TSA PreCheck enrollment hit a record 20 million members in 2025, according to the Transportation Security Administration — and the number continues to climb as more travelers calculate the math on a program that costs less than a single checked bag fee and lasts five years. If you've never applied, the process is simpler than most people assume. If your membership lapsed, renewal takes about five minutes online. Either way, spring break is the best possible reminder that the standard screening lane isn't your only option.
The core benefit is straightforward: PreCheck members use dedicated lanes at more than 200 U.S. airports where the rules are materially different. You don't remove your shoes, your belt, or your laptop. Your 3-1-1 liquids bag stays in your carry-on. Light jackets stay on. The AIT body scanner may still be used, but the process is faster because your bag isn't triggering alerts from unpacked electronics. TSA data shows PreCheck lanes average about five minutes, compared to 17 minutes in standard lanes during off-peak periods and significantly longer during spring break and summer.
The current cost is $78 for a five-year membership — a price TSA set in 2023 when it revised its fee structure. That works out to $15.60 per year, or roughly the price of one airport sandwich. Online renewal, introduced in 2023 for members whose Known Traveler Number (KTN) is still active, costs $70 and doesn't require an in-person appointment. First-time applicants must complete a background check and an in-person enrollment appointment, but the appointment itself takes about 10 minutes.
