Navigating airport security can be stressful. But for low-risk travelers, there’s an easier way.
TSA PreCheck members wait about 10 minutes or less on average at airport security checkpoints, plus can leave electronics and small liquids in bags and don’t have to remove belts and light jackets. Until the Transportation Security Administration ended its “shoes off” policy for all travelers in July 2025, leaving shoes on was also a valued perk.
PreCheck enrollment typically costs $76 and $85. But in some cases, like serving in the military, enrolling in another trusted traveler program or using certain credit cards, some people can get a membership for free or at a discounted rate.
Here’s a look at ways you can get TSA PreCheck free or at a discount.
Can You Get TSA PreCheck for Free?
PreCheck is free for members of the military and Department of Defense civilians and employees.
Some disabled veterans can get PreCheck for free. But they must meet three requirements for the benefit, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: they must be enrolled in VA health care; they must have a service-connected disability that resulted in permanent blindness, the loss of a limb or use of a limb, full paralysis or partial paralysis; and they require the use of a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic limb because of their service-connected disability.
Members of Homeland Security’s other trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI can get PreCheck for free. Membership in each of these programs lasts five years and costs $120.
Can I Get TSA PreCheck for Free With CLEAR?
Identity company CLEAR, one of the three PreCheck enrollment providers, has a privately-run service at airports. CLEAR+, which costs $209 per year, uses biometric technology to speed up the process of getting through airport security.
Although CLEAR+ and PreCheck are separate programs, enrollment in CLEAR+ also includes the option to apply for PreCheck at the same time. CLEAR provides refunds on the cost of PreCheck upon completion of CLEAR+ and PreCheck applications, according to TSA.
Is PreCheck Free for Kids?
It depends. Generally, children 17 and under who are traveling with parents who have TSA PreCheck can go through PreCheck without needing their own membership.
However, children between the ages of 13 and 17 can only go through a PreCheck lane if their boarding pass has a PreCheck indicator on it, according to TSA. Parents can get a PreCheck indicator on their child’s boarding pass by making sure the child is on the same airline reservation as them and that the adult’s boarding pass also has a PreCheck indicator.
Children 12 and under can go through PreCheck without an indicator on their boarding pass, but the parent or guardian accompanying them must have one on their boarding pass, according to TSA.
Children traveling alone must have their own PreCheck membership to use the PreCheck lanes.
What Credit Cards Give You Free TSA PreCheck?
Many credit cards offer statement credits toward PreCheck as a membership perk. According to TSA, these include:
- Aeroplan Credit Card
- American Airlines Credit Union Visa Signature credit
- Arvest Visa Signature Credit Card
- Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
- Capital One Spark Miles Card
- Capital One Venture Card
- Capital One Venture X Business Card
- Capital One Venture X Card
- Certain American Express Credit Cards
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
- Choice Privileges Select Mastercard
- Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard
- Citi Prestige Card
- Citi Strata Elite Card
- Commerce Bank World Elite Mastercard
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
- Diners Club Carte Blanche Corporate Card
- HSBC Elite World Elite Mastercard
- HSBC Premier World Mastercard
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
- MasterCard Black Card
- MasterCard Gold Card
- Navy Federal’s Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Card
- One Key+ Card
- PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Provident World+ Travel
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
- Truist Business Travel Rewards credit card
- Truist Enjoy Beyond credit card
- Truist Enjoy Travel credit card
- UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card
- United Club Infinite Card
- United Explorer Card
- United Quest Card
- USAA Eagle Navigator Visa Signature Credit Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
The exclusive, recently refreshed American Express Platinum Card includes a statement credit for CLEAR+ membership, which includes PreCheck, as one of its perks.
Is PreCheck Included With Travel Loyalty Programs?
PreCheck enrollment is also available to select members of the luxury travel club ASmallWorld and is available as a reward that members of travel loyalty programs IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Orbitz Reward Platinum Members and United MileagePlus can redeem points for.
Are There Any Discounts for TSA PreCheck?
Homeland Security sometimes offers discounts for young travelers. Most recently, it ran a limited promotion called TSA PreCheck $20 Take Off, where travelers under 30 could save $20 on new PreCheck applications in May 2026.
People renewing PreCheck memberships can save about $8 to $11 if they renew online instead of in person. Renewal costs, depending on the enrollment provider, range from $58.75 to $69.95 online and $66.75 to $79.95 in person.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations.
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