on land packages will come in very handy if you want to extend your trip.
Tulip Cruises from Amsterdam to Brussels for 9-days
- Visit Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp, Brussels.
- Enjoy a private Dinner at Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, see Keukenhof Gardens in tulip season, get a guided tour of Rijksmuseum, sail on a canal cruise of Amsterdam, and do a brewery tour in Belgium.
- Fares from $5790 for 10 departures in April 2025.
Paris & Normandy Family trip for 8-days
- Take your kids or grandchildren to experience the thrill of Paris, and show them the important history at the Normandy Beaches.
- Visit Paris, Giverny, Les Andelys, Normandy Beaches, and Versailles.
- Get a private tour of the Musee Marmottan Monet, a walking or bike tour of Paris, see Monet’s house at Giverny, visit Rouen for Joan of Arc, and the Eiffel Tower
- Fares from $5490 for 6 departures in June & July 2025.
LAND CRUISES WITH COLLETTE
Yosemite, Monterey, and Napa Valley for 9-days
- Visit Monterey, Modesto, Sacramento, and San Francisco.
- See the Monterey Aquarium, visit Carmel and Pebble Beach, experience an Olive Oil Farm and almond orchard, take in Yosemite NP, do a boat cruise on Lake Tahoe, and do wine tastings in Napa Valley.
- Fares from $3099 for fall 2024, OR $3199 for departures March to Oct 2025
AFRICA Safari: Kenya & Tanzania for 15-days
- Visit Nairobi, Amboseli, Karatu, Serengeti NP, Arusha.
- See an elephant orphanage, go to Karen Blixen’s House, view Mt. Kilimanjaro, visit a Masi Village, go to Amboseli NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP, and Tarangire NP.
- On your game drives, you’ll see elephant, rhino, lions, leopards, water buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, cheetah, hippo, gazelle, 500 species of bird,
- Fares from $6745 in March 2025.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
