One of the things on my short(ish) list of pet peeves in life is queuing at airport security. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good queue. I am British after all. But I dislike long, never-ending queues.
Which is why I love going through the Fast Track lanes at airport security. It can take just a matter of minutes to get through, as long as nothing gets flagged during the process!
You may be thinking that this is a silly thing to spend extra money on, but many of these methods below are additional services provided as part of something you already need or use, like an eSIM or your credit card. So breezing through airport security may not need to come at any extra cost to you!
In this article, I am going to walk you through the best ways to get Fast Track security. All methods used and tested by me!
The best ways to get Fast Track security
- Use the Saily Ultra eSIM | Skip to section
- Fly business or first class | Skip to section
- Get a premium credit card | Skip to section
- Airline loyalty programmes | Skip to section
- Book through the airline | Skip to section
- Book directly with the airport | Skip to section
Use the Saily Ultra eSIM
If you are flying internationally, it is likely that you’ll need an eSIM anyway, so you can get streamlined access to the internet whilst travelling. If you buy the Ultra eSIM plan from Saily, you’ll get data in 121+ countries on a monthly rolling basis (which you can cancel anytime), and it comes packed with travel perks, including:
- One fast-track security pass per month (rolls over for up to three months)
- One airport lounge pass per month (also rolls over)
- The full Nord Security suite, including NordVPN
- 8% cashback in Saily credits
If you don’t use your passes straight away, they stack up, so you can save them for when you need them most.
Basically, you get a whole load of useful travel perks rolled into one easy monthly subscription, starting from $26.66 per month. You can find out more about Saily in my full review.
Fly business or first class
Most airlines include fast-track security as standard when you’re flying business or first class. You’ll usually get a dedicated check-in area too, so the whole airport experience is quicker from the moment you arrive.
When I’ve flown business class on long-haul flights, like from London Heathrow to Lima, I have completed the check-in and security process within 10 minutes total.
Flying business or first class is one of the easiest ways to get Fast Track security, but obviously, the most expensive if that’s the only reason you’re upgrading. If you’re already flying business or first class, make sure you actually use it, because it’s not always flagged clearly on your boarding pass, and it’s easy to walk straight past the fast-track lane without realising.
Get a premium credit card
Some premium credit cards include fast-track security as a perk, either directly or bundled in with a wider airport benefits package. The Amex Centurion can get you Fast Track through Heathrow airport, whilst other banks may have wider options, like Lloyds World Elite Mastercard.
The annual fees on these cards can be steep, so it’s only worth it if you’ll use enough of the other benefits to justify the cost. If fast track is the main thing you’re after, there are cheaper ways to get it.
Airline loyalty programmes
Some airlines offer fast-track security as a perk at their higher frequent flyer tiers. British Airways, for example, includes it from Silver status onwards at certain airports.
The exact benefits vary by airline and by airport, so it’s worth checking what your preferred airline offers before you count on it. Airline points aren’t something you’ll earn overnight, but if you’re already building up status through regular flying, it’s a nice bonus that comes at no extra cost.
Book through the airline
Some airlines sell fast-track security as an add-on when you book your flight, or let you add it afterwards through their app or website. Ryanair and easyJet both offer this, and it’s usually around £5 to £10 per person.
This is one of the simplest options because you can sort it out at the same time as booking your flight, and it’ll be linked to your booking, so there’s nothing extra to remember on the day.
Book directly with the airport
If your airline doesn’t offer fast track as an add-on, you can usually buy it directly from the airport’s website. Most major UK airports sell fast-track passes online, and booking in advance is almost always cheaper than buying at the airport on the day.
Prices vary by airport, but expect to pay somewhere between £5 and £15 per person. It takes about two minutes to book, and for the amount of time it saves you in the queue, it’s one of the easiest travel upgrades you can make.
Alternatively, you can book a single Fast Track pass through the Saily eSIM app. You’ll get a QR code instantly in your app. Which is useful if you are already at the airport and notice a super long queue which you want to skip quickly.
Fast Track security FAQs
Is Fast Track security worth it?
In my opinion, it depends on the airport. At busy airports like Heathrow or Gatwick during peak season, it can make a lot of sense. You’ll usually be through in under 10 minutes, which means more time relaxing with a drink in the lounge.
Does Fast Track security have different rules?
No, the security checks themselves are the same. You still need to follow the same liquid restrictions and take out your laptops and electronics where required (although this is becoming less common now with new machines in many airports). The only difference is that you’re in a shorter, faster-moving queue. Think of it as a priority lane rather than a different process.
How many fast-track passes do you get with Saily Ultra?
You get one fast-track security pass per month, and if you don’t use it, it rolls over for up to three months. So if you only travel every few months, you can stack your passes and use them when you need them most.
Do you also get airport lounge access with Saily Ultra?
Yes, you get one airport lounge pass per month on top of the fast-track pass, and it also rolls over for up to three months. I’ve written a full guide to airport lounge access if you want to know more about how that works.
Which airports accept Saily Ultra fast track?
Availability varies, so it’s best to check the Saily app before your trip to see if your airport is covered. The list is growing, so even if your usual airport isn’t included yet, it’s worth checking back regularly.
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