To help travelers pass through airport security quickly and smoothly, the TSA has offered these seven summer travel tips. 

Double-Check Your PreCheck

Didn’t get the TSA PreCheck symbol on your boarding pass even though you’re a member? It’s likely that you didn’t add your Known Traveler Number to your reservation. Before checking in, make sure this information is correctly added to your profile so that you actually get PreCheck on your ticket. 

Empty Out Your Bag Before Packing

Maybe the last time used your backpack was for a camping trip, and there’s a knife stashed in a pocket that you forgot about—the TSA checkpoint is not the time to discover that. Make sure your luggage is empty before you start packing it, so you don’t accidentally bring any prohibited items to the airport. 

The TSA is especially concerned about people packing weapons, warning travelers, “If passengers bring a firearm to the security checkpoint, they will face significant penalties to include federal penalties and additional screening.”

Allow Extra Time

Airports are going to be really busy this summer, so you may have to wait in longer lines than you’re used to. Factor this in when you’re planning how long it will take you to return a rental car, find parking, check your bags, and get through security. 

To save time during screening, the TSA recommends taking items out of your pockets and putting them in your carry-on bag rather than in bins.

Be Ready for New Technology

You may see new technology at checkpoints in airports this summer, including new CT baggage scanners. “The opening to the X-ray tunnel on a CT unit is slightly smaller than on a traditional X-ray unit,” says the TSA.  “TSA advises travelers not to force larger items into the tunnel, but to ask a TSA officer for assistance.” 

Remain Calm

Crowds and delayed flights might test your patience this summer but don’t take it out on airport employees, TSA agents, or flight attendants. The TSA reminds passengers that “Assaulting a TSA officer is a federal offense and will result in penalties and/or arrest.” 

Check Your Identification

Although you still won’t need a REAL ID license until 2025, you should still double-check your passport or driver’s license well before you travel to make sure that it hasn’t expired. Don’t forget that many international destinations require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your trip. 

Know How to Reach the TSA

Not sure what you can bring on a plane, or what security procedures will be like? Ask the TSA before you go. You can contact the TSA through a variety of methods:

• Social media: Message @AskTSA on Facebook or Twitter
• Text 272872 (AskTSA)
• Call the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673
• Passengers requesting special assistance/accommodations can call TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227

Live assistance is available on social media from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. ET and phone lines are staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekends and holidays.

The post 7 Summer Travel Tips From the TSA appeared first on SmarterTravel.

New numbers from the Consumer Price Index by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show just how much prices have risen recently. Here’s what you can expect, along with tips for saving money.

Airfare

According to the BLS, airfares in April 2023 were an average of 9.6 percent higher than they were pre-pandemic in April 2019.

How to Save: Consider taking a road trip this summer instead. Data shows that gas prices have dropped 12.2 percent year-over-year, and rental car prices have also decreased by 11.2 percent.

Hotels/Vacation Rentals

The BLS measures inflation across a variety of accommodation options for travelers, including hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals. All of these overnight accommodation types are compiled into a category called “lodging away from home.”

Room rates for lodging away from home have risen 3.3 percent over the last year, and 23.6 percent over the last two years.

How to Save: Booked a refundable reservation? Keep an eye on rates at your hotel to see if prices drop before your arrival. If they do, you can rebook at a cheaper rate for no additional cost. 

Don’t forget to search for a hotel on SmarterTravel Hotels, where we offer big discounts on properties all over the world.

Dining Out

Eating away from home, whether it’s in a fast food cafe or a fine dining restaurant, now costs 8.6 percent more than it did one year ago.

How to Save: Try not to eat every single meal out when you’re on vacation. Booking a vacation rental or hotel room with a kitchenette can make it easy to prepare a quick and inexpensive breakfast. Or, try hitting the local grocery store and picking up ingredients for a picnic in a scenic spot for a cheap (and memorable) lunch or dinner.

The post New Data Shows Travelers Are In For An Expensive Summer appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Google just unveiled Immersive View for routes, a new feature within Maps that will help you plan ahead and know exactly what to expect on your trip. 

Immersive View utilizes Street View and aerial images to create a “multidimensional experience” where you can preview important aspects of your route, including bike lanes, sidewalks, intersections, and parking.

Use the time slider to see how weather and air quality will change along the route depending on the time of day, helping you decide if it’s better to walk or drive. Immersive View will use AI and historical driving data to show how traffic is expected to look along your route, so you’ll know how much congestion to expect along the way. 

“Imagine if you could see your whole trip in advance,” said Google CEO Sundar Pichai. “With Immersive View for Routes, now you can, whether you’re walking, cycling, or driving.”

Google will launch Immersive View in 15 cities to start: Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Paris, Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Tokyo, and Venice.

Expect to see Immersive View within Google Maps in a few months. The new technology will focus on driving, cycling, and walking, and will not work for public transportation (yet). 

The post This New Google Maps Feature Could Be a Game-Changer for Travel appeared first on SmarterTravel.

During a House Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “We’re getting 500,000 applications a week for a passport. That’s 30 to 40% above last year, so it’s dramatic.”

If you submit a renewal or new passport application now, standard processing time will now take around 10 to 13 weeks, according to Blinken. Even if you pay for an expedited request, you can still expect to wait between seven to nine weeks. 

The estimates for these processing times don’t include mailing times (the clock starts when the State Department receives your application) so your actual wait may be even longer. 

How to Check the Status of Your Passport Application

If you want to see what stage your application is in, try to avoid picking up the phone. The State Department reports that “some customers are facing extended wait times when calling the National Passport Information Center.”  

Instead of calling and endlessly waiting on hold, you can quickly find the status of your passport application online.

If you renewed your passport online, log-in to your MyTravelGov account to check your application status.

For applications submitted by mail, visit this page on the State Department’s website to see your status. 

Expedited Passports

If you need your passport urgently, there are a few options available. If you’re facing a “life-or-death emergency” that requires you to travel abroad within the next three business days, you can make an emergency appointment by calling the State Department. 

If it is not an emergency, but you are traveling internationally within 14 calendar days and your passport is still stuck in limbo, you can call the State Department at 877-484-2778 to try to get an urgent appointment. Unfortunately, these in-person appointments are very limited and hard to snag.

Don’t be fooled by passport expediting agencies that promise to get you your passport faster (for a price). “Passport scams follow the same beat as most online crimes—take advantage of the target’s sense of urgency,” Cybersecurity expert Adam Levin tells SmarterTravel. 

The State Department will never charge you a fee to make an appointment, and appointments cannot be transferred between people, so these companies are likely scams. The State Department warns, “You will not receive your passport any faster than you would if you applied in person at a passport agency or center.” 

Simply want your passport application to be processed more quickly? You can pay $60 to have your passport expedited, but you may still wait up to nine weeks. 

The post Record Demand for Passports Create Huge Wait Times appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Summer flights are rapidly filling up—Delta Air Lines has already sold out nearly 75 percent of its seats on international flights for this summer. 

During Delta’s recent Q1 Earnings call, the airline’s president Glen Hauenstein told investors, “To meet increasing demand, we are growing our international seats by more than 20% in the June quarter compared to prior year, and we already have about 75% of our bookings on hand.”

It’s likely that other airlines are seeing similar demand as travelers book early in order to get the best deals. 

Tips for Booking Summer Travel

If you’re still looking to book your summer vacation, follow these tips to find great deals:

• Use Google Flights’ Explore feature to find cheap flights to destinations worldwide from your home airport
• Consider a domestic trip instead—according to Delta, demand has not been as strong for domestic flights this summer compared to international flights
• Be flexible with dates—travel at the beginning or end of summer, and try to fly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays
• Book as early as possible
• Reserve hotels and rental cars early as well—check availability and prices in your destination before committing to a flight

The post Delta’s International Flights Are Already 75 Percent Sold out for the Summer appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Of those who found a camera, 20 percent discovered one on the exterior of the property, and 5 percent located one inside the rental.

Surprisingly, only one in ten travelers who found a camera unplugged or covered it for the remainder of their stay. 

Are Cameras Allowed in Vacation Rentals?

Finding a camera in a vacation rental may feel like an invasion of privacy, but some types of cameras are permitted by most vacation rental companies.

For example, Airbnb allows “disclosed devices monitoring only public spaces and common spaces,” but forbids hidden cameras and cameras in private spaces (sleeping areas and bathrooms). 

VRBO has a stricter policy and does not allow any cameras inside properties. The exception to this policy: smart devices that cannot be activated remotely. Guests must be informed of the cameras and given the option to deactivate them. 

VRBO does allow cameras outside of properties as long as they are disclosed in the property description page with the location and coverage of the devices clearly noted. 

Since cameras should always be disclosed in vacation rental listings, be sure to carefully read through a post before booking, so you know where you might find a camera if you want to cover or deactivate it.
Concerned about hidden cameras in vacation rentals that aren’t disclosed in the listing? Read our story on how to find secret cameras in vacation properties.

The post 25 Percent of Travelers Have Found a Camera in Their Vacation Rental appeared first on SmarterTravel.

When Is the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse?

The first location in continental North America to see the total solar eclipse will be Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. The Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada will be the last place in continental North America to see the eclipse, where it will exit at 5:16 p.m. NDT.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has provided a helpful chart that shows the time totality will begin in cities throughout the US.

How Long Will the Total Solar Eclipse Last?

Depending on where you are viewing the eclipse from, totality will last up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Can You Look Directly at a Total Solar Eclipse?

During totality, it is safe to look directly at the Sun, even through magnifying devices like binoculars or a telescope. However, do not look directly at the Sun if it is not in totality. The American Astronomical Society (AAS) warns, “Whenever any part of the photosphere is uncovered, it is essential to view the Sun through a safe solar filter, that is, one that meets the transmission requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard.” The AAS maintains a list of places to buy safe solar filters (you can even get them for free from some public libraries.) These are not something you’d want to buy from an unknown party on Amazon, in case they are counterfeit. 

Sunglasses are not enough protection for looking directly at the sun. The AAS cautions, “Looking at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun through dark sunglasses or any other unapproved filter is a recipe for serious and potentially permanent eye injury.”

2024 Total Solar Eclipse Travel Tips

North America won’t see another total solar eclipse until March, 30, 2033—and even then, only Alaska will witness totality. A total solar eclipse won’t return to the lower 48 until August 23, 2044—which makes the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse special and worth traveling for. Book travel early as hotels, flights, and rental cars will sell out in prime viewing destinations well before 2024. Rates are also likely to increase the closer you book to the eclipse. 

The Best Places to See the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in the US

For the best vantage points of the 2024 total solar eclipse, plan a trip to these destinations: 

Erie, Pennsylvania

In downtown Erie, spectators will be treated to 3 minutes and 40 seconds of totality—but you can gain a few extra seconds of darkness (and have more open space to watch from) by driving out onto picturesque Presque Isle State Park.

Where to Stay: Ask for a bay view room at the Courtyard By Marriott Erie Bayfront.

Book Now

Niagara Falls, New York 

For one of the most stunning views of the total solar eclipse, head to Niagara Falls. Arrive early to stake out a spot at Terrapin Point, where you’ll be able to witness the eclipse with the sun positioned directly over the Falls. 

Where to Stay: Book early to reserve a prime Falls view room at the Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel & Suites. 

Book Now

Burlington, Vermont

Burlington’s Lake Champlain is beautiful on an ordinary day, so watching the total solar eclipse there will be even more special. The eastern shores of the lake will get about 3 minutes and 15 seconds of totality.

Where to Stay: The Courtyard by Marriott Burlington Harbor is a great budget-friendly choice in the heart of downtown Burlington.

Book Now

Cleveland, Ohio

Plan a trip to Cleveland, which will be directly in the path of totality for nearly four minutes, for a day of fun and learning. The city will be hosting an eclipse-themed celebration, and will offer up plenty of public viewing spaces near Lake Erie.

Where to Stay: The 21C Museum Hotel is a stylish hotel centrally located in downtown Cincinnati.

Book Now

Dallas, Texas

If you want to watch the total solar eclipse without freezing, Dallas is a great viewing spot that will have warm weather in April. The city’s downtown area will witness around 3 minutes and 51 seconds of totality starting at 1:40 p.m. CDT.

Where to Stay: Avoid the traffic and stay right in downtown Dallas at the luxurious Joule hotel.

Book Now

The Best Places to Watch the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in Canada & Mexico

If you want to plan a trip abroad to watch the solar eclipse, here’s where you should go. 

Prince Edward Island

Location is key if you want to witness totality, so if you’re in Prince Edward Island, head to the North Cape Coastal Region, which will experience around three minutes of totality. Skinner’s Pond, Ignish, and North Cape will all be good choices for a viewing spot.   

Where to Stay: The charming Briarwood Coastal Cottages feature fully-equipped kitchens so you can avoid the crowds and dine in if needed.

Book Now

New Brunswick

Where better to watch an eclipse than an observatory? The William Brydone Jack Observatory was built in 1851 and is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Canada. The surrounding University of New Brunswick campus has plenty of open green space for crowds. 

Where to Stay: The Carriage House Inn is conveniently located near the William Brydone Jack Observatory and offers beautiful views of the St. John River.

Book Now

Mazatlán 

Combine a beautiful beach vacation in the charming town of Mazatlán along with a total solar eclipse viewing. The 13-mile boardwalk that lines the beach will be a perfect spot from which to watch.

Where to Stay: Treat yourself to a room at the five-star, all-inclusive Pueblo Bonito Beach Resort.

Book Now

Torreon

Surrounded by majestic mountains, Torreon will provide a beautiful backdrop to the eclipse. For the best views, climb to the top of the Cerro de Las Noas hill.

Where to Stay: The centrally located, affordable Ibis Torreon is a great choice for travelers on a budget.

Book Now

The post Where to Watch the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse appeared first on SmarterTravel.

What is Google Flights’ Price Guarantee?

Simply buy a plane ticket through Google Flights that has a “Price Guarantee” badge. Google will monitor the price every day until your flight departs, and if the flight cost drops, Google will automatically send you back the difference via Google Pay.

How Can I Find a Price Guarantee Flight?

During this pilot program, the price guarantee will only be available on select flights departing from the United States. 

You will need to book directly through Google (not via the airline’s website) in order to lock in the guarantee. 

How Do I Book a Price Guarantee Flight?

1. Make sure you are signed into your Google account and using a US billing address and US phone number when booking.

2. Search on Google Flights as usual and then look for the “Price Guarantee” badge. The guarantee may only be available one-way or you might be able to find a round-trip flight that qualifies. 

3. Click “Book on Google” and then make sure you check the “Price Guarantee” box to agree to the terms and conditions. 

How Much Money Can I Get Back?

Google will automatically send you a refund if the price drops more than $5. (So you won’t get any money back if your trip price goes down by $4.99)

Google caps the amount of money you can get back at an annual amount, not per flight. The maximum amount you can get back is $500 total per calendar year for up to three bookings. 

Is the Price Guarantee Free?

Yes, the Price Guarantee is completely free to use.

How Will I Get Refunded?

Google will only issue price drop refunds through the Google Pay app. You must download the app and set it up within 90 days of your flight’s departure in order to get the difference back. 

Make sure you are using the same Google account to book your flight and set up your Google Pay.

Google will automatically deposit the funds into Google Pay account within 48 hours after your flight has taken off—you don’t have to do anything to get your refund if you already have a Google Pay account.

The post Google Flights Launches Price Drop Refund Guarantee appeared first on SmarterTravel.

For the sixth year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report. The annual report, compiled by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, surveys residents in over 150 countries to determine which nations are the happiest.

The report asks a “nationally-representative” sample of people in each country how satisfied they are with their lives lately. Six key variables are used to measure happiness in the survey: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and freedom from corruption.

Surprisingly, “Average happiness and our country rankings, for emotions as well as life evaluations, have been remarkably stable during the three COVID-19 years,” said John Helliwell, one of the authors of the World Happiness Report. 

Helliwell marvels, “Even during these difficult years, positive emotions have remained twice as prevalent as negative ones, and feelings of positive social support twice as strong as those of loneliness.”

For your best chance of finding happiness, you’ll want to head to the Nordic countries—Finland, Denmark, and Iceland took the top three spots as the happiest countries for 2023.

Europe as a whole dominates the top 10 spots on the list, so plan a trip to the continent for a joyful vacation.

The World’s 20 Happiest Countries 2023

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Israel
5. Netherlands
6. Sweden
7. Norway
8. Switzerland
9. Luxembourg
10. New Zealand
11. Austria
12. Australia
13. Canada
14. Ireland
15. United States
16. Germany
17. Belgium
18. Czech Republic
19. United Kingdom
20. Lithuania

The post The Happiest Countries in the World 2023 appeared first on SmarterTravel.

After all that, you then have to wait for the State Department to receive your application (which can take up to two weeks depending on where you mail your package from) before the estimated 8-11 week wait time to process and approve your new passport begins.

Fortunately, the US government is embracing technology and will soon be allowing travelers to renew their passports online. A spokesperson for the State Department told SmarterTravel, “Our new online system will save Americans money, time, and effort, making it much more convenient to renew their passports.”

A pilot program launched in summer of 2022 allowed 25,000 people to trial the online passport renewal process on a first-come, first-serve basis, closing to new participants in mid-August. Since then, the portal has been periodically reopened to new applicants and is expected to open to the public permanently later this year.

Who Can Renew a Passport Online?

You can renew your passport online if you meet the following conditions:

• Renewing a passport that was valid for 10 years
• Age 25 or older
• Most recent passport was issued over 9 years ago but less than 15 years ago
• People who live in the United States

Who Can’t Renew Their Passport Online?

You will not be eligible to renew your passport online if:

• You’re changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth
• You’re traveling internationally in less than 11 weeks from the date of the application
• You do not have your old passport in your possession (because it was lost or stolen)
• You’re under 25 years old
• Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago
• Your are renewing a passport that was only valid for 5 years (passports issued to minors under 16 years old)

How Much Will Online Passport Renewal Cost?

Online passport renewals will cost the same as standard passport renewals. However, unlike with mailed applications, you can pay any fees with a credit card (and get those credit card miles for travel). You’ll also save money on postage (which can be significant if you want tracking to ensure your package arrived safely).

Where Can I Get Digital Copies of My Passport Photo?

To renew online, applicants must upload their passport photo as a digital file. Photos must be unedited and scanned photos will not be accepted. Your digital photo must be:

• At least 600 x 600 pixels
• In JPEG format
• In color
• No smaller than 54 kilobytes and no larger than 10 megabytes
• High-resolution (see further rules and suggestions regarding image compression on the State Department website) 

Many stores offer passport photo services, but not all will provide a digital copy of the images. CVS offers a USB with digital copies of the passport photo along with two physical copies for roughly $32 ($16 for the photo service, $16 for the USB). For those who prefer to skip the USB, Staples will send digital copies of your photos via email for $14.99.

While many people prefer the guarantee that their store-bought photo will meet all government requirements, budget-conscious travelers can also opt to take their own passport photo at home. Check out our how-to guide for the most up-to-date sizing and requirements.

How Do I Submit an Online Passport Application?

First, applicants must create a MyTravelGov account and wait for the account to be verified before they can begin their application. Verification can take up to 24 hours.  

Applicants do not need to mail in their old passport but be warned—old passports will be immediately deactivated upon submission. Furthermore, other than skipping the time applications would have spent in the mail before reaching the Processing Center, processing times for online renewal are the same as mail-in applications. Online submission takes the hassle out of applying for a renewal but don’t count on it to shorten your wait time.  

Online passport renewal is temporarily closed to new applicants. The portal will reopen to applicants periodically in the near future and then permanently at the close of the testing phase. Monitor the State Department website for announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Passport Renewal

When should I renew my passport?

Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after a traveler’s date of departure from the destination and some also require at least one blank page on the passport for the entry stamp. Even if your passport will be valid for the duration of your trip, it may need to be renewed to meet these requirements. Check the State Department website for information on your destination.

Can I renew my passport card online?

Yes, you can renew a passport book, card, or both online.

Does my old passport need to be expired to renew my passport?

You can renew your passport before your old passport expires, however your old passport will be immediately deactivated upon submission of the application.

Do I need to renew my passport if I move?

You do not need to renew or update your passport with a change of address if you move.

How long is my passport valid for?

Passports issued to minors under 16 years of age are only valid for 5 years, while passports issued to those over 16 years of age are valid for 10 years. 

Do I need a passport if I have a REAL ID?

Travelers must have a passport to travel internationally. You cannot travel internationally with just the REAL ID. To learn more about the REAL ID and what it can and cannot do, check out our article Everything Travelers Need to Know About the REAL ID Act.

Carol McPherson contributed to this story.

The post Your Questions About Online Passport Renewal, Answered appeared first on SmarterTravel.