TSA Registered Traveler Program

The Transportation Security Agency's (TSA) Registered Traveler Program offers flyers who are willing to undergo -- and pass -- an exhaustive security background check with the most convenient and hassle-free path to the airplane possible under today's airport security procedures.

What You Get
Once program applicants have passed a TSA-conducted security threat assessment (STA) in order to "confirm that they do not pose or are not suspected of posing a threat to transportation or national security," and paid the $28-a-year fee, registered travelers can expect special treatment at participating airports, including:

• Special express security lanes dedicated to RT members;
• special on-airport services like concierge service for luggage, and parking privileges; and
• discounts for services and concessions.

What You Give
Applicants for the Registered Traveler Program are required to provide both biographic and biometric data needed for TSA to conduct the security threat assessment. The security threat assessment includes checking the applicant's identity against terrorist-related, law enforcement, and immigration databases maintained by TSA.

At the airport screening checkpoint, RT participants verify their status in the program through biometric verification technology, including fingerprint and retinal scanning. They then verify their identity by a comparison of their boarding pass against a government-issued photo ID.

Five airlines and 16 airports are currently participating in the Registered Traveler Program. TSA hopes to add more airlines and airports in the future.

The RT program is open to all U.S. citizens, lawful permanent resident aliens or nationals of the United States.

The Registered Traveler Program is a cooperative effort between the TSA and private sector vendors. The TSA sets the qualification standards, conducts the threat assessment background checks and oversees the program. The TSA's private sector partners take care of member enrollment, check-in identity verification, provision of the various on-airport services and marketing.