You can avoid paying for TSA PreCheck by using free trusted traveler programs or by meeting age and military requirements

TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years, but you do not have to pay if you fall into certain categories or use a free alternative. Active-duty military, Reserve and National Guard members, veterans within one year of discharge, and children under 12 traveling with a PreCheck member all get it at no cost. If you do not fit those groups, you can use TSA Precheck Free for Life if you are a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, a Transportation Security Officer, or work in certain other federal law enforcement roles. You can also get PreCheck benefits through some credit cards and frequent flyer programs without paying the TSA directly.

The free alternatives are real but narrower than paid PreCheck. Some credit cards—including certain American Express, Chase, and Capital One cards—cover the $78 to $85 fee as a cardholder benefit, though you pay the card's annual fee instead. Airline frequent flyer programs like United MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles, and American AAdvantage sometimes grant PreCheck or similar benefits to elite members at no extra cost beyond what you already spend on flights. These routes work only if you already hold the card or reach the status tier, so they are not free in the sense of costing nothing overall—they shift the cost elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

  • Active-duty military, Reserve and National Guard members, and veterans within one year of discharge receive TSA PreCheck at no cost through the military verification process.
  • Children under 12 traveling with a parent or guardian who has PreCheck do not need their own membership and can use expedited screening with that adult.
  • Certain premium credit cards cover the TSA PreCheck fee as a cardholder benefit, though you pay the card's annual fee to access it.
  • Elite frequent flyer status on major airlines can grant PreCheck or equivalent benefits without an additional TSA fee if you reach the required tier.
  • If you do not may have access to for free options, paying the $78 to $85 fee for five years works out to roughly $16 per year if you fly more than twice annually.

Military and Federal Employee Routes

If you are on active duty, in the Reserve or National Guard, or a veteran who separated within the past year, you can get TSA PreCheck for free. You will need to verify your military status during the process process. Go to the TSA PreCheck website, start an process, and when you reach the background check section, you will see an option to verify military status. You will need a military ID, discharge papers (DD Form 214), or a letter from your command confirming your status.

Federal employees in law enforcement—including TSA officers, Customs and Border Protection agents, Secret Service personnel, and others in designated roles—receive PreCheck for life at no cost. If you work in one of these roles, contact your agency's security office or human resources department to learn how to register. The process varies by agency, but you will typically submit proof of employment and your background will already be on file.

Credit Card and Frequent Flyer Benefits

Several premium credit cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck fee as a cardholder benefit. American Express Platinum covers it, as does the Chase Sapphire Reserve and certain Capital One cards. When you explore for PreCheck, you pay the $78 to $85 fee upfront, then submit your receipt to the card issuer for reimbursement. The reimbursement usually appears in your account within one to two billing cycles.

The catch is that these cards charge annual fees—American Express Platinum is $695 per year, Chase Sapphire Reserve is $550 per year—so you are not avoiding the cost, you are bundling it with other travel benefits. This route makes sense only if you already want the card for its other perks like travel credits, lounge access, or points multipliers. If you are signing up purely to cover the PreCheck fee, the math does not work.

Frequent flyer elite status can also grant PreCheck or similar benefits. United MileagePlus members at Premier 1K status and above receive a free PreCheck or Global Entry benefit every four years. Delta SkyMiles Platinum members and above get a free PreCheck or Global Entry benefit every four years as well. American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Pro members and above receive the same benefit. Reaching these tiers requires spending a significant amount on flights or credit card spend tied to the airline, so this is a side benefit if you already fly frequently with one carrier, not a primary way to get PreCheck.

Children and Family Travel

Children under 12 do not need their own TSA PreCheck membership. When a parent or guardian with PreCheck travels with a child under 12, the child can go through expedited screening with them. You do not need to add the child to your account or pay any additional fee. At the airport, inform the TSA officer that your child is under 12 and traveling with you, and they will direct you both through the PreCheck lane.

Children 13 and older need their own PreCheck membership if they want to use expedited screening. They pay the full $78 to $85 fee and go through the standard process and background check process, though the process is faster for minors since they have less history to review.

When Paying the Fee Makes Financial Sense

If you do not may have access to for free PreCheck and cannot use a credit card or frequent flyer benefit, the $78 to $85 fee for five years breaks down to roughly $16 per year. That math works if you fly at least twice a year for business or leisure. Each PreCheck trip saves you roughly 10 to 15 minutes of security line time, and you keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, plus you can leave liquids and electronics in your bag.

If you fly once a year or less, the fee is harder to justify. You will spend more on the membership than you save in time. If you fly internationally more than domestically, consider Global Entry instead—it costs $100 for five years, includes PreCheck benefits for U.S. flights, and adds expedited customs screening when you return to the United States. Some of the same credit cards and frequent flyer programs that cover PreCheck also cover Global Entry.

Alternatives to PreCheck for Faster Security

If you cannot or do not want to pay for PreCheck, you can still move through security faster by following TSA rules correctly. Have your ID and boarding pass ready before you reach the agent. Wear slip-on shoes and minimal metal. Pack your liquids bag on top of your carry-on so you can remove it quickly. Empty your pockets completely. These steps do not get you into a separate lane, but they reduce the time you spend at the checkpoint.

Some airports have shorter security lines at certain times of day. Early morning flights (5 a.m. to 7 a.m.) and mid-day flights (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) often have shorter waits than evening rush hours. Checking the TSA's wait time tool on their website or app before you leave for the airport can help you time your arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to renew my military PreCheck benefit, or is it truly free for life?

Military PreCheck is free to obtain but requires renewal every five years. You do not pay a fee, but you do need to update your information and pass a background check again. The renewal process is the same as the initial process—go to the TSA PreCheck website and verify your military status again.

Can I use a credit card benefit to cover PreCheck if I am already military?

You do not need to. Military members receive PreCheck at no cost, so there is no fee to reimburse. If you hold a premium credit card anyway for other benefits, that is fine, but the PreCheck benefit is redundant for you.

What happens if I do not renew my PreCheck before it expires?

Once your PreCheck expires, you will go through standard security screening on your next flight. You can renew your membership at any time, even after it has expired. The renewal costs the same as a new membership and takes the same amount of time to process.

If my spouse has PreCheck, can I use their membership when we travel together?

No. PreCheck is tied to your specific identity and background check. Your spouse's membership does not transfer to you. However, if your spouse has PreCheck and you have a child under 12, that child can use expedited screening with your spouse without their own membership.

Does TSA PreCheck work at every U.S. airport?

PreCheck is available at most major U.S. airports, but not all. Check the TSA website for a list of airports in your area that offer PreCheck lanes. If your home airport does not have PreCheck, you can still use it at other airports when you travel.