15 Secret Airport Perks That Even Frequent Flyers Don’t Know About

11. Private Security Lanes You Can Access Without Flying First Class

Many airports offer private or expedited screening lanes that everyday travelers can use—often for free—if they know where to look. For example, in the United States, airports offer CLEAR, a biometric-based program that lets you skip the regular TSA lines by scanning your fingerprints or eyes. While CLEAR is a paid service, many credit cards and airline loyalty programs offer free trials or discounted memberships—so you could be bypassing long security lines without spending a dime. In Europe, some airports (like Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Munich) provide fast-track security lanes for travelers who pre-register online or who are part of select frequent flyer programs—even at the lowest tier. Some airports even have hidden "family security lanes" for parents traveling with small children, allowing them to bypass standard screening queues.