TSA PreCheck

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TSA PreCheck: What it is and how it works

TSA PreCheck is a U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) program that lets approved, low-risk travelers use expedited airport security lanes. PreCheck passengers typically don’t need to remove shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops or compliant liquids from carry-ons, speeding them through screening at more than 200 U.S. airports.

Key facts:
* Most PreCheck passengers (about 99%) wait under 10 minutes in security lines.
* Enrollment yields a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you add to flight reservations so PreCheck appears on your boarding pass.
* The program began in 2013 to reduce checkpoint congestion at busy times.

Benefits

  • Shorter wait times and dedicated security lanes.
  • No need to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets.
  • Laptops and approved liquids can remain in carry-on bags.
  • Less time in the security process means more time in the terminal.

Who qualifies and eligibility

  • Open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents.
  • Applicants may be denied for incomplete/false information, violations of transportation security regulations, or disqualifying criminal convictions.
  • Children 12 and under may join a parent or legal guardian with PreCheck in the dedicated lane when traveling together. Older children need their own KTN.

How to apply

  1. Complete a short online application (typically under 5 minutes).
  2. Schedule and attend an in-person appointment at an enrollment center (usually about 10 minutes).
  3. At the appointment you will be fingerprinted and must present identity and citizenship/residency documents.
  4. If approved, you receive a KTN to add to future flight reservations.

Cost, duration and renewal

  • Fee: $78 (nonrefundable).
  • Valid for: 5 years.
  • Renewal: Reapply or renew through the TSA process before expiration (renewal fees apply).

Credit card coverage and reimbursements

Many premium travel credit cards offer TSA PreCheck as a benefit, most commonly through a statement credit for the fee or the ability to pay with points. Examples of card families that have offered this benefit:
* Chase Sapphire Reserve
* Capital One Venture series
* Premium American Express cards (for some airline co-branded products)
* Other issuers’ premium travel cards may also provide statement credits or reimbursement—check your card’s benefits to confirm details.

Other traveler programs and how they differ

  • Global Entry — $120 for five years; speeds re-entry into the U.S. through customs and includes TSA PreCheck for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
  • NEXUS — $120; for expedited travel between the U.S. and Canada (air, land, sea).
  • SENTRI — $120; expedited processing for travel between the U.S. and Mexico (land and air).
  • CLEAR — private biometric ID service (fingerprint/iris) used at many airports and venues; typically a separate subscription (around $199/year) that speeds identity verification and can be combined with PreCheck to move through security faster.

Comparison highlights:
* TSA PreCheck: focuses on expedited security screening for departing flights in the U.S.; $78/5 years.
* Global Entry: adds expedited customs processing for international arrivals and includes PreCheck; $120/5 years.
* CLEAR: biometric identity verification to speed you to the front of the ID check line; separate fee and subscription model.

Security considerations

TSA PreCheck is based on vetting and background checks. Critics note the potential for false information or vetting gaps, but there have been no widely reported security incidents tied directly to PreCheck since its launch. Applicants with disqualifying records or unresolved violations can be denied or suspended.

Bottom line

TSA PreCheck provides a practical time-saving benefit for frequent domestic flyers and families traveling through busy U.S. airports. It requires a one-time application, a short in-person enrollment, and a nonrefundable fee for five years of membership. For international travelers, Global Entry may offer broader value because it includes PreCheck plus expedited customs processing. Clear can further speed identity checks but is a separate, paid service.