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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens more than two million people each day nationwide. With the long waits at security checkpoint lines and the worry of potentially missing a flight, being at the airport can be a stressful experience for many travelers.
Luckily, travelers with TSA PreCheck can experience less airport anxiety because they get to skip the long security check line by enjoying an expedited screening through the separate, shorter TSA PreCheck lanes. PreCheck travelers also do not need to remove 3-1-1 liquids from their carry-on bags.
Learn more about how to get TSA PreCheck the next time you fly with certain airlines, and check out our TSA PreCheck guide on whether the program is worth it.
How to Sign Up for TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is a traveler program that requires a background check, verification and in-person interview process at an enrollment center to ensure those who qualify are low-risk travelers. You will need to provide a government-issued ID and proof of citizenship. The cost to enroll is $78 for five years.
Once a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has been approved for the TSA PreCheck program, they can be eligible for expedited screening at participating U.S. airports. Members will also be given a nine-digit Known Traveler Number (KTN) that will be used when booking airline travel reservations so that TSA PreCheck status will appear on their boarding passes.
Quick Tip
When you add TSA PreCheck to your airline rewards program, the information is automatically added to any new flight you book.
Can You Get TSA PreCheck for Free?
Yes, there are several ways to get TSA PreCheck for free:
- Active members of the military or Department of Defense employees (DOD) can qualify for free TSA PreCheck by using their DOD ID number as their "Known Traveler Number."
- Certain travel credit cards offer to reimburse the TSA PreCheck application fee as a part of the card perk.
- Random passengers may be selected to receive TSA PreCheck as a way to introduce people to the program and hope they sign up.
Best Credit Cards for TSA PreCheck
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
- APR21.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$550
-
Sign-Up Bonus
60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. Dollar Equivalent: $1,320 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.022 base)
This card features an annual credit for travel purchases, which can offset the annual fee, plus bonus points when you sign up. You'll also get free access to tons of Priority Pass lounges and restaurant options around the world, along with access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge network.
Overview
If you’re looking to elevate your travel experience, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. When you first get approved, you’ll earn a generous sign-up bonus that can be used for travel-related spending booked through Chase Travel℠. Transfer the points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners and they’re potentially worth even more.
Pros
- An array of premium travel perks including access to Priority Pass lounges
- Easy-to-use $300 travel credit that helps offset card's annual fee
- Generous rewards rates for spending
Cons
- High annual fee may be a deterrent for some
- Perks are starting to get stale relative to newer competition
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
- APR20.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$99
-
Sign Up Bonus
140,000IHG One Rewards Points
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening Dollar Equivalent: $700 (140,000 IHG One Rewards Points * 0.005 base)
Aside from its astounding sign-up bonus, this card offers tons of value, especially for loyal IHG customers, like a free Reward Night on your account anniversary and Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member. Plus, it offers a Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA Pre✓® fee credit every four years, and IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at a variety of hotels.
Overview
Frequent customers of IHG hotels and other people who enjoy earning rewards nights for hotel stays and premium hotel status should consider picking up this card.
Pros
- Generous rewards rate on IHG Hotels and Resorts purchases
- Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status which gets you perks like upgrades
- Free reward night every account anniversary, with the potential to be worth hundreds of dollars
Cons
- Has an annual fee
- Only makes sense if you plan to stay at IHG properties
Aeroplan® Credit Card
- Our Rating 4.0/5 How our ratings work
- APR21.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$95
-
Sign-Up Bonus
100,000Air Canada Aeroplan Points
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 25,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months.
New credit card offers come out regularly, but this one stands out thanks to the welcome bonus’s huge value, points for dining and groceries, Air Canada status and more. Even with an annual fee, it’s easy to see how you can come out ahead with this offer. And if you don’t fly Air Canada regularly, you can use reward points with United Airlines and many other partners.
Overview
New credit card offers come out regularly, but this one stands out thanks to the welcome bonus’s huge value, 3x points for dining and groceries, Air Canada status, and much more. Even with a $95 annual fee, it’s easy to see how you can come out ahead with this big offer. Even if you don’t fly on Air Canada regularly, you can use reward points with United Airlines and many other partners.
Perks
- Automatic elite status at the 25K Status level for the remainder of the calendar year and the entire following calendar year.
- Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance
- Trip Delay Insurance
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
- Free first checked bag on flights booked with the card
- TSA or NEXUS Fee Credit: Get up to $100 back as a statement credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS
Pros
- Unlimited 3x points at groceries, dining and Air Canada purchases
- Free first checked bag on Air Canada flights
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee reimbursement
- Automatic elite status at the 25K Status level for the remainder of the calendar year and the entire following calendar year.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Rewards aren't as flexible as transferable points
How to Add TSA PreCheck on Delta
You can add your KTN information to your Delta Airlines SkyMiles account so it applies to all future bookings. Under your personal details, just add your information to the "TSA PreCheck/Known Traveler ID" section.
While Booking Travel
If you have a SkyMiles account, open the app. Your information should populate automatically, but triple-check it is there.
Not a SkyMiles member? No problem. On the page where you enter personal information, look for "Secure Flight Info." This is where you'll add the KTN. There will be an option to add a Redress Number. You can leave this part blank.
For Existing Reservations
Adding TSA PreCheck information to an existing Delta airline reservation is easy:
- Open the app.
- Go to your travel itinerary.
- Add in your KTN.
You should do this at least three days ahead of your scheduled travel or you risk missing the TSA PreCheck opportunity.
Delta U.S. Hub Airports
Delta has hubs at the following domestic airports, with these average wait times listed by the airline:
- Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport: 16 minutes
- Boston Logan International Airport: 18 minutes
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport: 11 minutes
- Los Angeles International Airport: 17 minutes
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: 13 minutes
- John F. Kennedy International Airport: 13 minutes
- LaGuardia Airport: 17 minutes
- Salt Lake City International Airport: 10 minutes
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: 7 minutes
Tip: You can download the TSA app to see current wait times at these airports, interact with a TSA member, and learn about flight delays.
Delta’s SkyMiles Rewards Program Review: How to Save Money and Find Deals on Flights
How to Add TSA PreCheck on American Airlines
If you are an AAdvantage member, you can add your TSA PreCheck KTN to your account under the "Information and Password" section.
While Booking Travel
Those who are not AAdvantage members can add their KTN to the personal information page, along with their name and birthdate during booking.
For Existing Reservations
If you already have a reservation but need to add your TSA PreCheck information, log into your reservation and select "Manage Trip." You can also call American Airlines Customer Service at 1-800-433-7300.
AA U.S. Hub Airports
American Airlines has hubs at the following airports with the following average wait times:
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: 3 minutes
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport: 6 minutes
- Chicago-O'Hare International Airport: 13 minutes
- Los Angeles International Airport: 5 minutes
- Miami International Airport: 10 minutes
- John F. Kennedy International Airport: 8 minutes
- LaGuardia Airport: 8 minutes
- Philadelphia International Airport: 4 minutes
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: 4 minutes
- Washington Reagan National Airport: 31 minutes
How to Get TSA PreCheck on Southwest
Southwest Airlines does a thorough job of explaining how TSA PreCheck works and how some travelers might be randomly chosen for expedited screening without being a TSA PreCheck member or having to pay the fee.
While Booking Travel
If you are logged into your Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards account, you can add the KTN to your member profile.
If you are not a Rapid Rewards member, you will add the KTN on the same page you enter your personal information. Look for the "Known Traveler #" slot. You do not have to enter a Redress number here, but you can add your Rapid Rewards number if you have one but aren't logged into your account.
For Existing Reservations
Log into your flight reservation under the "Traveler Info" section. You can add your KTN there.
You must have been approved for TSA PreCheck before you booked the flight in order for it to be used during a trip.
Southwest Hub Airports
Southwest Airlines has a list of every hub where TSA PreCheck is available. Some major airports include:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Austin International Airport
- Nashville International Airport
- Burbank Airport
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Orlando International Airport
- Chicago Midway International Airport
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- Oakland International Airport
- Palm Beach International Airport
- San Diego International Airport
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- San Francisco International Airport
- Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
- Tampa International Airport
Related Article
A Roundup of Current Southwest Credit Card Deals
How to Get TSA PreCheck on United Airlines
United Airlines offers the option of using your miles to pay for the TSA PreCheck application fee. You'll need to cash in around 11,000 miles to cover the $78 cost.
While Booking Travel
If you are logged into your United MileagePlus account, enter your KTN into your personal profile so it will apply to future reservations.
When booking a flight, you will add the KTN on the traveler information page under the heading "Known Traveler Number and Redress Number" section. Leave the Redress field blank.
For Existing Reservations
For flights that are already booked, go to "Manage Reservations" and "Edit Traveler Information." Add in the KTN as described above.
United Airlines Hub Airports
United has hubs in the following airports with the average wait times listed:
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport: 13 minutes
- Denver International Airport: 6 minutes
- Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport: 0-15 minute average wait time (per MyTSA app)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston: 5 minutes
- Los Angeles International Airport: 5 minutes
- Newark Liberty International Airport: 15 minutes
- San Francisco International Airport: 23 minutes
- Dulles International Airport: Almost 10 minutes
Renewing TSA PreCheck
For all the work you do on the front end to get approved for TSA PreCheck, it's good to know that renewing it can be done online and much faster. TSA PreCheck is $78 and is valid for five years, while renewals cost $70 for five years.
You can renew your TSA PreCheck membership online six months before it expires. Even better, the renewal will take effect on the expiration date or the current membership, not the date of renewal.
When renewing online, you don't have to reveal any personal information you don't want to, but if you leave anything out—accidentally or on purpose—you risk not being renewed and having TSA PreCheck privileges revoked.
What if I Changed My Name Since Qualifying for TSA PreCheck?
You can't use the online renewal if you changed your name. Start by calling the TSA Help Center at 1-855-347-8371. You might be required to go back to a TSA PreCheck physical site to get your name renewed. Make sure your driver's license and/or passport match the new name.
What If I Need to Change My Gender Identity?
TSA PreCheck launched a new process in April of 2022 where a person will select a gender when enrolling or renewing, but it does not have to match the gender on other documents or IDs.
TSA PreCheck Makes Traveling Easier
TSA PreCheck is worth it if you travel often but do not enjoy the stress and long wait times in the security lines. TSA PreCheck allows members to expedite the screening process, which only lasts approximately five minutes on average. If you fly once a year, the TSA PreCheck fee will break down to around $16 per flight. The more you fly, the more worth it the program becomes.
Travelers need to remember that TSA PreCheck is not guaranteed to be at all airports and there are no refunds for the fee if there isn't expedited screening available. You might have a boarding pass with a TSA PreCheck mark and be at an airport where expedited screening isn't an option.
For those who travel internationally often, Global Entry may be another travel program to consider.
Slickdeals Money Staff
The Slickdeals Money editorial team is dedicated to helping readers navigate the personal finance space. We’re passionate about educating our readers on the very best financial tools & products on the market today.
