Anyone who travels and values their time must have TSA PreCheck. When you are part of this program, you enter a much shorter line at security, and you can leave your shoes, belt and jacket on. You can also leave your liquids and laptops in your bag, and you only have to pass through a plain old metal detector, not some huge scanning device. And if you are part of the Global Entry program, which includes TSA PreCheck, then you could save up to an hour of standing in line every time you return from a foreign country.

The biggest downside to Global Entry and TSA PreCheck is the cost. You have to pay a $100 application fee for Global Entry or an $85 application fee for TSA PreCheck. Both are valid for five years, but then you’ll have to pay again to renew them. Thankfully, you can get reimbursed for the expense if you have the right credit card.

Here are several credit cards that offer you up to $100 credit towards either your Global Entry and TSA PreCheck application fee, every four to five years:

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®

A credit of up to $100 towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is just one of the numerous benefits of this card. You can also expect to receive 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles after spending $5,000 within three months of account opening.  Other benefits include an Admirals Club lounge membership for the primary account holder and all authorized users. You also get 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles after spending $40,00 on eligible purchases on the card in a single year. There’s a $450 annual fee for this card.

Related: CLEAR vs. TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which Is Best for You?

Mastercard® Gold Card™ and Mastercard® Black Card™

These two cards both offer you a credit of up to $100 towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, plus many other benefits. The Gold card offers 2% value on airfare and cash back redemptions, while the black card offers 2% for airfare and 1.5% for cash back.  Other benefits include a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership and free luxury gifts sent to your home. There’s a $995 annual fee for the Gold Card and a $495 fee for the Black card.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum card was one of the first to feature a  credit of up to $100 towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and it now includes an annual air travel fee credit of up to $200 and a $100 a year Saks Fifth Avenue credit (requires enrollment). You also receive a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership, a Delta SkyClub membership and access to the American Express Centurion lounges. There’s a $550 annual fee for this card (see rates & fees).

United℠ Explorer Card

This is by far the least expensive card on this list that offers you a credit of up to $100 towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Other benefits include two United Club lounge passes, and a free checked bag for you and a companion when you purchase your ticket with this card. It has a $95 annual fee, which is waived the first year.

Fun Global Events to Travel for in 2020

Sometimes you want to travel just to sightsee and learn about the world, and sometimes you want to travel for a really cool event. Other times, you want a little bit of both. Whether you’re traveling solo or in a group, here are some of the best events around that world that are happening this year.

2020 Summer Olympics

Every four years, fans around the globe can’t wait for the Summer Olympics. It has been one of the most highly-anticipated sporting events since its founding in 1896, regularly claiming more than 4 billion viewers. This year, the event will be held from July 24 to August 9 in Tokyo, Japan. Additionally, the Tokyo 2020 Nippon Festival will be occurring simultaneously, where it will celebrate Japanese culture. The festival was also designed to bring together people from all over the world to learn about each other and celebrate the Olympics.

Besides watching and celebrating the games, you can’t visit Tokyo without seeing some of the major sights and attractions. In your spare time, visit the Imperial Palace, the Ginza District, the Sensō-ji Temple, and some of the city’s famous museums.

The European Poker Tour

The European Poker Tour is frequently considered to be the best poker tour in the world, partially due to its incredible tour city lineup. This year the tour will kick off in Sochi, Russia from March 20 to 29, head to Monte Carlo from April 23 to May 2, and end in Barcelona from August 12 to 30. 

Sochi, located on the Black Sea coast, has frequently been the site of major global events like the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. But when it comes to poker, Monte Carlo is truly the place to be. Located along the Mediterranean, the area is known for its beauty and many luxuries, including one of the finest casinos in the world, the Monte Carlo Casino. As for Barcelona, you can count on the final stop being a nonstop party thanks to the city’s incredible nightlife — Talk about a great way to end the tour!

Oktoberfest 2020

Fun Fact: Oktoberfest doesn’t actually start in October. Held in Munich every year at the largest fairground in the area, the Theresienwiese, the event kicks off on September 19 and ends on October 4. It attracts more than 6 million visitors from around the world.

But what you can expect from the festival? Horse-drawn carriages, festive decorations, carnival rides, traditional music, and plenty of beer. You’ll also see plenty of traditional Bavarian outfits, and it’s recommended that visitors dress up for the event (that’s part of the fun!). While the festival can get pretty rowdy, there’s also the Oide Wiesn, which is a quieter and cozier section of the festival. In short: There’s something for everyone (as long as they’re beer lovers).

UEFA Euro 2020

Like the Olympics, the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship is held every four years. This year, it will be held in 12 cities across Europe for the first time in the event’s history: London, England; Baku, Azerbaijan; Munich, Germany; Rome, Italy; Saint Petersburg, Russia; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Bilbao, Spain; Bucharest, Romania; Budapest, Hungary; Copenhagen, Denmark; Dublin, Ireland; and Glasgow, Scotland.

The event will be held from June 12 to July 12. The opening game will be held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on June 12, where Turkey and Italy will face off. The final will take place on July 12 at Wembley Stadium in London. If you love European football, this is your chance to celebrate the sport while exploring one (or several) of the many incredible host cities. You’ll also meet many other football lovers, making the trip even more entertaining and exciting.

There are plenty of great events to travel for this year. One of the above will be sure to offer you a great time — and a fun memory you’ll never forget.

How to Explore the World More Sustainably as a Solo Travel

Overcrowding and overtourism is an increasingly serious threat not only for tourist sites but for the environment as well. That’s why sustainable travel practices are catching on, as they help preserve these places while still allowing visitors to enjoy what they have to offer.

In this highly globalized economy, and in the age of Instagram, traveling has become very convenient for many people. But as reports suggest, the overcrowding in numerous tourist sites is fast becoming detrimental to the environment, the destinations, and even the local economies. An estimate from the David Suzuki Foundation on the growth of carbon emissions from aviation states that there has been an 83% increase since 1990.

On the other hand, the surge in tourism has generated more investment in these sites and the local populations around them. This has created cross-cultural exposure, democratized travel, and has helped put more value on having a global connection. While choosing more sustainable practices might sound daunting for solo travelers, it’s actually more fun than you think. Here’s how:

Mind how you fly

An American adult flies an average of six times a year. The Globe and Mail’s guide on sustainable travel notes that 25% of a plane’s carbon emission comes from the takeoff and landing alone. Simply opting for a nonstop flight can cut your travel carbon footprint significantly. Also, flying on a newer plane is much greener than an older aircraft. You can see the carbon footprint of your flight in aggregators, like Google’s ITA Matrix and FlyGRN, and adapt your travel plans accordingly.

Slow Travel

Slow travel is the anti-thesis of Instagram tourism where a single photo ultimately caricatures your experience. This movement, which has its roots in the eco-friendly Slow Movement of the past, emphasizes savoring the journey and exploring a destination more methodically. Lottoland in their 12-step slow travel guide advise tourists to travel by foot or bicycle whenever possible in order to enhance the experience. This helps you take in not only the tourist sites, but also the beauty of the surrounding locale. Learning a few phrases of the local language also helps further deepen your experience of exploring the area. Ultimately slow movement values the quality of your experience rather than the quantity of destinations.

Opt for less traveled destinations

As mentioned above, overcrowding adversely impacts tourist sites. So, opting for less-traveled locations can help ease the pressure. This is also a great opportunity for you to find the least beaten paths for solo travelers. A voyage tour in Croatia, an adventure exploring the hundreds of islands in Tuvalu, or a trek across the mountains of Montserrat are just some options you should consider.

Support local businesses

Sustainable travel does not only mean doing better for the environment. These practices must also directly impact those on the front lines of preserving these sites. While tourism has been an increasing income stream for many countries, a WTO report shows that only 5% of money spent by tourists stayed in the locality. That’s why you should try to support local businesses when you travel to a destination. This way you’re investing in them, and enabling them to continue preserving the sites as their means of living.