If you’ve flown United Airlines or Delta Air Lines out of Denver International Airport (DEN) in the past two weeks and are a Clear user, you may have noted a curbside bag drop option courtesy of Clear.
It was quietly rolled out, so even if you were traveling through Denver, it’s possible you may not have noticed.
With the unveiling of United’s Touchless ID bag drop shortcut at all domestic United hubs and Delta’s bag drop program at select airports, this is yet another option for flyers of either airline who also belong to Clear.
Here’s what you need to know.
Curbside bag drop at DEN
Like the airline-specific expedited bag drops, this too aims to decrease the amount of time a traveler spends at the airport — from the moment they step out of their car to the moment they step onto the plane.
The only difference with this program is that it is exclusive to Clear Plus members at DEN, marking the first expedited bag drop for Clear users since launching March 27.
Due to a partnership with travel and hospitality company Bags, travelers can check their bags at Door 600 West, on Level 6, right outside the entry to the West Security Checkpoint at DEN.
“The Clear bag drop service is available to Clear Plus Members to minimize long bag drop lines and give them another option for bag check,” a Clear spokesperson said via email. “This … is the fastest path from curb to gate with checked bags. Clear Plus Members can pull up to our curbside bag drop, quickly check their bags, and head straight to the Clear Lane.
Plus, members can preregister their bags online ahead of time, meaning they can check in and print their bag tags upon arrival at the curb. Registration requires entering your flight information, as shown below.
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With this service, travelers can head directly to the Clear lane; they don’t have to wait in line at the Delta or United check-in desk to check their bags with an agent or self-tag.
Other things to know
Clear monitors flight changes and delays to ensure bags are tagged for the appropriate flight and brought directly to the airline from the Bags station.
“Checked bags will follow the passenger if there are any delays, flight changes, or other disruptions,” per Clear. “To ensure that checked bags make it to the aircraft in time, we are not able to accept bags at our station within 60 minutes of departure.”
As of April, this service is only available as a pilot program for Clear members flying on domestic United or Delta itineraries out of DEN, excluding passengers with service animals, lap infants or hazardous materials. The Clear spokesperson declined to comment on expansion plans at other airports but noted it rolled out a pilot program at Orlando International Airport (MCO) a few years ago.
This additional service is included in the $189 annual Clear membership fee, though it does not waive any relevant airline bag fees.
Bottom line
It’s too early to tell how much time this activation will save travelers at DEN, but it appears that both Clear and TSA PreCheck are committed to speeding travelers along before they even reach the security line.
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