How to Get TSA PreCheck for Free
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TSA PreCheck is a must for frequent travelers because it can help you speed through security lines at the airport. Better yet, you might not even have to pay for it.
Some travel credit cards offer a benefit to get your application fee — or renewal fee — reimbursed. Another strategy is to use points and miles to pay the application fee.
How to get TSA PreCheck for free
Tactic 1: Get a credit card with a TSA PreCheck credit
The best way to get TSA PreCheck for free is by carrying an eligible credit card. Dozens of credit cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee if you use that card to pay upfront. Here's a quick overview of some of these cards.
CREDIT CARDS WITH NO ANNUAL FEE
Three credit cards offer a statement credit for TSA PreCheck application or renewal fee despite charging no annual fee. But, they're lesser-known cards.
The Arvest Visa Signature® Credit Card reimburses up to $100 for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. Note that the Arvest Visa Signature® Credit Card is only available to consumers in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
U.S.-based HSBC Premier checking account holders can hold a HSBC Premier Credit Card for $0 annual fee. One of the card's perks: Up to a $85 statement credit every five years to reimburse TSA PreCheck application fee.
The Truist Enjoy Travel credit card includes a statement credit for TSA PreCheck application or renewal once every four years.
CREDIT CARDS WITH AN ANNUAL FEE UNDER $100
Additionally, several travel credit cards offer a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit despite charging less than a $100 annual fee.
Even better, some of these cards currently waive the annual fee for the first year. So, you'll truly pay $0 out-of-pocket to get TSA PreCheck.
Low-annual-fee credit cards with free TSA PreCheck include:
Capital One Spark Miles for Business: $0 intro for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees).
United℠ Explorer Card: $0 intro for the first year, then $95.
PREMIUM CREDIT CARDS
Not surprisingly, several premium travel cards offer a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee reimbursement as a perk of holding the card.
Premium personal cards that offer this perk include:
The Platinum Card® from American Express: $695. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: $550.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: $395 (see rates and fees).
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: $650. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
United Club℠ Infinite Card: $525.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: $650. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
on Chase's website
Premium business cards that offer TSA PreCheck application fee credits include:
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: $695. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: $350. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: $650. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
on Chase's website
Thanks to a new partnership between the TSA and Clear, you can apply for TSA PreCheck at participating Clear enrollment locations without an appointment. Just submit your application online first, and then next time you're at a participating airport walk up to the Clear kiosk to finish the process. Clear will submit your TSA PreCheck application on your behalf, and you can expect to hear back within three to five days.
Tactic 2: Use points or miles
A handful of loyalty programs let members redeem their points to cover the application fee for TSA PreCheck.
These redemption options generally provide a poor value; however, if you're looking to reduce your out-of-pocket cost and don't have a qualifying credit card, these redemptions could make sense for your situation.
United MileagePlus
United flyers can redeem 11,000 MileagePlus miles to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck. For economy redemptions, NerdWallet finds a base value of 1.2 cents per United MileagePlus mile. So, you're giving up around $132 in value to cover the initial application fee which costs around $85.
That's not the best use of your United miles, but it's one of the better redemption options for TSA PreCheck with points and miles.
To get started, visit the United MileagePlus security fees page to sign in and redeem your miles for a redemption code.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott members need to redeem 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points to get a voucher code for free TSA PreCheck. NerdWallet values Bonvoy points at 0.9 cent each, so, you'd be using $225 worth of points.
» Learn more: Questions to ask before joining a hotel loyalty program
IHG Rewards
IHG Rewards members can redeem 30,000 points to cover the application fee for TSA PreCheck.
NerdWallet values IHG Rewards points at 0.5 cent per point, which means you'd be using $150 worth of points.
» Learn more: Beginner’s guide to points and miles
Tactic 3: Use your military benefits
TSA PreCheck is free for military members who hold a Department of Defense ID card. These members include:
Active duty service members.
Reservists.
Members of the National Guard.
Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and six State Maritime Academies.
Department of Defense civilian employees, though they must opt in via MilConnect before using their Known Traveler Number.
If you’ve retired from the military or left the Department of Defense, unfortunately you cannot get TSA Precheck for free.
» Learn more: A guide to TSA PreCheck for military members
When to consider Global Entry instead
Most of the credit cards that offer a statement credit for TSA PreCheck will also cover the application fee for Global Entry. So, even though the application fee for Global Entry is $100, it won't cost you anything extra to sign up for Global Entry instead of TSA PreCheck.
So, which one is best for you: TSA PreCheck or Global Entry? In short, it comes down to two factors. If you travel overseas, Global Entry will save you time when reentering the U.S.; plus, it automatically includes TSA PreCheck benefits.
However, there are fewer Global Entry enrollment sites, and interview availability can be harder to find compared with TSA PreCheck.
» Learn more: A guide to travel credit cards for beginners
Final thoughts on getting TSA PreCheck for free
For those paying for TSA PreCheck out of pocket, the reduced $70 online renewal fee is great news. However, travelers can sign up or renew TSA PreCheck for nothing out-of-pocket by using the right credit cards or certain loyalty program points and miles.
Just consider which option is best for your situation and whether you should upgrade to Global Entry instead of TSA PreCheck.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
