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Home > Consumer Focus Archive > Time-Saving Tips for Summer Travel
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Time-Saving Tips for Summer Travel
 In the travel industry these days, there’s nothing certain but change, whether you plan to travel by air, land, or sea.
If you think prices are high at the pump, try filling the tanks of a jumbo jet. Some airlines have responded to escalating fuel prices with new fees and some service reductions. At the same time, some airports have more customer-friendly checkpoints that can be time-savers—if you come to the airport prepared, know what to expect, and cooperate with security personnel.
Posted: June 9, 2008 |
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Get a Valid Passport or “Passport Card”
 Air Travel
All U.S. Citizens, including children, travelling by air outside of the United States must present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.
Travel by Land or Sea
New requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) for U.S. citizens travelling to or from Canada and Mexico, as well as Bermuda and the 17 regions within the Caribbean area, now require you to present either:
- a passport or the new passport card; a (WHTI)-compliant document; OR
- a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license), along with proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate).
What is a Passport Card?
A passport card is the smaller, limited-use card that is:
- less expensive;
- a more portable alternative to the traditional passport;
- NOTE: The passport card may not be used to travel by air.
The card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. If you have a
valid passport you can apply for the new card and pay only $20, whereas first-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.
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Airline Bumping May Increase This Fall, but So May Bargaining Options for Travelers
Travel experts warn passengers may experience a spike in overbooking this fall, as strapped airlines cut the number of flights. But there may be a silver lining in the clouds. After last summer’s travel chaos, the Department of Transportation doubled compensation to inconvenienced passengers. Travelers can now receive up to $400 if they are involuntarily bumped and rebooked on another flight within two hours after their original domestic flight time and within four hours for international. They are eligible for up to $800 in cash if they are not rerouted by then. The final amount depends on the length of the flight and the price paid for the ticket.
Even stricter rules apply in Europe, where compensation ranges from 125 euros (about $185) to 600 euros (about $888), depending on the length of the flight and the amount of time the passenger will be delayed.
Compensation must be paid immediately in cash, or with a voucher if the passenger accepts it, and the airline must offer a choice of a refund, a return flight to their departure city or an alternative flight. Volunteers also receive compensation, which they negotiate with the airline.
Passengers are learning, however, that if an airline does not get enough volunteers at a lower figure, they might be able to bid up the offer, and also obtain sweeteners that include vouchers for meals, hotels, transportation and even plane tickets.
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 Time-Savers: Before You Leave Home
Name Recognition and Documentation Options
Travelling by air? If you’re like most people, you’ll probably price and purchase your plane ticket online. But be certain to configure the name on your ticket identically to one on your passport. If you are “J. Jones Smith” on the ticket and “John J. Smith” on the passport, it may cost you extra time with security personnel. As of May 26, 2008 new federal identification requirements require that all adults aged 18 and over, must show a federal or state-issued photo ID that includes your name, date of birth, gender, expiration date, and a tamper-resistant feature. To be thorough, it’s best to check the information on all three federal websites—the Department of State, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Department of Homeland Security—before you leave home.
Check on Entry Requirements for Each Country You Plan to Visit
Document requirements vary by country. Before you travel internationally, be sure to check with the U.S. Department of State, or consult with the embassy of the country you are visiting to determine what specific documents that country requires. These could include a birth certificate, passport, or a passport and visa.
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Come Early and Be Patient for Smooth Sailing through Security
 Many travelers and enhanced security processes may mean longer lines at security checkpoints. Prepared passengers can actively improve the security process by knowing what to do. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has 3 Simple Steps to Security that move lines faster and keep wait times shorter.
Show ID and boarding pass
Passengers should remove their government-issued photo ID from wallets, plastic holders and other similar carrying cases, and present the ID along with their boarding pass at the start of the screening process. Hold on to the boarding pass until through the magnetometer, where you may need show it again.
Show liquids and laptops
The liquid restriction applies only to carry-on bags. Remember the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, gels and aerosols you take onboard in carry-on bags. Since many flights no longer serve snacks, you may also want to pack small baggies of veggies, crackers, trail mix, or nuts.
- 3-ounce bottles or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols consolidated in 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag;
- 1 bag per passenger placed separately in a security bin for X-ray screening.
Declare larger liquids for inspection at the checkpoint. Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Pack the larger quantities of liquids and gels in your checked baggage.
Laptops must be taken out of their cases and placed in a separate bin for X-ray. Be aware of what you can do to protect your battery-powered devices.
Take off shoes and jackets
Removing footwear for X-ray screening is required. Wearing shoes that can be easily removed helps speed the process, and socks will keep your feet warmer and cleaner while standing or being screened. Place jackets and sweaters in the bins for screening.
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Numbers of Bags and Size Restrictions
 Most airlines allow one carry-on bag in addition to one personal item such as a laptop computer, purse, small backpack, briefcase, or camera case. Recently, some airlines have begun charging fees for extra bags. Most post the latest information on new costs or restrictions on luggage dimensions on their websites. It’s up to you to check with your air carrier in advance to avoid repacking personal items at the airport. Checked baggage should not contain valuables, film, or other prohibited items. Your baggage may be inspected, so use a TSA-approved lock.
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Checkpoint Changes for Added Security and a More Pleasant Experience
If you travel through some of the nation’s larger airports this summer, you'll see that checkpoints have been redesigned to make the security process more pleasant and people-friendly. TSA personnel wear easily identifiable uniforms, with their name and rank, and many have posted their biographies on the new TSA blog. There are technological changes, as well. In selected airports, newer and faster x-ray technologies will be in evidence, including bottle screening devices used to detect suspicious liquids. The whole body imaging machines can detect hidden items more precisely, and also offer privacy. See what other passengers are saying about the latest airport innovations on the TSA blog, and add your own comments about your travel experience!
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Resources
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Please bookmark us before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not
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