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TPG Discusses the Future of Travel With the Head of Customs and Border Protection

Aug. 07, 2017
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2 min read
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TPG Discusses the Future of Travel With the Head of Customs and Border Protection
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On July 26, TPG sat down with Kevin McAleenan, Acting Commissioner for US Customs and Border Protection, to discuss the future of border security in a Facebook Live session. We've edited their conversation down to a 19-minute highlight reel for those who missed the live-stream.

Here's a look at their conversation's most interesting moments:

Biometrics are the future

Acting Commissioner McAleenan told TPG that speeding up the entry process with biometric screening is a top priority for the CBP. There could come a time where, through data such as fingerprint checks and facial recognition software, passengers could fly through security without even taking out their passport. "My vision is for those Global Entry travelers to keep walking right through the terminal if they have nothing to declare," McAleenan said.

Passengers hide the darnedest things

"You see all kinds of crazy things coming through our airports," McAleenan noted. That shouldn't be too surprising; desperate passengers will do anything to skirt travel restrictions — and we mean anything. McAleenan recalls one animal smuggler in LAX who had "a large hairdo, full of curlers, with 24 small birds sedated in each curler."

Pre-clearance is a priority

One of CBP's most promising efforts is its Preclearance initiative, in which US-bound travelers pass through the CBP's border security before stepping foot on their plane. It's already going steady in six countries and McAleenan told TPG that the agency is working on adding another 20 over the next two years.

Boarding passes are on their way out

There may come a day when your face is all you need to board a plane. Sounds crazy, right? But it's a future that CBP is considering, according to McAleenan. Alongside TSA, which CBP works closely with as a sister agency under the Department of Homeland Security, the organization is actively preparing for the future of travel.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.