By Brittany Anas / NewsBreak Denver
(Denver, Colo.) Denver International Airport holds its rank as the third busiest airport globally, and if you’ve traveled recently, you’ve probably experienced the growing pains firsthand with long security wait times and crowded trams.
But ahead of the busy summer travel season, DEN has borrowed a page from amusement park fast lanes by rolling out a new reservation system to help cut down on security wait times—and it’s even free to use.
DEN Reserve is an appointment-based reservation system with its own dedicated security lane at the level-six Bridge Security TSA checkpoint, which provides no-tram access to the A Concourse. If you’re flying out of B or C gates, though, you can hop on the tram from the A concourse.
The reservation system is for general screening, so TSA Precheck and Clear isn’t available at this lane. But unlike PreCheck and Clear, the reserve system is completely free to use; all you need is a plane ticket. Meanwhile, PreCheck costs $78 for five years and Clear subscriptions are $189 a year, but credit cards, airline reward programs may cover or reduce the costs.
Clear powers the Reserve system in 18 other airports across North America and Europe.
So how does this snazzy new reservation system work?
Those who want to use DEN Reserve for a speedier security experience can register up to three days before their flight departs.
The reservation form will ask about where you’re flying, the airline you’re flying on, and the flight number, as well as how many are in your group. When you’re at the airport, head to Bridge Security for your appointment time (you’ve got a 15-minute grace period) and show staff your appointment confirmation and then proceed through your security screening.
The staggered appointment times are designed to keep a steady flow through security lines.
Here’s a few more things to know about Den Reserve:
- Spots might fill up quickly so while you could try to snag a last-minute reservation, it’s a good idea to schedule your screening appointment three days before you fly.
- Appointments can be scheduled one to four hours before departure, so this isn’t something you’ll be able to use if you’re accustomed to rolling up to your gate right before the final boarding call.
- Den Reserve reservations can be made for passengers departing from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on any airline.
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