All the Ways to Get Through the Airport Faster in 2026

There is more than one way to move through airport security fast.

If you want to get through airport security faster in 2026, here is the guide you need.

There is TSA PreCheck. CLEAR. Global Entry. Touchless ID. Mobile driver’s licenses. Airline priority lanes. Airport-specific reservation programs. And to make it more confusing, some of these help with ID check , some help with screening , and some just help you get to the front of the line .

For most travelers, the best options are:

• TSA PreCheck if you want the best all-around value for domestic travel
• Global Entry if you travel internationally and want TSA PreCheck too
• CLEAR+ if you fly often from airports where it is available and care most about speeding up ID check
• Touchless ID if you already have TSA PreCheck and fly one of the participating airlines
• Airport or airline priority lanes if you are flying premium, have elite status, or are in a hurry and your airport offers them

So what should you actually get?

I recommend Global Entry. That way you have benefits of TSA PreCheck for domestic and Global Entry for international travel for only $35 more than TSA PreCheck only.

That said, I signed up for all of the free benefits. Global Entry and Clear are reimbursed through my credit card.

1. TSA PreCheck: widely useful

Why start with TSA PreCheck? Because for most travelers, it is still the simplest first move.

• Dedicated security lanes: Use the TSA PreCheck line instead of standard screening.
• Less unpacking, less hassle: In most cases, shoes, belts, and light jackets stay on, and laptops and compliant liquids stay in your bag.
• Shorter waits: TSA says about 99% of PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes .
• Reasonable price: Membership costs $85 or less for five years .
• Often reimbursed by credit cards: Many travel cards cover the application fee, making enrollment feel essentially free if you already have the right card. Current examples include select cards from American Express, Chase, Capital One, and Citi , including cards like The Platinum Card from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and Citi Strata Elite .

Exception: Travelers using wheelchair assistance may not get as much value from TSA PreCheck. My mom uses wheelchair service at her home airport, MCO (Orlando) and usually moves through security quickly without it.

Best for: domestic travelers (all types in my opinion), families

Worth knowing: Children 12 and under may use the TSA PreCheck lane with an eligible parent/guardian. The child does not need the TSA PreCheck indicator on their own boarding pass.

Children 13–17 may use the TSA PreCheck lane with an eligible parent/guardian only if they are on the same reservation and the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass.

2. Global Entry: includes TSA Pre-check + international arrivals

I think that this is the best value for the money. For only an extra $35, Global Entry gives two benefits in one: faster reentry to the U.S. after international travel PLUS TSA PreCheck for domestic flights.

• It includes TSA PreCheck: You get the domestic airport security benefit along with faster processing when you return from trips abroad.
• It helps on the way home: Global Entry is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is designed to speed up your reentry into the United States after international travel.
• It costs more, but not much more: The application fee is $120 for five years, which is only a modest jump from TSA PreCheck alone.
• The interview may be easier than you think: CBP offers Enrollment on Arrival for conditionally approved applicants at participating airports, which can make the interview step much easier to fit into your life.
• Many credit cards reimburse the fee: Global Entry can costs you $0 out of pocket if you already carry the right card. Current examples include select cards from American Express, Chase, and Capital One , including cards like The Platinum Card from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Capital One Venture or Venture X .
• One exception: If you rarely travel internationally, TSA PreCheck may be the simpler place to start. But if you leave the country even occasionally, Global Entry is often the better buy.

My take: If you are deciding between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, I would usually choose Global Entry. It takes a little more effort upfront, but it is more useful in the long run.

3. CLEAR+: faster ID check

Why add CLEAR+? It is usually faster than the TSA PreCheck line. It is a real time-saver when layered with TSA PreCheck. Personally, the Clear + TSA PreCheck combo has saved me loads of wait time in airports AND event venues like SoFi Stadium.

Speed. CLEAR+ is not the same as TSA PreCheck: CLEAR+ speeds up identity verification. It does not replace TSA PreCheck or give you the lighter screening rules on its own.

• Designated lanes. CLEAR+ members use designated CLEAR lanes and verify identity with biometrics before heading to screening.
• Layers. It works best layered with TSA PreCheck. That is the sweet spot. CLEAR+ can speed up the front end, and TSA PreCheck makes screening itself easier.
• Pricier. CLEAR+ renews at $209 per year, which makes it much more of a frequent-flyer decision than TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
• Discounted rates for up to three adult family member
• Reimbursed/ Included. Certain American Express cards offer up to $209 back per calendar year, including The Platinum Card, Business Platinum, Corporate Platinum, and American Express Green Card.
• Discounts. Delta Diamond and Delta 360 members get CLEAR+ free, while some Delta Medallion members, eligible Delta Amex cardholders, United Premier members, and United cardholders qualify for discounted pricing.
• Kids. Children under 18 can join you in the CLEAR+ lane for free.
• Not for everyone. If you do not fly often, or your home airport does not have CLEAR, this may not be worth paying for.

My take: CLEAR+ is not the first program I would tell most people to buy. But if you fly a lot through airports where CLEAR is well established, it can absolutely be worth layering on top of TSA PreCheck.

TIP: Download the CLEAR QR code to your wallet. Some airports don’t have CLEAR kiosks but the attendants have phone readers. Just show them the QR code and get in line.

4. Touchless ID

Touchless ID is the newest name in the mix, and it is easy to confuse with CLEAR or Digital ID. TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lets eligible travelers verify identity with facial comparison instead of handing over a physical ID at security. TSA says the program is expanding to 65 airports by spring 2026, and participating airlines are currently Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest and United.

This matters because it can cut down the wait at security, but it is not a standalone membership you buy. You generally need:

• TSA PreCheck
• a valid passport
• your Known Traveler Number
• an airline loyalty account
• opt-in with a participating airline

So this is not the “best first step” for most travelers. It is more like a bonus upgrade for travelers who already have the other pieces in place.

Best for: loyal flyers on participating airlines who already have TSA PreCheck.
Not the same as: CLEAR+, Global Entry, or a mobile driver’s license.

READ MORE ABOUT TOUCHLESS ID HERE [link]

5. Mobile Driver’s License and Digital ID: useful, but not universal

TSA also accepts certain mobile driver’s licenses and digital IDs from participating states at select checkpoints. This is part of TSA’s broader Digital ID program. The important phrase there is participating states (15 as of this writing) and select checkpoints. It is not yet something every traveler can count on everywhere.

This can make ID check easier, but it is not the same thing as TSA PreCheck, and it does not automatically give you a faster screening lane. Think of it as a convenience tool, not a full fast-track strategy.

Best for: travelers in participating states who like to keep everything on their phone.
Bring your physical ID anyway: TSA still requires an acceptable ID, and rules can vary by checkpoint.

6. Airline priority lanes: not standardized

Airline priority lanes are a perk, not a program. These lanes are generally for premium-cabin passengers, elite-status flyers, or travelers who buy eligible add-ons. These lanes can be helpful, but they are too inconsistent to be your whole airport strategy.

Airline priority lanes are not standardized: Unlike TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+, airline priority lanes vary by airline and airport. “Available at select airports” is the phrase you will see again and again. For example:

• United offers Premier Access security lanes for several airports including AUS, BWI, BOS, ORD, DEN, EWR, IAH, LAX, SAN, SFO, SEA, and IAD , plus some international airports.
• Alaska offers Express Security Lines at select airports: available for certain elites and First Class travelers.
• American offers priority security at participating airports: again, airport-by-airport, not systemwide.
• Delta offers Sky Priority security at select airports: availability depends on airport and traveler eligibility.

My take: I would treat airline priority lanes as a nice extra, not a reason to skip TSA PreCheck or another more reliable option. If you already qualify, absolutely use them.

7. Airport reservation lanes and local fast-track programs

Some airports now offer their own shortcut, and they can be a smart workaround if you do not have TSA PreCheck. For example, my daughter flew from JFK, Terminal 1 and discovered VIP ONE – a fast track option for Priority Pass holders with TSA PreCheck. The agent pulled her out of line, walked her to a “special door” that led to a private lounge. Once she finished eating and sipping, she was escorted to the front of the security line.

The VIP One lounge is located before security, on the departure level behind check-in counters E and F, next to the TSA checkpoint, and is available only to passengers departing from Terminal 1 on international flights. Travelers can access it through paid VIP ONE packages or in some cases, it is included in Priority Pass benefits.

Below is a list of more airport-run programs; they are not universal. They are not federal programs and they are not available everywhere. They work only at specific airports or terminals.

• LaGuardia Terminal B has B-FAST: Travelers can buy a B-FAST Front-of-the-Line Security Pass for access to a designated lane at LGA Terminal B . I use LGA often and have never felt the need to purchase this because I have TSA PreCheck. CLEAR is not available at Terminal B.
• Seattle has SEA Spot Saver: This is a free reservation system for general screening at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport , available at Checkpoint 2 and Checkpoint 4 .
• Orlando has MCO Reserve: Orlando International offers a free security reservation service for travelers without TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+. Probably worth it because MCO security lines are usually very very long.
• Some airports also work with CLEAR Reserve / RESERVE-style programs: availability depends on the airport, so this is very much a check-before-you-go category.
• These can be great for occasional travelers: especially during peak travel periods, school breaks, or at airports where the standard line is the main headache.
• Limited: These programs are local which means that you cannot count on finding the same setup at your next airport.

My take: If you do not travel often enough to buy TSA PreCheck, an airport-specific reservation lane can be a very smart one-trip solution.

Comparing the Fastest Ways Through Security

Airport Security FAQs