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Skip TSA Lines for Free at These Airports Using a Secret Virtual Queue Hack

Hate waiting on long TSA lines? Six major U.S. airports provide a time-saving reservation system for security screening—and it’s free.

Long airport security lines can put a damper on your next big travel adventure, and while

paid programs such as TSA PreCheck and Clear can often expedite the checkpoint process, even those lines can still be lengthy. At six major U.S. airports across the country, virtual queuing systems allow any traveler to skip the long lines for free. You won’t be able to use your PreCheck or Clear benefits, but you’ll save a lot of time.

Here is how it works:

Complete a form on the airport website or app with your flight date and number, airline, party size, email, and preferred checkpoint reservation time. If a slot is available, you’ll receive a QR code and an appointment confirmation.

Most airports allow reservations five or more days ahead of a flight for up to ten people traveling together, and day-of slots are often available.

When it is time to travel, go to the assigned checkpoint at your appointment time (or within the 15-minute grace time). Show your QR code and ID and be escorted to the general screening lane. That’s it! For which airports to work this magic track hack, read on.

1 OF 7

SEA Spot Saver

WHERE: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – Seattle, Washington

The SEA Spot Saver program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) debuted in 2021 and offers digital reservations for general TSA screening daily from 4 AM to 10 PM  at Checkpoints 2 and 4.

The program lets you book a slot for up to ten passengers traveling together up to 5 days before your flight. Appointments are available from 4 hours to 60 minutes before departure on any airline.

At SEA, there are about 5,000 reservation openings per day, and while the airport can adjust the number of reservations during busy travel periods, the limit is about 50 per 15-minute time slot.

INSIDER TIPAirlines sometimes don’t put their flights into the reservation system until after the 5-day advance period begins. If your flight doesn’t show up right away, wait a day and try again.

 

2 OF 7

MCO Reserve

WHERE: Orlando International Airport (MCO) – Orlando, Florida

Security checkpoint lines at Orlando International Airport (MCO) can hover at around an hour during busy travel periods, such as spring break. But the MCO Reserve program lets passengers skip the lines and book a checkpoint slot up to 7 days in advance for up to 10 people traveling together.

Security screening times are available from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM for flights departing between 6:30 AM and 8:30 PM. Terminals A, B, and C each have their own MCO Reserve Lane, with up to 960 daily slots per lane.

INSIDER TIPWhile some airports allow bookings up to 60 minutes before a flight, at MCO the cutoff is 90 minutes.

 

 

3 OF 7

PHX Reserve

WHERE: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) – Phoenix, Arizona

The PHX Reserve at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) offers security checkpoint reservations at Terminals 3 and 4, which are connected by a SkyTrain pre-security but not connected post-security.

Reservations may be made up to six days before a flight for up to 10 passengers traveling together. Appointments are available from four hours to 60 minutes before your flight departs.

At Terminal 3, the program is offered 24 hours a day at the TSA Checkpoint for all flights on all airlines. At Terminal 4, reservations are available from 3:15 AM to 7:30 PM for flights departing between 4:30 AM and 11 PM.

At Terminal 3, there are 1,900 allotted slots each day. At Terminal 4, there are 1,280 slots available daily. No more than 20 slots are assigned for every 15 minutes, even during busy travel periods.

INSIDER TIPEven though PHX Reserve is only available at one checkpoint in Terminal 4 (the D checkpoint), passengers can still access all gates – A, B, C, and D – in Terminal 4.

 

4 OF 7

MSP Reserve

WHERE: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) – St. Paul, Minnesota

MSP Reserve at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) offers checkpoint reservations at Terminals 1 and 2.

Slots are available in Terminal 1 from 3:45 AM to 7:45 PM at the North Security Checkpoint and in Terminal 2 from 3:45 to 8:00 AM and from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at Checkpoint 2. There are up to 1,405 slots available daily in Terminal 1 and up to 980 daily spots in Terminal 2.

Reservations can be made up to seven days in advance for up to 10 passengers traveling together to enter the terminal from one to four hours before departure.

INSIDER TIPAs with other airports, passengers often cancel their checkpoint reservations. So, if no slots are available when you first look, but sure to check back.

 

5 OF 7

T4 Reserve

WHERE: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – New York, New York

At New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), only Terminal 4 offers security checkpoint reservations. T4 Reserve is available in Terminal 4, at the Main Checkpoint.

Slots are available between 5 AM and 10 AM and between 3 PM and 8 PM daily. Reservations for eligible flights can be made up to 5 hours before your flight, but no less than 1 hour, depending on the airline. On average, there are 20 slots available every 10-15 minutes.

INSIDER TIPDelta Air Lines flights are available to book 72 hours in advance, but other airlines welcome bookings up to seven days in advance.

 

6 OF 7

DEN Reserve

WHERE: Denver International Airport (DEN) – Denver, Colorado

DEN Reserve appointments at Denver International Airport (DEN) are available daily from 5 AM to 5 PM for all flights departing between 6 AM and 9 PM. Reserved slots can be requested up to 14 days before your flight for up to 10 passengers traveling together.

Entry is through DEN’s West Security 2 (Level 6) for reservations scheduled between one and four hours before a flight’s departure.

INSIDER TIPOverall wait times at DEN have dropped considerably, thanks to the recently opened East and West Security Checkpoints. As a result, the airport plans to discontinue the program sometime in 2026.

 

7 OF 7

International Airports That Offer Virtual Queuing

Free security checkpoint reservations are also available at some international airports, including Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), London’s Luton Airport (LTN), Manchester Airport (MAG), Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) in France, and Uruguay’s Carrasco International Airport (MVD).