Registered traveler service providers Flo Corp. and Verified Identity Pass recently announced several new partnerships for their programs. In striking marketing agreements with credit card companies, hotel chains, travel management companies and associations, these providers are attempting to further penetrate the corporate market as more airports sign on for registered traveler programs.
The Verified Identity Pass Clear program will open expedited security lanes for paying members who are willing to undergo background checks and provide biometrics at Washington Dulles International, Washington Reagan National and Oakland International airports. After a slow start, Clear and Flocollectively operate in Albany, N.Y.; Cincinnati; Denver; Indianapolis; Jacksonville, Fla.; Little Rock, Ark.; Newark, N.J.; New York JFK; New York LaGuardia; Orlando, Fla.; Reno/Tahoe, Nev.; San Francisco; San Jose, Calif.; and Westchester, N.Y. Plans also are underway for Atlanta.
Meanwhile, the National Business Travel Association, a proponent of the registered traveler concept, gave the federal government a "C" grade ("marginal progress made and significant work remains") for its efforts. "The Transportation Security Administration leadership continues to demonstrate tepid support for RT and has rejected equipment by RT vendors to streamline the screening process," NBTA said. NBTA's recommendation for this year is: "Double the enrollment in RT programs and expand to additional hub airports, while increasing support for the program in the Congress and executive branch."
To overcome TSA's rejection of new equipment, Clear said it would award $500,000 to "the first team to deploy faster security lane technology at an airport." Once approved by TSA, Clear would purchase the new technology "in bulk."
"We're looking for both all-encompassing technology to change dramatically the checkpoint process and simple, discrete improvements that apply common sense solutions for easing the security bottleneck," said Clear chief technology officer Jason Slibeck.
"We want to bring these solutions to the forefront faster than the process has been moving," added Clear CEO Steven Brill. "We've invested in General Electric's shoe scanner and explosive trace detection technology and are hopeful that GE will succeed in getting it through the final stages of the TSA approval process. We've now decided to prime the pump and accelerate the race."
In other Clear news, the company signed a marketing deal with MasterCard Worldwide. MasterCard's issuing banks opting to participate will offer to cardholders "preferred pricing" for Clear memberships. It also struck a deal this week with Frontier Airlines, coinciding with the opening of membership lanes at Denver International Airport. Frontier's top-tier frequent flyers will receive a complimentary one-year membership while other Frontier frequent flyers will get an extra month when signing up with Clear.
Clear previously announced partnerships with AirTran Airways, Air France, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways; Hyatt Hotels; travel management companies BCD Travel, Orbitz for Business, Radius and Travel & Transport; and corporate card providers American Express and Visa.
Flo recently struck deals with Hilton Hotels, enabling Hilton loyalty program members to redeem points for annual Flo memberships, and with the Society of Government Travel Professionals. Government travel agencies represented by SGTP will be offered preferred pricing for Flo memberships.
Meanwhile, Flo began public trading on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol FLRP. "With under 70,000 registered traveler members enrolled nationwide, we believe that only 1 percent of the addressable market has been registered thus far," according to Flo president and CEO Glenn Argenbright.
Though TSA and Congress have not been overly supportive of the registered traveler concept, the Secure Borders and Open Doors Committee--appointed by the U.S. departments of Homeland Security and State--in a recent report suggested an ancillary benefit of the program.
"DHS should give careful consideration to the proposal to utilize domestic registered traveler kiosks capable of scanning identification documents and collecting biometrics to handle the exit function for US-Visit," which is a proposal to collect fingerprints of departing foreign travelers when they check in for flights at U.S. airports.
Meanwhile, NBTA gave the U.S. government a "B-" for its work on an international registered traveler program. "U.S. Customs and Border Protection failed to launch IRT for overseas arrivals despite public support for the concept," NBTA said. The association suggested the government should "finalize rulemaking, begin enrollment and launch operations at major U.S. airports."
SBODC also recommended implementation of an international registered travel pilot program "as soon as possible" at Houston George Bush Intercontinental, Washington Dulles and New York JFK airports.
In another expedited airport process development, Continental Airlines said it planned to expand a paperless boarding pass program to airports in Boston, Newark and Washington, following a pilot in Houston with TSA. The program allows passengers to use electronic boarding passes received on cell phones and other wireless devices at security checkpoints and boarding gates.
"TSA likes it because it adds a level of security in them knowing that the boarding pass is a genuine boarding pass," said Continental president Jeff Smisek. "It is very convenient for customers, especially those customers traveling on the return segment of their travel, where they may not have easy access to a printer. We expect that program to grow, and we believe it will be adopted by other carriers. Hopefully, there will be a day when there is never any paper in the boarding process."