If you’ve been in any airports lately, you’ve probably noticed that air travel is back in full swing. Officials with the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are routinely screening well over two million passengers per day now and have seen record-setting numbers once the summer travel season kicked off. In fact, the single busiest day in the agency’s history occurred on Friday, June 30 when TSA checkpoints nationwide screened a total of 2,883,595 travelers, marking the “highest number of passengers the agency has screened on record," according to the TSA. With the anticipation of crowded airports and crowded checkpoints, prepare for your next trip by figuring out how best to cut through those throngs of travelers. Since the advent of programs such as TSA PreCheck and Global
Entry more than a decade ago, more pay-for-play services have emerged. But, before you take that leap, make sure you’re getting the right service that fits your needs. Here’s a rundown on what's available.
TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is the classic choice for cutting wait times at airport security lines. For a fee of $85, a five-year PreCheck membership grants travelers access to a separate line from other passengers. Depending upon how popular the service is where you’re flying from, that can help you get through security much faster. The program has other perks as well. “You don’t have to deal with the process of taking off your shoes or taking out your computer,” says John Rose, chief risk officer for the travel management company Altour, who has logged more than three million flight miles during his career. “It’s just amazing for your efficiency.” Rose also vouches for PreCheck because it’s widely available, even being found at small regional airports. Travel journalist Ramsey Qubein, another million miler, encourages checking to see if one of your credit cards will cover the cost of PreCheck (and other programs) as a perk, so that you may not have to shell out any money to enroll. But, TSA PreCheck may be the least exclusive club that's actually worth joining. More than 99 per cent of those who apply are admitted and there are now some 32 million travelers eligible to use TSA PreCheck lanes for expedited screening in the US and select locations abroad.
CLEAR
If you’re looking for faster clearance times, consider CLEAR. The privately-owned service uses biometric technology to give enrolled travelers a “faster, safer, touchless way through airport security,” its Web site states, by scanning eyes and fingerprints. “It’s incredibly easy to get and then you don’t have to show your IDs,” Rose says. “My whole family has CLEAR and we love it.” Because the service speeds up the document-checking process at TSA, but does’t speed up the screening process itself, savvy fliers use it in conjunction with PreCheck. I can attest that having both speeds you through the already expedited lane which saves considerable time, particularly at larger airports where even the PreCheck lines are lengthy. It can also be used at other locales, such as stadiums and arenas. There are several drawbacks though. First, CLEAR isn’t available at every airport. (We’ve got in in Raleigh, but it’s not available in Charlotte.) Secondly, if it’s not at the airports or venues you frequent the most, it may not be worth the hefty investment because a CLEAR membership costs $189 per year. Those enrolled may add three adult family members for an additional $60 each. My wife joined more than a year after I did but her membership fee was pro rated so that our expiration dates would be the same and our initial cost was less than $60. Before you buy it outright though, check to see if you are eligible for a discount offered to elite members of both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines frequent flier programs. Mine was provided free of charge through the American Express Platinum Card.
Mobile Passport and Global Entry
After a lengthy international flight, standing in long lines at customs and immigration facilities is less than ideal. Skip the dreaded immigration queue by downloading the free Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app from US Customs and Border Protection (the old Mobile Passport app no longer exists). The service gives travelers access to an express lane that is often much shorter than other options. Once you've downloaded the app onto a smartphone or tablet, you must upload your passport and flight information, answer several standard questions and take a selfie. Do check the CBP Web site to find out where eligible travelers can use MPC. While it’s currently available at some 48 US, Canadian and Caribbean airports and seaports, a number no longer accept it. (Such is the case with my home airport in Raleigh.) A better option to speed through the immigration process is Global Entry, a US Customs screening program that allows low-risk, pre-approved, international travelers expedited entry into the United States. The program offers its own dedicated lanes equipped with special kiosks for international travelers to expedite their entry process. The latest kiosks feature a new facial recognition process which allows one to pass through Global Entry without scanning either passports or fingerprints. Unlike the original kiosks, these use a facial scan to confirm your identity and also eliminate the paper receipts that travelers previously used to present to agents. Global Entry costs $100 for a five-year membership, which also includes TSA PreCheck. Unfortunately, since the travel resurgence post pandemic, it’s become extremely difficult to schedule the CBP interview required for enrollment. But, on the bright side, many travel rewards credit cards will cover the $100 enrollment cost once every five years.
NEXUS
Anyone who travels regularly over our northern border by air, land or sea should apply for NEXUS, a program that gives members expedited crossing privileges between the United States and Canada. The $50 membership fee lasts for five years and has the same benefits as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, even on the Canadian side. Membership requires an in-person interview and “most of the locations for these interviews are near US-Canada border crossings,” says Sam Kemmis, a travel expert from NerdWallet. “So if you don’t live near or frequently travel through a northern border crossing, it’s probably not a good fit.” According to the US Customs and Border Protection Web site, once you’re approved for NEXUS, you can use their “dedicated processing lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when entering the US via Canadian pre-clearance airports.”
Airline Specific Services
Big spenders for whom money is no object can pay their way to an even faster airport experience. American Airlines offers Five Star Service for those ticketed in First or Business Class. It includes access to Flagship First Check-in and the Admirals Club lounge, personalized service through the airport, priority boarding and re-accommodation status, as well as a car service coordination. Five Star Service is available at 16 US and six international airports for the princely sum of $350 for the first person, $100 per additional adult, and $50 per child (age 17 and under). United Airlines offers Signature Service, provided by Global Airport Concierge which also promises an elevated level of assistance during your time at the airport. The service is available at seven domestic and 14 international airports. A United Signature Service concierge will be there to help throughout your time at the airport. The concierge will monitor your flight, guide you to or from your gate, assist with check-in and arrange any travel changes or airport accommodations that you might need. If you want to relax before the flight, you'll have access to one of the United Club lounges. The concierge can also arrange for special services such as language assistance, if requested in advance. United doesn’t display a blanket cost for Signature Service, but a Web site request entered in association with a flight from Chicago O'Hare to Tokyo Haneda this month on UA 881 resulted in a $650 quote for one person! Obviously, these services are not for the feint of heart.
Unfortunately, none of these or other services will relieve the stress of travel or mitigate the anxiety caused by mechanical or weather-related delays, flight cancellations or lost luggage. But, getting through security lines quicker, clearing immigration faster or basking in some airport hand holding might help you breathe easier.
Until next time…safe travels.
Less queueing, more reviewing! I like your style George ;-)