Holiday travel can be one of the most exciting yet stressful times of the year. With airports at their busiest, lines longer than usual and connections tighter, even seasoned travelers can find themselves wishing for smoother experiences.
Luckily, two innovations launched earlier this year, CLEAR’s new eGates and United Airlines’ ConnectionSaver, can help travelers move through airports more efficiently this holiday season. While these technologies aren’t brand new and continue to evolve, here’s how they work and why you might want to take advantage of them during your holiday travel and beyond.
CLEAR eGate Technology
Back in August, CLEAR launched its eGate Pilot Program, a dedicated security lane that uses advanced technology to automatically verify travelers through facial recognition.
Traditionally, CLEAR members have used biometric scans (fingerprint, eye or face) to verify their identity before heading to a TSA agent to manually reconfirm their ID. Now, CLEAR’s new eGates can match your biometric information (like your face) with your ID and boarding pass, eliminating the separate ID check step entirely and allowing travelers to move through security more quickly.
According to CLEAR, the goal is to “modernize and streamline” airport security by helping travelers save time and reduce stress, especially during peak travel periods. As it stands, the automated eGates are currently available at the following major airports:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
CLEAR eGates require a Clear+ subscription, which is $209 per year — though frequent flyers may qualify for a free or discounted membership through certain credit cards or airline loyalty programs.
Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck can continue to use it alongside CLEAR, enabling an even more streamlined security experience, such as keeping shoes on and leaving laptops in bags where permitted.
CLEAR plans to expand eGates even further, aiming to have them at more U.S. airports over time, including ahead of major travel events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To learn more or enroll, check out the official website here.
United Airline’s ConnectionSaver
One of the most stressful moments in travel is making a tight connection — especially when an incoming flight is delayed or the airport layout requires a long walk between gates.
United Airlines has quietly been using an AI-powered tool called ConnectionSaver since 2019 to help with this challenge — but until recently, it worked behind the scenes. This year, United integrated ConnectionSaver into its mobile app and expanded features designed to support connections more visibly for travelers. Here’s how the upgrades help:
- Real-Time Assistance, Right on Your Phone
- Gate-to-gate walking directions and estimated walk times
- Live boarding countdowns
- Alerts when ConnectionSaver has held a departing flight to help you make your connection
Instead of just discovering you missed your flight at the last minute, the app now keeps you informed with clear guidance — including alerts, rebooking options and standby availability — so you can adjust without long lines at the service desk. The app now adapts to three common situations:
- Comfortable layovers — You get a countdown to boarding, turn-by-turn walking directions and suggestions for lounges or dining.
- Tight connections — You see live walking times, gate alerts and notifications if your departing flight is being held for you.
- Missed connections — The app offers instant rebooking options without you having to wait in line.
During live beta testing, more than 350,000 travelers used the new ConnectionSaver features with a 98% success rate in making their connections — evidence that real-time visibility and support can make a meaningful difference. United has also committed to ongoing enhancements. Future updates include:
- Expanded multilingual support
- Live maps showing your position in the airport
- Personalized text alerts for delays, layover tips and gate changes
ConnectionSaver and these app upgrades are part of United’s broader push to improve the customer experience. Other carriers may follow suit, as reports suggest American Airlines is exploring a similar connection assistance tool.
Why These Tools Matter for Holiday Travel
During the holidays, when airports are busiest and stress levels are high, small advantages can make a big difference — CLEAR’s eGates can cut down time at security checkpoints, while United’s ConnectionSaver provides added confidence and support when flights are tight.
Together, they represent how travel technology is evolving to prioritize speed, visibility and control for passengers. Whether you’re heading home for the holidays or planning a winter getaway, these tools can help you navigate airports with more ease and less uncertainty.
