Experiencing longer wait times at the airport lately? Don't worry, you're not the only one! This past summer, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hit a new high, screening over 3 million passengers in a single day – a remarkable milestone. But don't fret, there's a way to help reduce your time spent in the security line at certain airports. Read on to explore how you can make a free reservation to streamline your airport security experience. Let's get to the point!
Tired of long security lines? Try this…
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What's the process?
RESERVE is a program offered by the biometrics company Clear, which also provides a separate membership service enabling travelers to bypass the identity verification step at airport security. With RESERVE, any traveler can make a free reservation for the security checkpoint at select airports. There are dedicated lanes for appointment holders at participating airports, which typically results in faster-moving lines and a more predictable security experience. It's important to note that if you utilize this service, you'll still undergo the general security screening process. Therefore, if you're a member of the TSA PreCheck Trusted Traveler Program, you should use those dedicated lanes instead, as you won't be able to take advantage of the PreCheck benefits, such as not removing your shoes.
To make a RESERVE appointment, visit the program's website (or the website of the available airport) and enter your flight details, the number of people in your party (up to 10), and your preferred time to go through security. The booking windows vary by location, but reservations usually open up 3 days before your departure date, with a limited number of slots available. If your preferred time slot is open, you'll only need to provide your email address to receive a QR confirmation code – the service is completely free of charge. Once you arrive at the airport, follow the instructions on your email confirmation to locate the dedicated security checkpoint. There's a 20-minute grace period in case you're running late for your scheduled appointment.
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Which airports offer TSA security reservations?
As of the middle of 2024, appointments can be made at 19 airports across Canada and the United States. These airports include some of the busiest in North America, such as Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Orlando (MCO), Seattle (SEA), and Toronto Pearson (YYZ). It's important to note that the service is typically available only in specific terminals that may be exclusively served by certain airlines, so it's crucial to read the details carefully. Travelers can also schedule reservations at select European airports. For the complete list of available airports, please visit the RESERVE website.
You can also look into a Trusted Traveler Program…
While this program can potentially save time at the airport, travelers will still need to undergo the standard identity verification and security screening process. This means taking out your laptop and liquids, as well as removing your shoes. If you want to skip those steps and save even more time, you can consider signing up for a Trusted Traveler Program, such as TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck). To do so, you'll need to submit an application for approval and pay a membership fee, but once you're in, you can use an exclusive line without those requirements. According to the TSA, 99% of PreCheck passengers wait 10 minutes or less.
Clear, the company that offers the free reservation service, also has a membership-based program available for an annual fee. Clear Plus, which is available at select airports, allows members to access dedicated kiosks that use biometric technology to verify their identity. These travelers can skip the line for a TSA officer to inspect a physical form of identification, saving even more time. And the ultimate combination? If you have both Clear and TSA PreCheck, you'll be able to breeze through the airport like a pro.
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