Airport security is an annoying part of traveling. However, it doesn’t always have to be terrible. In this guide, we will go over some tips and tricks for getting through airport security fast.
Check out our list of the best credit card bonuses here.
Read below for more information on how to go through airport security faster.
Sign Up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
If you fly quite often, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry is a must for you. As a trusted traveler, you’ll get access to reduced security measures.
TSA PreCheck costs $85 for 5 years and features:
- Access to expedited security lines.
- No need to remove your shoes, belt or light jacket.
- No need to remove your laptio or 3-1-1 liquids from your bag.
- Available for domestic flights at 200+ airports with 35+airlines.
Global Entry costs $100 for 5 years and the benefits are:
- TSA PreCheck benefits.
- Available for international flights returning to the United States.
- Access to automatic kiosks that scan your passport and fingerprint
- Faster customs screening
- Expedited processing at land borders.
Read our guide on The Best Credit Cards for Global Entry & TSA PreCheck for a list of the best travel credit cards that come with reimbursement for your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee.
Best Airline Credit Cards for Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
The United Explorer Card comes with the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck waiver every 4 years. You’ll see the credit posted onto your account in 24 hours of paying the application fee.
United Explorer waives the annual fee for your first year and gives a generous welcome bonus, double miles for United, hotel stay, and restaurant purchases.
 The United Explorer Card offers 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. You'll earn: • 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays. • 1x mile on all other purchases Perks of this card include: • Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary • Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. • Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit • 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Member FDIC |
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express card will enable you to make use of either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 4 years. The credit will then be posted on your account up to 8 weeks after the charge to your card.
Additionally, it earns miles on Delta and hotel purchases and restaurant and supermarkets as well. It even comes with a companion certificate each year upon card renewal which enables you to bring a travel buddy.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. • 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. • 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. • $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required. Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. $150 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members can earn up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. This card comes with a $350 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. You'll also get fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®. (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. |
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard comes with statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every 5 years. The credit will be posted onto your account in around 8-10 weeks from the charge to your card.
This card is a premium co-branded option with Admirals Club access for you and family or up to 2 guests. It comes with plenty of perks as well.
Get CLEAR Expedited Security
CLEAR is a new expedited security program that utilizes fingerprint and iris scanning to get you through airport security checkpoints quickly. CLEAR Members also have access to an expedited security line before TSA PreCheck members (where available). This innovative program is currently operating at 25+ airports.
CLEAR costs $179 a year and you have the option to add a family member for $50 annually. Children under 18 are free. Thanks to a partnership with Delta, CLEAR is free for Delta Diamond Medallions. Other Delta elite status members and credit cardholders enjoy a discount on their CLEAR membership.
Fly Premium Class
Premium class passengers not only benefit from an enhanced flight experience, they also have access to expedited security lines.
| Airline | Expedited Security For |
| Alaska Airlines | First Class |
| American Airlines | Priority AAccess, Business Class, First Class |
| Delta Air Lines | Sky/Priority, Delta One, First Class |
| JetBlue | Even More Space, Mint |
| Southwest Airlines | Business Select |
| United Airlines | Premier Access, Business Class, First Class |
Earn Airline Elite Status
With airline elite status, you’ll get through airport security faster. Many carriers let their mid and high tier elites get access to priority security lines. In other words, you are neck to neck with premium class passengers even though you’re not flying with them. Depending on the program, you might even be able to get your travel companions through expedited security as well.
| Elite Status Program | Expedited Security For |
| Alaska Airlines MVP | Gold, Gold 75k |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Gold, Platinum, Executive Platinum |
| Delta Medallion | Gold, Platinum, Diamond |
| JetBlue Mosaic | Mosaic |
| Southwest A-List | A-List, A-List Preferred |
| United Airlines Premier | Silver, Gold, Platinum, Premier 1K |
Airport Security Tips
If you don’t want to go through with one of the avenues above to access expedited security, follow some of these pointers below to make the whole process as painless as possible:
- Pick your airport wisely. If you have a choice between flying out of a big airport versus a smaller airport, go for the smaller one if you want to avoid long security lines.
- Fly during off-peak travel times. Avoid flights that depart at peak travel times, including Friday afternoons between 4pm & 8pm. Monday mornings and major holidays. Not only will you enjoy shorter security lines, you will most likely pay less for your flight.
- Dress smart. Think ahead of time when you’re picking out your outfit for the airport. Wear shoes that you can take off easily and put on. Avoid wearing belts and jewlery. Wear a jacket with big pockets, so you can easily put your phone, wallet and passport away before snagging the rest of your stuff.
- Know the rules. Packing prohibited items will lead to a thorough search of your bags, and security will toss any items you can’t bring on the plane. Save time, stress and hassle by only packing what is allowed.
- Check airport security wait times. Monitor airport security wait times with apps like MyTSA and TripIt, so you can plan when you need to leave for the airport.
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Conclusion
The airport isn’t the a fun place to be at in the world. However, you can make the experience much better by spending the least amount of time possible going through airport security. Just apply for TSA PreCheck or Global Security, then get a CLEAR membership, fly premium class, and earn elite status. These are all the ways you’ll be able to go through security much faster.
