Tracking your checked bags while traveling can be a game-changer. Not only does it provide peace of mind, but it also helps you and the airline retrieve your luggage if it gets lost. Here are a few ways to keep track of your luggage: Good: Keep Track of Receipts and Tags Always save your baggage claim tags and receipts. They contain vital information that can assist in locating lost bags. Better: Use Airline Apps Many airlines offer tracking services through their apps. Check in using the app and monitor your bag’s journey. American, United, and Delta all offer tracking and Southwest added this feature last October. Best: GPS Trackers Devices like Tile or Apple's AirTag can be placed in your luggage to track its location in real-time via your smartphone. More on GPS trackers.   Released in 2021, Apple’s AirTag quickly caught my attention. I bought AirTags and clip-on holders from Amazon, securely attaching them inside our luggage. They immediately became a travel mu...

Hint: It's free and not a Global Entry card! Have you ever heard of the US Department of Homeland  Security's Mobile Passport Control (MPC)? Or maybe you noticed the sign for the MPC line at customs last time you returned to the US and wondered what it meant. MPC is a free service for US travelers with passports that streamlines entry at 33 major US airports, nine preclearance locations, and four ports of entry. Pre-screening and pre-qualification is not required. Simply download the MPC app on your iOS or Android mobile device and submit the required information. You won’t need to fill out paper forms on airplanes and can go directly to the MPC line at customs for quick re-entry processing. Here’s another helpful tidbit. When looking for the app on your phone, look under CBP MPC (Customs and Border Patrol) rather than just MPC. For more information, check out Mobile Passport Control . A savvy traveler tip to help you create standout adventures!