For many travelers, airport congestion will put a new focus on getting through the lines faster, as the busy summer travel season begins and airport security lines may reach capacity.
Paid programs such as TSA PreCheck (costs $77 to $85 for a five-year membership, $59 to $80 for renewal, depending on provider of enrollment), the growing TSA PreCheck Touchless ID option, and Clear (annual cost $209) remain the most widely used options, offering faster screening and shorter wait times for those seeking payment.
While we wholeheartedly believe in the investment and value of these services (the time and stress saved is priceless), there are free options that do things a little differently, and are a little less obvious.
For many years, the system has operated as Reserve powered by Clear, allowing travelers to pre-book their TSA screening time and access a dedicated lane. Although this version of the program was quietly discontinued, the idea itself has not disappeared.
Some airports still offer advance security reservations. It is now operated by the airport itself or other partners and is still sometimes referred to as the ‘Reserve’. The concept is the same. Choose a time of day to visit and access shorter lines.
Airports offering security line reservations
Pre-booked security lanes are currently available at the following U.S. airports:
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Minneapolis to 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 book a security time slot and what you need to know before heading to the airport.
denver international airport
At Denver International Airport, this program is known as DEN Reserve. Travelers can book their time slot up to 14 days before their flight and must provide travel details (airline, destination, flight number, number of people traveling with them, etc.). During your 15-minute reservation window, proceed to the airport’s West Security 2 checkpoint (level 6, just north of the United Airlines ticket counter) and look for the DEN Reserve sign. There, you present your reservation confirmation to the airport staff and proceed to the security checkpoint.
John F. Kennedy International Airport
JFK Terminal 4 in New York has also introduced a TSA security line advance reservation system. The program, called JFK T4 Reserve, allows travelers to make online reservations up to 72 hours before their flight. Book your time slot online, share your flight date and airline, and you’ll receive a confirmation email with a QR code. An officer at the TSA screening area will scan this code.
Minneapolis to St. Paul International Airport
At Minnesota’s largest airport, the program is now called MSP Reserve. Travelers can reserve time slots up to seven days before their scheduled departure date. Please note that reservation availability is different for Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. In Terminal 1, reservations are only available at the North Security Checkpoint from 3:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., while at the second checkpoint in Terminal 2, the time slots are 3:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. and noon to 4 p.m. Reservations can be made online.
orlando international airport
At Orlando International Airport, the program is now called MCO Reserve, which allows travelers to reserve a group-only TSA screening time up to seven days in advance. Once you arrive, head to your designated MCO Reserve lane in Terminal A, B, or C, scan the QR code, go directly to a TSA agent to verify your ID and boarding pass, and go through standard screening. Time slots are limited and tend to align with peak travel periods, with flights departing between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. usually available for booking between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Travelers departing from Terminals 3 and 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can reserve their time for TSA screening through a program called PHX Reserve. PHX Reserve is one of the more flexible versions of security reservations operated by airports. Guests can pre-register up to six days before departure, or register upon arrival at the airport to use a dedicated lane and proceed through testing more quickly. In Terminal 3, this program runs 24 hours a day and is available for all departing flights. At Terminal 4, PHX Reserve operates from TSA Checkpoint D from 3:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and accommodates flights departing from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. After booking, you will receive a QR code and when it’s time for your slot, head to the designated checkpoint, scan in at the PHX Reserve kiosk, and go through standard TSA screening.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s SEA Spot Saver program allows travelers to register up to five days before their flight or skip the TSA security line and make same-day reservations upon arrival at the airport. To reserve a spot, travelers enter their airline, destination, flight number and number of people online and receive a time slot associated with a specific checkpoint. At your appointment time, head to TSA Checkpoint 2 (closest to A, B, S gates) or Checkpoint 4 (closest to C, D, N gates), look for the SEA Spot Saver sign, and present your confirmation before going through standard TSA screening. Reservations for departure flights are accepted daily from 4 AM to 10 PM, typically 4 hours to 1 hour prior to departure. We recommend booking in advance as slots are limited and can fill up quickly, especially during peak morning hours.
Of course, if your usual departure airport doesn’t have a TSA Security Line reservation program, you always have the option of enrolling in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry (including TSA PreCheck), and/or Clear.
This article was originally published in 2022 and updated on May 12, 2026 to include the latest information.