Hotel Offers Expedited TSA Screening to Guests

Members of airline loyalty programs often enjoy access to elite expedited security lines at the airport. And now, for the first time ever, members of a hotel’s loyalty program can cash in on a similar perk.

Loews Hotels & Resorts is offering frequent guests a first-of-its-kind reward: complimentary admission to expedited airport security programs. The hotel chain has teamed up with offices in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to offer discounted access to the Trusted Traveler Network’s Global Entry and PreCheck programs. Through November 23, Loews Hotels will waive the $100 Global Entry application fee for YouFirst Platinum loyalty rewards members. 

Global Entry is an expedited immigration program that allows prescreened travelers to skip customs lines at some U.S. airports. Additionally, Global Entry members are qualified for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program, which offers access to a faster airport security experience at dozens of airports across the country. Members of PreCheck can go through the security line without taking off shoes and belts or removing laptops from luggage (though the TSA makes no guarantee that every PreCheck traveler will get to skip these steps)

As far as hotel amenities go, this one’s unusual. This is the first time a property has offered discounts on expedited TSA screening to guests. Loews Hotels & Resorts chairman Jonathan Tisch issued this statement in a press release: “Our collaboration highlights the importance of the public and private sectors working together to improve hospitality for all our guests, whether that be at our hotels or traveling through an airport.”

If you’re a member of YouFirst Platinum (members must have completed at least 10 stays at Loews hotels), you should have received an email on Monday with details about the offer. If you’re not already a YouFirst member, you missed out. But keep your eyes peeled for more offers of this kind to turn up in the future. Loews is the first travel provider to foot the bill for Global Entry, but it’s likely not the last.

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