Waiting In Line Is Not For Kids

No matter how patient your kids are, waiting in lines is not the fun part of the trip. Your trip will include lines at the airport, buying tickets, waiting for rides at amusement parks, and more. Here’s how to minimize them.

At the Airport:

• Premium Class: Flying in First, Business, or Premium Economy class can automatically reduce wait times for check-in, security, boarding, and border control.
• Online Check-In: Check-in online the day before your flight to skip the check-in and baggage drop lines. Travel with carry-on bags to streamline the process further.
• TSA Pre-Check: Enroll your entire family in TSA Pre-Check to access shorter security lines and avoid removing laptops, liquids, shoes, and light jackets.
• Global Entry: For quicker border control, enroll your family in the Global Entry program, which is especially useful when landing in the US. Explore similar programs for other destinations.

Events, Museums, Shows:

• Buy Tickets Online: Purchase tickets online in advance for events, venues, museums, and shows to save time and money. Note that buying for a specific date means less flexibility.
• Discount Tickets: For certain events, like Broadway shows in New York, you can register for lotteries or buy discounted tickets at specific locations. Be aware that this comes with the risk of not securing your desired tickets, which may not be ideal when traveling with kids.

Amusement Parks:

• Advance Tickets: Buy tickets online in advance to get better rates and save time at the entrance.
• Ride Passes: Many amusement parks offer fast passes or similar options to reduce waiting times for rides. Take advantage of these to enhance your experience.

Final Thoughts:

• Upgrades: If you have extra miles, consider using them to upgrade your family’s travel class for a more comfortable journey and better rest.
• Priority Boarding: Some credit cards offer priority boarding benefits. Check if your airline offers this perk to make your travel smoother.