Clear partnering with TSA, unveils new biometric 'e-gates' at 3 major airports
The security screening company Clear is officially unveiling new biometric e-gates at three new U.S. airports Tuesday in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration.
TPG got an exclusive first look at the new gates in action at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) during the testing phase earlier this year, which also included Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in South Carolina. Now, these gates are going into official service at these airports, plus three other major airports: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The new gates are already in place at ATL, debut next week at DCA and the week of Aug. 31 at SEA.
“We are proud to help make America’s airports great ahead of the World Cup," Clear CEO Caryn Seidman Becker said. "The U.S. should be leading on security, hospitality, and the travel experience."
Clear says that the new e-gates should "help America’s airports prepare for a huge influx of air travelers expected for the 2026 World Cup, plus the 'America 250' celebrations and the general, ongoing uptick in domestic travel."
If you have a membership in the expedited security program Clear Plus, you will be able to use the new gates at any of these airports.
The e-gates, in cooperation with the TSA’s security system, will verify travelers' identities and security screening statuses in real time. This means travelers will no longer stop at a TSA podium and will instead go straight to physical screening after their identity is confirmed at the e-gate.
The TSA retains complete operational control: triggering gate access, conducting security vetting and enforcing government security requirements.
Eventually, these futuristic-looking gates will be able to scan passengers fully via biometrics, further automating the screening process. For now, they provide a shortcut to the luggage screening process in most cases.
When I tested the gates, I was able to scan my boarding pass and wait for a green light to go on and the glass doors to open. Then, I underwent biometric verification using my eyes.
In the new gates, travelers will be able to simply step toward the gates, which conduct real-time biometric verification, matching a traveler's face to their ID and boarding pass.
Clear and TSA agents will be there to assist passengers.
I also saw prototype e-gates at Clear's New York City headquarters. I learned that if someone doesn't have access (or a membership) via Clear or if there is a security issue, the gates can flag the issue to Clear or other airport employees.
"This is a major leap forward in modernizing and streamlining airport checkpoints, at zero cost to taxpayers," a spokesperson for Clear said.
The pilot program will launch at three more airports this month and expand to at least 30 more in the next year or so.
"With more than 20 million international visitors expected to fly to the U.S. for the tournament — and domestic travel surging through U.S. host cities — checkpoint infrastructure will face unprecedented pressure," Clear said in a statement.
I'm looking forward to seeing this high-tech feature at more airports.
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- 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.
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| 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. |
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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.