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If you have TSA PreCheck, you also have access to an even faster way to go through airport security: Touchless ID. That's especially important now, with some airports reporting hourslong wait times at TSA due to the ongoing partial government shutdown.
The Transportation Security Administration offers this program for TSA PreCheck members, allowing for a hands-free verification process, but you'll need to opt in with each eligible airline you fly with. The program is expanding rapidly, with a target of 65 airports by spring 2026.
The Touchless ID program uses facial recognition technology to verify your identity, eliminating the need for you to fumble for your driver’s license at the security checkpoint. You’ll even get access to a dedicated Touchless ID security lane that lets you cut in front of everyone else.
The pilot program initially launched in 2021 with Delta Air Lines in Detroit, but it’s grown significantly in recent years with the addition of more airports and airlines, including Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and most recently American Airlines and Southwest Airlines in 2025.
However, not all airports and airlines participate in the Touchless ID program, so it helps to know when and where you’re eligible for the program. Here’s how you can take advantage of TSA PreCheck Touchless ID on your next trip.
» Learn more: Don't have TSA PreCheck? Here's how to get it for free
Airlines and airports that offer Touchless ID
The program currently has more than 50 participating airports serving dozens of major metro areas. According to TSA, the program is expected to expand to 65 airports by spring 2026.
Participating airports
- Albuquerque: Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ).
- Anchorage: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).
- Atlanta: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
- Austin: Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).
- Boise: Boise Airport (BOI).
- Boston: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
- Charleston: Charleston International Airport (CHS).
- Charlotte: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
- Chicago: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
- Cincinnati: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).
- Cleveland: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE).
- Dallas-Fort Worth: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL).
- Denver: Denver International Airport (DEN).
- Detroit: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).
- Fort Lauderdale: Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
- Honolulu: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).
- Houston: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
- Jacksonville: Jacksonville International Airport (JAX).
- Kansas City: Kansas City International Airport (MCI).
- Las Vegas: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).
- Long Beach: Long Beach Airport (LGB).
- Los Angeles: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
- Miami: Miami International Airport (MIA).
- Minneapolis: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
- New Orleans: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).
- New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
- Oklahoma City: Will Rogers International Airport (OKC).
- Orange County: John Wayne Airport (SNA).
- Orlando: Orlando International Airport (MCO).
- Palm Springs: Palm Springs International Airport (PSP).
- Philadelphia:
- Phoenix: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
- Portland: Portland International Airport (PDX).
- Raleigh: Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU).
- Sacramento: Sacramento International Airport (SMF).
- Salt Lake City: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
- San Antonio: San Antonio International Airport (SAT).
- San Diego: San Diego International Airport (SAN).
- San Francisco Bay Area: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) and San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC).
- Seattle: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
- St. Louis: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL).
- Tampa: Tampa International Airport (TPA).
- Tulsa: Tulsa International Airport (TUL).
- Washington: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
- West Palm Beach: Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).
Flying from a participating airport does not guarantee you will be able to use Touchless ID; you also need to fly on an airline that participates in the program at that specific airport. Not all security checkpoints offer Touchless ID, either, so there are instances where a participating airline may not have access to Touchless ID, even if its flights depart from a participating airport.
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Take EWR, for example, where Touchless ID is only available at Terminals A and C. Because Alaska flies from Terminal B, it's not possible to use the program when flying Alaska from EWR.
Here’s a list of airports where Touchless ID is available depending on the airline you’re flying with:
| Airline | Eligible airports |
|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | ABQ, ANC, ATL, AUS, BOI, BOS, BWI, CHS, DCA, DEN, DTW, FLL, HNL, IAD, LAS, LAX, MCI, MCO, MIA, MSP, MSY, OKC, ORD, PDX, PHL, PHX, PSP, SAN, SAT, SEA, SFO, SJC, SLC, SMF, SNA and STL. |
| American Airlines | ABQ, ANC, ATL, AUS, BOI, BOS, BWI, CHS, CLT, DCA, DEN, DFW, DTW, EWR, FLL, HNL, HOU, IAD, IAH, JAX, JFK, LAS, LAX, LGA, MCI, MCO, MIA, MSP, MSY, OKC, ORD, PBI, PDX, PHL, PHX, PSP, RDU, SAN, SAT, SEA, SFO, SJC, SLC, SMF, SNA, STL and TUL. |
| Delta Air Lines | ANC, ATL, AUS, BOI, BOS, BWI, CHS, CLE, CLT, CVG, DAL, DCA, DEN, DFW, DTW, EWR, HNL, HOU, IAD, IAH, JFK, LAS, LAX, LGA, LGB, MCI, MCO, MDW, MIA, MSP, MSY, OAK, OKC, ORD, PBI, PDX, PHL, PHX, PSP, RDU, SAN, SAT, SEA, SFO, SJC, SLC, SMF, SNA, STL, TPA and TUL. |
| Southwest Airlines | ABQ, ATL, AUS, BOI, BOS, BWI, CHS, CLT, DAL, DCA, DEN, DTW, FLL, HNL, HOU, IAD, JAX, LAS, LAX, LGA, LGB, MCI, MCO, MDW, MIA, MSP, MSY, OAK, OKC, ORD, PBI, PDX, PHL, PHX, PSP, SAN, SAT, SEA, SFO, SJC, SLC, SMF, SNA, STL and TUL. |
| United Airlines | ANC, ATL, BOS, BWI, CLT, DCA, DEN, DFW, DTW, EWR, FLL, IAD, IAH, LAS, LAX, LGA, MCI, MCO, MIA, MSP, ORD, PBI, PDX, PHL, SEA, SFO, SJC, SLC, SMF and SNA. |
How to opt in for TSA PreCheck Touchless ID
To use Touchless ID, you must be a TSA PreCheck member and opt in to participate. You can choose to opt in on your profile with an airline or when you check in online.
You’ll also need to make sure your information with the airline is up to date, including your Known Traveler Number and passport details. That way, the federal government will be able to match your photo on the day of travel with other photos you’ve provided to the government, such as from your passport.
If you’re interested in participating in Touchless ID, it’s best to set it up in your airline profile. For example, on the United app, you can go to the Account tab and select “TSA PreCheck and travel documents.” There you’ll find the option to opt in to the Touchless ID program.
In my experience, opting in is a one-and-done task. Now, whenever I check in online for an eligible trip, I automatically get access to Touchless ID.
If you don’t already have TSA PreCheck
Many travel credit cards include a statement credit that covers the cost of applying for a trusted traveler program like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck).
For those who travel only within the U.S., a TSA PreCheck membership should be enough. However, frequent international flyers will benefit from having Global Entry, which expedites the clearance process when re-entering the U.S.
» Learn more: Should I get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?
Cards with security screening benefits
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $150.
$795.
$95.
Benefit
Statement credit of up to $120 as reimbursement when you charge the application fee for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS to the card. Available once every 4 years.
Statement credit of up to $120 as reimbursement when you charge the application fee for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS to the card. Available once every 4 years.
Statement credit of up to $120 as reimbursement when you charge the application fee for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry to the card. Available once every 4 years.
Learn more
How to use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID
You can use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID only if you have a mobile boarding pass with the Touchless ID indicator. That means you’ll need to check in online or through your airline’s app to participate.
While each airline’s mobile boarding pass design is different, you should be able to see the Touchless ID indicator, which is a green human icon next to the TSA PreCheck logo.
As an iPhone user, I find this to be a convenient process since I can store my boarding pass in my digital wallet for easy access.
Boarding passes printed at an airport kiosk will not show the Touchless ID indicator, even if it appears on your mobile boarding pass.
You’ll need to show your boarding pass with the indicator to the agent at the entrance of the Touchless ID lane.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Before you head to the Touchless ID security lane, double check the indicator is on your boarding pass. I’ve had instances where it hasn’t appeared for some unknown reason, which meant I had to use the standard TSA PreCheck lane. Once it’s your turn, the TSA officer will wave you up and ask you to stand in a designated spot to have your photo taken.
This is where the Touchless ID and standard TSA PreCheck lines merge before the baggage screening area, and I’ve found that the officers typically prioritize folks who are using Touchless ID.
You won’t need to show your boarding pass or your physical ID (although you should still have your physical ID as a backup in case it’s needed). After your identity is verified, the officer will let you proceed. It’s really that easy.
Is Touchless ID worth it?
TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is truly a game-changer when it comes to airport security screening. It’s a free benefit for TSA PreCheck members, and it’s the fastest way to pass through security checkpoints, in my opinion.
In recent months, the program has expanded significantly to more than 50 airports. However, not all airlines are eligible, even if an airport offers Touchless ID. If your travel plans don’t match up with what’s available, then you’re out of luck.
Still, it’s easy and worth it to opt in to the program. After all, security lines can be unpredictable, and you never know when having Touchless ID could save your travel day.
However, it’s also good to have other options available. One tool that I have is CLEAR+, which uses biometric technology to speed up the identity verification process. The program isn’t free, but some premium travel cards include a statement credit that covers the cost of annual membership.
How to maximize your rewards
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- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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