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If you rack up frequent-flier miles, the last thing you want to have happen is for the airlines to delete them. Yet major airlines usually allow reward miles to expire if a frequent flier account is stagnant for 18 to 24 months. (Delta SkyMiles and Alaska Mileage Plan are rare exceptions in that their miles don't expire.) Good news: You don't have to actually fly within the allotted time to keep miles alive. Providing your frequent flier number when you make reservations for a rental car or hotel room will protect your miles while also earning a few more. In some cases, using a credit card affiliated with the airline counts as account activity—keeping your miles fresh. (Ask your credit card issuer or frequent flier customer service number for details.) For the rest of us, a simple way to keep miles active is to do a little shopping at the online malls that reward programs have, with links to businesses where you probably already shop, such as Old Navy, Target, and Starbucks. Sign in at one of these online malls with your frequent-flier number and buy a product. This will count as activity, keeping all of the miles in your account active. You don't need to use an airline-affiliated credit card to benefit, either. Just register at the online malls. Case in point: American Airlines' mall Sample product: H&R; Block At Home Deluxe tax preparation software. Buy it through the store and you'll reactivate miles in your account while paying only $25 for the service, or a 15 percent discount off the price listed on H&R; Block's homepage. You'll find an airline's shopping portal by visiting its website and looking for its shopping portal. For example, on Southwest.com, you'll find a link to Southwest Airlines's mall SEE MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL RIGHT NOW Miles or Cash? New Sites Help You Choose the Best Deal Earn Miles or Higher Interest on Your Vacation Fund The Risks of Churning Mileage Credit Cards

It's late (or early). It doesn't matter which actually, because you're so jetlagged from a long international flight you don't know what time it is. All you want to do is get home, freshen up, and try to feel human again. And there it is, that long, unforgiving immigration line. Well, thanks to the Global Entry program — a voluntary initiative, which gives expedited clearance to pre-approved, low-risk travelers — fewer travelers are being forced to wait in said seemingly cruel queue. Now, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has announced a rule that would establish Global Entry as a permanent program (up until now it operated as a pilot program). The move would allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which overseas the initiative, to expand the program to additional U.S. international airports, opening it up to more global travelers. To date, there have been approximately 1.8 million admissions by the program's more than 260,000 members. CBP has also expanded the program to give eligibility to children under the age of 18 who meet the criteria and have the consent of a parent or legal guardian, making it more amenable to families. The way it works is that pre-approved members insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader at a Global Entry kiosk stationed in the passport control area at participating international airports. They must then provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints that are on file, answer customs declaration questions on the kiosk’s touch-screen, and present their transaction receipt to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers before leaving the inspection area. The program is available to U.S. citizens and U.S lawful permanent residents, as well as Mexican nationals. Citizens of the Netherlands may also apply under a special reciprocal program. Canadian citizens and residents may participate in Global Entry through NEXUS, Canada’s version of a Global Entry program. Interested candidates can fill out an online application at Globalentry.gov and must pay a $100 non-refundable application fee. More from Budget Travel: Report: Allow one free checked bag, stop treating everyone like terrorists Airport security lines: How's life in the fast lane? Are Airlines Cracking Down on "Airplane Mode"?

Alec Baldwin might have gotten a high–profile slap on the wrist for trying to use his smart phone during a takeoff, but he’s hardly the only flyer loath to give up Words With Friends privileges. Despite repeated reminders from airlines and flight attendants, there are always those people who can’t seem to tear themselves away from their electronics. That’s why "airplane mode" (or "flight mode") has been such a boon for the technological traveler: By disabling a cell phone’s transmission capabilities, airplane mode renders cell phones acceptable for non–call purposes during flights (though not takeoffs or landings). No cell signals, no possible radio interference, no problem. Or perhaps not. We’ve recently heard rumblings of airlines cracking down on cell phone use, even in airplane mode. The blogosphere is rife with complaints from flyers being told to power off their phones during flight, even at cruising altitude and with airplane mode enabled. What has changed? Not the Federal Aviation Administration. For years its regulations have permitted the use of electronics set to airplane mode, and our recent query to the FAA yielded a consistent answer: "Airplane mode is still acceptable above 10,000 feet but you must comply with the airlines’ instructions." So if the times are a–changing, they would appear to be doing so at the behest of the airlines. Opponents of cell phone regulation point out that there is little evidence for airlines’ fears of errant electric signals, even during take-off and landing. Phone–freedom advocates even petitioned the White House to allow airplane–mode electronics during takeoff and landing. (It failed to generate enough signees to prompt an official response.) Either way, we're curious to hear from you—have you been told to turn off your smart phone even in airplane mode and at altitude? Or have airlines allowed you to fling your Angry Birds in peace? Or, alternatively, have flight attendants generously overlooked your electronics usage during take-off and landing? Tell us below! —Ryan Murphy MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: Do You Turn Your Cell Phone Off On Planes? Tests Show FAA Should Relax Rules About Electronics on Planes We Want to Know Your Airport Secrets!

Well, we survived our first flight! It actually wasn't so bad and our son was a trooper (that's him, taking it all in). Thanks to all of you that weighed in. The advice that came in handy the most was to stay calm—something I had to remind myself to do on a couple occasions. I've listed some of the most useful advice below, and I'll give you a couple of my own. Screening processes are different at every airport. We flew out of JFK and sailed through security no problem, even with bottles of formula and liquid antibiotics (which we packed separately and flagged for the TSA agent, per your advice). But while going through security at Tampa for our return flight, the TSA agent had to inspect each bottle separately via a different machine. Thankfully, it was able to read the contents through the plastic bottle, or we would have had to throw the formula out. Which would have delighted our fellow passengers, I'm sure. Next time, I'll pack powder formula instead. Lesson learned. Here are some of your best tips: Security with a baby is really not that bad, and I have encountered, much to my surprise, some very helpful TSA screeners. Put liquids in their own ziplock for easy removal. Baby on the front in a carrier. Slip on shoes (I wear slip on sneakers, yeah, not a great fashion statement, but who cares). Deal with the carry-ons first, once they are going through slip baby into your arms and walk on through. Baby goes back in carrier, you get your stuff and be on your way! —Abby Have everything ready before you get into the security line instead of pulling out your liquids, untying shoes, taking off jackets, etc. while in line. —Kim Feed baby liquid during take off and landing to help with ear pressure. The swallowing helps their little ears and limits the "people with the screaming kid flight." And RELAX. Kids pick up on how you're feeling. If you are stressed about it they will sense it and reflect that back though more crying and acting more needy than usual and being generally fussy. —Jennifer Be prepared for Murphy's Law. Pack twice as many things in the baby carry on as you think you will need. If you calculate three diaper changes in X number of hours, pack six, if you think you might need two changes of clothes for baby, pack four (they are tiny one-piece things, you can roll them up small). The time I didn't was of course the time we were on the runway for several hours delayed, and by the time the airline let us off the plane into the airport again, shops were closed. —Amy Now that we have the first trip under our belt, where will we go next? If you have suggestions, head here to nominate your favorite family-travel destination. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL Flying With Kids: A Survival Guide This Summer, Travel With Your Little One—and Your Sanity 5 Easy Overnight Adventures for Kids