Tsa: Your Travel Secrets Revealed

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a United States government agency that provides security screening for travellers at airports. One of the TSA's programmes, TSA PreCheck, allows eligible travellers to go through expedited screening at participating airports. This means that travellers can keep their shoes, light outerwear, belts and more on during the screening process.

To be eligible for TSA PreCheck, travellers must be U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, or citizens of partner countries enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI. Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS are also eligible. Eligible travellers must enter their membership number (PASS ID) in the Known Traveller Number field when booking reservations or enter it into their frequent flyer profile with the airline.

How to get TSA PreCheck

To get TSA PreCheck, you must be a low-risk traveller. The fastest and easiest way to enrol is to start the application online. You can also walk into any enrolment location to complete your application in person.

• Select an enrolment provider with enrolment locations near you.
• Submit your TSA PreCheck application online, which should take around 5 minutes.
• Visit an enrolment location to complete your enrolment. This includes fingerprinting, document and photo capture, and payment.
• Once approved, get your Known Traveller Number (KTN) and add it to your airline reservations.

The cost of enrolling in TSA PreCheck varies by provider, but it is $78 for 5 years if done in person and $70 for 5 years if done online.

What are the benefits of TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is a U.S. government program that allows travellers deemed low-risk to pass through an expedited security screening process at over 200 U.S. airports. The benefits of the program include:

• Faster access to airline boarding gates, with 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers waiting less than 10 minutes to pass through security.
• No need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets during security screening.
• Dedicated lines for people with TSA PreCheck status.
• Children 12 and under can join a parent or legal guardian with TSA PreCheck, and children 13-17 can travel with TSA PreCheck member parents if they have the indicator on their boarding pass.
• TSA PreCheck is only $78 for five years, or $70 to renew online.
• Some credit cards will reimburse the cost of TSA PreCheck.

Who is eligible for TSA PreCheck?

The TSA PreCheck® Application Program is only open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents. Applicants may be deemed ineligible due to incomplete or false application information, certain violations of federal security regulations, or disqualifying criminal offenses and factors.

Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI allow some foreign citizens to apply.

Eligible TSA PreCheck® travelers include:

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents enrolled in TSA PreCheck®.
• Members of Global Entry.
• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are members of SENTRI.
• U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS.
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those serving in the National Guard and reserves, as well as government employees from select agencies.
• Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Air Force Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy.
• Passengers 12 and younger traveling with an eligible passenger.
• Passengers selected using existing Secure Flight system requirements while traveling on participating airlines.

How to add TSA PreCheck to your boarding pass

To add TSA PreCheck to your boarding pass, you must first apply for TSA PreCheck. Once you have been approved, you will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). You must then submit your KTN to your airline at the booking stage.

If you forgot to submit your KTN when booking, you can still add it to your airline ticket after the fact. The process for doing so varies depending on the airline, but the general steps are as follows:

• Find your flight reservation and add your KTN in the Known Traveler Number field.
• Add your KTN to your frequent flyer profile. This will ensure that your KTN is automatically added to future bookings.
• Contact your airline by phone or online to add your KTN to your reservation.
• Reprint your boarding pass to ensure that it displays the "TSA PreCheck" or "TSA PRE" stamp.

Note that having a TSA PreCheck logo on your boarding pass does not guarantee that you will be granted access to the TSA PreCheck lane. TSA uses unpredictable security measures, and all travellers will be screened.

How to go through TSA PreCheck at the airport

Step 1: Enroll in TSA PreCheck

To enroll in TSA PreCheck, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national. You can enroll online or walk into any enrollment center. The enrollment process includes fingerprinting, document and photo capture, and payment. The cost for enrollment varies by provider.

Step 2: Get Your Known Traveler Number (KTN)

Once approved, you will receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN). You must add your KTN to your airline reservations to receive a TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass. You can also add your KTN to your frequent flyer profile with the airline.

Step 3: Arrive at the Airport

When you arrive at the airport, look for the TSA PreCheck lane. Participating airlines will display a TSA PreCheck indicator (such as TSAPRECHK, TSA PRE, or TSA PreCheck) on your boarding pass. If you don't have a TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass, you cannot access the TSA PreCheck lane.

Step 4: Go Through Security Screening

At the TSA PreCheck lane, you can keep your shoes, light outerwear, belts, and more on. You also don't need to remove your laptop, 3-1-1 liquids, or other electronics from your carry-on baggage. The TSA PreCheck lane offers expedited screening, so you can expect to wait less than 10 minutes.

Frequently asked questions