Delta’s biometric test at Washington Reagan National uses fingerprints. (Image: CLEAR)
You can now use your fingerprints instead of your boarding pass to access Delta flights at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Soon, you’ll be able to use fingerprints to board any domestic Delta flight. And if other airlines continue to copy Delta’s moves, we’ll likely see fingerprints-as-boarding-passes become commonplace.
Back in May Delta launched a test at DCA’s Sky Club where passengers could use their fingerprints to get into the lounge. Today it expanded the option to gates where those enrolled in CLEAR can forego a boarding pass and use their fingerprints as proof of identity to board. Later this summer passengers will be able to use their fingerprints to check bags.
For now, this is just a pilot test (and is optional), but Delta says, “customers throughout our domestic network could start seeing this capability in a matter of months – not years.”
A Delta fingerprint-reading kiosk at the gate (Image: Delta)
During the pilot, SkyMiles members who are also enrolled in CLEAR are eligible for the biometric boarding pass experience. CLEAR will capture and use both biometric and SkyMiles information to identify customers at bag drop, Delta Sky Club entry and boarding.
If you were wondering why Delta made an investment in CLEAR last year, you now have an answer. If you’ve not signed up for CLEAR, what are you waiting for? CLEAR membership discounts are now offered to Delta SkyMiles members, based on their status. Standard membership in CLEAR is $179 per year. Delta Diamond Medallion members get complimentary CLEAR enrollment, while Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion members it for just $79. Even general members get a nice discount: annual membership for just $99. Interested? You can sign up with your Delta SkyMiles status here.
“We’re rapidly moving toward a day when your fingerprint, iris or face will become the only ID you’ll need for any number of transactions throughout a given day,” said Gil West, Delta’s chief operating officer.
Thoughts?
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