Southwest Anytime Express Lane?

Question

Is it worth paying for the “anytime” ticket option through Southwest to use an “express lane” through security or do they even offer that at Orlando Airport?

We have TSA precheck but asking for a family member who does not have that and does not want to pay $199 for one year for just one trip.

Answer

Regarding Southwest's "Anytime" ticket option and its potential for access to an express lane through security at Orlando Airport, here's a breakdown:

Southwest Airlines’ "Anytime" ticket option itself does not include access to a dedicated "express lane" through TSA security. The primary benefit of the "Anytime" ticket is flexibility, such as free changes, priority boarding, and other perks, but it does not offer expedited security screening or an express lane as part of the ticket price. You would still need TSA PreCheck or another form of expedited security access for faster screening.

As for Orlando Airport, they do not have a dedicated express lane for Southwest ticket holders, even with the "Anytime" ticket. TSA PreCheck is the main avenue for expedited screening, and there’s no specific express lane that you can pay for through Southwest unless you have TSA PreCheck or another expedited service.

Since your family member does not have TSA PreCheck and doesn't want to invest in it for just one trip, here are a few alternatives to consider:

Clear – While TSA PreCheck costs $85 for five years, if your family member travels occasionally, another option is Clear, which allows faster access to security lines using biometric screening (fingerprint or eye scan). Clear works in conjunction with TSA PreCheck and is available at Orlando Airport. Clear's membership is $189 for one year, so it’s comparable to TSA PreCheck but offers the added convenience of skipping to the front of the line for ID verification.
Expedited Security Line (Non-PreCheck) – Orlando Airport offers an expedited security line for regular passengers who are not part of TSA PreCheck. While it won't be as fast as TSA PreCheck, it may be faster than the regular security line, especially during busy times. It's worth asking at the security checkpoint if that option is available for your family member.
Paid TSA PreCheck for One Trip – Some airports and airlines may offer a "one-time" TSA PreCheck experience for a fee, though it’s typically not available through Southwest. It might be worth exploring this option through other airlines if the need is for a single trip. However, it’s not common for one-time TSA PreCheck purchases to be offered at Orlando Airport.

In summary, the "Anytime" ticket from Southwest doesn’t provide access to an express security lane at Orlando Airport, and while TSA PreCheck is the most reliable method for expedited screening, Clear is another option that can be helpful for a single trip if they prefer a faster line without committing to a full year of TSA PreCheck.

Southwest Anytime Express Lane?

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