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.
To apply, go to the TSA PreCheck enrollment page at tsa.gov/precheck and select an enrollment provider. TSA works with two authorized enrollment providers: IDEMIA and Telos. Both charge the same $78 fee. You'll fill out a personal information form online — name, address, date of birth, citizenship status — and then schedule an in-person appointment at one of more than 400 enrollment centers nationwide, many of which are located inside airports and UPS stores. At the appointment, you provide two forms of ID (passport and driver's license is the standard combination), submit fingerprints, and pay the fee if you haven't already online.
Most applicants receive their KTN within three to five business days, though TSA notes that processing can take up to 60 days in edge cases involving more complex background reviews. Once you have your KTN, you add it to every airline booking in the "Known Traveler Number" field — it appears on your boarding pass as "TSA PRE," which directs you to the dedicated lane.
The comparison to Global Entry comes up constantly, and the answer is almost always the same: if you travel internationally even once a year, Global Entry is the better value. At $100 for five years (a $22 premium over PreCheck), Global Entry includes PreCheck benefits automatically plus expedited customs processing when re-entering the U.S. from abroad. You get both programs for the price of slightly more than one. The application process is more involved — Global Entry requires a CBP background check and an interview at a Global Entry enrollment center, typically at an international airport — but approval rates are high for applicants with clean records.
Several credit cards now reimburse TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees as a cardholder benefit. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X, and Citi Prestige all provide a statement credit of up to $100 every four or five years specifically for trusted traveler program fees. For cardholders who already carry one of these cards, PreCheck or Global Entry is effectively free. It's worth checking your card's benefits portal before paying out of pocket.
**What this means for you**
The decision math is simple for frequent domestic travelers. Five years of PreCheck costs $78. One missed flight due to a checkpoint delay on a basic economy ticket can cost $150–$400 in rebooking fees depending on the airline and route. If you fly domestically four or more times a year, the time savings alone — roughly 12 minutes per checkpoint on average — add up to hours over the course of a membership. Analysts at the U.S. Travel Association estimated in a 2024 report that frequent business travelers lose an average of 3.6 hours per year to avoidable airport security delays.
There are a few things PreCheck doesn't fix. International departures from foreign airports are not covered — TSA jurisdiction ends at the U.S. border. PreCheck also doesn't guarantee lane access on every flight; airlines must support the program, and a small number of carriers and charter operators don't. And TSA reserves the right to redirect PreCheck holders to standard lanes during high-volume events, though this is rare outside of extreme surge conditions.
Spring break 2026 runs through mid-April. TSA enrollment centers are taking appointments now at most major airports. The online application takes about 10 minutes, the in-person appointment about the same. For anyone who has been meaning to apply for years and keeps not doing it — the line you're standing in right now is the reminder.