TSA is giving parents their own security lanes to make family travel less stressful
Traveling through airport security with kids just got easier. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announces the 'Families on the Fly' campaign, a groundbreaking initiative designed to make air travel more accommodating for families.
Dedicated family lanes and personalized support
Launched by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and unveiled by Secretary Noem, 'Families on the Fly' introduces dedicated security lanes for families at select airports. These family lanes are already operational at Orlando International (MCO) and Charlotte-Douglas International (CLT), with plans to expand to John Wayne Airport (SNA), Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL), and others in the coming months.
This latest initiative continues the agency's mission to bring the U.S. into the "Golden Age of Travel", emphasizing customer experience and hospitality while maintaining high security standards. The dedicated family lanes provide a streamlined process, where TSA officers are trained to work with children and parents in a more patient and supportive manner.
'DHS and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families,' said Adam Stahl, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy TSA Administrator. 'This is about meeting families where they are and supporting them with smarter solutions.'
The TSA PreCheck discount: A smart move or strategic pivot?
Perhaps the most notable addition to the campaign is the upcoming discounted TSA PreCheck® fee for families. While full details on pricing and eligibility haven't been released, TSA confirmed that this offering will launch soon, likely in time to help families prepare for the holiday travel season.
This move appears to be more than just a goodwill gesture; it's a timely response to the lingering question: Is TSA PreCheck still a valuable option? After the agency revised its policy of requiring passengers to remove their shoes during security screenings nationwide, a policy rooted in the infamous 2001 'Shoe Bomber' incident, many travelers, especially parents, began reevaluating the benefits of enrolling in TSA PreCheck.
PreCheck allows approved travelers to bypass many of the standard screening hassles, such as removing shoes and liquids, which is also on the chopping block. For families, this means fewer meltdowns and faster processing through security checkpoints. The new discount could be the push many need to justify their decision to finally sign up, although children 17 and under can currently enjoy TSA PreCheck perks if traveling with an enrolled parent or guardian.
Why now?
The TSA has long walked a tightrope between security and convenience. But with mounting criticism from everyday travelers and public figures, the agency is clearly feeling the pressure to evolve.
Between the Families on the Fly campaign, upcoming TSA PreCheck discounts, and underutilized services like TSA Cares, it's clear that the agency is making meaningful strides to accommodate families.
TSA no longer views its role as just a security enforcer, but as a hospitality partner.
As the program expands to more airports, including Tampa International (TPA), Charleston (CHS), Jacksonville (JAX), and San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU), families across the country can expect a more humane and supportive travel experience. With summer in full swing and the holiday season just around the corner, these changes couldn't have come at a better time.
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Travel + Leisure
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You Can Now Wear Shoes Through TSA Checkpoints—Here Are 10 Hacks for Making the Security Line Go Even Faster
After more than 20 years, the long-standing 'Shoes-off' TSA policy was nullified in hopes of streamlining the airport security process. Now, even travelers without TSA PreCheck will be allowed to keep their shoes on at security checkpoints, with the exception of those traveling without a Real ID. However, while this cumbersome rule may no longer be enforced, travelers are still expected to adhere to the three-ounce rule when packing toiletries, and, for those without PreCheck, electronics must be removed from personal items and placed into the tray for scanning. Since one of the biggest stressors of airport security is removing your items in a timely manner and repacking your bag without getting in the way of other travelers, we've rounded up 10 handy backpacks complete with countless pockets and electronic-friendly storage that'll make TSA checkpoints a breeze. Each bag is under $40 at Amazon (with many of them on sale), and all are guaranteed to save time and anxiety as you navigate through one of the most stress-inducing parts of the airport. Best Backpacks Overall Matein Travel Laptop Backpack Amazon Fitted with a number of accessible pockets, this shopper-adored backpack will make your experience getting through TSA run as smoothly as possible—and right now it's on sale for a whopping 45 percent off at Amazon. A padded laptop pocket is a secure (and functional) place to store your electronics so you can grab them in a hurry in the security line, and the roomy front compartment is the ideal place to store your clear pouch of toiletries. Just take it from this shopper who said they 'like the front small pocket for putting all [their] personal items in when going through TSA.' The convenient luggage strap at the back means you can stack your backpack atop your rolling suitcase to give your shoulders a rest, and with nearly 20,000 five-star ratings, you'll be in good company among other happy travelers. Volher Business Travel Laptop Backpack Amazon Going on a work trip? This well-crafted backpack may just become your go-to companion since it's large enough to hold your electronics and other in-flight essentials, plus it's designed with a multitude of pockets that will make getting through TSA a breeze. In fact, one shopper raved that the 'pocket for your laptop is easily accessible to pull out for TSA screening.' The laptop compartment is padded, effectively protecting your electronics from damage while you're on the go, and the zippers open wide enough for easy access to anything you need to take out. Even if you tend to pack your bag to the brim, you'll still find the organizational capacity of this backpack will optimize your TSA experience. Bagswan Laptop Backpack Amazon Slim, spacious, and thoughtfully designed, the Bagswan Laptop Backpack is a dream for travel—and it's practically a steal at just $21. It's loaded with a whopping 26 pockets, including a zippered front compartment for your phone and other small electronics, while the cushy laptop pouch has slots to store two larger devices. Tuck your carefully packed toiletry bag into one pouch and your electronics into the other, and you'll be ready to load up the security trays and head through the metal detector in a flash. It even boasts handy anti-theft features like locking zippers and a concealed side pocket that's ideal for storing your passport and essential travel documents. Plus, one shopper noted that it 'sits perfectly on top of suitcases while rolling through the airport with the handle strap.' Mancio Vintage Laptop Backpack Amazon Slightly more stylish than traditional laptop backpacks, the Mancio Vintage Laptop Backpack is a practical pick for air travel that contains all the pockets needed to remain organized and aware of the location of all your belongings. The back of the primary compartment is fitted with a laptop sleeve that'll make it a cinch to locate your devices in a hurry while heading through TSA, and the large secondary pocket is tailor-made for toiletries and smaller electronics. It even has padded shoulder straps so you'll feel comfortable wearing it when it's fully packed, and one customer shared that they 'traveled outside of the country with it' and had 'no problems with TSA.' Lenovo Laptop Backpack Amazon It stands to reason that you can trust a brand that crafts high-quality laptops to also make equally valuable backpacks to travel with your electronics, and the Lenovo Laptop Backpack is truly a testament to that fact—and now it's marked down to a mere $16. Its sleek, lightweight design makes it easy to carry, and it even converts into a duffel with a convenient side-carry handle. Its padded interior protects your belongings from the natural bumps of traveling, and a number of accessible pockets make it a cinch to quickly locate anything you need to remove in the security line. In fact, one enamored shopper noted that the bag has 'just the right amount of pockets, making it super easy to find everything I need.' Duslang 17-inch Laptop Backpack Amazon Water-resistant and spacious yet compact, this handy travel backpack is designed with electronics in mind so it's both protective and the perfect choice for a personal item. 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And as a testament to its travel-friendly design, one shopper shared that the bag 'made it quick and easy to get my computer out without the usual Tetris struggle of pulling it out/repacking,' after the security line. Kroser Laptop Backpack Amazon Perfectly compact and laptop-friendly, we've found a top-notch travel companion for trips of all sorts—particularly when you need your belongings to be easy to remove in the security line. The Kroser Laptop Backpack is water-repellent and designed with a large primary pocket that'll fit all your travel essentials without a second thought, and the back laptop pocket is well-padded with foam for an extra layer of protection. Plus, the primary compartment unzips wide to slot in your toiletry kit right on top. Just take it from this traveler who noted that the 'segmented storage' provided 'easy laptop access for TSA security checks.' Victoriatourist Laptop Backpack Amazon This slim, understated backpack will take up minimal space in the security line bins, and with its built-in laptop pocket and compact main compartment it'll help you downsize your in-flight essentials to get through TSA without a hitch. It comes fitted with a USB port that attaches to your portable power bank for use on the go, not to mention the straps are padded to make them far more comfortable during long travel days. Shoppers especially love the luggage straps at the back of the bag, which they say makes it 'easy to cart with [them] at the airport.' Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
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TSA issued an important warning to smartphone users: Packing one of these power banks can keep your data safe.
I spend a whole lot of time hanging out in airports. This is partially because I tend to err on the side of being overly cautious and will arrive several hours before my flight and then just sit at the gate and work for the interim. I make good use of what could be wasted time, but I often find myself needing all my devices charged before even officially embarking on my trip. It's tempting to use those power ports set up around the airports and at the gate – the ones that actually work, that is – but the TSA is warning to think twice before doing so. The TSA has issued a rather ominous phone charger warning for airline passengers, telling them not to use those airport public charging points. 'When you're at an airport, do not plug your phone directly into a USB port.' This is due to the ever-increasing risk of juice jacking, which is a way that hackers can steal your identity and hack your phone or install viruses, malware, and spyware by compromising those charging points. You think you are charging your phone, but you're actually putting yourself at serious risk. What can you do instead? According to the TSA's warning, bring your own power: saying 'bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there.' So, if you are stocking up on travel gear for your next trip, maybe the first thing you can invest in should be a power bank! Here's some great ones to try, all on sale right now on Amazon: Belkin
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Citi Strata Elite Card review: A new premium travel card with an American Airlines partnership
The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is the bank's newest addition to its Strata line of cards and its first premium card since the Citi Prestige® Card, which is no longer available to new applicants. The card comes with nearly $1,500 in value each year through perks like the $200 annual Splurge credit and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Citi is also furthering its partnership with American Airlines and offering some AA-specific perks that frequent flyers will appreciate. CNBC Select dives into Citi's newest premium option to see how it stacks up against a very competitive travel credit card landscape. On Citi's site On Citi's site With the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card you can earn 80,000 bonus Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. Good to Excellent670–850 21.24% - 29.24% variable $595 Earn 80,000 bonus Points See rates and fees. Terms apply. The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card aims to brings premium restaurant rewards and travel benefits to users, including an annual hotel benefit of $ transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. If you're approved for the Citi Strata Elite Card, for a limited time, you can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. With these points generally valued at around 1.75 cents per point by the industry, this welcome bonus is worth about $1,400, which is a great return. This bonus is earned in the form of Citi ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed in a number of ways, from simple statement credits, to paying with points or transferring them to one of Citi's travel partners. The Citi Strata Elite comes with several perks, with the bulk of its value in travel and lifestyle categories. While you do have to book via Citi Travel, the $300 hotel credit isn't tied to any specific brand, meaning you'll have more options. The $200 splurge credit is another welcome addition that gives you more control over how you earn rewards, letting you choose and switch between several brands, ranging from tickets to technology. One credit that isn't as common is the one for Blacklane, a global chauffeur service. While it might serve as a nice luxury option for special occasions, odds are that you'll have an easier time with a taxi or public transportation. In addition to straightforward statement credits, the Strata Elite also offers some extra benefits: If Citi happens to be a company you bank with, it's possible that you could be eligible for additional savings through an offer just for Citi customers: The Citi Strata Elite has a high earnings rate when you book via the Citi Travel portal, and it offers elevated earnings rates during certain eligible times: What jumps out first is the very high 12X on hotels and more, but it is tied to the issuer's travel portal, a common theme with premium travel cards. It's also the first time we've seen a card that has a timed window to earn elevated rewards. It earns a higher rate at restaurants on Friday and Saturday nights, which could make your weekend date nights a little more affordable. When redeeming the Citi ThankYou Points earned by your Strata Elite, you have several options to choose from, like: While options like cash back and gift cards are usually the simplest, they often don't provide you with the best value; the highest value usually comes from taking advantage of the transfer partners offered through Citi: The Citi Strata Elite was built to compete with some of the most popular travel credit cards, and its $595 annual fee represents that. The card has no foreign transaction fees and a late or returned payment fee of $41. The card's variable purchase APR ranges from 21.24% to 29.24%, depending on creditworthiness. On the American Express site On the American Express site The Amex Platinum Card provides access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs® , Lufthansa Lounges, Escape Lounges and more. (Enrollment required) Good to Excellent670–850 See Pay Over Time APR $695 You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our Amex Platinum Card review. The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)N/A None The Platinum Card® from American Express offers more value in the form of statement credits, making it a good option for those seeking direct value from the card. Amex's Platinum also comes with hotel status upgrades and permanent access to Amex's Global Lounge Collection, including its Centurion Lounges. While enrollment is not necessary for Centurion Lounge access, some other lounge programs within the American Express Global Lounge Collection, such as Priority Pass, do require enrollment. The Strata Elite offers a high rewards rate on restaurants and a flexible $200 Splurge credit. The ability to earn up to 12X on hotels and 6X on air travel booked through Citi Travel can help you rack up ThankYou Points very quickly and help finance even more getaways. On Chase's site On Chase's site Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve. Excellent740–850 20.24% - 28.74% variable $795 Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase TravelSM promo credit See rates and fees. Terms apply. Member FDIC. Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) provides over $2,700 in annual value, which is enough to cover its high $795 annual fee. The card offers a large number of statement credits, with Apple TV+ credits and a $300 annual dining credit. The card also comes with premium travel benefits, such as access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club and a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus every four years. The card's annual fee is quite steep, and if you're looking for points that transfer to American Airlines, Chase Ultimate Rewards® points don't offer that option. The Citi Strata Elite is a great fit for those who don't mind booking primarily through travel portals, and for American Airlines customers eager to have a card that earns rewards that can be transferred to the AAdvantage program. The card comes with up to $300 in annual hotel benefits and a flexible $200 Splurge credit, both fairly easy credits to redeem. If you're invested in the Citi ThankYou Points system or looking for a card that earns rewards compatible with American Airlines, this card is the next perfect addition to your wallet. Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here. At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
