✈ TSA Lines Are Getting Wild — Here’s How You Can Breeze Through, 9 Places to Travel Solo & More From TPG ✈

March 11, 2026

Here's how to beat those long waits

by Tanner Saunders, Senior hotels reporter

With the ongoing partial government shutdown crippling Transportation Security Administration operations, travelers at some airports around the country are facing hourslong waits at security and immigration checkpoints.

In Texas, standard security lines at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) saw three-hour wait times. But for folks with TSA PreCheck that wait time was a mere 10 minutes.

While we’re hopeful for a resolution to the chaos, let those wild airport lines serve as the push you’ve been needing to finally sign up for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. Even better, take it as a sign to get a credit card that covers the fees for those time-saving programs, helping reduce your wait times and putting some cash back in your pocket.

Luckily, these benefits come attached to a number of great cards, from general travel cards that let you earn valuable transferable miles — like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (which currently has a highly underrated limited-time offer) — to cobranded cards tied to your favorite loyalty programs, like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.

Or if you want a hotel-branded card, there’s this one for Hilton loyalists and this one for Marriott lovers.

Want a premium card that’ll also get you into the lounge after security? Your best bets are the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and this OG premium travel card.

Check out our top card picks for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.

Want to learn more? Check out these resources:

(P.S. Mom, if you’re reading this, happy birthday. Thanks for showing me the world, being my travel and fishin’ buddy, and blowing all your American Express points on me.)

Tanner

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Photo Credit: MARK FELIX/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES.

Deal alert! Fly nonstop to Ireland for only 11,000 points

Ready for a mighty craic on the Emerald Isle? With solid award availability on Aer Lingus and a transfer bonus from Chase available this month, you can score economy seats to Dublin this spring or fall for as little as 11,000 Chase points!

Check it out

Today’s top stories

Best solo trips in the US for 2026

Going it solo? From outdoor enthusiasts to music lovers, these U.S. destinations are perfect for solo travelers.

Global Entry resumes Wednesday after 17-day suspension

Global Entry was restored on Wednesday after being suspended last month amid the partial government shutdown.

Exclusive: A new Kimpton just opened at New York’s famed Rockefeller Center — and you can’t beat its city views

Here's everything you need to know about the new Kimpton Era Midtown New York.

American Airlines (again) plans new Admirals Club in Austin, with a cool new feature

American Airlines is planning to build its first Admirals Club with an open-air terrace at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).

Check if you’re eligible for as high as 300,000 points with the American Express Business Platinum

If you've been considering applying for this card, here is what you need to know about the current welcome offer.

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5.	Why I’m choosing this business card over the Chase Sapphire Reserve

6.	Brazil’s Gol Airlines plans first-ever New York flights with new Rio nonstop

7.	Yes, you can hold more than 1 of the same business credit card. Here’s why you might want to

8.	Can Hilton’s new AI planning tool help you find the perfect hotel? We put it to the test

9.	Book now or pay the price: Airfare could spike ‘within a week’ — here’s what to know about summer flights

10.	Hertz Gold+: How to earn and redeem points for free car rentals, discounts and more

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The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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