Remember when you could actually walk someone all the way to their airport gate, even if you weren’t flying? For some travelers, that’s now officially a thing again.

The Transportation Security Administration has launched Gateside by TSA PreCheck®, which gives eligible travelers access to the secure side of participating airports without a boarding pass. As the name implies, you do have to have TSA PreCheck®. That includes travelers enrolled directly in TSA PreCheck® as well as those who receive access through Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI.

If you qualify, you can use Gateside to walk someone to their gate, meet an arriving traveler, visit someone during a layover, or even just head past security for a meal or some shopping.

 

Where Gateside by TSA PreCheck® Is Available

For now, Gateside is available at 13 airports:

• Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA)
• John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)
• Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT)
• Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)
• Eppley Airfield (OMA)
• San Diego International Airport (SAN)
• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

TSA says it is evaluating the program and plans to expand it to more airports.

 

How Gateside by TSA PreCheck® Works

Gateside itself is free, but it does require a little planning. You’ll need to request a pass one to three days before your visit using your Known Traveler Number. Approval isn’t guaranteed and can depend on things like airport capacity and busy travel periods.

If you’re approved, bring your ID and Gateside pass to the airport and use the TSA PreCheck® lane. The pass is valid for the entire calendar day, and you can even leave and re-enter the secure area.

Some airports already offer their own guest pass programs that let non-ticketed visitors through security without TSA PreCheck®. However, those programs are limited to select airports, and each has its own rules and restrictions. Gateside gives TSA PreCheck® members another option at participating airports—with the added perk of using the PreCheck lane.

Don’t have TSA PreCheck® yet? Before paying out of pocket, check your wallet. Plenty of travel rewards cards reimburse the application fee for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry, including cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and the American Express Platinum Card®. In other words, the right credit card can essentially get you TSA PreCheck® for free—and now Gateside along with it.

 

Bottom Line

This isn’t exactly going to change how most people travel, but personally, I kind of love it. Airport goodbyes and reunions have happened at the security checkpoint for more than two decades. Gateside gives travelers the chance to actually walk someone to their gate or be waiting when they arrive.

And if you already have TSA PreCheck® or another qualifying trusted traveler membership, it’s a genuinely useful new perk that costs you nothing extra.