A Smooth Flight: Pre-Check Airport Essentials

TSA PreCheck is a membership program offered by the Transportation Security Administration. It allows travellers to access an expedited screening lane at participating airports. To enrol in TSA PreCheck, you must be a U.S. citizen, fill out an online application, and pay a non-refundable $85 fee every 5 years. Once approved, you will receive a Known Traveller Number (KTN) which you must add to your airline reservations. The TSA PreCheck logo will then appear on your boarding pass, allowing you to use the PreCheck lane. In this lane, you can keep your shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and you can leave electronics and liquids in your carry-on bag.

TSA PreCheck eligibility

To be eligible for TSA PreCheck, you must be a U.S. citizen. The TSA PreCheck program is offered through the Transportation Security Administration and provides travellers with access to an expedited screening lane at participating airports.

To enrol in TSA PreCheck, you must fill out an online application and provide personal information, including your name, address, date of birth, employment history, and travel history. You will also need to pay a non-refundable $85 fee every 5 years.

Once your application is approved, you will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). This number must be added to your airline reservations to receive TSA PreCheck benefits. However, having a KTN does not automatically add the benefits to your flight reservations. You must ensure that your airline has your KTN on file so that the TSA PreCheck logo can be added to your boarding pass.

Only with the TSA PreCheck logo on your boarding pass can you access the TSA PreCheck lane at the airport. This lane allows travellers to keep their shoes, belts, and light jackets on during screening. Electronics and liquids can also remain in carry-on bags.

How to apply for TSA PreCheck

To apply for TSA PreCheck, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident, and be void of criminal records. You can pre-enrol online and make an appointment for the in-person process, or walk into an enrolment centre without an appointment. There are over 400 TSA PreCheck application centres nationwide, including 350 off-airport locations. You can find the location nearest to you on the TSA website.

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. The application fee is $85, which covers the cost of background checks and is non-refundable.

Once approved, you will receive your Known Traveller Number (KTN) in 3-5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days. You will receive an email or phone notification with instructions on retrieving your KTN online. You can then add your KTN to your airline reservations.

After you have been approved for TSA PreCheck, your benefits will not automatically be applied to your flight reservations. You will have to share your KTN with your airline, which will then add the TSA PreCheck logo to your boarding pass.

What to do if you forget to add your Known Traveller Number

To do precheck at the airport, you need to enrol in the TSA PreCheck membership program. You can do this by filling out an online application and paying a non-refundable $85 fee every 5 years. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Once approved, you will receive a Known Traveller Number (KTN), which you must add to your airline reservations.

If you forget to add your KTN when booking your flight, you can still add it to an existing reservation. Go to the airline's website or mobile app and pull up your reservation using the confirmation number or record locator. Then, go to the traveller information section and enter your KTN. If you have already checked in for your flight and downloaded your boarding pass, you may need to re-download the boarding pass to see "TSA PreCheck" appear.

If you are a member of another trusted traveller program, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, log on to the Trusted Traveller Program website to obtain your PASSID, which is your KTN. If your TSA PreCheck benefits come through HME, TWIC, or DoD, visit these respective links for additional information.

What to expect at the checkpoint

When you arrive at the airport, go to the line marked for TSA PreCheck passengers. You will need to show your boarding pass, which will have the TSA PreCheck logo on it if you are eligible. In this line, you won't need to remove your shoes, light jacket, belt or electronics and liquids from your bag. You will also go through a metal detector instead of a body scanner.

To be eligible for TSA PreCheck, you must be a U.S. citizen and fill out an online application. You will need to provide personal information, such as your name, address, date of birth, employment history and travel history. You will also need to pay a non-refundable $85 fee every 5 years.

Once you are approved, you will receive a Known Traveller Number (KTN), which you must add to your airline reservations. This will allow you to use the TSA PreCheck lane at the airport.

Even if you forget to add your KTN at the time of booking, you can still add TSA PreCheck to an existing reservation. You will need to update your existing flights and airline loyalty program profiles to be able to use the TSA PreCheck lane.

How to renew your TSA PreCheck

To do PreCheck at the airport, you need to have a TSA PreCheck logo on your boarding pass. To get this, you must first apply for TSA PreCheck. Once approved, you will be given a Known Traveler Number (KTN) which you must share with your airline. You can then add your KTN to your airline reservations.

To renew your TSA PreCheck, you can either renew online or in person at a TSA enrollment centre. To renew online, go to the TSA PreCheck website and select the 'Renewal' tab. You will then be asked to enter your KTN, date of birth, and legal last name. You will then be guided through a series of screens where you will be asked to confirm your address and passport information and answer some security questions. You will then need to pay a renewal fee of $70 online or $78 in person. If you pay with a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you may be entitled to a statement credit as reimbursement for the application fee.

Frequently asked questions