Driving Best toll passes for driving across the United States (2024) Upgraded to Economy, July 25, 2024July 25, 2024 The United States has a wide variety of disjoint tolling programs. This can make driving around on toll roads difficult when you travel to different states. I often rent a car in the East Coast and find myself driving on toll roads. While I could use the rental car company’s… Continue Reading
Driving Flying to Vermont and driving up to Montréal Upgraded to Economy, July 13, 2024August 10, 2024 For my third trip to Montréal, I decided to try something more niche. Instead of flying directly to Montréal, why not fly to a city close to the border but still in the United States and drive up instead, crossing the border by land and not by air? Why? There… Continue Reading
Driving My crazy idea for how I’m going to Montréal this summer Upgraded to Economy, May 31, 2024July 25, 2024 If you can’t tell, I am absolutely infatuated with Montréal. However, the annoyance of clearing customs and immigration at the airport, combined with Canada’s high aviation taxes, make another alternative idea a lot more enticing. Just like I did in my 2022 trip to Toronto, I can simply fly to… Continue Reading
Some unintuitive items I bring with me on my trips Upgraded to Economy, January 29, 2024July 25, 2024 Traveling frequently has allowed me to develop a routine for packing. For a short trip, I’m now able to carry all of my necessities in just one carry-on bag and one personal item backpack. Here’s a few things I like to carry with me that might not be too intuitive,… Continue Reading
Driving Finally approved for NEXUS! (And how I was almost denied) Upgraded to Economy, August 20, 2023July 25, 2024 As I said in my previous post, I was able to snag an August appointment in Blaine, WA after using Appointment Scanner. Previously, I was only able to schedule a September appointment. I made the trek this past Friday for my interview. I was almost denied for NEXUS, but eventually… Continue Reading
Why Global Entry rocks for land crossings Upgraded to Economy, August 19, 2022July 25, 2024 Take a look at the line I passed at the Peace Arch. Continue Reading
How to scan your RFID TTP card at land crossings Upgraded to Economy, August 14, 2022July 25, 2024 Watch this video for a demonstration on how to scan your RFID TTP card at land crossings. In this example, I am using the NEXUS lane with my Global Entry card. Continue Reading
Driving How to save money flying to Canada if you’re renting a car Upgraded to Economy, July 26, 2022July 25, 2024 If you’re flying to Canada from the United States, chances are, you’ll probably be visiting (or at least starting your journey in) one of its larger cities: Toronto, Montréal, or Vancouver. Then, you might rent a car for your trip. Only problem is, it’s much more expensive to fly to… Continue Reading
Driving What happens when the NEXUS lane is closed but you are a trusted traveler? Upgraded to Economy, July 16, 2022July 25, 2024 One night, I headed back to the United States from Niagara Falls, Ontario. I crossed via the Rainbow Bridge, which doesn’t have NEXUS. I was crossing at midnight, so unfortunately, there was only one lane open. I had to wait about 10 minutes for my turn to be interviewed. I… Continue Reading
Driving My experience using Global Entry for the first time by land Upgraded to Economy, July 15, 2022July 25, 2024 In November 2021, I applied for Global Entry because it was reimbursed by my new American Express Platinum Card. The process took longer than I would’ve liked, which I’ll explain in another post, but I eventually got conditionally approved in March 2022 and completed enrollment on arrival later that month…. Continue Reading