Four ways you can have a quick and seamless airport experience this summer
Summer is just around the corner, which means we’re about to enter one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Flights are fuller, lines are longer, and you’ll likely need to budget some extra time for your travel journey. For those looking to spend less time waiting in airport lines this summer, security programs like TSA PreCheck®, Mobile Passport Control, and more can save the day. Applying for these programs is easier than ever if you’re a United MileagePlus® member or a United Chase credit card holder; here’s a quick guide.
TSA PreCheck
If you’ve ever seen a small green check mark on a boarding pass, you’re probably familiar with TSA PreCheck, an expedited screening program that helps travelers in the U.S. get through airport security faster.
The program comes with several benefits. About 99 percent of people enrolled in TSA PreCheck wait less than 10 minutes in security lines, giving them extra time to explore one of our United Club® locations or grab a coffee at their gate. There’s also no need to remove shoes, laptops, travel-size liquids, belts, or light jackets while passing through security, allowing greater comfort and convenience. Lastly, children aged 12 and younger can accompany their parent or guardian at no extra charge, providing a seamless security experience for the whole family.
To apply for TSA PreCheck, you must be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident. The application fee, starting at $78, covers your membership for five years. If you’re a United MileagePlus® member or United Chase cardholder, however, you can pay the fee with 11,000 miles or even have the fee covered through your credit card benefits.
Global Entry
If you see yourself exploring a new country this summer or are often traveling overseas, Global Entry can help you breeze through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) lines. Program members get to use designated Global Entry lanes, where a quick photo will be captured to verify their membership and identity. This eliminates the need for paperwork and processing lines, speeding up the return to the U.S.
U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and citizens of select other countries can apply for Global Entry for a $100 nonrefundable fee. This fee not only covers your Global Entry membership for five years, but also includes five years of TSA PreCheck membership, giving you the best of both worlds. Additionally, most United Chase cardholders receive a $100 statement credit to cover their Global Entry fee.
Mobile Passport Control
Another option for expediting your return to the U.S. is to use the free Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. That’s right—it’s completely free to use. With the app, eligible travelers can submit their travel documents, photos, and customs declaration information instead of filling out paper declaration forms. Passengers will then get a QR code to present to the customs and border protection officer, reducing wait times. Additionally, up to 12 family members can be added to one QR code for more efficient processing. The MPC app is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitors, and returning Visa Waiver Program travelers who have been approved by the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and can download the app from their device’s mobile app store.
CLEAR®
Lastly, CLEAR Plus is an annual membership that uses your eyes or fingerprints to verify your identity at more than 55 airports across the U.S. Members can use the CLEAR lane to verify their biometrics, eliminating the need to take out physical identification and speeding up the security process. A CLEAR Plus membership can also be used alongside a TSA PreCheck membership for an ultra-fast security experience. The CLEAR Plus annual membership fee is $189, with discounted prices for Mileage-Plus members. If you’re a MileagePlus Premier® member, you may be eligible for a complimentary membership.
