Heathrow Airport now selling Fast Track security access, including at Terminal 5

Not a lot of people know what Heathrow Airport sells Fast Track security access.  You can find it on the Heathrow website here.

The price is not exactly a bargain at £12.50 per person.  It does not vary by terminal.

For comparison, Gatwick Airport charges £5 and discounts this to £4 via the MyGatwick portal.  More interestingly, you also get it for free if you spend £6 to reserve your place in the No 1 Lounges lounge which guarantees you entry if you are planning to use a Priority Pass or Lounge Club card.

The problem with this service, even if you can swallow the cost, is that Fast Track is usually not that fast.  In fact, the main benefit of this new service as far as I’m concerned is that it may encourage Heathrow to make Fast Track genuinely ‘fast’.

Take my last three visits to the ‘super premium’ Heathrow Terminal 5 First Wing where – on two occasions – we have been stuck in a lengthy queue and with only one of the two security belts operational.

There is a little quirk to the new Heathrow Fast Track service.  In Terminal 5, you can only use it at North Security – although this is the one nearest the tube and Heathrow Express exit.  The Fast Track lane at the North end of Terminal 5 is probably the best-kept secret at Heathrow because it is totally separate to the main security lanes, separated by some shops.

You can find out more on the Heathrow Airport website here.

PS.  You earn Heathrow Rewards points if you do choose to pay the £12.50

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