The role of President of the United States is no walk in the park at the best of times, but as the Leader of the Free World there are some rather special perks. As Joe Biden assumes the top job, click or scroll through what the new President has to look forward to.

You’d be forgiven for thinking Air Force One was one particular plane. In fact, any plane that the President boards becomes Air Force One. But, typically, the President has two Boeing 747-200B jets he regularly flies, which have perfect safety records and the ability to survive the electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear detonation. According to a Freedom of Information act request, each Air Force One 747 is said to cost an eye-watering $206,000 (£161,450) per hour to run.

Each aircraft has 85 phones, 19 TVs and can be refuelled in the air. There’s a personal suite for the President with an office, bathroom, bedroom and gym. And if the President gets injured mid-flight, not to worry, there’s even a doctor and an operating theatre on board.

The Trump administration negotiated a new deal with Boeing to produce the next versions of the "airborne Oval Offices" for $3.9 billion (£2.86bn), set to be complete in 2024. While they are set to feature many of the same technical capabilities, it had been reported that Trump planned for these planes to be painted a bold red, white and blue colour scheme, rather than the duck-egg blue as it has done since John F. Kennedy's time as President. However, now that Joe Biden is stepping into the top job that could change.

For short journeys, such as to Camp David from the White House, the President uses one of the Marine One helicopters, which are known as "white tops" because of their paint job. Only four pilots from HMX-1 squadron, aka "The Nighthawks", have the privilege of flying Marine One each year. The Obama administration signed up to an estimated $1.2 billion ($880m) contract with Sikorsky to build 21 operational and two test helicopters – but they won't be ready until 2022!

Trump's version of the limousine-style car was delivered in 2018 with a $1.5 million (£1.1m) price tag. That's not all. The bespoke car is part of a fleet of 12, which cost around $15.8 million (£11.6m). The armour is at least five inches thick to protect against attack and the tyres can keep on rolling even when punctured. It can even shoot tear-gas and smoke grenades! Extras include an oxygen supply, firefighting function and even a supply of the President’s blood type in the boot. 

Joe Biden will be familiar with these two buses from his time as Veep. Introduced during Obama's presidency when the President was travelling the country prior to the 2012 election campaign, these two black armoured buses are used for the President and dignitaries alike. Lacking any logos, the sleek black vehicles are part of the federal government fleet. Known as Ground Force One, each one costs a little over $1 million (£730k).

The White House annual household expenses (not policy operations) are an estimated $1.4 billion (£1.03bn), according to author John F. Groom, with even the flower bill an estimated $252,000 (£185k). The mansion has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, wings and grand halls. Not to mention the security, personal chefs, and chief usher at their beck and call.

No one, not even the First Spouse is allowed to enter the Oval Office without permission. Before entering, he or she must ask the guard outside first. If the President doesn’t want to be disturbed by anyone, even the First Spouse will be left out in the hallway.

The President receives a budget of $100,000 (£73k) to redecorate the White House. However, President Trump reportedly spent a mighty $1.75 million (£1.29m) on redecorating when he moved in, but it remains unclear who paid the bill.

In the White House there’s a 40-seat cinema with La-Z-Boys front-row seats, a bowling alley installed by Harry Truman, a pool, tennis and basketball courts installed by the Obamas – and even its own ‘Beehive’ where fresh honey is produced and fresh veggies are grown.

M&Ms in special Presidential Seal boxes (a favourite of Barack Obama), free soda from Coke and Pepsi dotted around the White House – just some of the snacks available anytime you want as the President.

Anyone hard at work in the West Wing at 5pm every day can have free French fries. And if that’s not enough, on Fridays everyone gets French fries and frozen yoghurt with smashed Oreos crumbled on top.

Michelle Obama launched the White House garden, inviting West Wing staffers and local children to help grow fresh fruit and vegetables there. Melania Trump has continued the tradition of hosting school children to help in the garden. We will have to see what Joe Biden's wife Dr Jill Biden will do with the green space.

Annually, presidential vacations cost around $20 million (£14.7m) (the low estimate for one presidential vacation to Hawaii is $4m/£2.9m, but the true cost is probably five times that). Secret Service expenses for the Obamas' 2013 Hawaii Christmas vacation (pictured) are said to have cost taxpayers $317,000 (£233k).

Camp David was built by Franklin D. Roosevelt for $25,000 in 1935, and at just 70 miles (113km) from Washington DC it’s the perfect retreat location. The site has 11 residence cabins, an office cabin, a swimming pool, skeet-shooting range and a bowling alley.

The US Navy operates the White House Mess and has to make sure the President has fabulous food all around the world. The chefs also won't be struggling with their salary, as the Executive Chef rakes in an annual pay cheque of $100,000 (£73k).

Blair House, a complex of four connected townhouses, is the President’s official state guest house. It has 119 rooms including more than 20 bedrooms, four dining rooms, 35 bathrooms, a gym, flower shop and hair salon.

In 2001, Congress raised the presidential salary from $200,000 (£147k) to $400,000 (£294k), and on top of that the president also gets an annual expense account of $50,000 (£37k), $100,000 (£73k) for travel expenses and there’s $19,000 (£14k) put aside for official entertaining. His salary is taxable like everyone else, but these expense accounts aren’t.

The president’s plain looking briefcase is not as innocent as it looks, as there’s a communications device inside that lets the president activate a nuclear attack anywhere in the world. Scary stuff if it’s not in safe hands!

Life as as an ex-president is not all doom and gloom as they still get a whopping $199,000 (£146k) a year pension. Not only that, they can receive medical treatment at military hospitals, compensation for relocating offices, travel expense allowances, and staff. And personal security for life after their service. However, the result of Trump's upcoming impeachment trial could change whether he is allowed to access these lifetime benefits or not.

Many people are fascinated with the lives ex-presidents have led, so what better way than to release a book about their experiences. George W. Bush made $7 million (£5m) for the first 1.5 million copies of Decision Points and Bill Clinton scored a $15 million (£11m) advance for his book My Life. While Barack Obama had a joint book deal with his wife Michelle Obama which was worth a huge $65 million (£48m) when they signed it in 2017. Michelle's book Becoming was released in 2018 and was the best-selling book of that year in the US, and as of November 2020 had sold 14 million copies worldwide.

Once their time in office is over, presidents are free to charge for speaking arrangements and appearances. Bill Clinton has seen his net worth rise from $12 million (£8.8m) to an incredible $80 million (£59m) since his presidential retirement.

Presidents are constantly surrounded by the Secret Service, just as President Trump was at his inauguration (pictured from above). But this safety precaution isn't just for when a President is in office, and it is maintained into retirement. That means that a large budget is put aside for President protection. In 2017 alone it cost $1.9 billion (£1.4m), according to Homeland Security.

To save the president’s family the cost of a funeral, every ex-president will have a state funeral, just as the former Leader of the Free World would deserve. J.F. Kennedy's funeral cost $40 million, while Ronald Reagan's is said to have cost over $400 million – as 1.8 million government workers were given a day off.

But let’s be honest, the biggest perk of all has got to be the position of power as leader of the world’s most powerful country. As President Joe Biden takes over during the COVID-19 pandemic he has his work cut out, but he has already guaranteed a third round of stimulus payments to help those struggling during this world crisis. Biden has also indicated he will overturn many decisions made by Trump, and is set to put a stop to the Keystone XL pipeline megaproject, and will rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. But only time will tell what his true legacy in the ultimate US government role will be.

Now take a look at how America's COVID-19 stimulus payments compare to other countries