As the busy summer travel season gets underway, potentially pushing airport security lines to their limits, for many travelers, the airport crowds will put a renewed focus on getting through the queue faster.
Paid programs like TSA PreCheck (which costs between $77 and $85 for a five-year membership, depending on the enrollment provider, and $59 to $80 to renew), the growing TSA PreCheck Touchless ID option, and Clear (which costs $209 per year), remain the most widely used options, offering expedited screening and shorter waits for those willing to pay.
While we believe wholeheartedly in the investment and value of these services (the time and stress saved alone are priceless), there is a free option that works a little differently—and flies a bit under the radar.
For years, that system was operated as Reserve powered by Clear, which let travelers book a TSA screening time in advance and access a dedicated lane. While that version of the program was quietly discontinued, the idea itself hasn’t gone away.
Several airports still offer advance security reservations—now run by the airport itself or other partners, and sometimes still called “Reserve.” The concept is the same: Pick a time slot, show up, and access a shorter line.
Airports that offer security line reservations
Advance reservation security lanes are currently available at the following U.S. airports:
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK)
- Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
So, how does it work? Here’s where you can still book a security time slot—and what to know before you head to the airport.
Denver International Airport
At Denver International Airport, the program is known as DEN Reserve. Travelers can book a time slot up to 14 days prior to their flight and must provide travel details (including airline, destination, flight number, and the number of people in their party). During the 15-minute appointment window, proceed to the airport’s West Security 2 checkpoint (on Level 6, just north of the United Airlines ticket counters), and look for the DEN Reserve sign. There, you will show airport staff your appointment confirmation and head to security.
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Terminal 4 at New York’s JFK also adopted a TSA security line advance reservation system. The program, called JFK T4 Reserve, lets travelers make an online reservation up to 72 hours before their flight. After booking a time slot online and sharing your flight date and airline, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a QR code, which will be scanned by the officer at the TSA screening area.
Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport
At Minnesota’s largest airport, the program is now called MSP Reserve. Travelers can book their time slot up to seven days ahead of their scheduled departure. It’s worth noting that appointment availability varies between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. At Terminal 1, appointments are available only at the North Security Checkpoint from 3:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., whereas at Terminal 2’s Checkpoint 2, time slots fall between 3:45 and 8 a.m. and then again from noon to 4 p.m. Reservations can be made online.
Orlando International Airport
At Orlando International Airport, the program is now called MCO Reserve, and travelers can book a dedicated TSA screening time for their group up to seven days in advance. Once there, you’ll head to a designated MCO Reserve lane in Terminals A, B, or C, scan your QR code, and move directly to the TSA agent to have your ID and boarding pass checked before proceeding through standard screening. Time slots are limited and tend to align with peak travel periods, with reservations typically available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. for flights departing between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Travelers flying out of Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can reserve a time for TSA screening through a program called PHX Reserve, which is one of the more flexible versions of airport-run security reservations. Guests can sign up in advance—up to six days before departure—or register on arrival at the airport, then use a dedicated lane to move more quickly into screening. In Terminal 3, the program runs 24 hours a day and is available for all departing flights. In Terminal 4, PHX Reserve operates out of TSA Checkpoint D from 3:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., serving flights departing between 4:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. After booking, you’ll receive a QR code, and when it’s time for your slot, head to the assigned checkpoint, scan in at a PHX Reserve kiosk, and proceed through standard TSA screening.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
The SEA Spot Saver program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport allows travelers to register up to five days before their flight, or book a same-day appointment after arriving at the airport to skip the TSA security line. To reserve a spot, travelers enter their airline, destination, flight number, and party size online, then receive a time window tied to a specific checkpoint. At your appointment time, head to either TSA Checkpoint 2 (closest to the A, B, and S gates) or Checkpoint 4 (closest to the C, D, and N gates), look for SEA Spot Saver signage, and show your confirmation before proceeding through standard TSA screening. Appointments are available daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. for departing flights, typically between four and one hours before departure. Slots are limited and can fill quickly—especially during peak morning hours—so booking ahead is recommended.
Of course, if your regular departure airport doesn’t have a TSA security line reservation program, there is always the option to enroll in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck), and/or Clear.
This story was originally published in 2022 and was most recently updated on May 12, 2026, to include current information.
