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American Airlines launches TSA PreCheck Touchless ID at 4 airports, with more hubs to come

May 29, 2025
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4 min read
TSA Touchless ID Newark
American Airlines launches TSA PreCheck Touchless ID at 4 airports, with more hubs to come
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American Airlines has finally gone live with one of the biggest time-savers that exists today at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

The carrier on Thursday launched TSA PreCheck Touchless ID at four major airports, including two of its busy East Coast hubs.

As part of the new partnership, TSA PreCheck members flying with American will be able to fly through checkpoints without showing their physical ID or boarding pass.

The program just launched for American flyers at its Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) hubs, along with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).

Read more: I tried the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program at O'Hare — and it's a game changer

LGA TSA checkpoint
TSA checkpoint at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Terminal B. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Travelers using TSA Touchless ID will get their photo taken once they approach the agent, and they won't need to pull out a driver’s license or passport. To verify the traveler’s identity, the system will quickly compare that image to others the government has on file, like the one on a passport or in a trusted traveler program like Global Entry.

American had announced last fall it would join in on the TSA’s faster, high-tech screening process. TPG’s Clint Henderson noted in October that this biometric setup has, at times, proven faster than paid services like Clear at airports where competing airlines (such as Delta Air Lines and United Airlines) had already partnered with the TSA.

Biometric security screening area
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

American hopes to expand Touchless ID to more airports across its network, with a particular focus on its biggest hubs.

Read more: TSA PreCheck travelers will no longer have to show ID or boarding pass at certain airports

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How to use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID on American

Travelers who want to opt into the faster security process must update their AAdvantage profile on the American website.

It took me all of two minutes.

You’ll want to log in and go to the “information and password” section of your profile.

There, you’ll need to add your passport number and expiration date.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Then, click the box to opt in to TSA Touchless ID.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

It’s optional, so travelers who don’t want to opt into the touchless program can stick with showing the agent their identification each time they fly.

Travelers will need to renew their enrollment in the program each year.

It’s free, aside from the existing membership fee required to access the TSA PreCheck lanes. For new members, TSA PreCheck starts at $78 for a five-year membership.

Global Entry, which offers both PreCheck access and an expedited trip through U.S. Customs and Border Protection passport control, costs $120.

A handful of popular travel credit cards will reimburse members for their application fees.

Related reading:

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
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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Why We Chose It

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • $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.
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  • $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.
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