With airport security lines getting longer and longer, services like FastLane that offer expedited screening are becoming increasingly popular for frequent travelers looking to save time. But are these services actually worth the extra cost? Let’s take a closer look at what FastLane offers and whether or not it provides good value.
What is FastLane?
FastLane is a paid service offered by Clear that allows travelers to use dedicated security lanes at participating airports in the United States. For a monthly or yearly membership fee, FastLane members can bypass regular TSA security lines and instead use special kiosks where they verify their identity using biometrics like fingerprints or iris scans. This allows FastLane members to skip directly to the physical security screening without having to wait in the standard security line.
In addition to expedited security screening, a FastLane membership also includes benefits like:
- Access to dedicated FastLane lanes at 60+ airports across the U.S.
- Ability to register family members for discounted rates
- Use of Clear lanes at stadiums and arenas like Dodger Stadium and Wrigley Field
- Access to Clear’s network of airport lounges
So in essence, FastLane serves as a form of TSA PreCheck for those willing to pay a fee for quicker and more convenient airport screening. It differs from TSA PreCheck in that it focuses solely on expedited screening rather than risk assessment.
How much does FastLane cost?
FastLane offers two membership options:
- 1-Year Membership – $189 per year
- Monthly Membership – $15 per month with a 3-month minimum commitment
There are also discounted rates available for family members or groups. For example, additional family can be added to an existing annual FastLane membership for $50 per person per year. FastLane is currently offering promotional pricing of $109 for the first year for new members who sign up before the end of 2022.
It’s important to note that these prices only cover expedited screening and lounge access. If you want TSA PreCheck eligibility on your boarding pass for faster screening and no need to remove shoes/laptops, you’ll have to pay the standard $85 TSA PreCheck application fee in addition to the FastLane membership cost.
What do customers say about FastLane?
Here’s a look at some of the most common positives and negatives brought up in FastLane reviews from actual customers:
Positives
- Saves a significant amount of time getting through airport security
- Very little waiting compared to regular TSA lines
- Easy, automated process at the kiosks makes screening efficient
- Provides peace of mind knowing you won’t get stuck in a long line
- Excellent customer service from Clear staff at the airports
- TSA agents are friendly in the FastLane
Negatives
- Enrollment process can be slow and tedious
- Some airports don’t offer TSA PreCheck eligibility with Clear
- Not usable at smaller regional airports
- Expensive compared to TSA PreCheck on its own
- Doesn’t provide a huge advantage over TSA PreCheck
Overall, FastLane receives very positive reviews from frequent travelers who feel the cost is justified by the significant time savings when passing through major airports like LAX, JFK, and ATL multiple times per month. Infrequent travelers are less likely to find the price worth it.
How much time does FastLane save?
On average, FastLane saves users between 30-50% of wait time at airport security compared to regular TSA lines. However, the exact time savings can vary greatly depending on the airport and time of day.
Here’s a comparison of estimated wait times with and without FastLane at some of the busiest US airports:
Airport | Regular Line | FastLane | Time Saved |
---|---|---|---|
Atlanta (ATL) | 35 minutes | 10-15 minutes | 20-25 minutes |
Los Angeles (LAX) | 25 minutes | 5-10 minutes | 15-20 minutes |
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 30 minutes | 8-12 minutes | 18-22 minutes |
Dallas Ft Worth (DFW) | 20-25 minutes | 7-12 minutes | 10-15 minutes |
As you can see, FastLane provides significant time savings at major hubs prone to long TSA lines. The time saved will be less substantial during off-peak travel times when regular security lines are shorter.
Does FastLane work for families?
FastLane can absolutely provide benefits for families, especially those traveling with young children. Key advantages include:
- Skip baggage check lines by using family lanes
- Avoid long security waits with restless kids
- Register kids under 18 for free with a parent’s membership
- Enroll additional family for discounted rates
- Use FastLane when leaving theme parks to skip bag checks
The convenience of expedited screening is extremely helpful for families trying to catch flights without stressful delays. FastLane also offers family packages that provide discounts when enrolling multiple members.
One thing to note is that all family members over the age of 18 will need to enroll individually and pass a background check to use FastLane. But overall, FastLane can be a worthwhile perk when traveling frequently with kids and carry-on bags.
When does FastLane make the most sense?
Here are a few key scenarios where FastLane is likely to provide the most value:
- Frequent business travelers – For road warriors catching multiple flights per month, the time savings are likely to justify the cost
- Commuters with irregular schedules – If you fly at a variety of odd hours for commuting, FastLane ensures you don’t get stuck in long lines
- Vacationers during peak seasons – FastLane can help families breeze through airports more quickly during busy holiday travel times
- Travelers departing from major hubs – The biggest benefits will be seen at airports like LAX, JFK, and Atlanta where lines are longest
- Anyone who highly values time and convenience – If you can afford it and don’t mind spending money to save time, FastLane delivers on convenience
For most leisure travelers who only fly occasionally, the benefits may be difficult to justify. But for road warriors, commuters, and those who fly in and out of major airports at peak times, FastLane can provide huge quality of life improvements.
Is FastLane worth it for Global Entry members?
For travelers who already have Global Entry and don’t mind using the kiosks, FastLane provides fewer incremental benefits. But it can still be worthwhile in some cases. Reasons Global Entry members might consider FastLane include:
- Access to expedited screening lanes even when not flying internationally
- Avoid baggage check lines at airport lobby by using Clear family lanes
- Enroll family members who don’t qualify for Global Entry
- Use FastLane at sports stadiums and theme parks
- Take advantage of Clear’s airport lounge network
Keep in mind that Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so the time savings vs. regular airport lines will be less substantial compared to non-Global Entry members. But frequent fliers may still find value in being able to use dedicated FastLanes for domestic flights.
Is FastLane worth it for frequent fliers?
For extremely frequent fliers who are on the road multiple times per month, FastLane can often provide enough cumulative time savings to justify the cost. But it depends on each traveler’s specific circumstances.
Here’s a break-even analysis for frequent business travelers to estimate how many trips per year are needed for FastLane to pay for itself in time saved:
Avg. Time Savings per Trip | Value of Time per Hour | FastLane Yearly Cost | Breakeven Trips Per Year |
---|---|---|---|
30 minutes | $50 | $189 | 19 |
45 minutes | $75 | $189 | 10 |
1 hour | $100 | $189 | 7 |
Based on this analysis, frequent business travelers who take 7+ trips through major airports per year can likely recoup the cost through time savings alone. But convenience and quality of life improvements also have value for road warriors.
Should infrequent travelers get FastLane?
For most leisure travelers who only fly a few times per year, FastLane is difficult to justify based on cost. With an annual fee of $189, a casual traveler would need to use it nearly 10 roundtrips to break even if we estimate 45 minutes saved per trip at a value of $50/hour.
However, there are certain cases where FastLane could provide value for infrequent fliers:
- When traveling during peak seasons like the holidays
- If you highly value convenience and don’t mind the premium
- To surprise family members with the gift of expedited screening
- For a special trip like a honeymoon where minimizing hassle is worth a splurge
But for most occasional travelers, it will be hard to realize enough benefits each year to outweigh the significant annual cost. TSA PreCheck alone is probably the better choice for casual travelers looking to save a bit of time.
Should I get FastLane or TSA PreCheck?
For most travelers, TSA PreCheck provides the best combination of expedited screening, value, and eligibility for low-risk fliers. Key differences include:
FastLane | TSA PreCheck | |
---|---|---|
Cost | $189/year | $85 for 5 years |
Wait Time | 5-15 mins average | 5-10 mins average |
Doesn’t Require Removing | Shoes only | Shoes, jackets, laptops |
Works With | Clear airport lanes | Dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes |
Other Perks | Lounge access, sports/theme park lines | Dedicated security lanes |
For frequent travelers who fly out of major airports, FastLane combines well with TSA PreCheck by offering the best of both programs. But for most fliers, TSA PreCheck offers better overall value at just $17 per year.
Conclusion
In the end, whether FastLane is “worth it” comes down to your specific travel habits and priorities.
If you are a frequent business traveler constantly hitting the airport for sales calls and client meetings, FastLane can likely pay for itself in time savings over the course of a year. For commuters and families traveling during peak times, the perks are nice as well.
But more casual travelers who take only a handful of trips per year will have difficulty justifying the cost. And Global Entry members get less incremental benefit since they already have access to TSA PreCheck lanes.
While the upfront fee for FastLane is not cheap, it does eliminate hassle and uncertainty around airport lines. So for those who fly out of major hubs like LAX and JFK enough to break even, FastLane can provide valuable time savings and peace of mind.