TSA PreCheck With Family: Your FAQs Answered

Minors traveling with eligible adults do not need their own membership to access TSA PreCheck.
Lee Huffman
By Lee Huffman 
Published
Edited by Kevin Berry

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Going through airport security as a family can be a major drag. Everyone has to remove their shoes, take electronics and liquids out of bags and wait in long lines. One way to reduce this hassle is by signing up for TSA PreCheck. This specialized program offers expedited screening and the lines are often much shorter than standard security lines.

Below, you'll learn the TSA PreCheck cost per family, whether or not kids need TSA PreCheck and other useful tips you might need before your next trip.

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program that provides a better travel experience. Approved members can use designated lanes at approximately 200 airports across the U.S. to speed through security. On average, members wait less than five minutes to complete screening.

TSA PreCheck lanes are available at participating domestic airports for trips within the U.S. and on outbound international flights. It may also be used on connecting flights within the U.S. for passengers arriving on an inbound international flight.

Once you’re approved, it’s as easy as adding your Known Traveler Number to your flight reservation. Over 80 airlines participate in the Trusted Traveler Program. Next time you go to the airport, a TSA PreCheck logo on your boarding pass will indicate you’re eligible to access the expedited screening area.

Get a reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry with our favorite cards
Check out our nerdy picks for the best cards for travelers that want TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Do kids need TSA PreCheck?

Whether a child needs TSA PreCheck depends on who they are traveling with. If they are under the age of 18 and traveling with an eligible adult, they may use the expedited security lanes if they are traveling on the same itinerary as their TSA PreCheck-approved parents or guardians.

Children ages 17 and under who are traveling alone must have their own TSA PreCheck approval if they want to use the TSA PreCheck lanes.

Can you bring a child through TSA PreCheck?

Children ages 12 and under traveling with an eligible parent or guardian do not need their own membership to use the expedited security lanes, even if they don't have the TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass.

Children ages 13 to 17 generally do not need their own membership either, as they can access the TSA PreCheck lanes when traveling on the same itinerary as an eligible adult if they have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass.

However, they may be randomly excluded from receiving the TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass. When that happens, they must go through the standard security screening process. Also, if they fly unaccompanied, they would not receive TSA PreCheck access. To avoid both of those situations, it would be best to get teenagers their own TSA PreCheck memberships.

What about TSA PreCheck for babies?

There is a TSA PreCheck for babies as well. However, most infants do not need to apply for TSA PreCheck membership because they will typically be flying with an eligible adult. Most babies with TSA PreCheck benefits have them because they belong to Global Entry, Sentri or Nexus, and TSA PreCheck is included for free with these programs.

How much does TSA PreCheck cost?

Signing up for TSA PreCheck requires a nonrefundable $78 application fee. If you are not approved, or you do not complete the interview, you will not be refunded. Membership is valid for five years, and you can renew online for $70 or in person for $78.

If you’re already approved for the Global Entry, Sentri or Nexus programs, you automatically get TSA PreCheck membership. Additionally, members of the U.S. armed forces, select government employees and cadets and midshipmen at U.S. military academies may also use the TSA PreCheck security lanes without a membership.

Travel cards that reimburse TSA PreCheck application fees

Although the $78 membership fee equates to just $15.60 per year over five years, why pay the fee if you don't have to? There are numerous travel cards that reimburse TSA PreCheck application fees as part of their benefits.

The reimbursement benefit of these cards replenishes every four to five years, so you won't get another reimbursement until your TSA PreCheck membership is ready for renewal. Additionally, you can choose to get reimbursed for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. If you use it for one or the other, you'll need to wait until your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership expires to use the benefit again. Terms apply.

🤓Nerdy Tip

If you anticipate traveling internationally, it’s a better value to apply for Global Entry approval. Because TSA PreCheck is included in Global Entry membership, you’ll get the benefits of both programs.

What is the TSA PreCheck cost for a family of four?

The TSA PreCheck cost for a family of four depends on the ages of the children. Minor children (ages 17 and under) do not need TSA PreCheck membership. The TSA PreCheck family cost for two adults and two minor children is $156. That total includes two adult memberships at $78 each and assumes that your children fly with eligible adults.

When the memberships come up for renewal, the adults’ fees could drop to $70 each if they renew online. Renewals in person cost $78 per applicant.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the age of your children. All children ages 12 and under traveling with an adult who has TSA PreCheck on their boarding pass may use the expedited security lanes, even if they don't have it on their own boarding pass.

Children ages 13 through 17 may be randomly excluded from TSA PreCheck. However, having their own membership should prevent that from happening. Adult children who are 18 and over must have their own TSA PreCheck membership.

No, TSA PreCheck for a minor child is not required, as long as they are flying on the same itinerary with an eligible adult who has their own TSA PreCheck membership.

No, all children ages 12 and under traveling with an eligible parent or guardian with a TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass may use the expedited security lanes. Infants do not need their own TSA PreCheck membership.

Yes, minors can be approved for TSA PreCheck. Minors who are 13 to 17 may be randomly excluded from their adult companion's benefits. Because of that, having their own membership will ensure that they can use the expedited screening lanes.

Yes, TSA PreCheck members may bring their infants through TSA PreCheck lanes with them. Unlike Global Entry, babies do not need their own TSA PreCheck membership.

If you’re looking to get TSA PreCheck for your family

It’s a good idea to have TSA PreCheck when traveling with family. Family travel can be stressful enough with extra luggage and children who aren't used to new or busy spaces. Having TSA PreCheck for your family gets you through security faster without having to remove shoes or take electronics or liquids out of carry-on bags.

While the upfront cost may seem high, membership lasts for five years and there are numerous travel cards that can reimburse your application fees.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Travel Cards from Our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Points
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1.5%-6.5%

Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

$300

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
See more travel cards
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.