• Lock all doors and windows, including garage and basement entrances.
• Test locks and your home security system before you leave.
• Store valuables and important documents in a secure location.
• Avoid sharing specific travel dates or plans publicly on social media.

• Consider shutting off the main water supply or individual water lines to toilets or sinks to help reduce the risk of leaks.
• Unplug nonessential electronics to help protect against power surges.
• Adjust your thermostat appropriately for the length and timing of your trip.
• Check for and address any potential plumbing or maintenance issues before you leave.
• Close the chimney flue to help prevent drafts, moisture and pests from getting inside.

• Arrange for someone to mow and water your lawn during longer trips.
• Clear gutters and remove debris that could interfere with drainage.
• Ask a trusted neighbor, friend or family member to put out and bring in trash and recycling bins.
• Check for and cover any gaps or openings where animals or pests could get inside.

• Set lights on timers to make your home appear occupied.
• Adjust blinds or shades to maintain privacy while still appearing lived-in.
• Ask a trusted neighbor, friend or family member to check on your home periodically, collect advertisements hung on doors and local newspapers from the driveway, remove small tree branches or storm debris, and make sure your property continues to look occupied.

• Ensure someone you trust knows how to reach you if an issue comes up at home.
• Hold your mail and newspapers or arrange for someone you trust to collect them.
• Arrange for pet care, plant watering or a house-sitter.
• Consider a thorough house cleaning, so your home is more inviting when you return.
• Before you leave, clear out perishables and take out the trash.
• Do a final walk-through to make sure doors and windows are locked and everything is ready for your time away. Enjoy your trip!

Book early to secure nonstop flights and avoid layovers. Choose morning departures to reduce the risk of delays or cancellations. When possible, travel a day or two early to build in buffer time in case of delays. Always allow extra time between connecting flights to avoid missed connections. It also helps to be flexible and compare options across airlines, airports and dates.

Most airlines allow online check-in beginning 24 hours before the flight’s scheduled departure time. It can be 48 hours before the flight for some international airlines - check with your airline. Complete the online check-in and print your boarding pass or use the airline's app for digital boarding passes.

Be sure to reconfirm flights prior to leaving your home and put all your travel and health documents together in one place in your purse or carry-on.

When to arrive at the airport:

• For international departures, arrive at the airport 3+ hours prior to your flight.
  
• For domestic departures, arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to your flight.
• If your flight is during a peak travel time, like a holiday, or during a period where there are fewer TSA personnel, you will need to allow additional time to help alleviate the stress of rushing and longer security lines.

Not having travel insurance can lead to huge medical bills while abroad if something goes wrong. Most U.S. health insurance plans (including Medicare) do not cover medical expenses outside of the United States and medical evacuations can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. AAA recommends getting travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

If you plan to travel outside the United States, the U.S. Department of State requires a passport or passport card for departure from and re-entry to the U.S. If you do not have a passport, you should apply for a passport as soon as possible.

Many countries require at least six months of passport validity before they will allow you to enter or issue you a travel visa. If you have less than six months remaining on your passport, you should renew it as soon as possible. Renew online, by mail or in person.

You should apply for a new passport or renew your passport well before your planned departure. Routine passport processing currently takes 4–6 weeks, not including mailing time, which can add several weeks to the total time it takes to receive your passport. Processing times can change, so check current processing times and apply as early as possible.

If you have urgent international travel within 14 calendar days, you may request to schedule an appointment with a Passport Agency or Center.

Passport Photo AAA Member Benefit

Most full-service AAA Branch locations will provide a set of passport photos for free or at a nominal charge, depending on your level of membership.

Learn more about passport services offered at AAA.

If you need your passport or travel visa as soon as possible, AAA Members save 10% on expedited U.S. passport and travel visa services online with RushMyPassport.

Benefits include the ability to:

• Avoid common mistakes that may typically cause a delay
• Save time by skipping the long lines and hold times
• Know where your passport or travel visa is in the process

Learn more about RushMyPassport.

^{*Savings applicable for RushMyPassport service fees only. Government fees and shipping not included.}

You can renew your passport online if you meet these requirements:

• The passport you are renewing is (or was) valid for 10 years. It must be expiring with the next year or have expired less than 5 years ago.
• You are not changing your personal information (such as your name).
• You are physically located in a U.S. state or territory (your most recent passport will be invalidated for travel).
• You have your previous passport in your possession and have not reported it as lost or stolen.
• You are age 25 or older.
• You do not have immediate travel planned or require expedited service.

Always use the official site opr.travel.state.gov (ending in .gov) to avoid potential third-party scams.

When you renew your passport through Online Passport Renewal, you do not need to mail in your old passport. However, be mindful that your old passport will be cancelled automatically and cannot be used for international travel (even before your new one arrives).

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free app from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that can help eligible travelers streamline the process of entering the United States after an international trip. Instead of completing a paper customs declaration, you can submit your passport information, photo and customs declaration through the app. MPC does not require pre-approval or a background check.

To use MPC, download the official Mobile Passport Control app from the Apple App Store or Google Play before your trip and create a profile with your passport information. At eligible airports and other participating locations, you can submit your information up to four hours before landing or after you arrive. You'll then take a photo, answer CBP questions and follow signs for the designated MPC line, where you'll present your physical passport to a CBP officer to complete the inspection.

MPC is available to eligible U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers with an approved ESTA. Availability varies by airport and port of entry, so check whether your arrival location participates before traveling.

Learn more about Mobile Passport Control from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

^{Information and links are from the CBP website and are provided as helpful resources to aid in travel planning. The requirements may change at any time and without notice.}

AAA is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue an IDP (International Driving Permit), also commonly referred to as an International Driving License or International Driver's License.

An IDP is a valid form of identification in 150 countries worldwide and contains your name, photo and driver information.

Learn more about IDP services offered through AAA.

As of May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.

Federal agencies, including DHS and TSA, may only accept state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards as identification for purposes of accessing federal facilities - including TSA airport security checkpoints - if the license or card was issued by a REAL ID compliant state in accordance with the REAL ID security standards (meaning the license or card must include the REAL ID compliant star marking). Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Most EDLs do not contain the star marking and this is acceptable.

Visit the DHS REAL ID website to learn more or determine if your license is compliant.

As of Feb. 1, 2026, the TSA charges a $45 fee for passengers 18 or older who arrive at a U.S. airport security checkpoint without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification. The fee covers an application through TSA’s ConfirmID identity verification process, but approval is not guaranteed and travelers may still be denied access to the security checkpoint if their identity cannot be confirmed.

^{Information and links are from the REAL ID website and are provided as helpful resources to aid in travel planning. The requirements may change at any time and without notice.}

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service from the U.S. Department of State that allows you to enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to receive safety information while traveling and help the embassy contact you in an emergency.

One person can register multiple travelers. Learn more or enroll your trip in the STEP service.

Travelers with a United States passport need a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism or other short visits of up to six months. The ETA is a digital travel authorization linked to the traveler's passport.

Check if you need an ETA or visa to visit the UK.

• Each person traveling needs an ETA, including babies and children.
• Apply before you travel. Most applicants receive a decision within a day, but the UK government recommends allowing up to three working days.
• The ETA costs £20 per person.
• An ETA allows multiple trips to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time.
• The ETA is valid for two years or until the passport used to apply expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you'll need to apply for a new ETA.
• An ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK. Travelers must still meet the UK's entry requirements.

Learn more or apply on the U.K. ETA website or the U.K. ETA app, available to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Avoid third-party websites that may charge additional fees.

^{Information and links are from the ETA program website and are provided as helpful resources to aid in travel planning. The requirements may change at any time and without notice.}

The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) several months prior to its launch. No action is needed at this time. Once it is launched, travelers with a United States passport will need an ETIAS for travel to 30 European countries, including popular vacation spots like France, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Greece, Portugal and more.

Learn more about the ETIAS program.

Information and links are from the ETIAS program website and are provided as helpful resources to aid in travel planning. The ETIAS program is still in the implementation phase in the EU, and dates, participating countries, voluntary or obligatory traveler participation and program requirements may change at any time and without notice. 

Once the ETIAS 'European Travel Information and Authorization System' is launched (the official launch date is TBD), both an ETIAS travel authorization and an ETA 'Electronic Travel Authorization' (active) will be required if American citizens are touching down in 30 European countries and the United Kingdom. 

^{Information and links are provided as helpful resources to aid in travel planning. The requirements may change at any time and without notice.}

The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational at the external borders of the 29 European countries that use it. EES electronically registers non-EU nationals traveling for a short stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, replacing passport stamps with a digital record of entries and exits.

U.S. travelers visiting Europe for short stays are generally subject to EES requirements.

When you first cross an external border using EES, you may need to provide:

• Information from your travel document, such as your full name and date of birth
• The date and place of your entry or exit
• A facial image and fingerprints, known as biometric data

Your passport will no longer be stamped at participating border crossings. If you travel through the EES more than once, your biometric information will already be recorded, so subsequent border checks may be quicker.

Learn more about the EES program.

^{Information and links are from the EES program website and are provided as helpful resources for travel planning. Dates, participating countries, traveler participation and program requirements may change at any time and without notice.} 

TSA’s Families on the Fly program provides dedicated screening lanes and support to ease checkpoint travel for parents and children age 12 and under.

Key features & tips:

• Dedicated “families” lanes at participating airports help reduce congestion and stress.
• Children under 17 can go through TSA PreCheck when traveling with an adult who has PreCheck status.
• Strollers, baby carriers, car seats and booster seats are allowed and screened via X-ray.
• TSA Cares can assist families with navigation, special needs and checkpoint questions.
• Use signage at TSA checkpoints to find the family lane.

Visit the TSA's Families on the Fly website to find out if your departure airport offers this program and to learn more. 

Planning and packing properly can streamline the screening process and make your airport experience smoother. Know what you can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage before arriving at the airport by visiting the TSA - What Can I Bring? website.

TSA PreCheck® is a program designed to make airport security screening easier for eligible travelers at participating TSA checkpoints at more than 200 airports nationwide. The program is available through participating airlines, with a current list available from the TSA.

Benefits include a dedicated screening lane where you generally don't need to remove your:

• Shoes
• Belt
• 3-1-1 liquids
• Laptop
• Light jacket

Once you're approved for TSA PreCheck, add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your airline reservation before traveling. Look for the TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass to confirm you're eligible to use the PreCheck lane.

Traveling with children? Children 17 and under can use the TSA PreCheck lane with an eligible adult without having their own KTN.

• Children 12 and younger can use the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling with an eligible adult, even if their boarding pass does not display the TSA PreCheck indicator.
• Children ages 13–17 can use the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling with an eligible adult if the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass. 

PRO TIP: If available at your airport and airline, opt in to TSA PreCheck Touchless ID for a more seamless identity verification experience using your face instead of a physical ID. Availability is limited to participating locations and eligible travelers. 

Learn more or apply online at TSA PreCheck® | Transportation Security Administration.

Eligibility: U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents.

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler Program that provides expedited processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers arriving in the United States after international travel. Members can use Global Entry kiosks or, at participating airports, the Global Entry mobile app to complete the entry process.

Benefits include:

• Access to expedited processing at participating U.S. airports
• No paper Customs Declaration form to complete before arrival
• Potentially shorter wait times when entering the United States
• Access to the Global Entry mobile app at participating airports

Global Entry membership also includes access to TSA PreCheck® when you add your PASSID/KTN to your airline reservation and meet the applicable requirements.

Learn more or apply online at Global Entry | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov).

Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and select foreign nationals.

• TSA PreCheck® is expedited airport security screening. 
• Global Entry is an expedited U.S. entry program after international travel.
• Mobile Passport Control is a free app that can streamline U.S. entry for eligible travelers who do not participate in the Global Entry program.

A Travel Advisory is a report from the U.S. State Department that describes the risks and recommended precautions for U.S. citizens, not foreign nationals, in a foreign destination. Advisory levels 1-4 are assigned for all destinations (not just dangerous ones). The level is assigned based on risk, and determinations are made using many factors, including information from U.S. embassies and consulates located in the destinations. The level explanations include:

Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions. This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risks. There is some risk in any international travel, and conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States.

Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution. Be aware of increased risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory.

Level 3 – Reconsider Travel. Reconsider your travel to the destination due to serious risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory.

Level 4 – Do Not Travel. This is the highest advisory level due to life-threatening risks. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory.

Even popular tourist destinations can be under a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” Advisory. This doesn’t mean don’t go, but it does mean that you should prepare. Before you go, check the latest Travel Advisory at travel.state.gov/destination for your destination to plan with confidence and enjoy your trip to the fullest. 

You can make your travels more rewarding with the AAA Cashback Visa Signature^® Card.

• Up to 4% cash back on your qualifying travel purchases with intro offer
• No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees

Learn more about the AAA Cashback Visa Signature^® Card or apply online today.

Equal Credit Opportunity Lender.

AAA Vacation Triple Check^®  is a free service that ensures you take advantage of all savings and member benefits when you book with AAA Travel.

We help you stretch your vacation budget with all the money-saving opportunities available to you, including combinable in-market offers, exclusive AAA Member benefits, AAA Vacations^® Amenities and more.

If you didn't receive this when you booked or would like to request a Triple Check for a future trip you're planning, contact your AAA Travel Agent today.

The AAA Diamond Program helps travelers choose hotels that meet AAA's rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. AAA inspectors conduct unannounced, in-person inspections to evaluate properties and assign Diamond designations based on the level of amenities, service and overall guest experience.

Understanding AAA Diamond Designations:

• Approved offers a great stay on a budget.
• Three Diamond offers amenities and services at an affordable price.
• Four Diamond offers upscale accommodations with high-end amenities.
• Five Diamond offers a luxury experience with superior services and amenities.

For an extra level of confidence in cleanliness and condition, look for hotels with the Best of Inspected Clean designation. There are more than 22,000 that have passed inspections with ATP surface testing, and you can find these properties by selecting “Only Show Best of Inspected Clean Properties” when searching for hotels on AAA.com/Hotels.

AAA Members can access exclusive savings or cash back on luggage, travel gear and everyday travel essentials through trusted retail partners, helping you get trip-ready for less with AAA Discounts & Rewards. 

Before leaving for vacation, secure your doors and windows, check your home security system, manage your mail and trash, reduce potential water and electrical hazards, prepare your home's exterior and arrange for someone you trust to check on your home while you're away.