TSA reservation for two, please.
From bag drop to security checks to passport control, standing in airport lines is the unavoidable downside of flying for the roughly three million Americans who travel each day.
And while some U.S. airports are definitely more chaotic than others, there’s a simple trick that can make your next run to Disney World or that quick wine-country getaway feel a lot less stressful.
At select airports, travelers can book free TSA security “reservations,” letting you bypass the long, zig-zagging queue and head straight to an officer at a dedicated checkpoint lane.
Travel Noire reports that six airports currently offer this under-the-radar perk:
Denver International Airport offers Den Reserve
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York offers T4 Reserve
Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport offers MSP Reserve
Orlando International Airport offers MCO Reserve service
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers PHX Reserve
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport offers SEA Spot Saver
Compared with TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+—which come with fees (CLEAR+ renews at $79.95 for five years in the U.S.)—these reservation tools don’t cost anything. Booking is also straightforward: as early as seven days before departure, you choose a 15-minute window to go through TSA screening.
On travel day, you simply pull up the QR code provided after your reservation and scan it when you arrive, then proceed directly to the reserved security entry.
Reality check: airport lines aren’t disappearing anytime soon. With summer travel ramping up and international events drawing additional crowds, terminals are only expected to get busier. Ongoing staffing challenges and wider travel disruptions have also made waits harder to predict.
To keep things moving, follow TSA carry-on rules (yes, rotisserie chickens are allowed), get to the airport two to three hours early, keep your ID and boarding pass ready, and take out larger electronics before you reach the belt.
Security—and everyone stacked up behind you—will appreciate it.