Latest news with #TSAPreCheck
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
What we know about claims applying for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry gives government 'unrestricted' data access
In May 2025, claims circulated that signing up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry would give the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI unrestricted, warrantless, indefinite access to the applicant's personal data including health records, social media communications and court history. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are part of the Trusted Traveler Programs that allow travelers to be prescreened and cut down on wait times at participating airports. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) do gather both biographic (name, address) and biometric (fingerprint) data about applicants to help determine if they can be prescreened. Both organizations share fingerprint data with the FBI. However, we found no evidence that an application to TSA PreCheck or Global Entry would give any of their managing departments "unrestricted, warrantless" access to any data about the applicant indefinitely. TSA PreCheck does not use "publicly available" data to carry out threat assessments. Both TSA and CBP have set retention policies and will delete data a set time after users discontinue their memberships in the programs. In May 2025, claims (archived) circulated that signing up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry grants the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI unrestricted, warrantless, indefinite access to the applicant's personal data including health records, social media communications and court history. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are part of the voluntary, paid Trusted Travelers Programs, which allow travelers to reduce waiting time at participating airports by being prescreened. The claims circulated on X, Facebook (archived) and Instagram (archived) accompanied by a clip from Victory News (time code 25:10), a religious news channel based in Arkansas, featuring KrisAnne Hall, a self-described constitutional lawyer, saying: So when individuals enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, they actually sign a release granting the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI unrestricted, warrantless access to all their personal data: health records, physical, mental, social media communications, court history — anything they want, they have access indefinitely. And this sweeping surrender of privacy is in the fine print few people ever really read, so the people end up giving up their permanent rights, or their rights permanently, for the convenience of maybe a little bit faster time in line. Snopes readers also emailed and searched our site seeking more information about the claim. However, we found no proof that Hall's claim about what data the DHS and FBI could access from a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application was true. According to Privacy Impact Assessments of both programs, the DHS does collect biographic and biometric information about applicants. The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) share only fingerprints from applications to both programs with the FBI. We found no proof that a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application allows the DHS or FBI access to health records, social media communications or court history if that material isn't already public. We reached out to KrisAnne Hall to ask how she backed her claim. We also reached out to the TSA and Clear, Idemia and Telos (three companies authorized to enroll travelers in TSA PreCheck) and CBP, which handles enrollment in the Global Entry program, to ask if the claim was true and await a reply. Hall said (archived) in an X thread about her claim that applicants waived their rights when signing a "Privacy Act Notice and Authorization." While we were not able to replicate the application process to look for this document ourselves, we did find a similarly-named Privacy Act Statement that appeared early in the application process. We asked Hall for an example of the document she was referring to and await a reply. Under the Privacy Act of 1974, federal agencies must provide certain information publicly about how and why how and why they collect data from the public. The U.S. Department of Labor explained the concept on its website: The Privacy Act of 1974 requires that when we ask you for information we tell you our legal right to ask for the information, why we are asking you for it, and how it will be used. We must also tell you what could happen if we do not receive it and whether your response is voluntary, required to obtain a benefit, or mandatory. When applicants to the TSA PreCheck program start their application through one of three nominated providers, they soon encounter a Privacy Act Statement that carries out the function described above. This statement is the same across Idemia, Clear and Telos, the three TSA enrollment partners. On all three partner websites, the statement appeared early in the application process. On the Telos website, the statement appeared in a non-skippable pop-up window after clicking the "Apply" button. Hall listed two "critical clauses" to look out for that she said gave the DHS various permissions. We found no exact copy of these phrases in the Privacy Act Statement for TSA PreCheck, though the statement did say that the DHS could disclose information to a third party "during the course of a security threat assessment, employment investigation, or adjudication of a waiver or appeal request to the extent necessary to obtain information pertinent to the assessment, investigation, or adjudication of your application." Hall's second "critical clause" mentions sharing information with other government agencies. Global Entry is part of CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs (TSA PreCheck is also part of this system but the application process is outsourced to partner companies). Applicants must first create a Trusted Traveler Program login through a portal used to access multiple government services. has its own Privacy Act Statement, which also does not include Hall's "critical clauses." According to a Privacy Impact Assessment in 2013, before the initial launch of TSA PreCheck, the program would gather the following information about applicants: full legal name and any aliases; current residential address; mailing address if different than residential address; previous residential address; date of birth; Social Security number (voluntary, but recommended10); gender; physical description (height; weight; eye color; hair color); fingerprints; photograph; city, state, and country of birth; and immigration status and an alien registration number for both naturalized citizens and aliens (if applicable). Federal agencies must carry out a Privacy Impact Assessment before "developing or procuring IT systems or projects that collect, maintain or disseminate information in identifiable form from or about members of the public," according to the DHS. Notably, this list did not include "health records, social media communications and court history," as Hall claimed. The Privacy Impact Assessment specifically said the TSA did not use "publicly available data" to carry out threat assessments. That could include things like social media communications (public comments and posts) and court documents. Additionally, there was no indication that the TSA would have access to the information applicants provided indefinitely, as Hall claimed. According to the Privacy Impact Assessment, unless an applicant was "a positive match to a watch list," any information held by the TSA would be deleted one year after the applicant "notified TSA that he or she no longer is participating, or seeking to participate, in the TSA PreCheck Application Program." Likewise, a Privacy Impact Assessment for Global Entry (and other Trusted Traveler Programs) in 2013 listed the information collected for that program which, in addition to the information collected for TSA PreCheck, also included: Telephone numbers Country of citizenship Language preferences Employment history (if available); PASS ID or Trusted Traveler membership number, GOES user ID, Password and answers to security questions (for lost passwords); Countries visited in the last five years; Criminal history; Parental or Legal Guardian permission (if 18 years or younger); Driver's license number; and Issuing state or province of the applicant's Driver's License. Some non-U.S. citizens are eligible for Global Entry, which is why the information collected for this program also includes citizenship and language preferences. The CBP holds data provided during the application process for Global Entry for three years after an individual's membership lapses, according to the Privacy Impact Assessment. As such, we found no evidence that an application to TSA PreCheck or Global Entry required an applicant to allow the DHS or FBI "unrestricted, warrantless" access to their health records, social media communications and court history. Both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry use biographic and biometric data and share fingerprints submitted with the FBI. Both programs will delete biographic information about applicants after set periods of time if an applicant's membership lapses. People in the U.S. have the right to see and correct information that the federal government keeps on file about them under the Privacy Act. Apply for TSA PreCheck® | TSA Enrollment by IDEMIA. Accessed 29 May 2025. Eligibility for Global Entry | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accessed 29 May 2025. Enrollment App. Accessed 29 May 2025. Get Copies of Your Government Files through the Privacy Act | USAGov. Accessed 29 May 2025. Privacy & Security: Our Privacy Act Statement | Accessed 29 May 2025. "Privacy Act Notice." DOL, Accessed 29 May 2025. Privacy Impact Assessment for the Global Enrollment System. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 10 Jan. 2013, Privacy Impact Assessment for the TSA Pre✓™ Application Program. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 4 Sept. 2013, Privacy Impact Assessments | Homeland Security. Accessed 29 May 2025. @RealKahall. "When You Sign up for TSA Precheck, Global Precheck, CLEAR, or TWIC You Voluntarily Sign a Privacy Act Notice and Authorization, Which Gives the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — Particularly TSA — Permission To:" X, 26 May 2025, Trusted Traveler Programs | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accessed 29 May 2025.


CNBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Does APR matter if I pay off my credit card each month?
If you've ever owned a credit card before, chances are you're familiar with the term "APR," or annual percentage rate. For specifically credit cards, your purchase APR is essentially your interest rate, or the cost of borrowing money. But for those cardholders who pay their balance off on time and in full every month, their APR really doesn't matter. Let's see how managing your credit card payments can help you avoid interest entirely. Credit cards often have a few different types of APRs, but purchase APR is what many people are referring to when they talk about a credit card's interest rate. Purchase APR is essentially how much it costs to borrow money, which is what you're doing each time you use your card. For any borrowed funds that you don't pay back on time, your bank will charge you interest on the amount that remains unpaid. For example, if you had an unpaid statement balance of $1,000 on a card with a 20% APR, you would be charged an additional $16.57 in interest for that one billing cycle. You can see how credit card balances quickly balloon the longer they go unpaid. To find your card's APR, look at your monthly billing statement or contact your card issuer. Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent Debt Relief has resolved over $19 billion in outstanding debts since 2002. It offers free credit card debt relief in 2011, Accredited Debt Relief has helped clients resolve over $1 billion in debt. Your purchase APR doesn't really matter if you pay your statement balance on time . Many credit cards have a grace period, which is the time between when your billing cycle ends and when your payment is due. Since credit cards only charge interest on outstanding balances, if you pay off everything you bought with your card for that period, you won't owe any interest. While grace periods are not required to be offered by cards, if they are, they must be for a minimum of 21 days. Paying off your card's balance on time and in full each month isn't just a good financial habit that can save you money on interest, but it also means you're maximizing the value you get from rewards. Let's look at a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which comes with 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and no foreign transaction fees. If you pay off your card's balance each month, you'll avoid the nearly 30% APR on purchases and balance transfers (!) and it also makes perks like an up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck that much more valuable. It's a real $120 credit; if you were also paying interest on a balance, it effectively cancels out, or subtracts from, that credit you're getting. Good to Excellent670–850 19.99% - 29.24% variable $95 Earn 75,000 miles Terms apply. Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you None We can apply the same thought process to a cash-rewards card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. With this credit card, you can earn a flat-rate 2% unlimited cash rewards on purchases while paying no annual fee. If you use this card and pay your bill on time and in full each month, you're essentially getting 2% cash rewards of what you spend back to you for no extra fees. On Wells Fargo's site On Wells Fargo's site Good to Excellent670–850 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR $0 Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus See rates and fees. Terms apply. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is great if you want simplicity thanks to its flat-rate 2% unlimited cash rewards on purchases and $0 annual balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5 3% Remember that rewards and welcome bonuses on new credit cards are really most valuable when you pay your credit card on time and in full every month. If you find yourself carrying credit card balances month to month, it's something you should address ASAP. It's likely that your credit card's APR is the highest interest rate you're being charged out of all your debts so it should be prioritized. Cut out other spending, like monthly subscriptions, until that balance is paid off entirely. And if it's a sizable amount of credit card debt, consider a balance transfer card where you transfer your outstanding balance to a credit card that has an introductory zero-interest period. That gives you time to make payments to your balance without accruing more interest. With the Citi Simplicity® Card, for example, you'll have a 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of account opening — nearly two years — to pay off your debt entirely (after, 18.24% to 28.99% variable APR). An intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount you transfer ($5 minimum) applies to transfers you make in the first four months, after that a fee of 5% of the amount you transfer applies ($5 minimum). Receive a 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. Good to Excellent670–850 18.24% - 28.99% variable $0 None See rates and fees. Terms apply. Read our Citi Simplicity® Card review. The Citi Simplicity® Card may not earn rewards, but it can still save you money due to its amazing intro-APR offers. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). 3% 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 article 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.


Time Out
4 days ago
- Time Out
These are the worst U.S. airports for international travel this summer
Flying internationally involves a bit more preparation as well as time spent in the airport. As we get into peak summer travel season, clearing customs and immigration could take even more time as checkpoints face backups. Just as some major airports are known for more hassle than others, some have longer wait times at immigration checkpoints than others. New data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection reveals the worst airports for international travel, where you'll likely wait far longer to clear immigration. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) comes in as the number one worst airport for international travel. Average wait to reach a Customs and Border Protection agent? 31.8 minutes. Non-U.S. citizens can expect 43.7 minutes in line, and 12.8% of all travelers find themselves stuck for over an hour. Chicago O'Hare (ORD) is just as bad. The overall average wait time here is a fraction of a second faster, at 31.7 minutes. U.S. citizens can expect an average wait of 27.3 minutes, while non-U.S. citizens could face 40.3 minutes in line. ORD also has the highest percentage of travelers who wait more than an hour in line, at 13.6%. Nashville International (BNA) might have a much lower passenger volume, but it has surprisingly long wait times. Immigration waits average 31.1 minutes, with only 20.2% of travelers breezing through in under 15. On the flip side, airports known for their efficiency and speedy immigration lines include Palm Beach International (PBI) with an average wait time of 3.5 minutes, John Wayne Airport (SNA) at 6.4 minutes and Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) at 7.5 minutes. So if you're traveling internationally this summer and you have a choice in airports when returning, peruse the full report here. Even arrival times matter, as the worst delays hit between 10am and 3pm. Want to skip the wait altogether? Enroll in Global Entry. It includes TSA PreCheck and gets you into a fast lane at immigration via automated kiosks. U.S. airports with the longest immigration wait times: LAX, Los Angeles ORD, Chicago BNA, Nashville MCO, Orlando MSP, Minneapolis AUS, Austin IAH, Houston SFO, San Francisco SAN, San Diego JFK, New York

Business Insider
23-05-2025
- Business Insider
I have TSA Precheck, Global Entry, CLEAR, and Priority Pass, but only 2 of them are worth it
For years, I stood in long lines at the airport, staring longingly at lucky passengers who zipped through security and immigration. Because I travel frequently, I considered enrolling in a program that would allow me to skip the line, too. Once I realized how much they cost, I resigned myself to a lifetime of queuing up at the airport. However, that all changed when I got my Platinum Card® from American Express. The card has a hefty $695 annual fee, but several benefits offset the cost, including statement credits for four separate programs that allow travelers to bypass airport lines in different ways (terms apply). I immediately enrolled in all four programs, happy to finally have the chance to see what I've been missing. Now that I've had a taste of what it's like to bypass lines at the airport, I don't think I could go back. However, I would only pay for two of the four programs that are currently covered by my credit card. I love keeping my shoes on with TSA PreCheck Among the four skip-the-line programs I've tried, I think TSA PreCheck is the best. With TSA PreCheck®, I get access to shorter, priority lanes for going through airport security in the United States. Although I can also get through TSA security quickly with one of the other programs, TSA PreCheck is the only one that allows me to keep my shoes on. I find going through airport security stressful, especially when I am traveling with my children. I already have to keep track of luggage and bins full of coats, sweaters, and electronics. Not having to remove my shoes really sets TSA PreCheck apart. I feel like a celebrity when I use CLEAR Plus Whenever I use CLEAR Plus, I feel like a celebrity. At Dulles, my home airport, there is usually a gaggle of CLEAR employees standing around waiting to escort CLEAR® Plus members like me to a TSA agent after they verify our identities. When I approach a TSA agent with a CLEAR employee, I don't need to show them my boarding pass and identification. However, since I always keep these documents handy at the airport, not having to show them doesn't save me much time or inconvenience. Moreover, in my experience, using CLEAR usually isn't any faster than going through the TSA lane. Plus, I found out the hard way that if I forget to add my TSA Precheck number to my airline reservation and only use CLEAR Plus, I still need to remove my shoes. Although it's fun being treated like a VIP, I wouldn't pay for CLEAR Plus. Global Entry is great for getting back into the United States When I return to the United States after a trip abroad, I'm usually grumpy. After a long flight and having to deal with the reality of being home after a great trip, the last thing I want to do is stand in a long line to go through immigration and customs. For a while, I used the free Mobile Passport Control app to help me get through the line faster. The app allows American citizens and some other travelers to use a dedicated lane to enter the U.S. by submitting identifying information and answering some screening questions electronically. However, MPC lines have gotten longer as more people have discovered the app. Furthermore, not all airports use MPC, which I have found frustrating. Now that I have Global Entry, I can reliably speed through immigration and customs when I return to the United States. It's a relief knowing that I don't need to wait in a long line after getting off the plane, and I love being able to reliably get home faster. If I ever lost access to Global Entry through my credit card, I would probably pay for the program. Priority Pass is only worth it for lounge access Priority Pass is best known for providing members with airport lounge access. However, soon after I got a Priority Pass membership, I noticed that Priority Pass members could also use Fast Track to get through airport screening faster at an airport in Jamaica. I was delighted to make this discovery because the security line was very long, and skipping the line meant I could hang out in the lounge longer before my flight. I hoped that I could use my Priority Pass membership to bypass security lines at other airports abroad. However, I have yet to encounter another airport where I've been able to use this benefit. I would probably pay for a Priority Pass membership to maintain my access to lounges. But Priority Pass's Fast Track benefits are so limited that I wouldn't pay for the program just for this benefit.

Business Insider
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I booked basic economy on JetBlue and got a premium coach seat. I'd only splurge on the $180 upgrade for long flights.
I flew with JetBlue from NYC to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in an EvenMore seat. JetBlue's EvenMore rows are premium economy seats with extra legroom. I booked basic economy and was upgraded for free. I found that the perks went beyond extra space. When I booked a six-hour JetBlue flight from NYC to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in basic economy, I didn't expect to feel pampered. I've flown with this budget airline dozens of times to spend as little as possible on airfare, so I know the drill — get my seat assignment at the gate, and board last. But this time was different. I was lucky enough to get into the EvenMore section, the airline's premium economy seating, for no additional cost. The perks went beyond having a more spacious seat at the front of the cabin. By the time I landed, I was already planning to dish out more cash to experience the upgrade on another long-haul flight. I booked a basic economy seat for my international JetBlue flight. Living in Queens, New York, I usually book JetBlue flights since the airline has a hub at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). I booked my basic economy ticket 26 days before my trip for about $300. At this point, I had no idea I'd be getting more than I paid for. A representative from JetBlue couldn't provide a ticket price for an EvenMore seat on my flight, so I used Best Fare Finder to look at prices for the same flight a month from now. Basic economy was about the same price, $310, and the EvenMore ticket cost about $490. I got to the airport at 2:30 p.m. for my 5:48 p.m. flight to Vancouver on a Monday afternoon. Since traveling internationally, I arrived three hours before my flight. Thanks to TSA PreCheck, I was through security and at my nearby gate 15 minutes later. I got my seat assignment at the gate and was surprised to find it was toward the front of the aircraft. Gate attendants spaced out their calls for passengers who needed seat assignments in the hour before boarding. My name was called in the final group, so I had already made peace with the idea of sitting at the back of the plane. When I looked at the seat number on my boarding pass, my eyes widened — 9A, it read. "Wow, that's on the front end," I thought. I'd seen JetBlue's premium economy seating many times on my way to my seat on past flights, and I wondered if nine was a low enough number to be my golden ticket to comfort. I found out I had a premium economy seat when I boarded. I flew on JetBlue's A321 Classic with Mint. Mint refers to the business class section — the highest class on this plane — located in rows one through five. The economy cabin had three rows of seats on each side. The first five rows — six through 10 — were EvenMore seats. The EvenMore seats — part of a January 2025 rebrand of JetBlue's Even More Space section — are the same size as basic economy but with more cushioning and leg room. EvenMore tickets also come with early boarding and priority security privileges at select airports, but since I booked a basic economy seat, I was still in the final boarding group. Although I was among the last to board, there was still overhead bin space for my carry-on right above my seat. I thought I'd just gotten lucky again, but I later learned that one of the perks of EvenMore seating is having storage space designated for you. The seat was far more comfortable than a basic economy seat. When I saw my spacious window seat, I had a feeling I'd never had before while boarding a flight — I was excited to sit down. The seat cushioning felt thick and supportive, and the headrest felt like a firm pillow. Unlike most long-haul flights I've taken, I didn't experience any neck or back pain in the EvenMore row. Beneath my seat, there was a power outlet and a USB port. All JetBlue seats have this perk, as well as free WiFi. I had more than enough leg room. According to SeatGuru, the basic economy rows on this plane are 33 inches apart, while EvenMore rows are between 37 and 41 inches apart. At 5-foot-3, I had plenty of space to stretch out with my backpack under the seat. In front of me was a roughly 10-inch seatback entertainment screen. The entertainment system seemed a bit outdated to me — the interface wasn't as user-friendly as the screens I've experienced on newer JetBlue planes, but I thought it made sense since the plane fleet came out in 2014. The system had new movies like "Gladiator II" and "A Complete Unknown," classics like "A League of Their Own," and a few episodes of TV shows like "Blue's Clues" and "Modern Family." The system also had more than 100 DirecTV channels. We were stuck on the tarmac for over an hour before taking off. We sat on the tarmac until 7:09 p.m. as the pilot periodically updated us on the situation. They said takeoff was delayed due to airport traffic and low visibility, but assured us we'd arrive around the scheduled time. We landed at 9:20 p.m. PT — just 15 minutes later than scheduled. Once in the air, flight attendants came around with an exclusive treat for premium passengers. After takeoff, a flight attendant announced that EvenMore passengers would be offered a "welcome treat." They handed me a small bag of Tate's chocolate chip cookies — an exclusive snack that isn't provided to basic economy passengers. The EvenMore rows also got drinks and snacks before the service was announced for basic economy travelers. I wasn't expecting these perks and felt like a VIP guest. Hungry for more, I took a look at the menu. There were $10 snack boxes with kosher and gluten-free options, $13 meals from sandwiches to salads, and $10 craft beers and mini liquor bottles — though EvenMore passengers get three complimentary alcoholic beverages. The menu also had amenities like blankets, earplugs, sleep masks, and wired earbuds for the entertainment system, ranging from $2 to $10. EvenMore passengers get complimentary earbuds. Instead of splurging on a meal, I hit the complimentary pantry. All JetBlue passengers can access the " pantry" — a self-service snack and beverage station with water bottles, canned sodas, plantain chips, Goldfish, granola bars, and Biscoff cookies. There was a pantry between the business class and EvenMore rows, so it was easy to access. We were in the air for five hours, so I appreciated being able to curb my hunger whenever I needed to without spending a dime. I was glad I didn't have to go to the back of the cabin to use the bathroom. There was a clean bathroom across from the pantry in front of the EvenMore rows. It had an outlet and was stocked with seat covers, facial tissues, and paper towels. Five hours after takeoff, we landed in Vancouver. When we arrived in Canada, it was past midnight for me, so it was surreal to see the sun still setting as we prepared for landing. The sun had set completely by the time we were on the ground. Since I'm usually seated toward the back of the plane on flights, I typically expect to stay seated for at least 10 minutes before it's my turn to deplane. But in seat 9A, I was out in less than five. Experiencing premium economy for free was a treat. Having it on an international flight was even sweeter. While $180 sounds like a lot for an upgrade still in economy seating, the comfort and perks made my international journey much more pleasant than I anticipated. I wouldn't upgrade to EvenMore for a short, domestic flight, but I would for any journey five hours or longer for a more relaxing ride. Next time I'm traveling far from home, arriving at my destination feeling refreshed and free of back pain will be worth the added price.