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FYI: You can bring (frozen) drinks through airport security

also contributed to this story
Aug. 19, 2024
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3 min read
Christmas Holiday Travel 2023 at Orlando International Airport
FYI: You can bring (frozen) drinks through airport security
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Editor's Note

This post was updated with new information.

Full-size liquids are among the items travelers most frequently forget to remove from their belongings before passing through U.S. airport security — the Transportation Security Administration's 3-1-1 liquid rule prohibits travelers from carrying liquids, specifically gels, aerosols and spreadables larger than 3.4 ounces.

Of course, you can bring an empty water bottle to the airport to refill at a fountain once you pass through security, but if you want to bring a beverage from home to enjoy on the plane, there’s one more solution.

Per the TSA rules, travelers can bring frozen liquids through security, specifically those that are "frozen solid when presented for screening."

Items that are "partially melted, slushy or have any liquid at the bottom of the container" must meet the standard 3-1-1 liquids requirements.

An exception to this rule is breast milk, which is allowed in carry-on baggage in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces. This can be helpful for nursing mothers, as the TSA permits milk, formula and pumped breast milk through security without set limits because it treats them as "medically necessary liquids."

According to the TSA, "Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs and gel packs (regardless of presence of breast milk). Your child or infant does not need to be present or traveling with you to bring breast milk, formula and/or related supplies."

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Regarding how much you can bring, the TSA specifies "reasonable quantities." Summer Hull, a director of content at TPG, notes that this leaves some discretion up to the individual officer.

In her experience, there’s an unwritten cutoff when your kids appear to be 2 or 3 years old. At that point, the TSA tends to stop allowing families to bring other liquids through security, even if it's a drink for a kid in your group. To avoid any liquid for your child getting tossed, she suggests the frozen method as a workaround.

"While the TSA rules permit frozen liquids going through security, and I can vouch that it does usually work in practice, some TSA agents simply interpret things differently from most, so be prepared with the rules if you don’t want to toss your drink," she said. "I also wouldn’t [bring] a dozen different frozen drinks unless you are looking to land yourself in some secondary screening."

Related reading:

Featured image by PAUL HENNESY/ANADOLU/GETTY IMAGES
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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  • 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.
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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.
  • 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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  • $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.
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