Wonder why you’re told not to show those pearly whites? Here’s what you need to know about getting your passport ready, including a quick renewal option.
🧳 Global Entry is getting faster: New camera tech will soon let travelers breeze through passport control without stopping. Your face gets scanned on the move, so no kiosks or lines. It’s being tested at seven airports, including Miami, LAX, Chicago O’Hare and Toronto. Suddenly, that $120 five-year membership doesn’t sound so bad.
3 Hours
How early TSA recommends you show up if you don’t have a Real ID. Starting May 7, showing up with your regular old license could earn you a one-way ticket to the “extra screening” zone (aka airport purgatory). No star in the corner? Better bring a passport, or pack snacks and a Kindle for the line.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Snap a pic of your passport, ID and itinerary before your trip. Store it in a secure cloud folder or password-protected app so it’s safe and easy to access if needed.
✈️ No check-in, no boarding pass, no problem: The airline industry is tossing out a 50-year-old ritual: checking in. Under a new plan from the UN’s aviation agency, travelers upload their passport to their phone, show up at the airport and … just walk in. Your face will handle the rest. It’s reportedly rolling out globally in 2–3 years. Somewhere, a procrastinator just cried tears of joy.