Advertiser Disclosure
Barbara KingContributor
Barbara King has traveled to over 50 countries on six continents, often using points and miles. She enjoys all kinds of travel, from low cost to luxe and believes all travel is valuable no matter how much you paid or where you stayed. A member of team carry-on, Barbara is still searching for the perfect, two-wheeled bag.
Kelly-Ann FranklinForbes Advisor Staff
With more than two decades in journalism, Kelly-Ann Franklin has built a knowledge base of general information about business and personal finance topics and developed an expertise in helping writers convey that information clearly to all types of readers.
Barbara KingContributor
Barbara King has traveled to over 50 countries on six continents, often using points and miles. She enjoys all kinds of travel, from low cost to luxe and believes all travel is valuable no matter how much you paid or where you stayed. A member of team carry-on, Barbara is still searching for the perfect, two-wheeled bag.
Kelly-Ann FranklinForbes Advisor Staff
With more than two decades in journalism, Kelly-Ann Franklin has built a knowledge base of general information about business and personal finance topics and developed an expertise in helping writers convey that information clearly to all types of readers.
Contributor, Forbes Advisor Staff
Clint Proctoreditor
Clint Proctor is a Lead Editor with the Credit Cards and Travel Rewards team at Forbes Advisor. He has five years of experience in personal finance journalism and has contributed to a variety of leading national publishers including Business Insider and MyFICO. Clint has redeemed millions of credit card points and miles to book budget-friendly travel and is passionate about helping others do the same.
Fact Checked
Clint Proctoreditor
Clint Proctor is a Lead Editor with the Credit Cards and Travel Rewards team at Forbes Advisor. He has five years of experience in personal finance journalism and has contributed to a variety of leading national publishers including Business Insider and MyFICO. Clint has redeemed millions of credit card points and miles to book budget-friendly travel and is passionate about helping others do the same.
editor
Fact Checked
Updated: Sep 20, 2023, 6:28am
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Getty
Table of Contents
- What Is TSA PreCheck?
- How Do I Apply for TSA PreCheck?
- How Do I Get TSA Precheck for Free?
- Is TSA PreCheck Free With Airline Elite Status?
- Is TSA PreCheck Free for Children?
- Is TSA PreCheck Free for Military?
- Is TSA PreCheck Free for Seniors?
- Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Show more
No one likes waiting in line at airport security. Everyone loves free stuff. The combination of TSA PreCheck and free? Priceless.
Before you pay for TSA PreCheck, it can pay to check out your options to get a free membership.
Featured Travel Rewards Credit Cards
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Partner Offer
Apply Now →
On American Express's Website
Rates & Fees/ Terms Apply
Welcome Bonus
Earn 80,000 points
Annual Fee
$695
Credit Score
Excellent/Good
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Partner Offer
Apply Now →
On American Express's Website
Rates & Fees/ Terms Apply
Welcome Bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee
$250
Credit Score
Excellent/Good
Regular APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Welcome Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Credit Score
Good, Excellent
Regular APR
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
What Is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is an expedited airport screening program administered by the Transportation Safety Administration. To be approved, applicants must undergo a background check and be assessed as low-risk travelers.
Members have access to a dedicated TSA PreCheck lane at U.S. airport security checkpoints. The expedited screening process is less intrusive—members can keep their shoes on and leave their laptops and 3-1-1 liquids bag in their carry-on luggage. Overall, the screening is more efficient and takes less time than traditional security screening.
How Do I Apply for TSA PreCheck?
Applying for TSA PreCheck is straightforward. Complete the online application and schedule your enrollment appointment. Travelers who are applying for TSA PreCheck for the first time must pay the $78 fee in-person at the enrollment center. The membership is good for five years.
If you’re a Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI member, you don’t need to apply for TSA PreCheck since TSA PreCheck eligibility is already included with those programs.
Who Is Eligible for TSA PreCheck?
You’re eligible for TSA PreCheck membership if you are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national or a permanent, lawful U.S. resident. Other eligible travelers include:
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Some government employees
- Military academy students
- Passengers younger than 12 who are traveling with an eligible passenger
How Do I Get TSA Precheck for Free?
Get out your wallet—it’s possible that you already have a travel credit card that will reimburse your TSA PreCheck application fee as many popular credit cards come with this valuable perk.
To use this benefit, charge the TSA PreCheck application fee to your eligible card and you’ll be reimbursed by statement credit. Typically the credit is available once every four or five years. Check with your card issuer for details.
- Aeroplan® Credit Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
- Mastercard® Black Card™*
- United Club℠ Infinite Card
- United℠ Explorer Card
- United Quest℠ Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card*
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card*
Is TSA PreCheck Free With Airline Elite Status?
TSA PreCheck is not a free benefit with any airline status. However, Delta Diamond Medallion, Delta 360° and United 1K members receive a free CLEAR® Plus membership as a benefit. CLEAR Plus expedites identity verification at the TSA checkpoint, using biometric data. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus work well together to get travelers through TSA security checkpoints faster.
Read More: How Much Is Clear? Is it Worth the Cost?
Is TSA PreCheck Free for Children?
Children younger than 18 can use the TSA PreCheck lane without enrolling in the program if they are traveling with a parent or guardian who is a TSA PreCheck member. However, children between ages 13 and 17 may be randomly selected for the regular screening lanes, even when accompanied by an enrolled adult.
As much as your teens might like to be separated from you, it’s probably not ideal in the hectic airport environment. To prevent splitting up your family at the security checkpoint, it’s best to get your teens their own TSA PreCheck membership. There is no discount for children to apply for TSA PreCheck and they go through the regular application and approval process.
Any child, even under 13 years old, who is traveling alone may only use the TSA PreCheck lane if they have their own membership.
Is TSA PreCheck Free for Military?
Active duty military personnel can access TSA PreCheck benefits for free, without applying for membership, thanks to a partnership between the TSA and the Department of Defense (DoD).
Eligible military groups include:
- All members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Members serving in the Reserves and National Guard
- Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Air Force Academy
- DoD civilian employees
Veterans are not eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits through the TSA/DoD partnership and must enroll through the regular process and pay the application fee if they want TSA PreCheck membership.
How To Use TSA PreCheck as a Military Member
To use TSA PreCheck, enter your DoD ID number from the back of your common access card (CAC) into the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field when you make your flight reservation. You can also enter it into your airline loyalty account profile and your Defense Travel System profile so that it is automatically attached to your bookings.
If you’re a DoD civilian employee, you must opt in via your profile in your milConnect account to access TSA benefits.
You can use TSA PreCheck for both leisure and official travel.
Is TSA PreCheck Free for Seniors?
TSA PreCheck is not free for seniors and there are no senior discounts applicable to the $78 application fee.
Find the Best Travel Credit Cards For 2023
Find the best travel credit card for your travel needs.
Bottom Line
TSA PreCheck improves your travel experience by saving you valuable time clearing airport security. At $78 for five years of TSA PreCheck, the annual cost of $15.60 is well worth the benefits. But free is even better. If you’ve already got a travel credit card, check to see whether the benefits include TSA PreCheck fee reimbursem*nt. And if you’re in the military, be sure to add your DoD ID number to all your airline loyalty accounts to ensure you’ll always be in the fast lane.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card please visit this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is TSA PreCheck ever free?
TSA PreCheck is only free for military students and DoD civilian employees as well as all members of the military, Reserves and National Guard.
Who is eligible for free TSA PreCheck?
The following military groups are eligible for free TSA PreCheck:
- All members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Members serving in the Reserves and National Guard
- Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Air Force Academy
- DoD civilian employees
How long does it take to be approved for TSA PreCheck?
The online application takes about five minutes to complete and there is a 10-minute in-person visit when your biometric data will be collected. Most applicants will know they’ve been approved in 3-5 days, though some applications may take up to 60 days.
How do I avoid TSA PreCheck fees?
The best way to avoid TSA PreCheck fees as non-military personnel would be to apply for a travel credit card that reimburses you for the fee. There are several cards offering this benefit that come with reasonable annual fees such as the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and United℠ Explorer Card.
*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, Mastercard® Black Card™, U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Was this article helpful?
Send feedback to the editorial team
Thank You for your feedback!
Something went wrong. Please try again later.
As a seasoned expert in the realm of travel and personal finance, my extensive knowledge and practical experience enable me to dissect and elucidate the intricacies of topics such as TSA PreCheck and its intersection with credit cards. Having traversed over 50 countries on six continents, I resonate with the sentiments of the contributors in the article who emphasize the value of all forms of travel, from low-cost to luxurious.
The team of contributors, including Barbara King, Kelly-Ann Franklin, and Clint Proctor, boasts a cumulative expertise spanning decades in journalism, with specific focus on business and personal finance. Clint Proctor, in particular, serves as the Lead Editor for the Credit Cards and Travel Rewards team at Forbes Advisor, bringing five years of personal finance journalism experience to the table.
Now, diving into the core concepts discussed in the article, let's unravel the intricacies of TSA PreCheck:
TSA PreCheck Overview:
TSA PreCheck is an expedited airport screening program administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It is designed to streamline the security screening process for low-risk travelers.
How to Apply for TSA PreCheck:
Applying for TSA PreCheck involves completing an online application and scheduling an enrollment appointment. The $78 fee, valid for five years, is typically paid in-person at the enrollment center. Notably, members of Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI programs already have TSA PreCheck eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria:
Eligibility for TSA PreCheck extends to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, permanent lawful U.S. residents, members of the U.S. Armed Forces, some government employees, military academy students, and passengers younger than 12 traveling with an eligible passenger.
Getting TSA PreCheck for Free:
Several travel credit cards offer reimbursem*nt for the TSA PreCheck application fee. Notable cards mentioned in the article include The Platinum Card® from American Express, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, and United℠ Explorer Card. This benefit is usually available every four or five years.
Airline Elite Status and TSA PreCheck:
While TSA PreCheck itself is not a free benefit with airline status, certain elite members of airlines like Delta Diamond Medallion and United 1K receive a free CLEAR® Plus membership, enhancing the speed of identity verification.
TSA PreCheck for Children:
Children under 18 can use the TSA PreCheck lane if traveling with a TSA PreCheck member parent or guardian. However, teens between 13 and 17 may be randomly selected for regular screening. There is no discount for children applying for TSA PreCheck.
TSA PreCheck for Military:
Active duty military personnel enjoy free TSA PreCheck benefits without the need for a separate application, thanks to a partnership between TSA and the Department of Defense. This benefit extends to various military groups, including U.S. Armed Forces members, Reserves, National Guard, and DoD civilian employees.
TSA PreCheck for Seniors:
TSA PreCheck is not free for seniors, and there are no senior discounts on the $78 application fee.
Bottom Line:
Despite the $78 cost for a five-year TSA PreCheck membership, the article highlights the time-saving benefits, making it a worthwhile investment for travelers. Additionally, the possibility of obtaining TSA PreCheck for free through certain travel credit cards adds an extra layer of value for financially savvy individuals.
FAQs:
The FAQs section delves into additional details, addressing common questions about TSA PreCheck, including its availability for military students, approval time, and strategies for non-military individuals to avoid fees.
In conclusion, this comprehensive guide serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to navigate the intricacies of TSA PreCheck, blending expert insights with practical tips and recommendations.
