A dedicated airport lane that lets pre-authorized travelers bypass standard security queues, reducing wait times at screening checkpoints. Access comes through government trusted traveler programs, airline elite status, premium ticket classes, or purchasable fast track passes at international airports.
Fast track security refers to dedicated airport lanes that let eligible travelers bypass standard security queues. Access can come through government trusted traveler programs, airline elite status, premium ticket class, or commercially sold passes. For business travelers, these lanes reduce checkpoint wait times and protect time-sensitive schedules on every trip.
The U.S. TSA reports that 99% of TSA PreCheck members clear security in under 10 minutes, compared to standard lane waits that can stretch significantly longer at major hubs [1].
Fast track access methods differ by region: U.S. travelers use government programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry; international fast track passes are often tied to airline status, ticket class, or a fee paid at the airport.
Corporate travel programs should require enrolled employees to store their Known Traveler Number (KTN) so that fast track benefits apply automatically at booking.
Navan stores traveler profiles including Known Traveler Numbers, activating fast track benefits automatically across employee bookings.
What is Fast Track Security?
Fast track security is a priority airport security lane that allows pre-authorized or eligible travelers to complete the screening process more quickly than in standard queues. The term is widely used at international airports; in the U.S., the equivalent experience is most commonly delivered through government-run Trusted Traveler Programs such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
Fast track lanes are physically separate from regular screening areas and typically have shorter queues. In government programs, screening requirements are also reduced: TSA PreCheck members don't need to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets and can leave laptops and compliant liquids in their bags. At many international airports, a fast track lane may simply mean a shorter queue with the same screening requirements.
The term is most commonly heard in European and international airports, where airlines and airports sell priority access as an add-on service. In the U.S., the phrase informally describes the experience of using a dedicated government program lane.
How Do Travelers Access Fast Track Security?
Access to fast track security comes through several distinct channels, and the rules vary by airport, country, and traveler profile.
Airline status and ticket class: Many full-service airlines grant priority security checkpoint access to business and first class passengers, and to elite-tier frequent flyers. These benefits are typically applied automatically at check-in.
Government trusted traveler programs: In the U.S., TSA PreCheck membership provides dedicated lane access at 200+ airports [1]. Global Entry, managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, includes PreCheck and adds expedited customs clearance for international arrivals [2]. Both require a background check and in-person enrollment.
Commercial passes: At many international airports, travelers can purchase a single-journey fast track pass for a fee. These passes are available regardless of ticket class or loyalty status.
Biometric identity programs: CLEAR Plus, a private service at select U.S. airports, uses facial recognition to bypass the document check queue and escort members to the front of the TSA screening lane.
The U.S. federal government runs two main programs that deliver fast track security for domestic and international travel.
TSA PreCheck costs $85 for five years and is accepted at 200+ airports with 90+ airlines [1]. Members pass through a dedicated lane without removing shoes, belts, or light jackets, and the TSA reports that 99% of members clear security in under 10 minutes [1]. For details on eligibility and enrollment documents, see TSA PreCheck requirements on the Navan blog.
Global Entry costs $120 for five years and includes full TSA PreCheck access [2]. The program also expedites customs clearance when arriving in the U.S. from international destinations. For employees who cross borders, Global Entry provides both the departure and arrival benefit for $35 more over five years than PreCheck alone.
For corporate travel programs, the choice between the two generally comes down to travel profile. Employees who fly only domestically benefit fully from TSA PreCheck. Those who travel internationally benefit more from Global Entry, which covers both legs of an international trip.
Building Fast Track Security into a Corporate Travel Program
Travel managers can integrate fast track access into their program in three practical ways.
Reimbursement policy: Corporate travel policy compliance frameworks should explicitly define which expedited security programs the company reimburses. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry fees qualify as business travel expenses. When structured as working condition fringe benefits per IRS Publication 15-B, reimbursement is generally not taxable to the employee [3]. Consult a tax professional for your organization's specific situation.
KTN management: The productivity gain from fast track programs depends on the Known Traveler Number (KTN) being correctly stored in employee booking profiles. A missing KTN means the PreCheck designation won't appear on a reservation, even for enrolled travelers. Requiring employees to add their KTN during travel program onboarding prevents this gap. Navan supports stored traveler profiles that carry KTNs, passport data, and loyalty details forward into every booking.
Operational awareness: Travel managers who know which employees are enrolled in trusted programs can build more accurate airport timing estimates and respond more effectively when flight disruptions require rebooking.
Related Terms
Duty of care: The employer's legal obligation to protect the health, safety, and well-being of employees while traveling for work, which fast track enrollment and proactive KTN management can support by improving trip timing predictability.
Boarding pass: The physical or digital document confirming a passenger's seat and flight reservation, which displays TSA PreCheck eligibility when the traveler's Known Traveler Number is correctly stored in the booking.
Sources
[1] U.S. Transportation Security Administration, "TSA PreCheck," 2025, https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
[2] U.S. Customs and Border Protection, "Global Entry," July 2025, https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry
Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Track Security
Fast track security is a dedicated airport lane that lets eligible travelers bypass standard security queues. Access comes through government trusted traveler programs like TSA PreCheck, airline elite or premium ticket status, commercially sold single-journey passes, or private biometric programs. Processing is typically faster and, in government programs, less physically intrusive than standard screening.
Not exactly. TSA PreCheck is a specific U.S. government program providing fast track access at domestic airports for enrolled, pre-vetted travelers. "Fast track security" is a broader term used internationally to describe any priority security lane, whether delivered through a government program, airline elite status, or a commercially purchased airport pass.
Qualification depends on the access method. U.S. government programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry require an application, background check, and enrollment fee. Airline elite status and premium ticket classes grant priority lane access automatically at participating airports. At many international airports, single-journey fast track passes are available for purchase at check-in.
Yes. Enrollment fees for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are generally reimbursable as business travel expenses. When structured as working condition fringe benefits per IRS guidelines, reimbursement is typically not taxable to the employee. Consult a tax professional for specifics. Navan's expense policy settings allow companies to pre-approve these fees so they route automatically without additional approval steps.
Global Entry is a U.S. government program that expedites customs clearance on arrival in the U.S. and includes TSA PreCheck access. Fast track security refers to the pre-departure screening lane, not customs. Global Entry members benefit from fast track security at U.S. airports because their membership includes TSA PreCheck as a standard feature.
No program guarantees zero wait time. The TSA uses unpredictable, randomized security measures, and PreCheck status won't appear on a boarding pass if the Known Traveler Number is missing from the booking. Fast track lanes can slow during peak travel times, though average wait times remain significantly shorter than standard lines.
Travel managers can require employees to add their Known Traveler Number (KTN) to their booking profile during onboarding. Navan supports stored traveler profiles that carry KTNs, passport data, and loyalty details forward into future bookings, reducing the risk of fast track benefits being dropped from reservations through missing or mismatched profile data.
Accrual accounting is a method of recording financial transactions when they occur, regardless of when the cash transactions happen, ensuring that revenue and expenses are matched in the period they arise.
