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Alaska Airlines adding Touchless ID at Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle airports
June 22, 2025
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5 min read
Alaska Airlines adding Touchless ID at Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle airports
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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.
Loyalty update: Alaska Airlines unveils 4 major changes to MVP elite status
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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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Related reading:
Featured image by ALASKA AIRLINES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.