TSA PreCheck Review: Is It Worth It?

Standing in long lines at the airport can be frustrating and time-consuming for frequent travelers. TSA PreCheck expedites the airport security process for pre-approved travelers and is meant to remove the bottleneck of security lines for frequent flyers.

 

TSA PreCheck provides expedited security screening at over 200 airports with over 380 enrollment centers. TSA PreCheck is only open to US Citizens and US lawful permanence residents. To qualify for TSA PreCheck, travelers must apply and complete a background check.

 

But is it worth it, and what goes into it? We will explain how to enroll in each program and the respective benefits, differences, and costs. We bought Global Entry and tested the TSA PreCheck feature of the program ourselves to see if we noticed any difference and give you a first-hand review.

 

Application Process

TSA PreCheck is one of five Trusted Traveler Programs offered by the US (United States) Department of Homeland Security. Each Trusted Traveler Program lasts for 5 years.

 

We chose Global Entry because it includes TSA PreCheck and can be used for international travel. It makes the process of going through US customs faster when returning to the United States after visiting another country. In addition to TSA PreCheck, Global Entry lets travelers skip the long lines at passport control and use self-service kiosks to enter the country.

 

With our experience with the Global Entry process, we had to create a Trusted Traveler Programs account, log in to the TTP account, and complete the application process. The application will ask:

• Personal information like name, social security number, and date of birth
• Last 5 years of residency
• Last 5 years of employment
• Passport information like passport number, issued date, and expiration date
• If you've ever been addressed (it will provide a drop-down where you can explain what happened)
• Where have you traveled in the last 5 years

 

After completing the application, you need to pay a $100 non-refundable fee; even if you don't get approved, you will still need to pay the $100. There will be a 72-hour conditional approval to allow for Customs and Border Protection to review it. It took us 48 hours to hear back that we were approved and ready to move on to the next step.

 

We had to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center; we chose the one at O'Hare Airport. There is also an option to do the interview when you get back to the US from an international trip and just go through the interview process while you're still at the airport. It's dependent on specific airports. Since we were preparing for our trips, it was easier for us to schedule an interview at an enrollment center.

 

You need to bring a valid passport and another form of identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card. The interview process is very quick, and appointment times are kept, so there isn't a need to get there hours early like the DMV.

 

During the interview, they ask you the same questions from your application and take your picture. The picture is for a Trusted Traveler card; it's not like a passport picture, so you can smile.

 

After the interview, they let you know that if your application has been approved, they will mail you your card and expect it in the next two weeks. Our application was approved with our Known Travel Number within an hour of the interview, and we received the PreCheck card within a week. Once approved, they will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) to enter when making airline reservations.

 

We didn't receive an email about the mailing process or a tracking code, so if you go through the process, you'll need to watch your mail like a hawk.

 

The whole process itself took about a week and a half to complete. Each person's experience is different, and it can take upwards of 60 days, so keep that in mind when making your travel plans. It's also important to note that if you're going in a group, each person must go through the process, or you will travel through the PreCheck line alone.

 

Since we went with the Global Entry option rather than going strictly to TSA PreCheck, we didn't need to choose between the different TSA PreCheck enrollment options. If you decide to do PreCheck strictly, you must select which company you want to enroll through. TSA contracts private companies to help speed up the application process and depending on which one you decide to go with, some have added benefits outside of normal PreCheck. The options are IDEMIA, Telos, or Clear. Each has a different cost, but check your credit card or loyalty programs to see if you can get a discount or PreCheck for free.

 

Before you choose which company to go with, you should look at the enrollment locations. They are different than the Global Entry locations and not all available in every state.

 

How Does it Affect Traveling

When booking your plane tickets, there is a section that should say something like "known travel number." The number will be in your account when you're approved, on the app, and on the card.

 

If you have already booked your plane tickets, you can add your number later. But you need to apply it before you go to the airport, or you will have to wait in the normal lines.

 

Going through security is basically the same as normal. They scan your face to match your state ID and look at your boarding pass. The only difference is that you go through the TSA PreCheck line away from normal security.

 

Your bags still go through the scanners, but you don't need to take anything out and walk through the body scan. You don't need to take off shoes, belts, or jackets; for bags, you don't need to worry about the liquid rule or take out electronics.

 

There is still a chance you will get randomly selected for additional scans. Unfortunately, that doesn't go away when you are a Trusted Traveler.

 

Review

So, is TSA PreCheck worth it? Do its benefits outweigh its costs?

 

When we traveled, we traveled through Midway Airport on a Thursday late at night and Dallas Love Field Airport on a Monday, once again late at night. When we traveled, it wasn't during peak travel season, meaning that security was very light.

 

However, as people who travel multiple times throughout the year at different times and have seen security lines longer than a basketball court, we can see how PreCheck can be a real game changer in our travel experiences. The ability to skip the need to unpack our carefully organized carry-ons or rush to separate everything into different bins is worth spending the money on.

 

If you live near a major airport hub with typically long lines, we recommend investing in a traveler program. If you have kids, are elderly, or have travel anxiety, we recommend it as well because it will prevent you from having to wait in long lines and go through the security requirements.

 

But if you're only traveling once a year and don't have any plans to travel outside of the country anytime soon, a Trusted Traveler program probably isn't for you. Planning your travel for quieter security times or off-peak season would be better. Spend the money you saved from not buying a travel program on something that would actually save you time and stress, like off-site airport parking. Check to see if a PreFlight airport location is near you and help you save on your trip.

 

For Global Entry, you can download the Global Entry app rather than wait through passport control inspections. You can go directly to a Customs and Border Protection officer and show them the app after you've filled out the information. So, if you decide to travel internationally, this is an added benefit to getting the Global Entry program. But know you can also use the Mobile Passport App, which will help with global entry and its free as well. 

 

Overall, Trusted Travel Programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are great options for frequent flyers. If you are also a frequent flyer, check out PreFlight to see how it can benefit your travel plans and save you time and peace of mind!