Latest news with #TSAPreCheck
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Shoes on, pockets empty: What has and hasn't changed at TSA checkpoints
Most airline passengers in the U.S. no longer need to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints. The policy change was announced by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference on Tuesday evening, and she stated that the change would take effect immediately. The Transportation Security Administration, which operates departure security checkpoints at U.S. airports, is part of DHS. Still, Noem said, some passengers could be required to remove their shoes if they're flagged for additional screening, and the TSA continues to require other actions at security checkpoints, often including removing liquids and electronics from carry-on bags. The major announcement from Noem's press conference was the change to the shoe removal policy. Most airline passengers in the U.S. have been required to remove their shoes since 2006, when the TSA implemented a rule in response to a passenger who attempted to conceal an explosive in his shoe in 2001. Since then, trusted traveler programs like TSA PreCheck, along with some other exceptions, have allowed some passengers to keep their shoes on when going through airport security, but Noem said that's now the default position for all travelers. Still, she warned, passengers need to listen to TSA officers and may still be required to remove their shoes sometimes. 'That doesn't mean there won't be times where someone will have to remove their shoes," for additional screening or other requirements, Noem said at the press conference Tuesday. While the new shoes-on policy is likely to be welcome by many travelers, it doesn't change everything about TSA. Travelers may still be required to remove belts and jewelry from their person and to remove liquids or electronics from their bags, depending on their Trusted Traveler status and the specific screening technology in place at the checkpoint they're passing through. Passengers will also still be required to empty their pockets before going through screening machines. Travelers may also experience additional screening if they are flagged at the primary security checkpoint. 'We are very confident that we can continue to provide hospitality to folks … while maintaining the same standard of security for passengers and our homeland," Noem said. Noem also teased that more upgrades are likely to come to TSA checkpoints as technology continues to improve. 'We're just getting started, we've implemented several transformational changes," Noem said. "We've gone back and looked at our security processes, looked at the efficacy of everything we do.' While one of the biggest benefits of TSA PreCheck was the ability for travelers to leave their shoes on, the new policy doesn't completely wipe out the perks of enrolling in the program. In many airports, TSA PreCheck members have access to shorter security lines. In addition, verified trusted travelers are able to leave compliant liquids and electronics in their bags, which are usually required to be removed in traditional screening lines. The TSA has an FAQ about the continuing benefits and other information about the program. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about TSA screening with the new shoes-on policy
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
I pay $395 a year for a credit card that I rarely use — but its benefits are worth way more than the fee
That's the case with my Capital One Venture X card. Even though it charges an annual fee of $395, it might be the biggest bargain in my vast collection of credit cards. This card comes with several travel perks that I appreciate It's hard to justify applying for a card with a $395 annual fee, especially when there's a similar alternative that's less expensive. However, a few things set the Capital One Venture X apart from its sibling, the Venture card, which has a $95 annual fee. Venture X cardholders receive unlimited access to the Capital One Lounges for themselves and up to two guests. Sadly, Capital One recently announced that, starting February 1, complimentary guest access will be restricted to cardholders who spend $75,000 annually. Or, additional cardholders can get that access for a $125 annual fee. This card also comes with a complimentary Priority Pass membership, which offers access to over 1,700 airport lounges around the world and can cost hundreds of dollars. Other benefits include a $120 credit toward the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and a $300 annual travel credit toward reservations booked through the Capital One Travel portal. The Venture X offers at least 2x miles per dollar on all purchases. However, I find the most value when transferring my rewards to one of its airline frequent-flyer or hotel loyalty programs. For example, we recently transferred 50,000 points to Turkish Airlines to redeem five last-minute flight tickets that would've cost us about $1,800. In many ways, my card pays for itself after a few trips with my family As a frequent traveler, it's pretty easy to use the $300 annual travel credit, bringing the net cost of this card down to $95 a year — exactly the fee of the Venture card. Previously, I added my wife, my father, and even my teenage daughter as authorized users to my Venture X card so they would also receive complimentary access to Capital One Lounges. Fortunately, there's a Capital One Lounge at our home airport in Denver that my family of five has used often (in addition to other lounges). Between all of us, we've consumed dozens of meals a year at these lounges. So, we almost never had to purchase food at the airport, which would otherwise be necessary before a meal-free flight on Southwest or other airlines. Besides, the quick food options at airports can often be low quality and overpriced. The value of all the food and beverages we consume, along with the $300 annual travel credit, makes the card's $395 annual fee seem trivial. Despite the card having even more benefits, I don't have to use it much to see its value Even though this card offers miles on all purchases and has some other perks, I don't use it that much. I don't find that its transfer partners can compete with other programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards. For example, I often use Southwest and Hyatt, which are partners with Chase, but not Capital One. So even though the Venture X is one of my favorite cards, it's also one of my least-used. However, since I can regularly use the Capital One Venture X's airport-lounge benefit for me and my family, I never have to worry that the card will be worth its annual fee.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
I pay $395 a year for a credit card that I rarely use — but its benefits are worth way more than the fee
Nobody likes to pay annual fees for their credit cards — but savvy cardholders will gladly fork over the money when the benefits far outweigh the cost. That's the case with my Capital One Venture X card. Even though it charges an annual fee of $395, it might be the biggest bargain in my vast collection of credit cards. This card comes with several travel perks that I appreciate It's hard to justify applying for a card with a $395 annual fee, especially when there's a similar alternative that's less expensive. However, a few things set the Capital One Venture X apart from its sibling, the Venture card, which has a $95 annual fee. Venture X cardholders receive unlimited access to the Capital One Lounges for themselves and up to two guests. Sadly, Capital One recently announced that, starting February 1, complimentary guest access will be restricted to cardholders who spend $75,000 annually. Or, additional cardholders can get that access for a $125 annual fee. This card also comes with a complimentary Priority Pass membership, which offers access to over 1,700 airport lounges around the world and can cost hundreds of dollars. Other benefits include a $120 credit toward the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and a $300 annual travel credit toward reservations booked through the Capital One Travel portal. The Venture X offers at least 2x miles per dollar on all purchases. However, I find the most value when transferring my rewards to one of its airline frequent-flyer or hotel loyalty programs. For example, we recently transferred 50,000 points to Turkish Airlines to redeem five last-minute flight tickets that would've cost us about $1,800. In many ways, my card pays for itself after a few trips with my family As a frequent traveler, it's pretty easy to use the $300 annual travel credit, bringing the net cost of this card down to $95 a year — exactly the fee of the Venture card. Previously, I added my wife, my father, and even my teenage daughter as authorized users to my Venture X card so they would also receive complimentary access to Capital One Lounges. Fortunately, there's a Capital One Lounge at our home airport in Denver that my family of five has used often (in addition to other lounges). Between all of us, we've consumed dozens of meals a year at these lounges. So, we almost never had to purchase food at the airport, which would otherwise be necessary before a meal-free flight on Southwest or other airlines. Besides, the quick food options at airports can often be low quality and overpriced. The value of all the food and beverages we consume, along with the $300 annual travel credit, makes the card's $395 annual fee seem trivial. Despite the card having even more benefits, I don't have to use it much to see its value Even though this card offers miles on all purchases and has some other perks, I don't use it that much. I don't find that its transfer partners can compete with other programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards. For example, I often use Southwest and Hyatt, which are partners with Chase, but not Capital One. So even though the Venture X is one of my favorite cards, it's also one of my least-used. However, since I can regularly use the Capital One Venture X's airport-lounge benefit for me and my family, I never have to worry that the card will be worth its annual fee. I'll have to reassess come February, though. If we plan to travel often, the $125 annual lounge-access fee for guests may still be a decent deal for my family members.
Axios
3 days ago
- Axios
DIA: Shoes can now stay on through security
Denver International Airport on Thursday announced travelers can now breeze through security with their shoes still on — no TSA PreCheck required. State of play: The policy change comes two days after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the Transportation Security Administration was lifting the shoe removal requirement nationwide. What they're saying: The airport predicts the new policy "will create additional efficiencies as it decreases the amount of time it takes for a passenger to move through the screening lane," the airport told Axios Denver in a statement. "This change, coupled with cutting-edge technologies of the West and East (opening next month) checkpoints, should continue to create overall efficiencies while ... enhancing security," DIA added. Zoom out: Other Colorado airports are also adopting the policy, including in Colorado Springs. The big picture: This is the first time in 19 years that general passengers can skip the TSA's footwear removal policy. The unpopular rule has been in place since 2006, five years after an al-Qaeda operative unsuccessfully attempted to detonate a bomb planted in his shoes on a transatlantic flight. What we're watching: How much the change shaves time off security lines.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
I upgraded my Costco membership to shop during its new executive member hours. I felt like I had the store to myself.
Costco recently launched exclusive store hours for executive members. I upgraded my membership to shop during the executive member hours and loved how empty it was. When I visited, there were no lines to enter the store, check out, or buy food at the food court. Costco's new executive membership is the TSA PreCheck of grocery shopping, and I'm here for it. As a frequent visitor of Manhattan's only Costco location, I usually wait in a long line to get into the store first thing in the morning and then stand in another long line at checkout. When I heard Costco was reinstituting shopping hours exclusively for executive members as of June 30, I was eager to see whether it would result in a less crowded experience. I paid an extra $65 to upgrade my membership from the Gold Star level, and I'm pleased to report that it was absolutely worth it. Here's what it's like to shop during Costco's new executive member hours. The only Costco store in Manhattan is inside East River Plaza, a shopping complex in East Harlem. Other Costco stores in the New York City area are in Brooklyn and Queens. I arrived about 10 minutes before 9 a.m., when the store would open for executive members only. Costco's revamped executive membership, which costs $130 a year, includes an exclusive hour of shopping on weekday mornings. The stores open at 9 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays for executive members and 10 a.m. for Gold Star and business members. The parking garage featured lots of empty spots since it was so early — a surprising perk. I normally have to circle the garage a few times to find parking, but arriving an hour earlier than the general public meant that there were plenty of open spots. At 8:56 a.m., a few other executive members began to line up by the doors, but it was nothing compared with the line that usually snakes outside the store. As we stood at the entrance, we joked about pushing past each other to get inside first. Clearly, there was no need to jostle for a better spot in line. For context, this is what the line looked like before opening when I visited the previous month. When I shopped at Costco in June, I encountered the usual long line outside the store. When the doors opened at 9 a.m., I noticed new signage indicating executive members' extended shopping hours. Costco executive members get an extra hour of shopping in the morning on weekdays and Sundays, and an extra half hour on Saturdays. A sign at the card scanning kiosk also advertised the new benefits that come with an executive membership. In addition to extra shopping hours, Costco's executive membership includes a $10 monthly credit on orders of $150 or more when ordered via Instacart or Costco's same-day delivery service and an annual 2% reward of up to $1,250 on purchases. I scanned my shiny new executive membership card for the first time and headed inside. When the line outside the store gets extra long, I've seen Costco employees scan people's membership cards while they wait to allow everyone to enter the store faster. With a smaller crowd, there was no need, so I scanned my card myself. I've never heard Costco so quiet. The aisles were wide open without the usual crowds, and it felt much quieter without the usual sounds of rattling carts and conversation among shoppers and employees. This earlier hour of store access also seemed well-suited for those who need a more sensory-friendly shopping experience. The rotisserie chickens weren't ready yet first thing in the morning — one disadvantage of arriving so early. Costco's rotisserie chickens retail for $4.99 each and are known to fly off the shelves. But I enjoyed not having to climb over people and squeeze past carts to reach a carton of eggs in the refrigerated section. Because the refrigerated section is a smaller room, I've found it can take some extra maneuvering to reach the items inside when the store gets busy. The checkout aisles were emptier than I've ever seen them. Only one or two checkout aisles were open for the early hour of shopping, and self-checkout was closed, but I didn't have to wait at all before loading my items on the conveyor belt. There were no lines at the food court either, another rare sight. At the Manhattan location where I usually shop, the food court is almost always full of customers waiting for their orders. If I'd wanted to start my day with a $2.99 cold brew mocha freeze or $2.99 smoothie, it would have been a quick pit stop. I completed my Costco grocery run just after 10 a.m., when the store opened to all other members. I finished my grocery shopping before the opening rush with the added perks of plentiful parking, less-crowded aisles, and shorter checkout lines — all before the store even opened to other members. To me, that's worth the extra $65 a year. Read the original article on Business Insider
