Think of the REAL I.D. as a country-wide driver's license revamp. After 9/11, the federal government decided that a minimum set of standards needed to be applied across all states when they issue driver's licenses. The goal is to tighten security at federal locations and make it more difficult to forge identity documents. This will also introduce new technology at all TSA checkpoints, making it easier for the government to save scans of each card and transfer them electronically. Think of it as …
My World Travel Essentials + Gift Guide for Frequent Flyers
Updated November 2022 I love packing for trips. Feeling overly prepared and ready for any sort of uncomfortable situation gives me all the confidence in the world heading out on my adventures. I am asked frequently by my clients what my favorite “travel essentials” are, so I have compiled a near-comprehensive list of travel favorites that I’ve come to love. If you’ve got a frequent traveler in your life, this can also serve as a gift guide! I have broken down my essentials into budget and …
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Let’s talk about the carbon footprint of travel
It is likely no surprise to any of you that traveling by airplane is horrible for the environment. One round trip flight from California to New York City emits roughly 20% of the greenhouse gasses your car emits in one year. YIKES. That's .9 metric tons (~2,000 pounds) of carbon blasted into the air per person on that flight. A single tree can only absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon in a year. Math has never been my strong suit, but that doesn't seem like a good ratio. This really hit home for …
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Let’s talk about TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, and CLEAR
[et_pb_section bb_built="1" _builder_version="3.0.89"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.0.47" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.0.89"] The three most widely used "Trusted Traveler Programs" that you will see in U.S. airports are: TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, and, more recently, CLEAR. Each of these allows members an expedited security process at airports (and some stadiums and festivals) in …
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Let’s talk about rental car insurance
I used to think that renting cars (for myself or clients) was super easy. Book online, show up at the counter, get the keys, and leave. But more and more recently I'm hearing horror stories of overly-pushy upsells, contradicting stories of "mandatory insurance," and altogether negative experiences. This is partially due to the fact that every rental car company at every office in every country is different. But, there is some knowledge that we can have in our back pocket to help avoid these …
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Let’s talk about traveling with only a debit card
Hello fellow travelers! Navigating travel using only a debit card is something that has only popped up a few times in my tenure as a travel agent. However, when that is the case for one of my clients, it takes a big perspective shift for planning their trip. Right off the bat, I'm inclined to discourage it altogether, just because of how finicky a lot of major companies are about them now. However, for whatever personal reasons, if you're unable to obtain a credit card or you've got a …
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