From the airport to the hotel: Tips to skip the long lines when you travel

My family members know I’m not one to wait in line the most.

Not many of us are like that. My particular illness makes me not want to wait in line for a roller coaster, or buy an ice cream cone at a popular ice cream spot near my house (my wife doesn’t believe it).

As you might expect, then, even as tourism has rebounded strongly this year, I regret noticing a general trend in recent months: queuing.

I turned to us TPG . waiting room seek advice from frequent travelers when it comes to travel now. The word that I read over and over is “patience”.

Perhaps you also find this worthy advice outside of your travel. Like so many industries Struggling to hire enough staff to meet demandWaiting times have increased – from queues at restaurants to customer service desks at large retail stores.

This is certainly true throughout the tourism industry. For that reason, we’ve put together a few ways you can save time and avoid the longest lines during your trip.

Enroll in both Pre-check and clear TSA. If you’re willing to pay the fees associated with both programs, this duo will save you time at the airport checkpoint.

Many credit cards offer TSA PreCheck as a benefit, so you may already have access to it.

Related: The best cards for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

The two programs have different benefits. As most frequent travelers know, Pre-check TSA lines are typically shorter — and often significantly shorter — than the Transportation Security Administration’s standard line.

Registered travelers also enjoy the benefit of not having to remove their shoes or take large electronic devices out of their bags, and avoid going through the more stringent security scanners found in regular goods.

Strange members don’t wait in any TSA lines, and instead go straight to the kiosks you can find at dozens of airports across the country. At those kiosks, members have their identities verified.

Clear saved their biometric information (fingerprint and iris scan). Then a Clear representative escorted the passenger to the front of the TSA line.

If you signed up for TSA PreCheck, you go to the front of the PreCheck line. Otherwise, you go to the front of the regular TSA line.

Related: Clear expands to 2 more airports in California

For that reason, there is a benefit to signing up for both Clear and TSA PreCheck. Clear is located at only 42 US airports, despite having many of the nation’s largest.

Your smartphone can be your friend here. Starbucks worked to expand online ordering options at airports.

Also, check your airline’s app. For example, American Airlines has the option to order food on the go at some of its main centers.

It takes a bit of planning to know exactly when you’ll be passing through a particular area of ​​the airport, but some quick research and using your mobile device could be your ticket to a meal. or a much-needed cup of coffee.

Before your trip, check the car rental company’s website to see if it offers several types line skip option.

With Avisfor example, you can apply for Priority status, which is free and available to anyone.

With Preferred, at multiple locations, you can do all the “paperwork” on your phone, skip the counter and go straight to the dashboard to see where your car is.

Other car rental companies have similar programs that can save you a lot of time when picking up your car.

Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car

You’ll start to feel the trend with my recommendations here: See what kind of mobile check-in options your hotel has through the app. Many hotels offer both register from your phone and mobile key options to get into your room.

Related: Apple and Hyatt Launch Digital Key in Your iPhone Wallet

My next strategy is to check my phone and go straight to my room. On my next trip downstairs — when I’m not carrying any luggage — I’ll stop by the front desk (if it’s out of stock) to get a physical key to use for the rest of my time. his back.

I also had a case where when I checked in on the hotel’s app as soon as the property allowed me, I got into my room much earlier than expected.

I once landed in Washington, DC around 7 a.m., wondering what to do with my luggage for seven or eight hours before my room was ready.

As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I received a notification that my room for that night was ready. For a one night stay, I got into the room for about 30 hours.

Related: Here’s what to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled

Sometimes rebooking isn’t so neat and tidy that you have to talk to an airline representative.

However, on days like this, the queue at the customer service desk can be so long that you may have to wait in line for several hours before you can speak to someone. The standby time on the phone can be equally long.

Here’s a trick I used in this situation. If you’re not an airline club member, see if you can purchase a day pass, then work with a customer service representative in the club.

For example, American Airlines passengers can purchase a one-day pass to the Admiral’s Club. Chances are other flyers will be lining up to rebook, but you can be sure that the line is shorter than the one outside the terminal.

Related: Paying lounge memberships with miles: Worth it or not?

Also, on a day like this, you might end up stuck at the airport longer than expected. Now you have a place to get food, charge your electronic devices, and relax in a more relaxed and stress-free environment.

This is also where a credit card like United Explorer card may be useful. For the $95 annual fee, you don’t get full access to the club, but you do get two per year.

Those tickets are useful for lounge access on days when you have flight delays, and reaching out to a customer service agent in the club can save you a lot of time during the rebooking process.

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge use