American Airlines Tests ID Verification on Mobile Devices
Dallas Fort Worth and Reagan Washington National are the two airports where the trials are being conducted
American Airlines has announced a trial program to test mobile ID verification at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The new mobile ID technology uses customers’ mobile device to verify identities when they drop their bag off with an agent.
The airline says those who choose to participate in the trial can enroll with a third-party app prior to check-in that will create a digital ID token on their mobile device. The digital ID can be used to verify their identity at the bag drop, meaning they no longer need to hand in a form of ID.
American says it is working with the Transportation Security Administration to explore using this mobile ID verification technology to reduce physical contact and make the travel experience more efficient.The mobile ID trial is currently underway at both DFW and DCA.
American has also rolled out a series of other new technologies in the past to improve the passenger experience.
Earlier this year, the carrier launched a chat platform which can be accessed through the airline’s app, to ask a virtual assistant for help. If the conversation requires more detailed information, a customer care representative is ready to assist in real time.
The airline says more than 425,000 customers have used the feature to interact with the virtual assistant or American’s customer care representatives since its launch.
In addition, customers can now find their flight and trip credits stored in an electronic wallet when they log in to their AAdvantage account on aa.com. When they’re ready to book new travel, passenger can pay for their tickets using their travel credits by simply choosing flight credit as their payment option.
Passengers whose travel plans have changed can now self-serve when it comes to changing an AAdvantage award ticket on aa.com. American says it will automatically reinstate a customer’s miles when a customer cancels an eligible award ticket.
