Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary
Zip Through Airport Security With These Services
Make your next airport security screening a breeze. Photo: Wendy Perrin With government shutdowns happening more frequently and screening lines growing ever longer, you should know about several strategies that will help you zip through airport security. Many of you already have T.S.A. PreCheck and CLEAR in your toolbox, but savvy travelers regularly make use of the following additional time-savers:
- Touchless ID
If you’re a T.S.A. PreCheck member, and you’ve uploaded your passport and Known Traveler Number to your profile with a participating airline, you should be able to opt into Touchless ID when you check in. With a mobile boarding pass with the Touchless ID indicator on it, you can use the Touchless ID security lane, which is relatively speedy because facial recognition technology is used, so you need not show physical ID. Touchless ID is available in 65 airports across the U.S. - CLEAR Concierge
If you’re a CLEAR member, a CLEAR Ambassador can meet you curbside and whisk you to the front of the CLEAR lane at a cost of $99 for up to four people. Each adult must be a CLEAR member, but kids 17 or younger can join for free. - Airport Butler
These expediters operate at more than 25 airports across the U.S. and Canada. They promise to meet you at the curb and escort you to the front of the security line. - Global Airport Concierge
Operating in 1,800+ airports worldwide, these expediters offer a wide range of VIP services at different price points.
Headed abroad? The savvy local fixers on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts arrange expediting in foreign airports as a matter of course, minimizing all lines and logistics for you. Learn from these examples, and the ones below, how they can streamline your airport experience.
PARIS: “Being whisked through Immigration, Customs, and Security and on our way to the hotel in no time flat after a long journey was fantastic…”
Traveler Christine Stephenson and her husband Andy used VIP airport services to maximize their time in France.
“I truly cannot recommend Jennifer and her team enough. We had never used Meet and Greet services before this trip, being confident in our ability to navigate airports and usually preferring to splurge elsewhere. Well, let me tell you: Being whisked through Immigration, Customs, and Security and on our way to the hotel in no time flat after a long journey was absolutely fantastic.
We’ve been fortunate to visit Paris a couple of times recently, so for this trip we wanted to explore some lesser-known places and experiences. While we had visited the opera house before, we had never taken a tour, assuming we’d already seen what we needed. Jennifer strongly encouraged us to book the Opulent Opera House Tour, and we’re so glad we did—it was phenomenal. We went backstage and even down into the basements to see the inner workings—just incredible.
In addition to the opera house, we explored the covered passages with a guide. Once again, we saw things we never would have discovered on our own, and the variety of passages and the history behind each one made for a truly lovely experience.
Another highlight was a foodie tour of the up-and-coming 11th arrondissement—there are some amazing hidden gems to be found there. Jennifer also secured hard-to-get dinner reservations for us at Ducasse sur Seine. We wanted to do a Seine dinner cruise, and Jennifer assured us this was hands-down the best option—and, having done a few now, I can confidently say she was right.” —Christine Stephenson
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
ICELAND: “When our return flight was unexpectedly cancelled, they helped us locate a last-minute hotel stay and booked a second visit to Sky Lagoon…”
What better way to wait out a flight delay than with some bonus spa time? Photo: Shutterstock
“This was a trip of a lifetime for me and my two sons who wanted to celebrate my big birthday this year. I’d always wanted to see the northern lights and finally got my wish. Mads and his team did an amazing job recommending and booking a variety of experiences that perfectly fit our schedule and travel plans. I especially appreciated how they were able to adjust our appointments during the trip. And when our return flight was unexpectedly cancelled due to a severe storm that shut down the airport, they helped us locate a last-minute hotel stay and booked a second visit to Sky Lagoon on our last day. Having them there to back us up like that was invaluable.
There were so many moments that we will cherish forever: the waterfalls, the geyser, the jagged snow-covered mountains punctuated by an old red-roofed barn, lunch at the Pósthús Food Hall, and our hike up to the ice cave. We will never forget it.” —Andrea Pollinger
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
BELIZE: “If my daughter’s flight was significantly delayed, Patricia would arrange alternate transportation for her without blinking an eye…”
Having the right planner in your corner makes your beach time stress-free. Photo: Shutterstock
“I first contacted Patricia with a bit less than three weeks of planning time. While I was prepared for her to tell me I was crazy to think she could pull off a trip on such short notice, she was cheerful, optimistic and reassuring that she could make it happen. And that she did!
The first half of our trip was spent inland on a series of adventures through Mayan ruins, amazing hikes, breathtaking waterfalls and the indescribable ATM Cave. The lodge that Patricia found for us near these adventures was stunning. Our two-bedroom villa at the Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge was beautiful and peaceful, the people were kind and thoughtful, and the food was nourishing and delicious.
After our adventures inland, we headed to the Placencia Peninsula. This time, our two-bedroom villa sat steps away from the gorgeous blue water of the Caribbean. The Prana Maya Island Resort sits on a small island just minutes away from charming and friendly Placencia Village via a hotel ferry/shuttle. We ate, drank and relaxed to our hearts’ content. Patricia also arranged a full-day charter on a yacht that took us to visit islands in the Caribbean that I am still not sure are real—they are just that amazing.
I can’t emphasize enough how invaluable Patricia’s team was while we were in-country. It was a great comfort to know that if, for example, my daughter’s flight was significantly delayed, Patricia and team would arrange alternate transportation for her without blinking an eye. And when one of our activities was delayed, they coordinated behind the scenes to get everything back on track for us. As the primary trip planner for my family, this kind of support and responsiveness takes so much stress off me and really allows me to enjoy our family vacations so much more.” —Erin Trimingham
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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