Ben Thoennes Dream Vacations
Ben Thoennes Dream Vacations
Thank you for checking out my channel on KZread!
I am small business owner of one running my own travel agency and my goal on this channel is to help travelers plan for their next vacation by providing weekly travel information and tips in addition to reviewing some travel products.
If you are interested in working with me. Here are some ways you can reach me:
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: bthoennes.dreamvacations.com
Google: g.page/r/CQ9O8DIkvKUzEBA
Online Form: bthoennes.dreamvacations.com/travel/cruises/ContactUs.html
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I like this guy more than any of the hysterical women that try to scare you with all the horror stories and intimidating minutiae of uptight picky TSA rulings. He seems chill, calm and reasonable.
Hey Ben, Thanks for your advice! I have a question. My carry-on fits Turkish Airlines' size rules, but it's a bit overweight by about 1kg. what might happen?
In most cases if the weight is close or just a little bit over they will let it go through without issue. It really depends on the airline. If they are really strict about weight then they will charge an overweight fee. If you can wear some of the heaviest items of clothing that you have packed that will help reduce the weight.
@@BenDreamVacations thank you I appreciate your response
What if I have an old expired ID can I use that with my credit card and birth certificate
You can use an expired ID up to a year past the expiration date to go through security. If your ID is over a year expired then you can use it along with your credit card and birth certificate.
Can you bring as much liquids you wanted in your checked luggage?
There is no limit to the amount of liquids you can carry in your checked luggage but you want to be careful about the weight of luggage. Anything over 50lbs will cost you $100 per bag and anything over 70lbs $125 per bag.
the photo tool on the website does not work :(
Try this link tsg.phototool.state.gov/photo
I went for my Global Entry interview last week. I got the approval email by the time I got into the parking lot.
That’s awesome!
@@BenDreamVacations interview was last Saturday. I got it today. Exactly 7 days!
Im leaving on the 1st of Aug. I’m very nervous about going alone on my first time. I watched the whole video and now im a little more at ease. I will definitely update on how it goes.
So glad to hear the video helped you relieve some of the nervousness you have about flying for the first time. Definitely let me know how it goes. Safe travels to you!
Before boarding will the employees let each passenger size their cabin luggage to make sure it's within the size parameters on their website?
There will be baggage sizers near the check-in counters. They are just metal frames that are in the dimensions of cabin luggage. If your luggage can fit in the metal frame then your luggage meets the size requirements for the airline you will be flying on. If you find that your luggage is just slightly bigger than the frame then you will still be ok to take in on the plane with you. The airline is not going to check every single passenger to make sure the luggage meets the size requirements.
@@BenDreamVacations Thank you for your response! much love
Your are my life saver!! Thank you so much for making such a straightforward and detailed video!
My pleasure! Glad the video was helpful to you!
If you have TSA precheck, you need to do less. Please clarify.
If you have TSA precheck then you will not be required to take anything out of your bag or remove your shoes. You will also just go through a simple metal detector rather than the body scanner. This makes the process much quicker. I can typically get through security in about 5 minutes. I think the most I ever had to wait is 10 minutes at the Atlanta airport.
I’m flying from my home country Germany,Berlin to London Now my question is since I‘m underage do I need to get the consent papers from my parents notarised/certified? Or is providing copies of documents with the consent papers of my parents proof enough?
Yes, you will need to get your parents consent letters notarized. You will also need to check the requirements for the airline you will be flying on. Depending on your age you may need to fly as an unaccompanied minor. Once you arrive in London you will need to provide details about where you are staying and that you have funds to support yourself while in London.
Southwest is officially getting rid of their open seating policy
Yes, I heard the news about Southwest getting rid of their open seating policy and adding extra leg room for certain seats. It won’t go into effect until sometime next year as they need to reconfigure their aircraft.
wow interesting info! Thx for sharing! I'm flying to Rio from Berlin next month and one stopover is in Amsterdam and the other in the US. I know we need a visa to visit it, but if I had it, would it be ok to leave the airport for a quick walk around? thanks a lot
I would say you need to account for at least 3 hours to go through immigration and customs to exit the airport and then go back through security and then the travel time to get to the city center and back. A 5 hour minimum layover would be what you need to leave the airport and get back in time to make your next flight. Just don't forget to get the necessary visa as well.
If I'm traveling internationally in October (returning in October) and my passport expires in June 2025, I'm good to go, right? Planning on renewing in January 2025. Thanks!
Yes, you are good to go. In general you can travel up to 6 months before your passport expires
i looked at so many tutorials on ms paint and word, but all of them sucks tbh, most of the stuffs i founf only wanted to charge me like 10$ for the photo... and then you come along with this site. Life saver!!!!! thanks bud! legend!
I appreciate it! So glad you found it helpful!
Tip +1: Withdraw from the reputable bank ATM, from the bank office, during the bank working hours. This way, if your card is eaten by the machine, you can raise the complaint immediately (and hopefully solve your problem) in the bank office. Tip +2: Avoid withdrawing money after bank working hours (specially after Friday 5PM) and/or before your departure from the place. If your card is eaten, you will not be able to visit the bank in person and solve the problem, but will instead have to struggle with filling web forms.
Good tips! Thanks
Any advice for the minor crowds traveling for their first time I’m 17 have never been in an airport nor traveled on a plane!
If you are not checking a bag then make sure to check-in online. This will save you a lot of time at the airport because you will already have your boarding pass and you can go straight to the security lines when you arrive at the airport. If you are checking a bag then make sure you get to the airport early. Make sure you sign up to receive text messages from the airline as this will keep you up to date for any changes that may occur with your flights. If you are nervous about flying, then bring things with you to help keep you distracted like music, books, magazines, tablet etc. Enjoy your first flight!
Am I allowed to bring a chain wallet in my carry on ?
Yes, you can bring a chain wallet in your carry-on.
So what is the worst seat on the 737 900 Er Because I love the window seat. But I already know. 16f 15a 30a Pretty much a wall can't see out the window terrible terrible on Those seats with no window
It depends on the airline and what their class configuration is for that type of aircraft.
Chicago O hare needs better instruction
Great video! We have a *potential* 7 hour, 45 min. layover in Frankfurt coming up in October on a Friday morning. I've never been to this airport before. Do you think we'll have enough time to leave the airport and get an hour or two in Frankfurt? I see there's a train that goes directly from the airport into the city center.
Yes, with that long of a layover you should have enough time to visit the city for an hour or two. You will have to go through customs and immigration and then go back through security again when you return but that whole process shouldn't take more than 2-3 hours.
@@BenDreamVacations Thanks so much for the feedback. Also forgot to mention that we're not checking bags - only backpacks and carry-on suitcases - which should buy us a little more time as well. I assume there are luggage lockers/storage at Frankfurt airport?
@@theresnoyinkatie Yes, Frankfurt has luggage storage for a small fee.
Never knew peanut butter was not allowed. I often bring an Uncrustable PB&J Sandwich with me and have never had them say anything. maybe it's because the edges are sealed and they can't tell what's inside?
Hoagie made from home on carry on thry security?
A hoagie will be fine to take through security but if you are taking a hoagie sandwich then just make sure there isn't anything liquid like in the sandwich.
This was helpful, thank you
Glad it was helpful!
I asked this in one of your other videos before I found this one. I wear hearing aids with lithium batteries. Is this a problem when going through security. Thanks
You won’t have any problems wearing hearing aids through security
I wear hearing aids with rechargeable lithium batteries. Is this a problem when going through security?
Wearing hearing aids won’t be a problem
How about popcorn on carry on bags?
You are good to take popcorn in carry on bags 👍
This video was very helpful. I flew southeast back in 2015, so I needed this refresher for sure!!
How are power banks any different from laptop batteries... Open them up and its 18650 cells most the time... So its dumb they allow one in checked bags but not the other
Thank you for making this video! Very helpful.
@BenDreamVacations This month I flew for the first time in over 30 years. Was terrified of the entire process. My daughter hooked me up with your videos, which were SO detailed. Watched them over and over again which led to SUCCESS! Thank you SO much!! 💖
So great to hear! Thank you for sharing that!
If i am traveling to mexico from the USA and im 17 would i need my parents?
Yes, you will need to travel with your parents or have a notarized letter from your parents authorizing you to travel alone without them.
will i have to take a vape out of my bag
No, you do not need remove your vape out of your bag when going through security
Hi there! Thank you for this video this was super helpful! As for the DS11 form, you mentioned to not staple the photo to the form. What should I do with my photo then? First time applicant here. Thanks so much!
You will need to bring the photo with you when you apply in person.
are the metal needles they use to pump air into basketballs allowed in carry on?
Yes, air pump needles are allowed
@@BenDreamVacationsthanks for the information
You did not cover how to handle things if you are handicapped. I must use a walking stick, but can only walk about 40 ft without a wheel chair or transport chair.
Thx for your information ❤❤❤
My pleasure 😊
can i bring smoked meat/dried meat?
Yes, smoked and dried meat are ok to take
@@BenDreamVacations i mean in south Korea? there was a restriction in 2019 due to some meat disease, is the restriction lifted in south Korea? Can i bring dried meat or smoked meat there? Thank you for your response
Okay so I didn’t get any of this 😝
Can I carry raw meat in my hand luggage?
Yes, you can carry raw meat in your hand luggage as long as you are not traveling international. Most countries do not allow raw meat to be brought in from other countries.
Real I.D is May 2025 Ben.
Thanks
I thought you had to put your phone separately?
Your phone doesn't need to be put in a bin. It can just stay in your bag.
@@BenDreamVacations I’m confused with this answer as some say you have to remove it others don’t
You don't have to remove your phone. This is the exact quote from the TSA website. Electronics You will be asked to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening.
Where do you put your passport while going thru security?
I usually just put my passport in my backpack or carry-on when going through security. You can also just hold it in your hand.
@@BenDreamVacations I thought your hands couldn’t have anything in them?
You can hold cash and passport in your hand. You just can't have anything in your pockets
Excellent video. Thanks.
Glad you liked it!
What about bras with wires?
Bras with wires should be fine although some of the metal detectors might be more sensitive than others. If the bra should set off an alarm then they will typically use a hand wand to screen you.
Can you put Apple tracker devices in your checked bag or will it gr open to check what they are?
An apple air tag is fine to put in your checked bag. I always put one in my bag without any issues.
It’s been many years since I have flown. Nice to hear I don’t have to remove my shoes as I am 83 years young. 😁
I haven’t flown since 2018. My family size has double too. If I bought the tickets can I do the check in for my while family? It’s the same reservation number. Do my other members have to have the app as well?
Yes, you can do the check-in for your whole family. When you click the check-in button it will ask you who you want to check-in. Here you can just click the boxes to everyone's name to check-in everyone at the same time.
Thanks for this video. But what about prescription meds for bipolar? I’m asking for myself. And I’m painfully aware that my meds (generics for tegretol and geodon) are illegal in some parts of the world. I’m Andrew.
Most countries will allow a 30 day limited supply of prescription medication into their country as long as you can provide a prescription or medical certificate from your doctor. They really just want to make sure that any medication that you are bringing into the country is for personal use only.
@@BenDreamVacations Ok. Thanks 🙏. When you say certificate … do you mean a note on letterhead and stuff?
@@abkeener81 It can be, but just an official note from your doctor should be fine.