Press Release

 

February 23, 2006
Hyatt announces a limited time exclusive partnership with Verified Identity Pass to provide Hyatt Gold Passport members fast lane access through airport security

 

CHICAGO-Hyatt Hotels & Resorts today announced a limited time exclusive partnership with Verified Identity Pass, Inc. ("Verified ID"), becoming the first hotel chain to make a substantial purchase for select customers of complimentary memberships in Verified ID's much heralded Clear™ service, the nation's leading registered traveler program. Currently available at Orlando International Airport with implementation planned at other major U.S. airports this spring and summer, Clear™ enables members to receive expedited processing at airport security checkpoints.

 

Hyatt will extend to its Gold Passport Diamond tier members the opportunity to receive a Clear™ membership on a complimentary basis. In addition, Hyatt plans to make the Clear™ membership available to other Hyatt guests through exclusive promotional offers later this year. As Clear™ rolls out to airports across the country in accordance with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) national plans, Hyatt and Verified ID expect to arrange for Clear™ enrollment stations to be set up in select Hyatt hotels as a further convenience for Hyatt guests.

 

"Hyatt sees the potential of the Clear™ program to greatly improve the airport experience of frequent travelers," said Thomas F. O'Toole, senior vice president, strategy and systems of Global Hyatt Corporation. "We want our Gold Passport members to be the first to enjoy this improved experience as it becomes available and thus are pleased to be the first hotel partner of Verified ID."

"With this bold, creative move Hyatt has not only demonstrated its longstanding commitment to its tens of thousands of loyal customers but also its belief that Clear™ is fast becoming synonymous with cutting edge travel services," said Verified Identity Pass founder and CEO Steven Brill. "We're honored and delighted to be partnering with Hyatt as we begin our rollout at airports across the country later this year."

 

"The combined marketing plan we have developed with Hyatt is a partnership in the best sense of the word," said Verified ID Senior Vice President of Sales Fred Fischer. "Hyatt benefits by being able to offer Clear™ to its loyal guests, while Clear™ benefits from linking our emerging brand with one of the world's most respected hotel brands."

 

Clear™ has been operational since July 2005 and currently has over 15,000 members in Orlando. Metrics kept by Clear™ indicate that the average wait time for members in the ClearLane is 14 seconds, saving travelers up to 29 minutes in security lines at Orlando International Airport. Clear™ members currently pay an annual fee of $79.95 to enroll.

 

About Global Hyatt Corporation
There are 215 Hyatt branded hotels and resorts (over 90,000 rooms) in 43 countries around the world, operating under the Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Grand Hyatt® and Park Hyatt® brands. Currently, there are an additional 30 Hyatt hotels and resorts under development, including 11 new hotels in China. Hyatt Corporation (domestic U.S., Canada and Caribbean hotels) and Hyatt International Corporation (international properties) are subsidiaries of Chicago-based Global Hyatt Corporation. Global Hyatt Corporation is also the owner of Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Inc. operators of the Hyatt Vacation Club (timeshare and fractional residential product), Hyatt Equities, L.L.C. (hotel ownership), Select Hotel Group L.L.C. (which owns, operates and franchises AmeriSuites hotels, Hyatt Place and Summerfield Suites hotels) and U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. (which franchises Hawthorn Suites, and Microtel Inns and Suites).

From the U.S. and Canada, reservations for any Hyatt hotel worldwide may be obtained by calling 1-800-233-1234 or logging onto www.hyatt.com

 

About Verified Identity Pass and Clear
Verified Identity Pass, Inc. was founded in 2003 by journalist and entrepreneur Steven Brill. Clear is the first privately run Registered Traveler program operating at a U.S. Airport. Brill's partners in VERIFIED ID include Lockheed Martin and ARINC.

 

Clear has been operational since July 19, 2005 at Orlando International Airport. Open to all travelers at a fee of $79.95 per year, enrollees begin an application online at flyclear.com and then submit biometric data (fingerprint and iris images) at the ClearSpace enrollment stations in the airport. Once approved by TSA, Members use the specially designated ClearLanes upon arrival at the airport's security checkpoints for expedited passage.