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Recently we reported that Delta would be trialing biometrics for boarding and lounge access. The trial is now live at Reagan International Airport (DCA) in Washington D.C. In the new trial, Delta customers are now using their fingerprints to board flights. This is the latest trial that sees more and more carriers using biometrics to speed up passengers’ progress through airports.
Partnership with CLEAR®
The trial is in partnership with CLEAR, so to be eligible to take part you will need to be a CLEAR member. Luckily, CLEAR membership is free for Delta Diamond members, and for Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion members who hold a Delta co-branded credit card, enrollment in CLEAR is discounted and will cost $159. For everyone else, it is $189. To be eligible for the discounted rate, you need to hold one of the following Delta credit cards:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
What Next?
The trial still has a few phases to run and should include using your fingerprint to access the Delta Sky Club® and ultimately should allow you to use your biometrics to drop off your checked bag. Long term, the days of the traditional boarding pass seem to be numbered.
Our Take
This is another great move, with ever-tighter security measures at airports slowing down the flow, airlines taking steps to speed the process up could only be a good thing and bring back some pleasure to the whole airport experience.
Delta joins a host of airlines including JetBlue who are trialing new biometric procedures to speed things up. Hopefully, governments will get in on the act and adopt technology to expedite immigration and security procedures.
Source: The Points Guy
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