It’s a great time to be a traveler! Big things are happening with airport security checkpoints that could really improve your experience in the future (or the present, if you’re at the right airport). Plus, you can still get an unexpectedly high offer on one of our favorite business cards. Let’s get into it.
Today we’re talking about:
⏩ A faster airport experience is coming
✨ The golden rule of points and miles
💰 A record-high bonus worth more than $4,000
NEWS & NOTES
Checking in: Your smart travel briefing
There’s been a lot of big news in the travel and loyalty worlds since we were last in your inbox. Let’s catch you up on some of the big stories we’ve been covering.
Our latest TPG/YouGov travel sentiment survey found that, despite higher costs, personal travel is still booming this summer. But more people are leaning on points and miles to make their trips happen.
Our No. 1 international business-class suite just got a bit more restrictive when it comes to booking with points. (But it’s still an incredible deal nonetheless.)
After a recent flight back to the U.S., our senior aviation reporter Sean Cudahy strolled into the customs hall as he normally would.
But before he reached the Global Entry kiosk, he heard a Customs officer call out to him.
“You’re good to go.”
He hadn’t stopped to have his photo taken. He hadn’t even noticed any cameras. And four minutes later, he was in a taxi en route to his hotel.
This rapid clearance experience was part of this new Global Entry setup that uses advanced camera technology to capture your image.
The U.S. government is currently trialing it at six major U.S. hubs. Time will tell where it goes from here (privacy concerns, anyone?), but it is undeniably a faster, smoother experience.
And this isn’t the only big development helping speed up your future airport experience. One of the best new security shortcuts is becoming more accessible.
The increasingly popular TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program — which helps you skip document checks and bypass the regular (usually packed) PreCheck line — has been expanding to more airports across the country.
And the TSA is also testing these new high-tech “e-gates” at this major East Coast hub, which would let non-PreCheck passengers skip the typical manned ID checkpoint.
Looking for more ways to speed up your airport experience? Check out these resources:
Don't forget about this record-high 200K-point Chase offer
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ packs more than $2,500 in annual cardmember value through its many high-end travel and lifestyle perks. And right now, you can earn its highest-ever bonus of 200,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $30,000 on purchases in your first six months from account opening.
This is the highest offer we have ever seen on an Ultimate Rewards card, worth more than $4,000 per our June 2026 valuations. So don’t let this limited-time offer pass you by.
The Amex Business Gold makes earning rewards simple with automatic bonus categories, flexible Membership Rewards points and statement credits that help offset its annual fee.
Learn about Delta Sky Club access, including through credit cards and cabin of travel. Here's what you need to know to visit a Sky Club on your next trip.
The St. Regis Costa Mujeres Resort, Cancun, is now open in Mexico with beachfront luxury, butler service and award nights bookable with Marriott Bonvoy points.
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