TSA PreCheck is a security benefit designed to make traveling simpler. Membership begins with an application and appointment at one of more than 500 enrollment centers that includes a background check. Once approved, members receive their own unique Known Traveler Number which they can add to their frequent flyer profile and use when making airline reservations or checking in for flights.
What is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck allows air travelers classified as low-risk to experience an expedited security screening process at U.S. airports. Participants wait in dedicated lanes, don’t have to remove shoes and jackets, are subject to less-rigorous scans, etc. The program costs $78 annually but numerous credit cards offer it either for free, reimburse the cost, or include it as part of their benefits package, such as airline cards (United, Southwest and Delta), MasterCard’s Gold and Black, Chase Sapphire Reserve membership (Challenge Sapphire Reserve), Capital One Venture and Venture X membership (Capital One Venture and Venture X), Bank of America Premium Rewards membership etc.
Transportation Security Administration’s Trusted Traveler Initiatives include Global Entry, SENTRI and Nexus programs; TSA PreCheck is one of these. When enrolling, TSA issues you a “Known Traveler Number”, or KTN; this unique identifier allows TSA to quickly identify you prior to arriving at an airport security checkpoint and use it to speed through their dedicated TSA PreCheck line instead of waiting in longer and slower general boarding lines.
Reminder: TSA PreCheck does not guarantee expedited screening at every airport or trip due to random and unpredictable security measures that still need to be implemented during screening processes. Still, many frequent or nervous flyers should consider enrolling – especially if your credit card offers it as a benefit or allows payment with points; active military members can get TSA PreCheck services free through the Department of Defense.
Who is eligible for TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is one of the Trusted Traveler Programs and can be an invaluable asset to frequent flyers. By having TSA PreCheck, passengers can avoid long security lines and experience a more efficient screening process. Applying involves an online application, an in-person appointment at an enrollment center and background checks before receiving your Known Traveler Number that allows access to TSA PreCheck lanes at airports when booking or checking in for flights; you may even add this KTN number into frequent flyer profiles of airlines as an added benefit!
TSA PreCheck applications can be submitted online or at one of the more than 500 enrollment centers throughout the US. After your application has been accepted, an in-person appointment at one of these enrollment centers will take place where fingerprinting and background checks will take place – this should take approximately 10 minutes and you will then be provided with your Known Traveler Number (KTN), which you need when booking or checking-in for flights.
To qualify for TSA PreCheck, individuals must be US citizens or lawful permanent residents with valid identification documents. Children 12 years or younger may use their parent/guardian’s TSA PreCheck membership without applying individually for it themselves. As TSA PreCheck members you may experience shorter security lines at many domestic airports and certain international ones without needing to remove shoes, belts or light jackets before passing through security checkpoints.
TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 over five years and payment can be made using various payment options such as credit card, money order, company check or certified/cashier’s check. Furthermore, many popular travel credit cards now come equipped with TSA PreCheck as an added perk and will reimburse this application fee of $78, making TSA PreCheck membership even more accessible!
How do I apply for TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck express security lanes require travelers to first submit an online application and schedule an in-person interview at one of many regional TSA offices, then schedule another interview in-person. After their in-person appointment is complete, TSA will issue them a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which they should include when purchasing airline tickets – airlines will then check with TSA to make sure it matches up and if so they will mark it as being valid TSA PreCheck status.
TSA PreCheck costs $78 for five years of membership and can be paid with any of the following methods: credit card, money order, company check or certified/cashier’s check – typically due when attending an in-person appointment. You may be able to acquire it free – several credit cards offer it as member benefits or reimburse the application fee (see here for more info).
Application processes for KTN can be lengthy and complex, as a KTN will only be issued after passing a successful background check. To save time during your in-person interview, bring copies of both passport and driver’s license along with any medications, foods or supplies you’ll require for your journey.
Signing up for Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI is another way to access TSA PreCheck without applying; certain children aged 13-17 can also use the expedited line when traveling with parents/legal guardians who hold PreCheck status. If you find yourself still seeing regular lines even though you have precheck status don’t panic: most likely all that needs to happen is matching up your name on the boarding pass with what is linked with your KTN account.
How long does TSA PreCheck last?
As of April 2023, TSA PreCheck costs $78 to apply and renew, though frequent flyers might be eligible to use their credit cards as part of the application process. Potential members must fill out an online form, then schedule an interview at one of 500+ TSA PreCheck enrollment centers; following their in-person interview they’ll be informed within three to five days whether their application was successful.
Once approved, new TSA PreCheck members will receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN), which can then be included when booking travel and check-in processes. TSA PreCheck membership lasts five years and can be renewed either online or in-person.
Passengers traveling with TSA PreCheck-enabled boarding passes typically move through an expedited security line that moves much more quickly than regular airport security lane; 89% of TSA PreCheck travelers had wait times of five minutes or less! TSA officers reserve the right to select passengers for additional screening based on any suspicious or prohibited items they detect during an inspection process.
TSA PreCheck members should ensure they possess valid government-issued ID documents such as a passport, driver’s license and birth certificate combination or naturalization papers with expiration dates in mind when traveling. Non-US citizens will require proof of citizenship and immigration status (i.e. green card or visa). When attending their TSA PreCheck interview, all applicants should bring any paperwork that supports why they should be approved membership.
How do I renew my TSA PreCheck?
Travelers with TSA PreCheck membership should be aware that it will eventually expire; fortunately, it’s easy and straightforward to renew this membership, saving low-risk passengers considerable time in airport security lines.
As part of renewing TSA PreCheck, the first step should be logging on to the Universal Enrollment portal and entering your information to determine eligibility. You will be asked for your Known Traveler Number (KTN), date of birth and legal last name information.
If eligible, the next step in applying for TSA PreCheck is scheduling an in-person interview at one of over 380 TSA PreCheck application centers across the U.S. During this appointment, you will answer questions and be fingerprinted; although most cases allow applicants to bypass this step and visit an online interview center instead.
Once your interview is over, you will receive notification of being approved for TSA PreCheck with KTN number and expiration date included. From there you can either go through the reapplication process online or visit one of the enrollment centers to complete it in person.
Once a TSA PreCheck member, you can take advantage of expedited security lanes at 200 airports across the U.S. and over 90 airlines – the process is relatively fast; most TSA PreCheck members report waiting less than 10 minutes in their dedicated lane. While not free, many personal and business credit cards cover or renew TSA PreCheck automatically – for those interested in joining check out our list of credit cards offering TSA PreCheck/Global Entry benefits as these may make joining worth your while depending on how often you travel/if standing in regular security lines bothers them!