How Long Does TSA PreCheck Membership Last?

TSA PreCheck membership lasts for five years.
Alisha McDarris
By Alisha McDarris 
Updated
Edited by Jeanette Margle

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Travel is making a serious comeback, and that means lines at airport security have returned to their former glory. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait in those lines. Consider TSA PreCheck — a Trusted Traveler Program and a game-changing way to speed through airport screening, all while keeping your shoes on your feet and your laptop in your bag.

But whether or not you're already a member, you may be wondering how long TSA PreCheck lasts. Is there an expiration date? And what do you do when your membership is almost up? We explain it all.

How long is a TSA PreCheck membership good for?

The answer is straightforward: A TSA PreCheck membership is good for five years from your date of approval. And for those who travel often, joining can absolutely be worth it. The $78 fee over the course of the included five years breaks down to just $15.60 per year. And it's possible to get the TSA PreCheck application fee covered through a travel credit card.

With more than 200 airports and 81 airlines participating in TSA PreCheck, you’ll be set up to experience reduced security wait times — sometimes less than 5 minutes. And if you’re traveling with a child 12 or under, they can join you in the TSA PreCheck security lane.

During one trip I took around the holidays, TSA PreCheck actually saved me from missing my flight. Wait times in the regular security lines were an hour or more, but the TSA PreCheck line had only a handful of people in it.

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.

Renewing TSA PreCheck membership

You can being your TSA PreCheck renewal up to six months before your membership is set to expire. As this date approaches, you’ll receive a renewal notification by email (from “Universal Enroll”) or by phone.

You’ll get a heads-up starting six months before your membership expires, and then several more times leading up to the expiration date. You can check your expiration date online.

🤓Nerdy Tip

If you decide to renew early, don’t worry about “wasting” the months or weeks of membership you have left. Your new membership period won't begin until your current one ends, even if you renew early.

Renewing early may be better than waiting: While the Transportation Security Administration says most renewal applications take three to five days to process, they can take up to 90 days. If you don’t want to take any chances that your membership will lapse, plan to renew closer to the three-month mark.

You can renew online or in person at an enrollment center. Starting the process online costs $70, while doing so in person costs $78.

Credit cards that offer reimbursement for TSA PreCheck

If you don’t already have a TSA PreCheck membership, you may be able to sign up at no additional cost if you apply for the right travel credit card. There are many that offer reimbursement for the TSA PreCheck enrollment fee; all you have to do is use the credit card to pay for it.

GENERAL TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS

ANNUAL FEE

HOW OFTEN DOES THE CREDIT RENEW?

$95

Every 4 years.

$395 (see rates and fees)

Every 4 years.

$95 (see rates and fees)

Every 4 years.

$550

Every 4 years.

Citi Prestige® Card (this offer isn't currently available through NerdWallet)

$495

Every 5 years.

$49

Every 4 years.

$95

Every 4 years.

$695

Every 4 years when used for a Global Entry application fee; every 4.5 years when used for a TSA PreCheck application fee. Terms apply (see rates and fees).

$0

Every 4 years; maximum credit is $85 for either program.

$400

Every 4 years.

AIRLINE CREDIT CARDS

ANNUAL FEE

HOW OFTEN DOES THE CREDIT RENEW?

$95

Every 4 years.

$595

Every 5 years.

$350

Every 4 years when used for a Global Entry application fee; every 4.5 years when used for a TSA PreCheck application fee. Terms apply (see rates and fees).

$650

Every 4 years when used for a Global Entry application fee; every 4.5 years when used for a TSA PreCheck application fee. Terms apply (see rates and fees).

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

Every 4 years.

$250

Every 4 years.

$525

Every 4 years.

HOTEL CREDIT CARDS

ANNUAL FEE

HOW OFTEN DOES THE CREDIT RENEW?

$99

Every 4 years.

$650

Every 4 years when used for a Global Entry application fee; every 4.5 years when used for a TSA PreCheck application fee. Terms apply (see rates and fees).

In addition, if you’re already a member of United’s MileagePlus loyalty program, you can redeem United miles for a payment code that covers the cost of TSA PreCheck (at a value of just under 0.8 cent per mile, which is less than NerdWallet's valuation of United miles).

When to get or renew TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck membership lasts for five years, and you can renew up to six months before your current expiration date if you’re already a member. Renewing TSA PreCheck can be done online, and there are a slew of travel credit cards that will reimburse you for the application or renewal fee.


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
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