[2025] From a Frequent Flier: Is TSA PreCheck Worth It? Yes, But...

Overview of TSA PreCheck

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) launched the TSA PreCheck® Trusted Traveler program in 2013.

In August 2024, the TSA reported that the program surpassed 20 million members. The government agency deemed the statistic a “milestone”.

TSA PreCheck® works for travelers flying within the US, not leaving the country.

The program reduces the time for vetted travelers time passing airport security. But... how much time? According to Business Insider in October 2024, the program saves travelers about 20 minutes.

Throughout 2024, I often cleared airport security in under 90 seconds. These instances all occurred at international airports. As a millennial, this is one of the select experiences where I feel like a real adult. A cool one, too!

Hence, you understand why I felt compelled to inform other cool travelers (like you!!) about the program!

Travelers can enroll online. The program costs $78 to enroll and lasts five years. Do the math and you learn TSA PreCheck® works out to $1.30 per month. In our subscription economy, $1.30 per month is, by far, my cheapest expenditure! Unlike Netflix...

TSA PreCheck® takes less than a month to get approved for. You can use the program at over 200 U.S airports. For more detailed information, check out my article comparing it to Global Entry.

How You Can Save on TSA PreCheck

Yes, the price of TSA PreCheck® won't drain most people's wallets (even in this economy...). But, there exist more cost efficient methods to obtain the program.

First off, my dear reader, do you live in Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas? If yes, consider getting SENTRI instead! SENTRI contains not only Global Entry and TSA PreCheck® but some benefits of NEXUS as well!

However, SENTRI has two drawbacks. First, the waiting time to get approved exceeds TSA PreCheck® by several months. Second, you'll pay $122.25 for the enrollment fee. But, like TSA PreCheck®, SENTRI lasts five years.

If you don't live in the aforementioned states, then get NEXUS. Like SENTRI, NEXUS includes both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck®. Also like SENTRI, approval time for NEXUS takes longer. In addition, it costs $100. But, like TSA PreCheck®, it lasts five years.

Can't wait that long for SENTRI or NEXUS? Understandable. What a great segue to my final point...

CLEAR Plus

One of my favorite articles goes in-depth about CLEAR Plus.

Here's the overview:

CLEAR is a private company. Their program, CLEAR Plus, functions like a trusted traveler program. The difference? You can use it the day you purchase it!

Airport security has lines designated for travelers without TSA PreCheck® and those with TSA PreCheck®. But... did you know a third line exists!? That's right! Travelers who have CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck® get their own line!

Warning: I may sound snooty here. What if too many people wind up with TSA PreCheck®? This potential problem compelled me to write this article.

But, I have a solution! CLEAR Plus solves that problem because it prices many travelers out.

On its own, CLEAR Plus costs $189, and renews every twelve months. However, if you purchase CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck® as a bundle, the price amounts to $122. Considering the normal price of $189 per year for CLEAR, you wind up saving $67.

As stated earlier, CLEAR does not last five years like government trusted traveler programs. Even if you combine CLEAR Plus with TSA PreCheck®, you still must renew CLEAR Plus every year.

Conclusion

Is TSA PreCheck® worth it in 2025? Yes-- for the three reasons below.

First, TSA PreCheck® saves you precious time, takes less than a month to get approval, and is affordable.

Second, other trusted traveler programs like SENTRI, NEXUS, and Global Entry include it at no additional cost.

Third, coupling it with CLEAR awards you a separate line than those with just TSA PreCheck®.

Now that I've revealed the smarter ways to get TSA PreCheck®, it's time for you to enroll! But, before you do, please subscribe to the blog!

Thank you for reading!