A few tips and tricks we’ve learned along the way.
- Apply for Global Entry. If you plan to travel out of the U.S. on more than one occasion, applying for Global Entry is one of the best things you can do to speed up the immigration and customs process returning to the U.S. It also includes TSA Pre-Check, another great perk. We’ve found it to be well worth the $100 application fee, which is good for five years. The first time you apply, you will need to go to the closest Global Entry office for an in-person interview, which was no big deal. We both recently renewed our Global Entry online, and no interview was necessary. Having Global Entry has saved us waiting in long lines on many occasions.
- Choose seats closest to the front of the plane. This can be especially helpful in avoiding long immigration and customs lines if traveling at peak times. You might also want to consider doing so when traveling back into the U.S. if you have tight connections.
- Consider packing light and not checking bags. This eliminates having to wait for your luggage and, it gets you through customs before those waiting for their bags.
- Do not pack or bring items that are prohibited, even if they are packed in your luggage. We made the mistake of bringing a package of summer sausage one year. This was picked up by the x-ray machine, and we had to step aside to have our bags inspected. Check your airline’s website for items you are not allowed to bring into Mexico.
We’d love to hear your tips and tricks!
Be safe and travel well,
R & J
