JETTING THERE: TRAVEL SERVICES

Travel expert Johnny Jet shares several travel services that you might not even know exist.

By Johnny Jet

Obviously, I travel a lot. Otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this column. As a frequent traveler, I see things that the average person often ignores, which is a huge mistake because in many cases, these things could save travelers lots of time and grief. So I’d like to introduce you to a few great travel services that should help make your upcoming trips smooth sailing.

Let’s start with the greatest travel service ever created for international travelers: Global Entry (globalentry.gov). Think of Global Entry along the same lines as a toll road’s fast pass. After a few times of averaging two miles per hour in the slow-as-molasses cash lane and seeing others speed by in the fast-pass lane, you’re going to want that convenience too. That same sort of service is offered from Global Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

This means no waiting in ridiculously long lines on your way back from an international trip. For just $100, a 15-minute online questionnaire, a background check, and an interview, you can have a fast pass that’s valid for five years.

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