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I just returned from a quick trip to New York City and used the opportunity to try Digital ID: a TSA program using facial recognition to identify you at certain airport security checkpoints.
It’s sort of a hybrid of CLEAR and TSA PreCheck.
But way better. Like, it’s stunning. Put away your boarding passes and cell phones.
I spent six minutes going through security at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and New York-LaGuardia (LGA) during some busy periods. That’s not six minutes at each airport. I’m talking six minutes totalbetween the two. From the time I stepped into the Digital ID lane to when I grabbed my bags off the scanning machine’s conveyors, I spent a total of six minutes at the two major airports.
When I used the Fly Delta app to check in earlier this week, it asked me if I wanted to use Digital ID. Sure. Why not. After all, Delta already has my passport on file. CLEAR has my biometrics.
So, I strolled up to the Digital ID lane at LAX before my departing flight. I was the only passenger using it. I snaked my way around the empty queue, was greeted by a TSA officer, and crouched down so I could be eye-level with the biometric camera reader thingamy.
“You don’t need to crouch, sir,” the officer said with a laugh. A second later, he said, “Go ahead.”
“That’s it?” I asked.
“That’s it.”
“No boarding pass or—?”
“Nope,” he said and pointed to the TSA PreCheck scanning machines, basically showing me where to go next. “You’re good.”
I felt like Dr. Emmett Brown in Back to the Future: Great Scott! Like, what is this sorcery?!
Three minutes later, I completed the process of putting my bags through the scanner and retrieving them.
It was pretty much the same drill at LaGuardia.
I was the fourth person in line for Digital ID. The process of scanning each person took about three seconds. If that.
“You’re good!” the TSA officer said after each person. You could tell who the rookies were: they were astonished and had their boarding passes out unlike me, who was now a seasoned veteran.
Two minutes later, I had my bags and proceeded to the very nice Sky Club.
What is Delta Digital ID?
Delta Digital ID is available to select SkyMiles members.
They must be enrolled in TSA PreCheck and have a Known Traveler Number (KTN). Plus, they must have a valid U.S. passport. I believe it must be verified by Delta.
From all of my research, it seems people under 17 and traveling with an adult on the adult’s itinerary/PNR can use Digital ID without being registered in the program. For example, my six-year-old daughter should be able to use the Digital ID lane with me.
Kicking CLEAR to the Curb?
Don’t go canceling your CLEAR memberships quite yet.
Digital ID is only available at a handful of select airports:
- Atlanta (ATL, Domestic Terminal)
- Detroit (DTW)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- New York-Kennedy (JFK)
- New York-LaGuardia (LGA)
So, hang on to those CLEAR memberships. They’ll still come in handy at a bunch of airports.
Remember, too, that three American Express cards give statement credits for CLEAR Plus purchases:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Green Card
Have You Used Digital ID?
Please share your experiences in the below Comments section!
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I’ve used this a few times at ATL and had the same experience. Zero people in the digital ID Lane. Faster than Clear. Makes Clear essentially useless at those airports that have it.
It is a great addition. In Atlanta on Monday morning it can get backed up.
When you say, “(in) Atlanta on Monday morning it can get backed up,” do you mean in general or with the Digital ID?
The Digital ID line can get backed-up in Atlanta during peak times, but it’s consistently faster than the Clear + TSA PreCheck line next to it. I’d say on average 25-50% faster.
ATL hub traveler here and this is a game changer. I have Global Entry and Precheck (no Clear). The four of us in line who were all first timers had Global Entry and recent international travel on Delta as our common denominators. We all walked right past the 45 minute long Precheck/Clear line. And once you qualify, it activates on every Delta flight, not just international.
Good, I have CLEAR, but it all just seems so clumsy – this sounds like what TSA should be
I have used it three times flying Delta out of ATL in it is truly amazing.
I used it this week at LGA and it was great just like for you, it probably saved 10-15 minutes over clear.
I used it at JFK yesterday for the first time and it worked well, I just wished there were better explanation of the procedures beforehand. I was confused at the Clear Station when they said they didn’t need to scan my eyes and sent me to another line. I am still happy with Clear in SEA and SFO.
My husband and I used digital ID at Atlanta airport. We timed ourselves and spotted one person in the Clear line and one in TSA pre check. We got through in 12 minutes and beat the other two lanes. So it works and is faster.
Yes! Last night at LAX. I too was the only person in that line. To be fair, there weren’t many people in any line. But it was quick, and certainly easier! SLC, please add this!
I wanted to use it at DTW but there is no good signage and no one to really ask. The CLEAR person told me I had to join the looong pre-check lane! Useless…
Sounds interesting, but….who is protecting the data from breaches. I am pissed how many times my passwords , SSA history , bank loans and credit cards have been compromised. NOBODY seems sweaty about it. Can you imagine the havoc facial recognition data would cause if lost. The people who won’t put photos on social media eyes would boogie out
Someone needs to sit-up and pay attention here
I, too, have used it in Atlanta. I had the same (unbelievable experience) during Spring Break last April. When I was asked about using digital ID on check in, I thought the same thing. Why not? I had no clue what it was, but clicked “yes”. Best thing ever! I didn’t even realize it was on my boarding card. So when the agent said “you have digital ID. Step over to this lane”, I was in complete shock. I skipped the entire “hundreds of people in the Pre check line”, right to the agent taking your photo. Incredible! Best thing ever!
My wife & I used Delta Digital ID at DTW on our way to Mexico. Worked like a charm and we were the only pax in the line. We have Global Entry + TSA Pre-check (no Clear). We were told to use the Clear lane. No passport, no boarding pass checked.
I received the email from Delta about opting in for digital ID and have met all the requirements. It states you can opt in under your profile on the app. I don’t see anything under my profile for that?
It should trigger the next time you check in on the app (assuming your passport information is verified by Delta).