TSA PreCheck lets you go through a faster security line at the airport, but you have to explore first and pay a fee

TSA PreCheck is a program that gives you a dedicated, faster security lane at most U.S. airports. Instead of removing your shoes, belt, and light jacket, taking out your laptop and liquids bag, and emptying your pockets, you keep most of those items on. The screening itself is quicker because there are fewer people in the PreCheck line and the process has fewer steps.

You do not get PreCheck automatically. You explore through the TSA's official website or at an enrollment center, pay a fee (currently $78 to $85 for five years, depending on which program you choose), and go through a background check. Once you are approved, you receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you add to your airline reservations. When you check in for a flight, your boarding pass will show whether you have PreCheck privileges for that particular flight.

PreCheck is not the same as Global Entry or other trusted traveler programs, though some of those programs include PreCheck as a benefit. PreCheck covers domestic flights only. If you travel internationally, you may want to look at Global Entry, which covers both international and domestic travel but costs more and requires an in-person interview.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore online or at an enrollment center, pay a one-time fee of $78 to $85, and receive approval within days or weeks.
  • Once approved, you get a Known Traveler Number that you add to every airline reservation to access the PreCheck line.
  • In the PreCheck line, you keep on your shoes, belt, light jacket, and light layers; you still remove your laptop and liquids bag.
  • PreCheck works at most major U.S. airports but not all smaller regional airports, and it covers domestic flights only.
  • Your PreCheck membership lasts five years, and you can renew it before or after it expires.

how the process works for TSA PreCheck

Start at the official TSA PreCheck enrollment website (tsa.gov/precheck). You will create an account, fill out an process form with your personal information, and pay the fee using a credit or debit card. The fee is $78 for a five-year membership, though some programs charge $85 depending on your state or circumstances.

After you submit your process online, you will be asked to schedule an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. These are located at airports, post offices, and other facilities across the country. At your appointment, a TSA officer will verify your identity using your passport or driver's license, take your fingerprints for a background check, and take a photo. The appointment usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

You will hear back within three to five business days in most cases, though it can take longer if the background check needs additional review. Once you are approved, you will receive your Known Traveler Number by email. You do not receive a physical card in the mail — the KTN is all you need.

What your Known Traveler Number does

Your Known Traveler Number is a nine-character code that tells the airline and TSA that you have passed the PreCheck background check. You add this number to your airline reservation when you book your flight, either during checkout or by editing your reservation afterward. Most airline websites have a field labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "Redress Number" where you can enter it.

When you check in for your flight, your boarding pass will print with a TSA PreCheck indicator — usually a checkmark or the words "TSA PreCheck" — if the airline has linked your KTN to that reservation. This indicator tells the TSA officer at security that you are enrolled in the program.

If you forget to add your KTN to a reservation, you will not see the PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass, and you will go through the standard security line. You can still add your KTN after you have checked in, but it may not update your boarding pass in time. It is easiest to add it when you book.

What happens in the TSA PreCheck security line

When you reach the security checkpoint with a PreCheck-may be able to access boarding pass, a TSA officer will direct you to the PreCheck lane. The line is usually much shorter than the standard security line, especially during busy travel times.

In the PreCheck line, you can keep on your shoes, socks, light jacket, and belt. You do not need to remove them. You still have to remove your laptop, tablet, and liquids bag (the 3.4-ounce bag of gels, creams, and liquids) and place them in a bin. You empty your pockets and place items like keys, phone, and wallet in a bin as well. You walk through the metal detector, and your bags go through the X-ray machine.

The whole process is faster because there are fewer people in the line and fewer items to remove and repack. Most PreCheck passengers clear security in under five minutes, compared to 15 to 30 minutes in a standard line during peak hours.

Which airports and airlines accept TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck is available at most major U.S. airports, including all the busiest ones: Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and New York. However, not every airport offers a PreCheck line. Smaller regional airports may not have the infrastructure to run a separate lane.

Before you travel, check the TSA website's airport directory to see whether your departure airport has a PreCheck lane. If it does not, your boarding pass will still show that you are enrolled, but there will be no separate line to use, and you will go through standard screening.

All major U.S. airlines accept the KTN and will add it to your reservation: American, United, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue, and others. Some smaller carriers may not have the system set up to recognize it, so it is worth checking with your airline if you are flying on a carrier you do not recognize.

PreCheck coverage: domestic flights only

TSA PreCheck covers security screening for domestic flights within the United States. It does not cover international flights, even if you are flying out of a U.S. airport. When you travel internationally, you go through standard TSA screening, regardless of your PreCheck status.

If you travel internationally often, you may want to consider Global Entry instead. Global Entry costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck as a benefit, plus it gives you expedited customs and immigration screening when you return to the United States. However, Global Entry requires an in-person interview at a U.S. airport or a consulate, which takes longer to schedule than a PreCheck appointment.

Some credit cards offer Global Entry or PreCheck reimbursement as a cardholder benefit, so check your card's benefits guide to see if your annual fee is covered.

How long PreCheck lasts and how to renew

Your TSA PreCheck membership is valid for five years from the date you are approved. You will receive an email reminder about 90 days before your membership expires. You can renew your PreCheck at any time after you receive that reminder, and your new five-year period will begin on the date you renew, not on the date your old membership expires.

Renewal is simpler than the initial process. You can renew online without scheduling an in-person appointment, and the fee is the same: $78 to $85. You do not need to provide new fingerprints or a new photo unless the TSA asks you to. Your Known Traveler Number stays the same after renewal.

If your PreCheck expires and you do not renew it, your KTN will no longer work, and you will not be able to access the PreCheck line. You will have to explore again from the beginning if you want to rejoin the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my boarding pass does not show TSA PreCheck even though I added my KTN?

This usually means the airline's system did not link your KTN to your reservation in time. Call the airline's customer service or visit the ticket counter before you go through security, and they can verify your PreCheck status. You can also show the TSA officer your approval letter or a screenshot of your PreCheck status from the TSA website.

Can I use someone else's TSA PreCheck if I am traveling with them?

No. PreCheck is tied to your Known Traveler Number and your identity. Only the person whose name is on the reservation and whose KTN is linked to that reservation can use the PreCheck line. Each family member needs their own PreCheck membership.

What if I get denied for TSA PreCheck?

The TSA will send you a letter explaining why you were denied. Common reasons include criminal history, immigration violations, or security concerns. You can request a review or appeal the decision, and the TSA website has instructions for how to do that. You can also reapply after one year.

Do I need TSA PreCheck if I have Global Entry?

No. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck as a benefit, so you get access to the PreCheck line automatically. You use the same Known Traveler Number for both programs. You do not need to pay for PreCheck separately if you already have Global Entry.

Does TSA PreCheck work for connecting flights?

Yes, as long as your KTN is linked to each leg of your reservation. When you book a connecting flight, make sure your KTN is added to the entire itinerary, not just the first flight. You will go through security again at your connection airport, and you can use the PreCheck line there too if that airport has one.