{"id":253494,"date":"2026-07-24T14:45:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T14:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/24\/what-the-tsas-new-gold-program-means-for-air-travel-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T14:45:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T14:45:25","slug":"what-the-tsas-new-gold-program-means-for-air-travel-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/24\/what-the-tsas-new-gold-program-means-for-air-travel-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"What the TSA’s new Gold+ program means for air travel – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A trio of U.S. airports is getting set to outsource security screening to private contractors in the coming months.<\/p>\n

Three airports \u2014 in Tampa, Des Moines, and Charleston, South Carolina \u2014 will be the first in the country to opt in to TSA Gold Plus, a program launched earlier this year by the Trump administration.<\/p>\n

Under the setup, third-party companies would partner with the Transportation Security Administration at participating hubs to manage airport security checkpoints and the officers that work them.<\/p>\n

Supporters say the move would help modernize and speed up airport security, as well as reduce the risk of long backups during government shutdowns.<\/p>\n

But critics argue that expanding privatized security to more airports presents security risks.<\/p>\n

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Here’s what to know about the changes and what they mean for air travel in the U.S.<\/p>\n

What is TSA Gold+?<\/h2>\n

TSA Gold Plus is a new partnership program launched earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.<\/p>\n

It allows airports to voluntarily opt in to using private, third-party companies to manage security checkpoints instead of TSA officers employed by the federal government.<\/p>\n

Those companies would also manage the technology that screens travelers and their bags.<\/p>\n

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The TSA says it would still be responsible for ensuring that all security checkpoints meet federal standards.<\/p>\n

Which airports are participating?<\/h2>\n

The initial three airports joining the TSA’s new program are:<\/p>\n