American Airlines has announced the rollout of TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID for AAdvantage® members, offering what it says is a faster and easier way to verify identification. This new feature allows passengers to move through a separate security lane using facial recognition instead of a boarding pass or ID. Once opted in, members remain enrolled for a year and can opt out at any time.
The TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID is currently available at Washington Reagan, Washington D.C. (DCA), with plans to expand to Atlanta, Georgia (ATL), New York LaGuardia, New York (LGA), and Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC) soon.
To use TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID, passengers must be AAdvantage® members, have a Known Traveler Number, possess a valid passport, and opt in with American Airlines. Children under 18 can use the Touchless ID lane with an eligible adult but must scan their boarding pass.
Theexpedited security program allows eligible travellers to speed up their screening process at participating US airports and for most international trips. To participate, passengers must apply and get approval from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Passengers with TSA PreCheck® go through a dedicated screening lane at the airport, where they may not need to remove shoes, jackets, belts, or laptops from their bags. TSA PreCheck® is also available for those enrolled in a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler program, including Global Entry, SENTRI, or NEXUS.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Mastercard® card members receive application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, up to $120 every four years. To receive reimbursement, the application fee must be charged to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Mastercard®.
Passengers applying directly through TSA receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). Those registered with a CBP program receive a 9-digit PASS ID, which is the same number for all CBP programs. Updating the KTN or PASS ID in the AAdvantage® account before travel ensures the information is saved for every trip. Non-AAdvantage® members must add the KTN or PASS ID to each reservation when booking. For those unable to find their KTN or PASS ID, these numbers can be retrieved online.
Simple Flying points out that American Airlines “is actually slightly late to the game when it comes to using biometrics. It was Delta Air Lines that first partnered with TSA back in 2021 in the creation of its Digital ID program. Alaska Airlines and United also offer touchless ID at participating airports.
