Navigating airport security can be stressful. But for low-risk travelers, there is an easier way.
TSA PreCheck members wait an average of about 10 minutes or less at airport security checkpoints, plus they can leave electronics and small liquids in bags and don’t have to take off belts and light jackets. Wearing shoes was also a valuable benefit until the Transportation Security Administration ended its “remove shoes” policy for all passengers in July 2025.
PreCheck enrollment typically costs $76 and $85. But in some cases, such as serving in the military, enrolling in another trusted traveler program or using certain credit cards, some people may be able to get membership for free or at a discounted rate.
Here’s a look at ways you can get TSA PreCheck for 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 according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, they must meet three requirements to receive benefits: They must be enrolled in VA health care; They must have a service-connected disability resulting in permanent blindness, loss of a limb or use of a limb, complete paralysis or partial paralysis; And their service-connected disability requires the use of a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic limb.
Members of Homeland Security’s other trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and Sentry can get PreCheck for free. Membership in each of these programs lasts for five years and costs $120.
Can I get TSA PreCheck for free with Clear?
Identification company CLEAR, one of three PreCheck enrollment providers, has a privately operated service at airports. CLEAR+, which costs $209 per year, uses biometric technology to speed up the airport security process.
Although CLEAR+ and PreCheck are separate programs, enrolling in CLEAR+ also includes the option to apply for PreCheck at the same time. According to the TSA, CLEAR provides a refund on the cost of PreCheck upon completion of the CLEAR+ and PreCheck applications.
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 requiring their membership.
However, according to the TSA, children ages 13 to 17 can pass through the PreCheck lane only if they have a PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass. Parents can get the PreCheck indicator on their child’s boarding pass by making sure the child is on the same airline reservation as them and the adult’s boarding pass also has the PreCheck indicator.
According to the TSA, children 12 and under can go through PreCheck without an indicator on their boarding pass, but their accompanying parent or guardian must have an indicator on their boarding pass.
Children traveling alone must have their own PreCheck membership to use the PreCheck lane.
Which credit cards give you free TSA PreCheck?
Many credit cards offer statement credits for PreCheck as a membership benefit. 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
- some American Express credit cards
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
- Select Choice Privileges 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 infinity card
- United Explorer Card
- united quest card
- USAA Eagle Navigator Visa Signature Credit Card
- US Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
- US Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
Special, the recently refreshed American Express Platinum Card includes a statement credit for CLEAR+ membership, which also includes PreCheck as one of its benefits.
Is PreCheck included in the travel loyalty program?
PreCheck enrollment is also available to select members of the luxury travel club ASmallWorld and is available as a reward for which members of the travel loyalty program IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Orbitz Rewards Platinum members and United MileagePlus can redeem points.
Are there any discounts for TSA PreCheck?
Homeland Security sometimes offers discounts for young travelers. Recently, it ran a limited promotion called TSA PreCheck $20 Take Off, where travelers under 30 could save $20 on the new PreCheck application in May 2026.
People renewing a PreCheck membership can save about $8 to $11 if they renew online instead of in person. Renewal costs range from $58.75 to $69.95 online and $66.75 to $79.95 in person, depending on the enrollment provider.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who has covered travel and tourism since 2014. Her work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers deal with the stress of travel and get the best value for their money on their vacations.