Alaska Airlines is rolling out the time-saving TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program to three of its largest hubs in an effort to speed up the passenger checkpoint experience.
TSA Touchless ID will soon be available for the airline's passengers traveling out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Portland International Airport (PDX) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Alaska already implemented it at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) earlier this year.
Here at TPG, we're big fans of the Touchless ID biometric screening process. In fact, it could be a game changer for the aviation experience because it saves travelers so much time going through security checkpoints. You don't have to dig through a purse or backpack for your ID and boarding pass; facial recognition software confirms your identity and expedites getting you through security.
Here's when TSA PreCheck Touchless ID will be available for Alaska Airlines travelers at the following airports:
- SEA: Starting June 26
- LAX: Starting July 8
- PDX: Starting July 10
How to use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID on Alaska Airlines
The Touchless ID program is optional. It requires you to opt in to allow your biometric data to be used for identity verification. Guests who are eligible and want to opt in must sign up using their Alaska Mileage Plan account. It's easy to do once you sign up for a Mileage Plan account. After you log in, make sure your passport number and Known Traveler Number are listed in the "Travel documents" drop-down section of your profile, as seen below.
Once you do that, the "Add TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID" option will become active. You select "Opt in" and hit "Save," and you're done.
Travelers who opt in to Touchless ID, which is free, will need to renew their enrollment in the program each year. Again, this is an optional program. If you prefer showing Transportation Security Administration agents your physical ID and boarding pass when you fly, you still can.
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While the Touchless ID program is free, you do need to have TSA PreCheck, which starts at $78 for a five-year membership for new members. Global Entry, which offers both TSA PreCheck access and an expedited trip through U.S. Customs and Border Protection passport control, costs $120.
Some travel credit cards will reimburse members for their application fees.
The expansion of Touchless ID is part of Alaska Airlines' high-tech plan to streamline customers' airport experience and make the overall travel process more efficient. The carrier has already introduced electronic bag tags and automated bag drops as it builds what it calls "a truly contactless airport journey."
For more on Alaska's bag tag system, see the reel below.
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