How To Apply For Tsa Precheck

How to apply for TSA PreCheck? The question might pop up in your mind more than once, especially when you have to endure an agonising long TSA queue. 

TSA PreCheck is a membership program allowing you to pass the security check quickly and simply. You will save a considerable amount of time for each flight. It can be a lifesaver in busier airports.

So how can you get this huge change for your trip? In this article, let’s find out all you need to know about this program.

What Exactly Is TSA Precheck?

TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveller program which allows you to pass the security check fast and simple

TSA PreCheck is a membership program allowing you to pass the airport security check faster than usual. The program is available for every U.S. citizen, U.S. National and lawful permanent resident (LPR).

Members of the TSA PreCheck program will not have to remove 3-1-1 liquids, shoes, laptops, belts or light jackets. Thus, you travel faster and have less stress without waiting for a security check whenever you get on a plane.

Participants in this program can also proxy for children to benefit from it. If you travel with children under 18, they can also pass the security check in the TSA PreCheck line.

How To Apply For Tsa Precheck?

To apply for the TSA PreCheck, you must complete an online application. The form requires mainly your personal information and identity clarity.

A fee will also be required. The fee for a first-time applicant is about $78 for five years. If you are a first-time applicant, you will have to pay this fee in person.

After that, you must schedule an interview in person at one of the TSA enrollment centres or Staple Stores near your house. You can participate in the interview without booking beforehand. However, there is a high chance you will have to queue as more people sign up for the program. Plus, they will prioritise those books first.

You should book an appointment online first to be prioritized at the centre. Picture by Thomas Lefebvre on Unsplash

If your application is accepted, you will receive the result in around 3 to 5 days, and some might take up to 60 days. The updates will be provided through your registered communication method.

When your TSA PreCheck membership expires, you will have to renew it to continue enjoying the benefits. Though luckily, the procedure will be much faster and easier. Most steps will be done online, with a slightly lower fee of $70 for the next five years.

How Do You Qualify For TSA Precheck?

To apply for the TSA PreCheck, the requirements are quite simple. As long as you haven’t committed any criminal offence or violated transportation security regulatory requirements, your application form won’t be disqualified. However, you also can’t join this program if there is proof that you may cause harm to yourself or other people due to mental illness.

You can submit certain personal information online. But an in-person interview is required to take your fingerprints, photo, and confirm your identity once again. During the process, they will require certain information from you such as:

• Your full legal name and any aliases
• Date of birth 
• Gender
• City, state, and country of birth
• Residential and mailing addresses
• Contact information 
• Height, weight, eye colour, and hair colour
• Fingerprints
• Photo
• Citizenship and/or immigration status information and documentation
• Valid government photo identification.

Your fingerprints are collected to compare with FBI criminal history records. If you can’t provide your fingerprints, you must follow a different procedure. As for your gender, you can choose your preferred one. It doesn’t have to be the same as on your other documents.

Once you have your membership, just follow this sign at the airport.

After your application, if you want to change a piece of certain personal information such as name, date of birth, social security number, etc., you must contact the Universal Enrollment Services (UES) Call Centre. They are available from Monday to Friday, and the fee will be $60 per request. The same rule is applied to your preferred contact method.

Each member will be provided with a Known Traveller Number. You must enter this number every time you make an airline reservation for it to be displayed on your boarding pass. You can also get this number of yours in the reservation from the check-in counter at the airport.

Who Automatically Gets TSA Precheck?

Everyone already a Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI member automatically gains access to TSA precheck benefits. The membership is also free for active military personnel of the U.S. Veterans, conversely, must join the program through the regular process and pay the required fee.

Some people reported that they randomly found precheck symbols on their boarding passes. This is not a coincidence. A few years ago, it used to be a common thing when the TSA seemed to pick a lucky passenger to let them enjoy the program for free.

Sadly, it’s rare nowadays. However, if the flyer is a senior, they might get escorted by the TSA agent to the precheck lane (free of charge). There’s no guarantee it’ll happen 100% of the time. But we say the possibility is higher if there are children, seniors, and at least one TSA precheck member in your group.

Is It Hard To Get The TSA Precheck?

The whole point of the TSA PreCheck program is identifying “low-risk” travellers. Usually, if you have prepared all of your documents carefully and have no record of crime or violation of transportation rules, your application will be accepted after they identify your information.

Can My Companion Make Use Of My TSA Precheck?

Your kids who are less than 18 years old are allowed to benefit from your TSA PreCheck. Photo by Monkey Business - stock.adobe.com

In most cases, the answer depends. Unless your companions are children under 18 years old, they must receive their membership from TSA to join the PreCheck lane.

If you are travelling with people 75 years old or above, joining the program might not be necessary. Because the procedure for their screening has already been modified with fewer requirements.

If your companions do not have TSA PreCheck membership, you should carry all of their electronics, such as a laptop or power bank, to help them. However, the limitation of 3-1-1 liquids stays the same, so don’t carry more than a quarter-size bag.

Does TSA Precheck Work Everywhere?

Currently, more than 80 airlines and 200 airports in the U.S. work with TSA to process this program. You can search if the airport for your upcoming flight is available with a PreCheck lane from a list on TSA's official website.

With a limited number of airports joining the program, you can’t always get a fast pass for your trip. Moreover, you can only use TSA PreCheck when you depart from a U.S. airport.

How Do You Get TSA Precheck For Free?

Certain credit cards can help you join the program for free. Picture by rupixen.com on Unsplash

There are travel credit cards that will reimburse your application fee. The list includes:

• Aeroplan® Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*
• IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card*
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
• Mastercard® Black Card™*
• United Club℠ Infinite Card
• United℠ Explorer Card
• United Quest℠ Card
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

You should check with your card issuers for details about the terms and specific requirements.

Also, the TSA PreCheck is also a common gift for loyal members of airlines or can be traded with miles. So if you usually book flights from a certain brand, you should contact them to ask about the benefits of being a loyal member.

What's The Difference Between TSA Precheck, Global Entry, And Clear?

Beating the crowds is every flier’s dream. SlowPhoton, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Besides TSA PreCheck, there are also other programs to help you travel faster through security checks. Two of the most popular can be named Global Entry and CLEAR.

Global Entry

The main difference between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry is that members of Global Entry can enjoy the benefits of TSA PreCheck and have expedited custom screening when they travel from international destinations to the USA. Meanwhile, members of the TSA PreCheck can only enjoy the fast-pass security check when they depart from the U.S. 

Global Entry costs $100 for five years and is recommended for people who usually travel abroad. However, a huge minus of this program is that children need their own membership. This means they will have to join an interview by themselves, no matter how old they are.

CLEAR

The CLEAR program allows you to confirm your identity through your eyes or fingerprint scanning and then skip to the front of the security check line. CLEAR lanes shorten the security lines, while PreCheck lanes remove certain restrictions for clearance.

The CLEAR membership is much pricier than the other two programs, at $189 per year for each person. If your family member also wants to join the program, you must pay an additional fee of $70 per person. Applying for both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR is recommended for a faster procedure if you can spare no expense.

You can join other trusted traveller programs to save your time and effort while travelling. Picture by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash

FAQ

Who Should Join The TSA Precheck Program?

This program is recommended if you mostly join domestic flights in the States. As we mentioned above, TSA PreCheck lanes are only available in certain airports in the USA. You can be benefited from this program if you usually travel to different states in the country. But if you travel abroad, you can only be prioritised when you exit the country. 

How Do I Get TSA Precheck For The First Time?

Travellers who want to get the TSA PreCheck for the first time can start by filling out the application form on the official website of TSA PreCheck. Then you can schedule a meeting at one of TSA enrollment centres or Staple Stores. You can not pay the enrollment fee online as you will be required to pay for it in person.

How Long Does TSA Precheck Take To Get Approved?

In most cases, your TSA Precheck will be approved within 3 to 5 days. However, the maximum time can be up to 60 days, depending on the number of applicants. So if you haven’t received the result after a week, no need to worry yet.

Is TSA PreCheck worth it?

If you are a travel guru, joining this program is definitely worth it. The price is reasonable, and it can help you travel with less stress, especially when you travel with your family. But before signing up for this program, remember to check other trusted traveller programs to consider more objectively.

Have you ever experienced the TSA PreCheck program? Share your thoughts down below to help other traveller fellows on getting their perfect trip!

Claire Thuc