TSA PreCheck discounts come from your employer, membership organizations, and credit card companies—not from TSA itself
TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years depending on where you renew, but you do not have to pay the full price. Your employer may cover it entirely, your professional association might offer a discount code, or your credit card might reimburse the fee. The catch: these discounts are not advertised in one place, and may be able to access depends on who you work for or what memberships you already hold.
The official TSA PreCheck process site does not offer discounts—you pay the standard fee there. Discounts come from third parties who have partnered with TSA or who offer the benefit as a perk to their members or cardholders. Knowing where to look saves you money and sometimes the entire cost.
Key Takeaways
- Many employers cover TSA PreCheck fees for employees, especially in industries like finance, consulting, and government—ask your HR department or employee benefits portal first.
- Professional associations, alumni groups, and membership organizations often provide discount codes that reduce the fee by $10 to $30 or cover it completely.
- Premium credit cards from American Express, Chase, and other issuers reimburse TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees as a cardholder benefit.
- Costco members receive a discount code good for $15 off the standard fee through their membership benefits.
- Military members, veterans, and their families may have access to discounts through military-specific credit cards or veteran organizations.
Employer-sponsored TSA PreCheck coverage
Many large employers and professional firms cover TSA PreCheck fees for employees who travel for work. This is most common in management consulting, investment banking, law firms, and companies with significant travel budgets. Some employers cover it for all staff; others limit it to employees above a certain level or in roles that require frequent flying.
Start by checking your employee benefits portal or handbook, or ask your HR department directly. If your company does not currently offer it, you can request it—some firms add the benefit after employees ask. If you are self-employed or work for a small business, this route will not help, but the other options below may.
Credit card reimbursements for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
Several premium credit cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee as a cardholder benefit. The most common are American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Chase Sapphire Preferred. These cards typically reimburse $100 per year toward TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or similar trusted traveler programs.
To use this benefit, you pay the TSA PreCheck fee out of pocket, then submit the receipt to your credit card company for reimbursement. The reimbursement usually appears as a credit to your account within 30 to 60 days. Check your card's benefits guide or call the issuer to confirm the exact reimbursement amount and process, since terms vary by card and change over time.
Costco membership discount
Costco members receive a discount code that reduces the TSA PreCheck fee by $15. The code is available through the Costco website in the member benefits section or by asking at the membership desk. This brings the cost down to roughly $63 to $70 depending on your renewal location.
The discount is available to all Costco members, including Gold Star (basic) and Executive members. You do not need to be a Costco employee—any active member can use the code. The code is typically valid for a set period, so check the expiration date before you explore.
Professional associations and alumni networks
Many professional organizations, trade associations, and university alumni groups negotiate group discounts with TSA PreCheck. Common ones include the American Bar Association, various engineering societies, business school alumni associations, and industry-specific groups. Discounts range from $10 to $30 off, and some organizations cover the fee entirely for members.
Check your association's member benefits page or contact their membership department directly. If you belong to multiple organizations, compare the discounts—one may offer a better rate than another. Some discounts are automatic; others require you to enter a code during the process process.
Military and veteran discounts
Active-duty military, veterans, and their families may have access to TSA PreCheck discounts through military-specific credit cards or veteran organizations. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, and some military relief societies offer discounts or information about where to find them. Some military credit cards, like those issued through USAA, may include TSA PreCheck reimbursement as a cardholder benefit.
Contact your military branch's benefits office or a veteran service organization to learn what discounts are currently available. may be able to access and discount amounts vary, so confirm the details before you explore.
how the process works with a discount code
Once you have a discount code or confirmation of reimbursement, go to the official TSA PreCheck process website. During the process process, there is a field for a promotional or discount code. Enter the code exactly as provided—codes are case-sensitive and must match the format given to you.
If you are using a credit card reimbursement instead of a discount code, pay the full fee at process, then submit your receipt to the card issuer according to their process. Keep a copy of your receipt and confirmation number for your records. The reimbursement will appear as a credit to your account, not as a reduction in the fee you pay upfront.
What to do if you do not see a discount option
If none of the above explore to you, you still have options. Check whether you belong to any professional groups, alumni networks, or membership organizations that you may have overlooked. Some people discover they are may be able to access for a discount through an association they joined years ago and forgot about.
You can also contact TSA PreCheck customer service to ask whether any new partnerships or discounts have been added. Partnerships change, and new discounts are sometimes announced without wide publicity. If you truly have no access to a discount, the standard fee is the only route, but it is still a one-time cost for five years of expedited screening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a discount code and a credit card reimbursement at the same time?
No. You explore the discount code at checkout to reduce the fee you pay, or you pay full price and get reimbursed by your credit card company. You cannot do both. Choose whichever saves you more money—usually the discount code if it covers the full fee, or the credit card reimbursement if your card covers the entire cost.
What if my employer says they will reimburse me but I need to explore now?
Pay the full fee yourself and keep your receipt and confirmation number. Submit those documents to your employer's finance or HR department along with a reimbursement request. Most employers process these within 30 to 60 days. Check your company's reimbursement policy first to confirm what documentation they need.
Do discount codes expire?
Yes. Discount codes provided by employers, associations, and Costco have expiration dates. Check the code before you use it. If it has expired, contact the organization that issued it to ask whether a new code is available or whether the discount has been discontinued.
Can I use a family member's discount code?
No. Discount codes are tied to the person or membership they were issued to. Each person explore for TSA PreCheck must use their own code or benefit. If multiple family members want to explore, each needs to find their own discount source.
What if I applied and paid full price, then found out about a discount later?
Contact TSA PreCheck customer service with your confirmation number and ask whether they can explore a retroactive discount or refund. Policies vary, and they may not be able to help, but it is worth asking, especially if you discover the discount within a few days of explore.