What Is TSA PreCheck and Is It Worth It?

The Short Answer

Yes, TSA PreCheck is worth it for almost anyone who flies at least twice a year. It costs $78-$85 for five years of expedited security screening. You keep your shoes, belt, and jacket on. Your laptop and liquids stay in your bag. And 99% of PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes. At roughly $16 per year, it's one of the best travel investments you can make.

What Exactly Is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program run by the Transportation Security Administration. After you apply and pass a background check, you get a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you add to your flight bookings. At the airport, you use a dedicated PreCheck security lane that's faster and less hassle than the standard line.

It's available at over 200 airports across the United States and works with more than 90 airlines, including every major U.S. carrier.

What You Get With PreCheck

The regular security line requires you to strip down like you're going through a medical exam. PreCheck ditches most of that. Here's what stays on or stays packed:

• Shoes stay on. No taking them off, no walking on the cold airport floor in socks.
• Belt stays on. No unbuckling and feeding it through the bin.
• Light jacket stays on. No removing your hoodie or blazer.
• Laptop stays in your bag. No pulling it out and placing it in a separate bin.
• Liquids stay in your bag. Your 3-1-1 quart bag doesn't need to come out.
• Shorter, dedicated line. Separate from the main security queue.

The result? You walk up, put your bag on the belt, walk through the scanner, grab your bag, and you're done. The whole thing takes a couple of minutes instead of 20-40 minutes in the regular line.

How Much Does It Cost?

TSA PreCheck costs $78 for five years when you apply through the TSA's official enrollment provider. Some third-party enrollment providers charge up to $85. That breaks down to about $15.60 per year, or $1.30 per month.

Renewal is $70 for another five years, and you can renew online without another in-person appointment.

How to Apply

The process has three steps:

Step 1: Apply Online (5 minutes)

Go to tsa.gov/precheck and fill out the application. You'll provide your name, date of birth, address, and citizenship information. No documents to upload at this stage.

Step 2: In-Person Appointment (10 minutes)

After submitting your application, you'll schedule an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. There are over 500 locations nationwide, including inside many airports. Bring your passport or U.S. birth certificate plus a state-issued ID.

At the appointment, they'll verify your identity, take your fingerprints, and take your photo. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Get Your KTN (3-5 days)

Most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number within 3-5 days, though it can take up to 2 weeks. You'll get it via email. Add it to your airline loyalty profiles and your TSA account. Once it's in your profile, it automatically applies to every booking.

How to Get TSA PreCheck for Free

Dozens of credit cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. If you have any of these, you're likely covered:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve — Covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee every 4 years
• Amex Platinum — Covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee
• Capital One Venture X — Covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee
• Citi / AAdvantage Executive — Covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee
• United Club Infinite Card — Covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee

Check your credit card benefits before paying out of pocket. Many mid-tier travel cards include this perk too.

Active-duty military and members of the Reserves and National Guard can use PreCheck lanes for free without enrolling, using their Department of Defense ID number as their KTN.

Kids and Family

Children 17 and under can go through the PreCheck lane with a parent or guardian who has PreCheck. They don't need their own enrollment. Once they turn 18, they'll need to apply for their own PreCheck membership.

Your spouse, partner, or other adult traveling companions do not get your PreCheck benefit. Each adult needs their own enrollment.

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR

These three programs get confused constantly. Here's the breakdown:

TSA PreCheck ($78 for 5 years)

• Expedited security screening at U.S. airports
• Shoes, belt, laptop, liquids stay in your bag
• Domestic travel focus
• Government-run program

Global Entry ($120 for 5 years)

• Includes TSA PreCheck — you get everything above, plus...
• Expedited customs and immigration when entering the U.S. from abroad
• Automated kiosks at international arrivals
• Best for international travelers
• Government-run program (CBP)

For just $42 more than PreCheck, Global Entry gives you everything PreCheck offers plus the customs benefit. If you take even one international trip, Global Entry is the better deal.

CLEAR ($189/year)

• Uses biometrics (eyes, fingerprints) to verify your identity
• Skips the ID check line and takes you directly to the screening area
• Does not replace TSA PreCheck. After CLEAR verifies you, you still go through either the regular security screening or the PreCheck screening.
• Most useful when combined with PreCheck
• Privately-run program (not government)

CLEAR and PreCheck are complementary, not competing. CLEAR gets you to the front of the line. PreCheck makes the actual screening faster. Together, they're the fastest possible airport security experience.

Does PreCheck Always Work?

Almost always, but not 100%. A few things to know:

• Not every airport has PreCheck lanes. Over 200 airports do, covering all major U.S. airports. But very small regional airports may not.
• Some boarding passes randomly don't show PreCheck. This is rare but happens. The TSA occasionally doesn't assign PreCheck to a booking, even with a valid KTN. If this happens, check that your KTN is correctly entered in your airline profile.
• PreCheck lanes can close during off-peak hours. Very early morning or late-night flights at smaller airports may not have a staffed PreCheck lane.
• International departures may vary. PreCheck works for outbound international flights from U.S. airports. But it doesn't help you at foreign airports.

Is It Worth It If You Only Fly Once or Twice a Year?

Honestly, yes. At $78 for five years, you're paying about $15 a year. Even if you fly just once a year, skipping the long security line, keeping your shoes on, and not having to unpack your bag is worth $15. And if your credit card covers the fee, the question answers itself.

The only people PreCheck doesn't make sense for are those who genuinely never fly. If you set foot in an airport at all, it's worth having.