These Airports Allow You to Bypass Security Lines for Free—No TSA PreCheck Required

This summer is projected to be the busiest ever for air travel. With an influx of travelers, expect long lines and crowded airports, leading many to consider trusted traveler programs and expedited security services like TSA PreCheck ($78 for a five-year membership and $70 for renewal) and Clear ($189 annually).

While we genuinely believe in the benefits and worth of these services (the time and stress saved are invaluable), there's also a completely free option available at some U.S. airports.

Introducing Reserve powered by Clear, a collaboration with various airports that allows travelers to book a TSA security line time slot in advance and skip to the front of the line when it's their turn. Although Clear typically charges for its expedited security services, the Reserve powered by Clear fast pass system is complimentary.

Launched in 2021 after Clear acquired the virtual queuing company Whyline, Reserve powered by Clear had garnered over 5 million reservations at airports worldwide by August 2023. Users have reported that the Reserve lanes can cut their security line wait time by up to 30 minutes.

Reserve powered by Clear is currently accessible at the following U.S. airports:

• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
• Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey (EWR)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Reserve powered by Clear is also available at these Canadian airports:

• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
• Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

And at these airports across Europe:

• Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
• Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
• London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
• London Luton Airport (LTN)
• Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO)

We recently explained how it functions at airports in Europe.

So, how does it work in the United States? Here’s how to bypass the TSA line for free at eligible U.S. airports.

Denver International Airport

You can enroll in the DEN Reserve program up to three days before your flight or upon your arrival at the airport via den.clearme.com. During your scheduled time slot, head to the airport’s Bridge Security checkpoint (situated directly between the main Jeppesen Terminal and the A gates) and look for the DEN Reserve sign. There, present your appointment confirmation to airport staff and proceed to security.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

IAH is the latest U.S. hub to implement the Reserve powered by Clear program. This service allows travelers in Terminal C, North Checkpoint at IAH to book a spot in the TSA security screening line. Reservations can be made starting three days ahead and up to three hours before departure. Currently, this service is exclusive to passengers flying with United Airlines in Terminal C. Travelers can secure their spot in line at iah.clearme.com

John F. Kennedy International Airport

Terminal 4 at JFK in New York has also introduced a TSA security line reservation system. Known as JFK T4 Reserve powered by Clear, this program enables travelers to make an online reservation up to 72 hours before their flight, specifically between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., which is when the security checkpoint experiences the most traffic, according to Clear. Upon arriving at the airport, travelers should look for signs that say “Reserve powered by Clear lane” in the TSA screening area. There, they can scan the QR code from their reservation confirmation email to enter the expedited TSA security lane.

Los Angeles International Airport

If you’re departing from Terminal 7 or 8 at LAX, you’re in luck. These terminals are part of a complimentary LAX Fast Lane pilot program. Travelers can schedule advance reservations or opt for walk-in appointments for TSA security screening daily from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. (It’s not available after 1 p.m.). A limited number of appointments can be secured up to three days in advance at lax.clearme.com.

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport

Reserve is accessible for all MSP travelers flying out of Terminal 2, allowing them to book their time slots up to seven days before their scheduled departure. Appointments are available during two time windows: the first runs from 3:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., and the second spans from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walk-ins are not allowed at this airport. Reservations can be made online at msp.clearme.com.

Newark Liberty International Airport

At Newark Liberty International Airport, travelers can make online reservations for the TSA security screening line at Terminal A (all gates) and Terminal B (only at Gates 40–47) up to 72 hours before departure. Reservations and walk-in appointments are accepted daily from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Spots are limited, so the sooner travelers book, the better. Upon arrival at the airport, those with appointments should look for the VirtuaLine queue logo and will be escorted to the front of the line. Reservations can be made at newark.clearme.com.

Orlando International Airport

Orlando International Airport was among the first U.S. airports to launch the advance reservation system in 2021. The airport’s Reserve powered by Clear program enables travelers to schedule a TSA security check time slot at no charge by visiting mco.clearme.com. A limited number of reservation slots are available daily from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Passengers departing from Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can secure a time to pass through the TSA screening area via a program called PHX Reserve. Reservations can be made in Terminal 3 from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. and in Terminal 4 from 5:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bookings can be made up to three days before travel at phx.clearme.com.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

The SEA Spot Saver program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport enables travelers to bypass the TSA security line from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. at checkpoint 5 and from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. at checkpoint 2. Travelers can make a reservation online up to 72 hours in advance or attempt to secure one at the airport for TSA checkpoints 2 and 5.

Additionally, if your regular departure airport does not offer a TSA security line reservation program, you can always consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck), and/or Clear.

This story was initially published in 2022 and was most recently updated on June 7, 2024, to reflect current information.