TSA PreCheck: What it does, what it costs and how to get it

Lyn Mettler, Credit Karma contributing writer Written by:
Headshot of Eric Freeman, Editorial Lead at Intuit Credit Karma Edited by:
Updated
•2 min read
Businesswoman waiting for her flight at the airportImage: Businesswoman waiting for her flight at the airport

In a Nutshell

With a TSA PreCheck membership and your boarding pass in hand, you can cut your airport security waiting times for a period of five years. If you have the right credit cards or are part of certain frequent flyer programs, you can cover the usual $85 cost of PreCheck with card credits or by redeeming miles and points.
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No one likes to wait at the airport. Not for a delayed flight, not for a long check-in line, and certainly not in a security screening line that stretches farther than you can see.

Enter TSA PreCheck, a system from the U.S. government’s Trusted Traveler Programs that allows prescreened passengers of most major airports and airlines to bypass the standard security line and get in an expedited lane.

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck allows U.S. passengers who have undergone a background check to go through a dedicated security line separate from that of the general public. In fact, according to the TSA, 99% of those holding TSA PreCheck wait less than 10 minutes in the security line.

Travelers in the TSA PreCheck line also don’t have to remove shoes, belts, or light outerwear like sweaters and jackets. Laptops and liquids or gels of 3.4 ounces or less can also stay put during screening. If you travel with only carry-on luggage, the airport experience can be much faster and simpler.

Passengers who are approved for TSA PreCheck are issued a Known Traveler Number good for five years. That number should then be included in any airline reservations to ensure inclusion on the passenger’s boarding pass and admittance to the expedited security lanes. Kids 12 and younger can travel with a parent who has TSA PreCheck without having their own Known Traveler Number.

How to apply and pay for TSA PreCheck

If you’ve decided that TSA PreCheck would be a good addition to your travel plans, you’ll need to go through a series of steps before you’re issued a Known Traveler Number.

First, you’ll need to complete an online application with some basic information. Then, you’ll need to schedule an appointment at a local enrollment center.

At your in-person appointment, which takes about 10 minutes, you’ll have to present some identification documents; get fingerprinted; and pay your $85 fee.

Most applicants are notified of their approval in three to five days, but some applications can take up to 60 days.

How to cover the TSA PreCheck cost

The TSA PreCheck cost is $85 per individual and is good for five years. But you may already have the ability to cover the cost with your existing credit cards and rewards memberships.

Several premium travel credit cards provide a credit for TSA PreCheck for cardholders.

Paying for TSA PreCheck with credit card statement credits

There are popular travel credit cards that offer a TSA PreCheck statement credit.

Paying for TSA PreCheck with rewards program points

Additionally, if you’re a member of various travel loyalty programs for hotels and airlines, you may be able to use your rewards points to purchase TSA PreCheck.

Bottom line

If a quicker path through the airport would make your travel experience better, consider getting TSA PreCheck for yourself and your loved ones. Before you do, though, see if you can cover the purchase with a rewards credit card or by using miles and points from your favorite travel loyalty program.