Oh, Mexico

We got the grandparents to watch the kids and the hubby and I headed down to Mexico. It was GLORIOUS. This was our first big getaway since baby #2 came along. That baby is now 2.5 years old but the pandemic made it a wee bit harder to take a vacation without the kids. We realized that our first big getaway after baby #1 was also to Mexico.

Before and during both trips, family and friends asked us if we felt safe going. There had been a bomb on a ferry just before we visited in 2018 and there was a shooting a few months before our most recent trip. My answer was still, yes.

While some of the increased cartel activity is due to a loss of income because of the pandemic, the big thing driving the cartel violence is actually the tourists themselves. Tourists buying drugs is drawing cartel interest. To help curb this, many resorts are having travelers sign a document that they will not use illegal drugs. We signed such a pledge at our resort, Secrets Maroma Beach (AM Resorts has had this for a while). While they don’t expect it to completely curtail the drug trafficking, they hope it will impact people’s thought process. If tourists realize the consequences of their actions on others, they might think twice before seeking out illicit substances while in the Cancun area.

It never fails that a family member heard from a friend who heard from a cousin… that 30 people were just killed there! I get some variation of this from clients panicking as a holiday we excitedly planned months ago neared. My mother sent me an article the day I arrived in Mexico. Haha. It’s like a horrible game of telephone where the facts are greatly distorted with extra fear inducing details thrown in. Sometimes it’s missing the details that the tourist who died was a Spring Breaker who got so intoxicated they jumped from their too high balcony. Sometimes, it was just a tragic event that could just has easily happened on the streets of NY or LA (ironically, I began writing this article the day of the most recent subway attack in NYC). Sometimes it’s just plain exaggeration.

I always tell people to make sure they are comfortable but also be safe and smart. Don’t flash cash and be aware of your surroundings. There are areas of every city where you don’t want to go. Use your smarts and you’ll be fine.

There’s always the possibility that something bad could happen while on your trip or walking down your street. I don’t plan to live my life in fear. If this pandemic has shown us anything, it’s to appreciate and take advantage of the opportunities we have because life is short. I plan on making many more wonderful travel memories with my family and friends!

Sunset at Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun

Security!

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Waiting in lines is the best part of travel, right? Um no. It’s one of the reasons I have a job. While I can, and do, spend many hours waiting on hold for my clients, I can’t wait in that line at airport security for them.

Thankfully, there are lots of options for getting through airport security faster.

TSA Precheck works for US domestic travelers and costs $85 for 5 years. Passengers enrolled in this program don’t need to remover their shoes, computer, etc. when going through the screening process. If you think you might take one international trip, you should apply for Global Entry, which includes TSA Precheck.

For only $15 more, you can also get the benefits of the Global Entry program which will help expedite your customs processing on return from international travel. The lines for Global Entry kiosks are often shorter and, even when your bags are the last ones off the conveyer belt, there’s often a shorter line for you to exit (best feeling ever)! Please note that while children are included with their parents TSA pre-check, they need their own Global Entry membership.

I just tried out Clear at Newark airport over the holidays and it was pretty great (*UPDATE…Follow this link for 2 months free by entering promocode TzellMelissa). The wait for an attendant to help us complete enrollment was a bit annoying but I assume this will be faster on our next trip (I’ll report back)! They have lanes for passengers who only have Clear and for passengers who have both Clear and TSA Precheck. Many people have Precheck these days or some airports don’t have special lanes for them. While passengers may be able to complete their actual screening faster, the line to get to that quicker screening may still be longer than you’d like.

TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear, all have fees to cover 1-5 years. A credit to reduce or entirely pay for these enrollment fees is a part of many credit card benefits. Frequent flyer programs also offer discounts to help make them more affordable.

VirtuaLine programs have been expanding to a few cities across the country after a steady start to the pilot program in Seattle. This program allows passengers to schedule a 15-30 minute window to go through security. You can register for a slot beginning 72 hours prior to your flight. Best of all, it’s free! While there is no charge, it’s only available at certain times of day and sometimes only at certain terminals. Hopefully this will continue to rollout nationwide but we’ll keep an eye on it.

There are often VIP meet and greet services that can help expedite you though customs. While it may be affordable in some international destinations, it often comes with a hefty price tag in the US. Services like this are also helpful when trying to make a tight connection and the added step of Covid paperwork approval.

Have a relative that needs a wheelchair but doesn’t want to admit it? Maybe you can entice them to use it on your next family trip by reminding them that you get to jump to the front of the check in and security line with a wheelchair passenger. This is why there are twice as many wheelchairs to get on the plane to Florida but much less on arrival (they don’t want to be the last ones off, of course). Haha.

Safe Travels!

Thank You!

This is the time of year when we look back and take stock. I am so grateful to all of the clients who trusted me with their precious vacation time. It was even more precious after the stress of the pandemic.

One of the best feelings is when you get thanked by someone while they are still traveling or even before their departure. That just blows my mind. Covid has added lots of extra stress to travel and advisors do their best to help reduce that.

It’s a great feeling to save the day by rebooking a client who will miss a connection while they are still in the air. However, it’s equally satisfying to add little touches that personalize each trip to the clients (non-alcoholic treats for babymoon travelers, in room yoga mats for yogis, stuffed animal for small kids. a framed girls picture for a bachelorette weekend, etc.).

For me and my clients, travel is about the experience. I’m so grateful to be a part of creating memories that last a lifetime… memories I’ve come to treasure now more than ever. I hope to help make many more for my family and yours in 2022!