A July 2026 USA TODAY report brought renewed attention to these options. This guide explains who can genuinely get TSA PreCheck for free in 2026, who receives it through another trusted traveler program, and which offers only reduce or reimburse the cost.
What Is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is an expedited security screening program operated by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. Approved travelers receive a Known Traveler Number, commonly called a KTN, which they add to eligible airline reservations.
At participating U.S. airports, travelers whose boarding passes display the TSA PreCheck indicator can use designated screening lanes. These lanes generally involve fewer steps than standard security screening. Travelers can typically keep laptops and compliant liquids inside their carry-on bags and leave belts and light jackets on.
According to the official TSA PreCheck information page, most members wait 10 minutes or less at security checkpoints. Membership normally remains valid for five years, although expedited screening is never guaranteed for every passenger or every flight.
New applicants must apply through one of the three enrollment providers authorized by TSA:
| Authorized provider | New enrollment cost in July 2026 | Membership period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLEAR | $79.95 | Five years | Offers combined CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck application options |
| IDEMIA | Approximately $76.75 | Five years | Large network of enrollment locations |
| Telos | Up to approximately $85 | Five years | Availability and pricing vary by location |
Prices and provider availability were checked against TSA information in July 2026. Enrollment fees can change, so applicants should confirm the final price on the official provider page before paying.
TSA warns travelers to enroll only through CLEAR, IDEMIA, or Telos. Websites that imitate official enrollment services may charge unnecessary fees or collect personal information.
Who Can Get TSA PreCheck for Free in 2026?
Several groups can access TSA PreCheck without paying the standard enrollment fee. However, the eligibility rules differ considerably.
Uniformed service members
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces can receive TSA PreCheck benefits without submitting a standard paid application.
This includes eligible members of:
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The Army
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Navy
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Air Force
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Marine Corps
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Coast Guard
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Space Force
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National Guard
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Reserves
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U.S. service academies
Eligible service members generally use their 10-digit Department of Defense identification number as their Known Traveler Number when booking a flight. The number must be entered correctly in the KTN field of the airline reservation.
The TSA guidance for military travelers explains the current process and eligibility rules.
Military dependents do not automatically receive their own free TSA PreCheck membership solely because they are related to a service member. Their access may depend on age, reservation details, and whether they are traveling with an eligible adult.
Department of Defense civilian employees
Eligible Department of Defense federal civilian employees can also use TSA PreCheck without paying the regular application fee.
Unlike active service members, DOD civilian employees generally need to opt in through the Department of Defense identity management system before using their DOD identification number as a Known Traveler Number.
The process is explained in the official TSA instructions for DOD civilian employees.
This employment-based access usually ends when the person leaves eligible DOD service. A former employee who wants to retain TSA PreCheck may then need to complete a standard enrollment or qualify through another program.
Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities
A newer benefit is available to certain veterans with severe service-connected disabilities under the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, also known as the VETS Safe Travel Act.
Not every veteran qualifies. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, all of the following conditions must generally be met:
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The veteran is enrolled in VA health care.
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The veteran has a qualifying service-connected disability.
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The disability resulted in permanent blindness, loss or loss of use of a limb, full paralysis, or partial paralysis.
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The veteran requires a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic limb because of that service-connected disability.
Qualifying veterans can download a TSA PreCheck Application Fee Waiver Letter through their VA.gov account. The letter must then be used according to the enrollment instructions provided by TSA and the participating enrollment provider.
The waiver removes the enrollment fee, but it does not guarantee approval. Applicants must still satisfy TSA citizenship, identity, security, and background-check requirements. TSA also states that the waiver is subject to the availability of funds.
Eligible applicants should read the TSA VETS Safe enrollment guidance before selecting a provider. The waiver process may not work identically through CLEAR, IDEMIA, and Telos, and paying first may not result in a later reimbursement.
Does Global Entry Include Free TSA PreCheck?
Global Entry members are eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits, but it is more accurate to say that PreCheck is included with Global Entry rather than completely free.
Global Entry is administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It provides expedited entry processing for approved, low-risk travelers arriving in the United States and costs $120 for a five-year membership.
Approved Global Entry members can enter their PASS ID as a Known Traveler Number when booking an eligible flight. This can add the TSA PreCheck indicator to their boarding pass.
The official CBP Global Entry page confirms that TSA PreCheck access is one of the program’s benefits.
For travelers who regularly fly internationally, paying $120 for Global Entry may offer better overall value than purchasing TSA PreCheck alone. It includes both faster U.S. arrival processing and access to PreCheck lanes on eligible flights.
Travelers who rarely leave the United States may find standalone TSA PreCheck more economical.
What about NEXUS and SENTRI?
Eligible members of NEXUS and SENTRI can also receive TSA PreCheck benefits. They must enter their PASS ID in the Known Traveler Number field when making an airline reservation.
As with Global Entry, the PreCheck benefit is included in a separate paid trusted traveler membership. It should not be confused with receiving an independent TSA PreCheck enrollment at no cost.
The eligibility and nationality requirements for each program differ. International travelers should compare the programs through the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs portal.
| Option | Main purpose | Standard membership cost | TSA PreCheck included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSA PreCheck | Faster departure security screening | Approximately $76–$85 | Yes |
| Global Entry | Faster entry into the U.S. plus airport security benefits | $120 | Yes |
| NEXUS | Expedited travel between the U.S. and Canada | Program fee applies | For eligible members |
| SENTRI | Expedited entry at participating land borders | Program fee applies | For eligible members |
Program prices and benefits were checked in July 2026 and may change. Applicants should confirm current fees and eligibility directly with TSA or CBP.
Can CLEAR+ Make TSA PreCheck Free?
CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck are separate programs.
CLEAR+ is a privately operated airport identity-verification service that uses biometric technology at participating locations. TSA PreCheck, by contrast, determines which security screening process an eligible traveler can use.
Travelers can hold either membership independently, although using both may provide a faster airport experience at locations where both services are available.
TSA currently states that travelers applying for CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck through an eligible combined enrollment offer can receive a $79.95 refund from CLEAR after completing both applications. Details and eligibility conditions should be confirmed on the official TSA PreCheck page before purchasing.
This arrangement can effectively offset the TSA PreCheck fee. However, it does not make the entire package free because CLEAR+ has its own annual membership cost.
Travelers should compare the total cost rather than focusing only on the PreCheck refund. CLEAR+ may be worthwhile for frequent users of participating airports, but occasional travelers may spend less by applying only for TSA PreCheck.
[Image Suggestion: Split-screen airport illustration comparing TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+, left side showing expedited security screening with a carry-on bag and laptop remaining packed, right side showing biometric identity verification before the checkpoint, modern flat editorial design, clear English labels, no misleading government logos]
Can Children Use TSA PreCheck for Free?
Children aged 17 and under may be able to accompany an enrolled parent or guardian through a TSA PreCheck lane without purchasing their own membership.
The rules depend on the child’s age.
Children aged 12 and under
Children 12 and under may generally accompany an eligible parent or guardian through a TSA PreCheck lane. The accompanying adult’s boarding pass must display the TSA PreCheck indicator.
The child does not normally need a separate Known Traveler Number or a PreCheck indicator on their own boarding pass.
Children aged 13 to 17
Travelers aged 13 to 17 can accompany an enrolled parent or guardian when:
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They are on the same airline reservation.
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The accompanying adult’s boarding pass displays TSA PreCheck.
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The teenager’s boarding pass also displays the TSA PreCheck indicator.
The airline generates the indicator based on the reservation information. Parents should verify all boarding passes before joining the PreCheck line.
Children traveling alone cannot rely on a parent’s membership. They generally need their own TSA PreCheck eligibility to use the expedited lane.
Current family rules are available on the TSA PreCheck for Families page.
Which Credit Cards Pay for TSA PreCheck?
Many travel credit cards provide a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees. In these cases, the traveler pays with an eligible card and later receives a credit from the card issuer.
This is not a direct TSA fee waiver. The benefit is provided by the credit card company and is subject to the card’s terms.
Cards listed by TSA include selected products from:
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American Express
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Bank of America
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Capital One
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Chase
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Citi
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Delta SkyMiles
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IHG One Rewards
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Marriott Bonvoy
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Navy Federal Credit Union
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United
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U.S. Bank
The complete list is available on the TSA page covering participating credit cards and loyalty programs.
Before applying for a new card solely for this benefit, compare its annual fee with the value of the PreCheck credit. A card carrying a high annual fee is not automatically a good deal simply because it reimburses an enrollment costing less than $100.
Existing cardholders should check whether they already have an unused credit. Some benefits renew every four or five years rather than annually, and certain cards allow the credit to be used for another person’s application.
Are There Any TSA PreCheck Discounts in 2026?
TSA occasionally runs limited promotions, but travelers should verify that an offer is still active before relying on it.
For example, TSA offered a $20 discount for new applicants aged 30 and under during May 2026. That promotion ended on May 31, 2026, so it should not be presented as a currently available discount.
Renewing online may also cost less than renewing in person, depending on the enrollment provider. Current prices vary between CLEAR, IDEMIA, and Telos.
Travelers approaching expiration can normally begin an online renewal up to six months before their membership ends. Current renewal options are listed on the official TSA PreCheck renewal page.
Be cautious with articles that continue to advertise expired promotions. TSA pricing and discount programs can change, and third-party pages may remain visible long after an offer has ended.
Is TSA PreCheck Available to International Visitors?
TSA PreCheck has specific citizenship and residency eligibility requirements. Many short-term international visitors cannot apply directly for standalone TSA PreCheck.
However, citizens of certain countries may qualify for Global Entry through international arrangements with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Once approved for Global Entry, eligible members can receive TSA PreCheck benefits on participating flights.
International travelers should not assume that purchasing a ticket from a U.S. airline automatically provides PreCheck access. The traveler must qualify through TSA, an eligible trusted traveler program, or an applicable government or employment benefit.
Visitors planning a U.S. trip should also arrange mobile service before departure. A travel eSIM can provide immediate access to airline notifications, airport maps, ride-hailing services, accommodation details, and navigation after landing.
Roafly offers mobile data coverage for travelers visiting the United States through its USA eSIM packages. Installation is available through iOS Direct Install, QR code, or manual setup.
How to Avoid TSA PreCheck Enrollment Scams
Only begin an application through TSA or one of its authorized enrollment providers.
TSA currently recognizes:
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CLEAR
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IDEMIA
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Telos
A website may be suspicious if it promises guaranteed approval, charges a large “processing fee,” or asks for payment before clearly identifying the authorized provider handling the application.
TSA does not guarantee approval, and applicants still need to complete identity verification and a security assessment. A legitimate provider will clearly explain the enrollment process, appointment requirements, price, and refund policy.
Before entering personal information, return to the official TSA application instructions and follow one of the approved provider links.
Is Free TSA PreCheck Really Free?
For military personnel and eligible DOD civilians, TSA PreCheck is an employment or service benefit and does not require the standard paid enrollment.
For qualifying severely disabled veterans, the VETS Safe Travel Act can waive the enrollment fee, although applicants must follow the VA and TSA process carefully.
For children traveling with eligible adults, access can be free under TSA’s family rules, but children traveling alone may need their own membership.
Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI include TSA PreCheck benefits for eligible members, but these are paid trusted traveler programs. Credit cards may reimburse the fee, while CLEAR+ may refund it under a qualifying combined offer. In both cases, another product or membership may carry its own cost.
The most important step is to identify which category applies before submitting an application. Travelers should rely on official TSA, CBP, VA, or Department of Defense guidance rather than assuming that every military connection, credit card, or travel membership provides the same benefit.
