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The surprising item I had that set off the TSA alarm

Scott Mayerowitz
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Scott Mayerowitz is the executive editor of TPG and oversees all of TPG's editorial coverage. He previously was a reporter, then editor, at The Associated Press and reported for ABC News.
Feb. 16, 2023
•
4 min read
The surprising item I had that set off the TSA alarm
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Like most good frequent travelers, I’ve got my airport security routine. When you take 40 to 50 flights a year, you need to be efficient. With TSA PreCheck, I can leave my shoes on and keep my laptop and other electronic equipment in my bag. And for those times when PreCheck isn’t fast enough, I have a Clear membership. Enrollment is required

My belt, shoes and watch never trigger airport metal detectors. Once my ID and boarding pass are checked—though most airports are now just scanning IDs—I put my phone into the pocket of my carry-on bag.

So when the metal detector at LaGuardia’s Terminal B started to beep Thursday morning, I assumed I was randomly selected for additional screening. I wasn’t wearing a belt. There’s no metal in my body. I was wearing sneakers with rubber soles.

Then I handed the TSA agent my wallet.

Bingo.

I’ve currently got two dozen credit cards in my name. I travel a lot and each serves a purpose. No, I don’t carry them all at once. The physical cards in my wallet are routinely rotated to maximize category bonuses and to spend my way toward elite status.

On Thursday morning, the mix of cards apparently triggered the metal detector. Now, some of my colleagues at The Points Guy were shocked to hear that I didn't put my wallet through the X-ray machine. Others said they did the same thing as me and kept their wallet in their pocket.

But I digress.

Upon inspecting my wallet the TSA agent said, "Wow, that’s a lot of metal cards."

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And it was.

In recent years, credit card companies have been churning out heavier cards; cards that have a “plunk factor” meant to impress dining companions when you drop it down on the table to pay the check.

At TPG, we have tested the strength and weight of the cards. And one of our content directors, Nick Ewen, has commented on why it is time for card issuers to stop making all these heavy metal cards.

I, unfortunately, happened to have three of them on me as I passed through airport security: the Chase Sapphire Reserve, The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

My Delta Reserve card is the limited edition one made from a former Boeing 747. (For those aviation geeks out there: the plane’s registration was N667US and it flew 68 million miles in its more than 27 years of service.)

The limited edition Delta Reserve Boeing Card option is no longer available.

SCOTT MAYEROWITZ/THE POINTS GUY

That magical combination slowed me down. Moving forward, I’m either going to need to put my wallet in my carry-on bag or just carry fewer cards. I think we all know that I’ll go with the first option.

The heavy metal cards cost me a few seconds at security, but at least I got a good story out of it. How many can say that the TSA pulled them aside because they were carrying too many metal credit cards?

Related reading:

Featured image by HYOUNG CHANG/MEDIANEWS GROUP/THE DENVER POST
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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How we chose these cards

Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. If anyone on our team wouldn’t recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldn’t recommend it on The Points Guy either. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners.
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TPG featured card

NEW BENEFIT! TAKEOFF15!

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review
Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 3X points
3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

Annual Fee

$250

Recommended Credit

670-850
Excellent/Good
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.

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees
Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
NEW BENEFIT! TAKEOFF15!

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles

  • Annual Fee

    $250

  • Recommended 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.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees