After having “non-rev” privileges with Southwest Airlines, Christy dove into the world of points and miles so she could continue traveling for free. Her other passion is personal finance, and is a cer...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
65 comments
Dick Wallin
April 10, 2018
How does a person renew the Trusted Traveler Pre check after 5 years? Do you go to an enrollment center, or can it be done on line? Thanks
Alex Miller
April 11, 2018
Great question. We actually covered this in our Global Entry piece, you’ll see the information right here: /travel/global-entry-program/#Renewing-Your-Membership
Thanks!
Terri
December 18, 2022
If I have a concealed carry permit do I have to pay tsa for another background check?
Jarrod West
December 19, 2022
Hi Terri,
Yes, you would still have to pay the TSA PreCheck application fee.
Bud Wright
September 16, 2018
The process for applying for TSA PreCheck is more cumbersome than going through the regular line.
Robyn
October 27, 2018
It was a wonderful process! Only 12 minutes from start to finsh!
J vance
January 10, 2020
Has anyone else noted an increased scrutiny by TSA since going through the process and expense of getting TSA pre- check? I have.
Nik Carter
March 10, 2019
No Bud, you’re wrong. TSA Precheck gets a special shorter line because less people have it. So, it is much quicker. No Shoes off, No Laptop out etc. And don’t forget you apply once in 5 years. How many times do you fly in 5 years domestic and international, use TSA Precheck.
Carrie Hansen
November 13, 2018
Do they require a govt photo ID for a 13 and 14 year old? My daughters do not have a drivers license of course. Any other options besides applying first for a state issued photo id?
Jeff Brownson
November 13, 2018
Hey Carrie, a passport would work for a photo ID and would be a great thing for your kids to have so you can take advantage that next cheap airfare for a trip out of the country. Hope that helps.
Nik Carter
March 10, 2019
Carrie … If children travel with parents
TSA Precheck of parent cover all kids too
JetPig
September 23, 2021
As long as they’re 12 years old or younger.
Gretchen Erickson
December 03, 2018
I received TSA PRECHECK after filling out info on myself before I accompanied my wheel chair bound mother to the gate several years ago and received pre check always after that except now recently I haven’t been receiving it. What do I need to do to get it back?
Alex Miller
December 07, 2018
Hi Gretchen. You’d need to get approved for TSA PreCheck so that you are guaranteed to get PreCheck whenever you’re traveling alone, with others etc
MARGARET A LUTHER
December 14, 2018
I do not know my TSA number. How do I find it? Yes, I have one. I used it December 2017.
Christine Krzyszton
December 15, 2018
Hi Margaret! If you signed up for TSA PreCheck and paid the $85 for the 5 year membership, you can access your account with this link. You may also search your email for a confirmation notice of your registration. If you have a Known Traveler Number, you can also access that account here. https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/precheck Thanks for your question.
Mike Rickert
December 22, 2018
Can I use a debit card for the application fee?
Christine Krzyszton
December 23, 2018
Hi Mike and thanks for your question. The TSA website does not list debit cards as an acceptable form of payment. It reads, “You may pay the $85 TSA Pre✓® Application Program fee with a credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier’s check.” However, some debit cards are capable of processing a transaction as credit. Personally, I would try it.
Betsy
January 04, 2019
I already have a level 2 background screening. Do I still need a background check?
Stephen Au
January 04, 2019
Hey Betsy,
TSA will perform the background check when you apply for PreCheck. It’s a part of the application process. But, the good thing is that you won’t see any of this. All you do is apply!
Larry
December 07, 2019
I have an Amex Business Platinum card which I would like my daughter to use to pay for her TSA PRE. I understand that she must apply and the schedule an interview and bring my credit card to the interview to pay her $85 application fee. Will TSA let her pay with my card? She is married and now has a different last name.
Katie Seemann
December 09, 2019
Hi Larry,
You’ll pay the application fee online when you apply for TSA PreCheck. She shouldn’t need to bring the card to the interview.
Dante Martinez
June 02, 2019
I was approved and added my known traveler number with Delta. However, on my last flight my boarding pass did not indicate TSA PreCheck. When I called Delta, they advised me that TSA randomly selects to not allow you through the PreCheck lines. Does this sound correct? If that’s true, it would be quite frustrating as you are paying for and applying for what then??
Christy Rodriguez
June 02, 2019
Hi Dante, technically TSA PreCheck isn’t a guaranteed perk. However, we’ve noticed that TSA PreCheck isn’t included only when something goes wrong with your booking process.
For example, did you happen to book the flight before you added your known traveler number to your account? Sometimes it isn’t applied to prior bookings. It could also have something to do with your TSA PreCheck information not exactly matching your ticket’s information. It’s hard to know specifically what happened, but I don’t believe it’s a common occurrence to not be granted PreCheck.
I definitely agree that’s frustrating, so be sure to check those common issues above. Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
Annabelle McCaw
June 03, 2019
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS. I’ve had this for 5 years and has never showed up on my boarding pass.
Christy Rodriguez
June 03, 2019
Hi Annabelle, sorry to hear that PreCheck wasn’t worth it for you.
Please be advised that you do have to add your known traveler number (received from TSA PreCheck) to your airline’s information. This isn’t done automatically. If you still have PreCheck, make sure you add this when you’re making your next booking!
Otherwise, I would be sure to contact TSA directly here: https://www.tsa.gov/contact
as you should be eligible for this on your flights!
Annabelle McCaw
August 18, 2019
Hello Christy, TIN was added everytime I booked but never shows up on the boarding pass. I recently encountered another lady who has been having the same problem with TSA.
Decided it’s best to keep your money in your pocket, where it belongs, and be a responsible adult and just arrive at the airport early, it’s not that hard people.
Christy Rodriguez
August 18, 2019
Hi Annabelle, I’m not exactly sure what a TIN is. If you have TSA PreCheck, make sure you’re entering it in the Known Traveler Number (or KTN) area. If that’s not working, I would definitely contact TSA as this should work the vast majority of times!
But yes, TSA PreCheck is definitely not a necessity, but sure nice to have – especially if you’ve already paid for it!
Julie
July 27, 2021
Is there a separate cost for the application other than the $85 fee? I know someone who paid $140 for the application plus the $85 fee.
Jarrod West
July 27, 2021
Hi Julie,
You should not have to pay any other fee other than the $85 application fee. Are you sure your friend didn’t apply for another program in addition to TSA PreCheck?
Rebecca L Schmitt
July 22, 2019
I had purchased TSA precheck in 2016, however when I traveled this last weekend I was told I did not have it. I am wondering how I can get TSAPrecheck on my current ticket to travel to Michigan on July 24, 2019 (traveling with Frontier Airlines from Orlando FL) and for future travel. I believe I have another two years left on my TSA Precheck.
Also I was wondering if TSA Precheck covers all airlines, or do I have to purchase TSA Precheck for every airline? (I wouldn’t think so).
Please advise ASAP. Thank you, Rebecca L Schmitt
Christy Rodriguez
July 22, 2019
Hi Rebecca! So TSA PreCheck lasts for 5 years, so you should still have it. A few things to check:
1) When you make a reservation, you have to include the Known Traveler Number that you received when you originally got TSA PreCheck – this isn’t done automatically. If you don’t know this, you can check that here. You can also include this after the fact for bookings you have previously made by managing your booking online.
2) Not all airports participate, so I’m not sure where you flew from/to last weekend, but this may also be why you didn’t have it. We have a list of participating locations in the article, but Orlando is included!
As far as which airlines are included, we actually have a list of all of the participating airlines in this article, so be sure to check that out.
Hope this helps!
Francis Keays
July 26, 2019
I had my in person interview- not much of an interview past getting fingerprinted and my credit card charged begining of the week. I was told that I could be able to get my KTN in a few days by looking it up. I have, but it doesn’t give me my number, it give me this message, “ELIGIBILITY DETERMINED
TSA mailed you a letter with information regarding your eligibility determination. If you do not receive this letter within 10 days of receiving this status, please contact the UES Call Center for assistance.
Status as of 7/23/2019.”
Does this mean I have been declined?
Christy Rodriguez
July 26, 2019
Hi Francis, from the “Eligibility Determined”, it sounds like you have been approved. It does typically take a few days to get your official approval letter, so I would suggest checking again early next week regarding your status.
Just as a reminder, we are not affiliated with TSA is any way, so I would suggest contacting them directly with any questions. Here is a link with all of the contact options.
Thanks for reading!
Suzanne
August 20, 2019
I only have 5 weeks until my already scheduled vacation. Do I have time to get the TSA PreCheck? Do I have time for the Global Entry? We plan on a London trip next year, so the Global may be better, but, would I have time to include this trip? Thanks
Christy Rodriguez
August 20, 2019
Hi Suzanne. On their website, TSA notes that the TSA PreCheck approval process “takes approximately 2-3 weeks, although many applicants receive their approval in a few days.” Global Entry (which does come with TSA PreCheck) processing times takes on average 11 weeks to be conditionally approved. After that, you would need to schedule an interview, which may be a few months out.
So it seems like you might have time to get TSA PreCheck, but this would be double cost if you plan on later applying for Global Entry. Ultimately, the decision on what is best is up to you!
Val
August 25, 2019
How does this work if you travel with a pet?
Christy Rodriguez
August 25, 2019
Hi Val, great question. If you have TSA PreCheck, you will proceed through the designated line as usual. You may be asked to hold your pet or walk them through the machine. (TSA agents may also ask you to put their leash and collar through the x-ray belt.)
Also, we have a whole guide to the best airports for pets with a guide to navigating security that you should definitely check out. Thanks for reading!
Michael
September 14, 2019
I was told that my Texas Commercial Drivers License allows me to go through TSA PreCheck. Just wondering if this was true. My company bought me a ticket to fly me home and it was on my boarding pass. Wasn’t sure if it was a company thing or for my CDL.
Christy Rodriguez
September 14, 2019
Hi Michael, I think what you’re referring to is TSA’s Hazmat Endorsement. The website says that you should apply if you have a state-issued CDL and are required to transport materials that require placarding under the Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations.
This is a separate program and doesn’t grant automatic access to TSA PreCheck. Check out this website for more details: https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/
There are a few reasons you could get TSA PreCheck without paying – but basically the TSA runs your information prior to your flight and determines that you are a low-level threat and grants you the one-time privilege. The only way to ensure that you get this is by applying for the PreCheck program.
Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
Cathy
September 16, 2019
If we get approved for PreCheck but have already purchased our boarding passes (prior to getting approved), can we use the PreCheck lines? Or are we out of luck?
Christy Rodriguez
September 16, 2019
Hi Cathy, I’m not sure what you mean by “purchased our boarding passes”. If you mean that you’ve paid for your tickets before getting approved for PreCheck, yes! You can still go in and manage your reservation online and add in your Known Traveler Number (that you will receive once approved for PreCheck) on to your reservation.
If you’ve already received your boarding passes for your flight in the next day, then you would be out of luck for this trip since the TSA PreCheck marker does need to be on the boarding pass to use the PreCheck lines.
Hope this helps!
Cathy
September 18, 2019
Thank you so much Christy.
We have purchased tickets but have not received/printed them. We do not fly out until 10-06-2019.
Dr. Samson Adegbite
October 07, 2019
How do I renew my Pre-Check approval after it expires.
Christy Rodriguez
October 07, 2019
Hi Samson, ideally you would want to renew TSA PreCheck before it expires as you can do this 6 months prior to expiration. If it is already expired, you may have to go through the initial enrollment process again depending on how long it has been expired (more than 1 year).
In either case, renewal (or re-enrollment, if necessary) can be completed online through your Trusted Traveler Profile here: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck. Note that some people will have to renew in person to provide updated data or new fingerprints though. Hope this helps!
Mary Auge
November 16, 2019
I did the complete TSA Precheck a few months ago, paid the fee & got approved. I recently flew to Phoenix, AZ from Minneapolis, MN on Southwest. I entered my TSA Precheck ID#. I had TSA PRE on my initial flight but not on the return. Why not? SW Flight #1014 on Nov. 7, Return SW Flight #2374 on Nov. 12. Phoenix is a TSA Precheck friendly airport. Did I miss not putting it in again when I printed my return ticket? Was that necessary when it was entered on my reservation? I was not happy. Thank you, M. Auge
Katie Seemann
November 17, 2019
Hi Mary,
I understand how frustrating that can be! (The same thing has happened to me). In this instance, it sounds like a fluke since you had TSA Precheck on your first flight. Unfortunately, that can happen sometimes. If you don’t get TSA Precheck you can go to the ticket counter and give them your Known Traveler Number and they should be able to add it for you.
Joe
December 27, 2019
If you complete this TSA precheck application and are approved, how long do you have to schedule the interview? (Ie approval good for 2 months, 6 months, a year?)
Jarrod West
December 28, 2019
Hi Joe,
After your application approval, you will have 30 days to schedule an interview, but up to 1 year to complete that interview.
Donnie Henson
September 05, 2020
I’m a disabled American veteran with a permanent retired military ID card. Do I still need to apply for a TSA PreCheck membership or can I use this for a known traveler card?
Jarrod West
September 09, 2020
Hi Donnie,
Known traveler numbers are only given to people who are members of NEXUS, SENTRI, TSA PreCheck, or Global Entry. So you would need to apply for one of those programs in order to receive one.
Thanks for reading!
Cathy
October 08, 2020
I just applied for the TSA pre-Check, and now have an interview scheduled. Is there a way to upgrade to Global instead? Do I have to redo the application?
Jarrod West
October 08, 2020
Hi Cathy,
I recommend you call the office where your interview is scheduled and see if this is possible. But I anticipate that you will have to submit a new application.
Judith
February 03, 2021
If you go through the TSA PreCheck process and received a known traveler number, do you still need to obtain a Real ID?
Christy Rodriguez
February 04, 2021
Hi Judith,
Unfortunately REAL ID requires a photo ID, which TSA PreCheck doesn’t provide. There are a few other options you could use instead of getting a REAL ID driver’s license, such as a Global Entry card or your passport/passport card. Hope this helps!
Laurene
January 28, 2022
What in the world do people who can’t get in for interview/fingerprinting due to job scheduling. Is there no other option for these services?
Jarrod West
January 29, 2022
Hi Laurene,
Unfortunately, not at this time. It seems the only option is to try and make it work with your schedule.
Cathy Steffens
July 14, 2022
If approved can I add the Known Traveler Number to a flight I’ve already purchased?
Katie Seemann
July 15, 2022
Hi Cathy,
Yes, once you have a Known Traveler Number you can go in and add it to any existing flight reservations you may have. I’ve also been able to add it at the ticket counter before a flight.
Margaret LaPlante
February 05, 2023
Is there a top age where you automatically get TSA Pre-check. Example at 75 or 80?
Keri Stooksbury
February 06, 2023
Hi Margaret. TSA PreCheck is a fee-based program, regardless of age. Thanks for reading!
jennifer tiernan
April 13, 2023
Can my almost 18 year old go to the TSA appointment without me (an adult)?
Jarrod West
April 13, 2023
Hi Jennifer,
If your child is still a minor at the time of appointment then you would need to accompany them. Thanks for reading!
Joseph Sullivan
May 04, 2023
I am a TSA Member and received a letter with my numbers etc. Will I also be receiving a card from you as I will be travelling shortly if I should need one, as of yet I have not received one.
Jarrod West
May 04, 2023
Hi Joseph,
No, there is not a TSA PreCheck card.
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