Is TSA PreCheck Worth It? Pros, Cons and Costs
Long lines at the airport won't be a problem with TSA PreCheck.

One way to make your vacation better is to spend as little time as possible in the airport. Programs like TSA PreCheck can help you bypass long lines during a busy travel season.
It seems like each holiday throughout the year has come with record-breaking travel crowds, and this winter is no different. AAA expects this year's number of domestic travelers to pass the previous record, which was set in 2019, with 119.3 million people expected to travel between December 21 and January 1.
There will be an expected 3 million more travelers this holiday season compared to last year, per AAA, so you could likely see crowded airports and long lines at the Transportation Security Administration screening. To combat lengthy wait times, TSA PreCheck provides an expedited screening program in approximately 200 airports across the United States.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
With a TSA PreCheck membership, you can drastically reduce the time spent waiting in the security line. Even better, you won’t have to worry about removing your shoes, electronics, belt or jacket when being screened.
How much does TSA PreCheck cost?
A five-year TSA PreCheck membership costs about $78, and you can renew it for $59-$78, depending on what method you use to renew, up to six months before it expires.
It could cost you less, though, as select travel rewards credit cards cover some or all TSA PreCheck application fees through statement credit reimbursement.
Children 12 and under can join their parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes, but children 13 to 17 have to have the logo on their boarding pass, which happens by booking them on the same airline reservation with the PreCheck-enrolled parent or guardian.
Before you buy, keep in mind your application to be deemed a low-risk traveler includes an in-person enrollment portion.
Is TSA PreCheck worth the money?
With a $78 one-time fee, you pay about $15.50 per year over five years. What do you get for your money? Shorter wait times. Up to 99% of PreCheck members wait less than 10 minutes at security, according to the TSA. Quick service via TSA PreCheck is also great for frequent fliers who plan to take multiple trips over the course of a year.
The lines at TSA PreCheck theoretically move faster than a traditional TSA security line because there are fewer security requirements with PreCheck. For example, you don't have to take off your shoes or remove your laptop from your briefcase. In addition to saving time, PreCheck members are happy with those conveniences. Note, though, that passengers 75 and older don't have to take off their shoes regardless which line they're in.
Even if you're not rushing to catch your plane every time you travel, TSA PreCheck can come in especially handy at some of the busiest airports. With the ability to breeze through the security line, you'll have more time to make your way to your gate — which in bigger airports, could be quite a trek from TSA.
Get TSA PreCheck benefits with Global Entry
If you often travel internationally, you may be better off applying for Global Entry. Run by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Global Entry costs $120 for a five-year membership and includes a TSA PreCheck benefit.
Plan on it taking from four-to-six months for your application to be processed. You can get updates and track the status of your application at check the Trusted Traveler Program website.
Additionally, it offers expedited customs processes when returning to the United States from out of the country. Instead of dealing with customs interviews and paperwork, Global Entry members can complete their customs declaration at a Global Entry kiosk.
Is TSA PreCheck the same as Clear?
While going through airport security, you may also see signs for Clear. Clear is a company that uses biometrics for security clearances, and there are now many airports that use it.
PreCheck and Clear are different services. With Clear, you go through a different security line and, theoretically, get to skip the traditional security line and instead be escorted to the front of it.
Much like how Global Entry gives you TSA PreCheck, you can get both Clear and PreCheck. However, there's an extra cost associated with the Clear and PreCheck bundle.
For more details on the differences, see our article on Clear vs TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry.
Related Content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Erin pairs personal experience with research and is passionate about sharing personal finance advice with others. Previously, she was a freelancer focusing on the credit card side of finance, but has branched out since then to cover other aspects of personal finance. Erin is well-versed in traditional media with reporting, interviewing and research, as well as using graphic design and video and audio storytelling to share with her readers.
-
Stagflation: What It Is and Why Retirees Should Care
Stagflation — the economic bogeyman of the 1970's — may return to the US. Here's what it could mean to your retirement.
By Donna Fuscaldo Published
-
Why Losing Your Job Could Be the Best Opportunity to Plan Your Future
Amid this uncertainty lies an opportunity for strategic reassessment and personal growth.
By Mario Hernandez Published
-
Empower Review: Is This Financial Hub the Right Tool for You?
Empower offers you a way to see all your financial accounts and set savings goals in one digital hub.
By Sean Jackson Published
-
See How Much Auto Tariffs Could Raise Your Car Insurance Rates
President Donald Trump issued a 25% tariff on all car imports. See how this tariff impacts the cost of your car insurance.
By Sean Jackson Published
-
When Your Car Is Fixed, But You've Still Got the Problem
This reader's experience with trying to get squealing brakes fixed under an extended warranty mirrors what others are experiencing these days.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq. Published
-
Bigger Social Security Checks Are Arriving in April
Payments to eligible retired public sector employees will increase starting in April due to the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA)..
By Donna LeValley Published
-
5 CDs to Put Your Tax Refund Into
Planning to get a tax refund this year? Treat your future self with a risk-free way to grow your money. Here are the 5 best CDs to consider.
By Sean Jackson Published
-
Seven Questions to Ask When Evaluating Personal Loan Options
Taking out a personal loan too hastily could lock you into unfavorable terms with an untrustworthy lender. Ask these questions before signing anything.
By David Kimball Published
-
What Can a Donor-Advised Fund Do for You? (A Lot)
DAFs and private foundations go about helping charities (and those who donate) in different ways. Each comes with its own benefits and restrictions to navigate.
By Julia Chu Published
-
6 Great Vacation Ideas for Wheelchair Users
These six places provide plenty of travel inspiration for people who use wheelchairs.
By Becca van Sambeck Published