I'm hoping to start flying more in the coming years. Girlfriend should be finished with nursing school in December. Will be nice to have two incomes, hoping to start doing at least one or two roundtrip adventures a year.

If you are going to get TSA Pre-check, think about Global Entry. As mentioned, it is only $15 more and will help if you travel internationally. HOWEVER, Global Entry requires an interview and the slots can be VERY hard to schedule. There is a center near CVG but they schedule a few months in advance. You can't use the TSA Pre-check (which is included in Global Entry) until your interview is complete.

 

Another thing to consider is a high annual fee credit card like the Business Platinum AmEx. Annual fee is like $450 but pays for global entry, $200 in purchases on an airline you pick (baggage fees, food on the plane, etc.), 10 WiFi passes per year, access to the Delta Sky Club and a few other perks. Most of these also have a huge points bonus if you spend a certain amount with them within a certain time period (e.g., $5k over 3 mos.). You can sometimes get $400-$800 worth of points to use from that signup. You can also get Global Entry reimbursement for additional cards that have less perks. I think AmEx is $45/yr.

 

The $450 is much less attractive for YR 2 since you already have Global Entry, but if you play the game right for the 1st year, it can be pretty profitable.