First there was TSA PreCheck. Then came CLEAR. And starting Thursday, DEN Reserve will allow travelers to reserve a spot in the TSA line at Denver International Airport (DIA).
But unlike PreCheck and CLEAR, which cost money and require advance enrollment, DEN Reserve is free and open to anyone with a plane ticket.
With long lines and a busy summer travel season, DEN Reserve is meant to help general passengers who often get stuck with long waits, while people with PreCheck and CLEAR move through separate security lines quickly. CLEAR is partnering with Denver on the program, which already exists at 18 airports across North America, but unlike the CLEAR lanes designated for paid service subscribers, DEN Reserve is open to everybody.
"The program provides a better screening experience for those without a trusted traveler program and create efficiency where we have the highest demand," DIA states on the portal website.
Travelers can sign up at the airport or online up to three days in advance for spots in line at the TSA checkpoint at A Bridge.
Like PreCheck and CLEAR , DEN Reserve has its own line at TSA, where people with reservations can show up and go right through at the reserved time by showing a QR code delivered via email.
To reserve a spot, travelers have to provide their flight info and can choose between time slots ranging from one to four hours before departure between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. One person can also reserve up to 10 spots if traveling as a group.
There is also a 15-minute grace period that allows travelers to arrive a bit early or late without having to reschedule.
"Slots are limited and may fill up fast, so we recommend booking as early as three days before your flight," DIA wrote on its website.
Drop us a line at [email protected] if you want to share your experience using DEN Reserve.
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional information from DIA and CLEAR about the partnership.
