TSA passenger screening numbers continue to inch up as holiday travel season begins
Transportation Security Administration screening numbers are continuing to march closer to 2019 levels as the agency embarks on what's expected to be a busy holiday season.
Through Sunday, Nov. 21, November passenger screenings were at 83% of their month-to-date totals from 2019, and 228% of the totals from 2020. That's an increase from October, when total screenings were at 79% of 2019 levels and 222% of 2020 levels.
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, TSA screening data has become a widely used metric to gauge the levels at which passengers are returning to the skies.
Even before the holiday travel season began this past weekend, November was bound to be a busier month. On Nov. 8, the U.S. reopened its borders to international travelers from all countries, increasing the number of travelers going through TSA checkpoints as they return to their home countries.
The TSA expects to screen 20 million passengers during the Thanksgiving travel period, which for the agency runs between Friday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 28. The agency's busiest-ever day was the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019, when nearly 2.9 million passengers were screened. While the TSA does not expect to see that number this year, it is urging travelers to arrive at the airport early and to be patient.
Additionally, United Airlines said last week that it expects to fly more than 4.5 million passengers during its Thanksgiving travel period (Nov. 19-30), which is approximately 88% of its 2019 volume. Delta Air Lines projects 5.6 million passengers during the same period, or nearly three times as many passengers as 2020.
Enrolling in TSA PreCheck and joining Clear can significantly alleviate the headaches associated with long lines at TSA checkpoints.
More: Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear — and how you can save on both
Separately on Monday, the TSA announced that approximately 93% of its employees were in compliance with the Biden administration's federal employee vaccination mandate, which has a deadline of today.
"The employee vaccine mandate will not impact holiday travel," agency spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said in a tweet. Previously, there were some concerns that the vaccination mandate could cause a staffing shortage at the TSA.
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- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
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Rewards Rate
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
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Intro Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel75,000 bonus milesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023