Now you can actually make a reservation for a TSA fast pass to cut to the front of security lines, and it’s free. Right now, it’s limited to just a few airports, but we’re hoping the idea will grow.
It’s available to any traveler, whether or not you subscribe to Global Entry, which includes the TSA PreCheck priority line, or the pricey Clear system.
- Global Entry is $100 for five years
- TSA PreCheck only is $85 for five years
- Clear is &189 per year.
The new TSA fast pass reservation system is free and operated by Whyline and allows you to reserve a specific time to jump to the front of the security line.
It is notable that Whyline was purchased by Clear earlier in 2022 – which means one part of the company offers jump-the-line services for $189 a year while the other half does the same thing for free.
My prediction is that it won’t be free for long – my prediction as a longtime observer of the travel industry that Whyline’s parent company will start charging a fee for the reservation service in between the end of the heavy summer travel season and the start of the holiday travel season.
Right now, the Whyline reservation service is available at eight airports, but not necessarily at each terminal in each airport.
Right now, available hours vary by airport.
Right now, each fast pass program has a different name and each airport requires a different method and website to make a reservation.
So here’s another prediction – Whyline will get this clunky system streamlined before charging a fee for the service.
- Charleston International Airport (CHS) in South Carolina
- Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Here’s how to skip the TSA line for free at participating airports.
Charleston International Airport
Make an advance reservation at chs.whyline.com to pass through the TSA security lanes at a designated time and skip the lines.
Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport
At DFW, it’s called the Security Fast Pass program and available only at Terminal D. “Fast Pass travelers arrive at designated time and will be escorted to the front of the line,” the airport stated in a press release about the new program.
Reservations for up to 10 people can be made up to one week before travel, and the farther ahead you make your reservation, the more likely you are to get your requested slot time.
Make reservations at dfwairport.com/security.
John F. Kennedy International Airport
The fast pass program at JFK is called JFK T4 Reserve, and available only at Terminal 4, and only if your flight is between 5am and 10am, when the security checkpoint is busiest.
The JFK program is powered by Clear, and those with reservations pass through the priority Clear lane.
Make an online reservation up to 72 hours before your flight, to receive a QR code that will be scanned to allow you to enter the lane marked “Reserve powered by Clear lane”.
Los Angeles International Airport
The LAX Fast Lane pilot program is available currently only at Terminal 7 and Terminal 8, and only between 6:30am and 1pm.
Make advance reservations up to three days in advance at lax.whyline.com. There also are a limited number of walk-in appointments available.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Now available only at Terminal A, fliers can make online reservations up to 72 hours prior to departure.
Reservations and walk-in appointments are available daily from 4am to 8pm only. Since spots are limited, the earlier you book, the better.
Those with an appointment look for the VirtuaLine queue logo to be escorted to the front of the line. Reservations can be made at newark.whyline.com.
Orlando International Airport
This was one of the first U.S. airports to implement the advance reservation system last fall as part of a new program launched by Clear.
Those with reservations get priority clearance at the “Reservation Lane powered by CLEAR” lane. There are a limited number of slots available daily, and only between 5am and 11am.
Make your reservation at mco.whyline.com.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Called PHX Reserve, it’s available only at Terminal 3 and Terminal 4. Reservations are available in Terminal 3 from 4am to 3pm, and in Terminal 4 from 5:30am to 3pm.
Reservations can be made up to three days prior to travel at phx.whyline.com.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
The SEA Spot Saver program skip the line program is available only between 5am and 1pm.
Make a reservation online up to 72 hours before your flight, or take a chance for a walk-in appointment at TSA checkpoints 2, 3, and 5.
NOTE – Thanks to the travel publication Afar for doing the airport-by-airport research.
Canada
There is also a reservation option available through Whyline at Calgary International Airport in Alberta, Canada.
Additional Airports
It is expected that Whyline – or parent company Clear – will expand this program to additional airports. The question is when, which, and how long the skip-the-line service will remain free.
What do you think? We value your comments and love hearing from you.