Is TSA PreCheck Worth It? Pros, Cons and Costs
TSA PreCheck has been around for more than a dozen years and has millions of users. Is the not-so-exclusive line still worth the cost?
TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports across the U.S. and can make a noticeable difference during busy travel seasons when security lines grow longer. With a TSA PreCheck membership, you can, potentially, reduce your time spent waiting in the security line.
The PreCheck line moves faster in large part because people don't have to take off their shoes or remove electronics from bags. There tends to be a little less chaos and shouting because of that, too.
But the program has been in place for more than a dozen years now, and millions of Americans have joined. There have been upwards of 20 million active members. The once-exclusive streamlined lane has now become, for many travelers, the expected norm.
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With so many members and with new programs such as Clear and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, is PreCheck still worth the fee? In many cases, yes. Let's break it down.
What is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is a membership run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to help speed security lines at airports.
Approved PreCheck members are "trusted travelers" who don't have to follow as many screening procedures at the airport.
How much does TSA PreCheck cost?
A five-year TSA PreCheck membership costs $77 to $85, and you can renew it for $59 to $80, depending on the renewal method, up to six months before it expires.
It could cost you less, though, as some travel rewards credit cards cover part or all of the TSA PreCheck application fees through statement credit. See the cards with discounts.
Children 12 and under can join their parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes, but children 13 to 17 need the logo on their boarding passes, which happens by booking them on the same airline reservation with the PreCheck-enrolled parent or guardian. You don't need to purchase additional PreCheck memberships for minor children; make sure they're booked on the same reservation if they're older than 12.
There are also discounts for members of the military and their families. Uniformed service members, qualifying disabled veterans and military survivor families can get PreCheck for free.
To enroll, you apply online but must finish the application with an in-person appointment. Those in-person appointments often take place at airports, but there are also some more local enrollment locations; you can find places near you.
What does TSA PreCheck get you?
With an $85 one-time fee, you pay about $17 per year over five years. What do you get for your money? Shorter wait times and less hassle.
About 99% of PreCheck members wait less than 10 minutes at security, according to the TSA. The lines at TSA PreCheck theoretically move faster than a traditional TSA security line because there are fewer security requirements with PreCheck; you don't have to take off your shoes or remove your laptop from your briefcase.
Note, though, that passengers 75 and older don't have to take off their shoes regardless of which TSA line they're in.
For whom is TSA PreCheck worth it?
Full disclosure: I've been a TSA PreCheck member long enough to have already renewed twice. I find it to be the simplest, most effective way to improve experiences at American airports and well worth the cost.
To determine if TSA PreCheck is worth it for you, answer these questions:
- Does my home airport have TSA PreCheck? Some smaller airports don't. Check, so if you're usually flying through one of those, it might not be as worth it.
- Does my typical airline participate in TSA PreCheck? Most of the major ones do, but again, if yours doesn't, it won't be as worth it.
- Do I sometimes cut it close to get to the airport before a flight? Be honest with yourself; TSA PreCheck will save you from missing a flight.
- Do I find it a hassle to take off my shoes and take my laptop and other electronics out of my bags? If yes, TSA PreCheck will help.
- Do I usually travel during busier seasons, or do I only travel in shoulder and slower times of year? Wait times will get longer during busier seasons, even in PreCheck lanes, but that's when PreCheck will save you the most time.
I've found that PreCheck is usually a breeze at larger airports. Sometimes there is a line, depending on what time of year I'm flying, but it moves quickly. At regional airports, security, including PreCheck, moves slower, but I still find it worth it to not have to worry about my shoes and electronics.
While PreCheck is a lower cost-per-trip if you fly more often, I would find it useful even if I only flew two or three times a year. Ultimately, if you're under age 75, the question is: Would you pay $17 to not have to take off your shoes?
Honestly speaking, for me, it's one of those conveniences that once you try it, you can't imagine another way.
Get TSA PreCheck benefits with Global Entry
If you often travel internationally, you might be better off applying for Global Entry. Run by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Global Entry costs $120 for a five-year membership and also gets you TSA PreCheck.
Plan on it taking from four to six months for your application to be processed. You can get updates and track the status of your application at the Trusted Traveler Program website.
Global Entry makes it easier to get back into the country when you return from a trip abroad. Instead of dealing with customs interviews and paperwork, Global Entry members can complete their customs declaration at a Global Entry kiosk.
What is TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?
Recently, the TSA released a new level to PreCheck: Touchless ID. This is a free additional opt-in level that the TSA hopes will move people even more quickly through security.
With Touchless ID, the TSA uses facial comparison technology to check your identity, so you don't need to show an ID to get through security. To be eligible to opt-in, you need to be an existing PreCheck member, have a valid passport, and be flying with a participating airline or have a Google Wallet (Google partnered with TSA PreCheck for this feature).
It's currently available at 65 airports.
Is TSA PreCheck the same as Clear?
While going through airport security, you might also see signs for Clear, a company that uses biometrics for security clearances, and there are many airports that use it.
PreCheck and Clear are different services. With Clear, you go through a different security line and, theoretically, get to skip the traditional line and instead be escorted to the front of it.
Much like how Global Entry gives you TSA PreCheck, you can get both Clear and PreCheck. However, there's an extra cost associated with the Clear and PreCheck bundle.
For more details on the differences, see our article on Clear vs TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry.
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