Jazmin Li
TSA PreCheck® is a program that allows eligible travellers to speed up their screening process at participating U.S. airports and for most international trips. Travellers can enrol at any of the 544 enrolment centres across the U.S. and do not need an appointment. Enrolment takes 10 minutes and includes fingerprinting, document and photo capture, and payment. Travellers can also enrol if they are a member of a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler program, such as Global Entry, SENTRI, or NEXUS.
Can I buy TSA PreCheck at the airport?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is TSA PreCheck? | An expedited security program that allows eligible travelers to speed up their screening process at participating U.S. airports and for most international trips. |
| Who is eligible for TSA PreCheck? | U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, citizens of partner countries enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI, and Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS. |
| How to participate in TSA PreCheck? | Apply and get approval from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). |
| Benefits of TSA PreCheck | Participants may go through a dedicated screening lane at the airport where they may not need to remove their shoes, jacket, belt, or laptop from their bag. About 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes. |
| Enrollment process for TSA PreCheck | No appointment is needed. Complete an online application in 5 minutes, then finish enrollment in 10 minutes at an enrollment center by providing fingerprints, documents, photos, and payment. |
| Enrollment locations for TSA PreCheck | There are 544 enrollment centers, some of which are open 7 days a week with extended hours. |
| TSA PreCheck for children | Children 17 and under can join an adult with TSA PreCheck when it appears on the child's boarding pass. |
| TSA PreCheck Touchless ID | AAdvantage members can opt in to use facial recognition instead of a boarding pass or ID to move through security faster. |
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What You'll Learn
TSA PreCheck® enrollment
TSA PreCheck® is a program that expedites traveller screening at participating airports. Travellers with TSA PreCheck® can go through a dedicated screening lane where they may not need to remove their shoes, jacket, belt, or laptop from their bag. Children under 18 can join an adult with TSA PreCheck® when it appears on the child's boarding pass.
To enrol in TSA PreCheck®, you can follow these steps:
- Submit your application online: The first step is to submit your TSA PreCheck® application online. This can be done in as little as 5 minutes.
- Complete your enrolment: After submitting your application, you will need to complete the enrolment process at a chosen provider. This includes fingerprinting, document and photo capture, and payment. This step can also be completed in as little as 10 minutes.
- Renew your enrolment: To renew your TSA PreCheck® enrolment, you can pick an enrolment provider and complete the renewal online.
It's important to note that TSA PreCheck® is available to US citizens, US lawful permanent residents, and citizens of partner countries enrolled in specific Trusted Traveller programs. These include Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. If you are a member of one of these programs, you can enter your membership number (PASS ID) in the "Known Traveller Number" field when booking reservations or adding it to your frequent flyer profile with the airline. This allows the TSA's Secure Flight System to verify your eligibility for TSA PreCheck®.
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TSA PreCheck® renewal
TSA PreCheck® membership can be renewed online up to six months before the expiration date. The new membership period begins as the current one ends, so there is no disadvantage to renewing early. Alternatively, members can renew in person at an enrollment centre. If a member has changed their name since enrolment, they must either visit an enrolment centre to complete the renewal process in person or update their information online.
The cost of renewal varies by enrolment provider, and the fee covers a period of five years. Members will receive a renewal notification via email and/or text message six months, three months, one month, and two weeks before their expiration.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud during the renewal process, you should report it to your local police department and file a report at the Federal Trade Commission's website, ReportFraud.gov. You should also contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Please note that TSA will not issue a reimbursement to applicants who attempt to renew through a fraudulent website.
You can also check if your credit card or loyalty program may help cover renewal fees.
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TSA PreCheck® eligibility
TSA PreCheck® is a program that expedites traveller screening through participating TSA security checkpoints. U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and citizens of partner countries enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI are eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck®. Canadian citizens who are NEXUS members are also eligible.
If you are a member of one of the aforementioned programs, you must enter your membership number (PASS ID) in the "Known Traveler Number" (KTN) field when booking your reservation. Alternatively, you can enter it into your frequent flyer profile with the airline. This enables the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Secure Flight System to verify that you are a legitimate CBP Trusted Traveler and eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck.
Children under 17 do not need to apply for TSA PreCheck® unless they routinely travel alone. When travelling with a family that has TSA PreCheck®, children under 17 are eligible to join the TSA PreCheck® lane as long as the adult's boarding pass has the TSA PreCheck® indicator.
To be eligible for TSA PreCheck®, you must meet the requirements of one of the DHS trusted traveller programs: TSA PreCheck® Application Program, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. If you travel internationally four or more times a year, Global Entry is recommended. Otherwise, TSA PreCheck® is a suitable choice for domestic travellers.
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TSA PreCheck® application process
The TSA PreCheck® Application Program allows eligible travellers to receive expedited screening at over 200 participating US airports and on more than 81 airlines. To apply for TSA PreCheck®, you must be a US citizen, a US lawful permanent resident, or a citizen of a partner country enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI. Canadian citizens who are NEXUS members are also eligible.
The first step is to review the various DHS trusted traveller programs to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and determine the best program for you. If you travel internationally four or more times a year, consider enrolling in Global Entry. If you take fewer than four international trips a year, TSA PreCheck is a great choice for domestic travellers.
To apply for TSA PreCheck®, you must go in person to one of the over 400 TSA PreCheck® application centres nationwide, including at airports. You can pre-enrol online and make an appointment, or walk in without an appointment. The online application takes five minutes to complete, with the in-person visit taking 10 minutes. During the in-person process, the enrolment provider will collect your biometric data (fingerprints, photo), verify identity documents, and collect payment.
You must provide an original or certified copy of identity/citizenship status documentation during the application process, and the names on all documents must match exactly with the name provided on the application. If you have legally changed your name, you must provide an original or certified name change document (such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree) in addition to the required documentation.
Applicants pay a non-refundable $85 fee to cover the cost of background checks. If approved, most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in 3-5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days.
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TSA PreCheck® for children
Generally, children do not need to apply for TSA PreCheck® unless they routinely travel alone. When travelling as a family, children aged 17 and under are eligible for TSA PreCheck® without their own Known Traveller Number (KTN) as long as they meet certain criteria. The TSA PreCheck® indicator does not need to be on the child's boarding pass for them to accompany you in the TSA PreCheck® lane. However, if the child is on a separate airline reservation, they will not be able to access TSA PreCheck® without their own KTN.
To get the TSA PreCheck® indicator on your child's boarding pass, make sure that both the adult and child are on the same airline reservation and that the adult's boarding pass has the TSA PreCheck® indicator. If the child does not have their own KTN, do not enter one for them on the reservation; leave the KTN field blank.
If your child routinely travels alone, they should enrol in TSA PreCheck® or another DHS Trusted Traveller Program. Unaccompanied minors without an adult escort in the TSA PreCheck® lanes must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening. TSA PreCheck® benefits do not apply to gate passes, even if the child has membership status.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy TSA PreCheck at the airport. It is available at select locations open 7 days a week with extended hours. You can also enroll online in as little as 5 minutes.
TSA PreCheck is an expedited security program that allows eligible travelers to speed up their screening process at participating U.S. airports and for most international trips.
To qualify for TSA PreCheck, you must apply and get approval from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and citizens of partner countries enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI are eligible to participate.
With TSA PreCheck, travelers can expedite their screening process at participating airports. TSA PreCheck passengers typically wait less than 10 minutes, and they don't need to remove their shoes, belts, jackets, or laptops from their bags.
