Flying from London through DFW? You can now bypass bag claim and security recheck
Travelers flying from London to America’s second-busiest airport can now save tons of time before catching a connecting flight.
American Airlines on Tuesday announced the start of the long-awaited “one-stop” security setup at its Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) home base.
As part of the trial setup, DFW-bound passengers from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) will be able to skip the baggage and security recheck before heading off to catch a connection. That eliminates one of the most inconvenient parts of returning to the U.S. after a long flight.
Dallas-bound travelers from London will go through passport control right on the jet bridge as they deplane, American executives told TPG this spring. Then, they'll be free to head to their connecting gate — and their bags will transfer seamlessly.
It's a change that American's top DFW official called a "game changer" last month.
"This will be incredibly efficient for our U.S. connecting customers at DFW to move on toward their next departure," Jim Moses, senior vice president of DFW hub operations, told TPG in a June interview.
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A time-consuming process eliminated
For years, passengers making a flight connection after an international trip have faced an arduous set of requirements.
First, they have to deplane and make the trek to passport control. Then, travelers have to pick their checked bag up off the carousel, and recheck it, before proceeding to a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint for an additional security check — almost as if they'd only just arrived at the airport.
But for more than a year, TPG has reported the TSA was working with airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to slim down those security requirements for passengers making a connection after arriving in the U.S. from certain, approved international airports. Heathrow proved to be the first.
American expected this new program to cut connection times in half for passengers connecting at its North Texas megahub after its five daily flights from Heathrow.
It's likely more airports will see similar time-saving measures soon.
By the end of July, Delta Air Lines expects to pilot a similar program by the end of this month for flyers departing London and then connecting at its Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) home base, a spokesperson told TPG Tuesday.
American has also said it hopes to expand one-stop security protocols to more airports beyond DFW — namely, each of its major U.S. hubs.
Passengers can already save time in London
As part of the new setup — a partnership with the United Kingdom — travelers are already enjoying a similarly streamlined security process in London.
Last winter, the U.K.'s Department for Transport started allowing Heathrow-bound passengers from DFW and Atlanta to skip the security recheck before catching a connecting flight in London.
American estimated the Heathrow one-stop program is already saving travelers up to 45 minutes at the major European hub.
The TSA and CBP are also expected to ink deals with additional countries for one-stop security protocols.
American is already working with Australia on a more limited setup that allows passengers flying to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Sydney to skip the bag recheck at LAX ... though those passengers do still have to reclear security, at least for now.
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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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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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. |
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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.