The commonest technique to get TSA PreCheck without spending a dime is utilizing a bank card that covers the price of this system, although there are a few different choices.
As any frequent flier can let you know, TSA PreCheck is a surefire technique to save your self some problem on the airport.
Inaugurated in 2013, the TSA PreCheck program permits its members to skip the usual safety line. As a substitute, PreCheck holders get pleasure from a devoted, expedited line on the greater than 200 U.S. airports the place this system is energetic. Prospects within the PreCheck line can hold their sneakers, belts, and lightweight jackets on by way of safety, and, not like in the usual line, electronics and small liquids can keep within the bag the place they’re packed.
The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) says that round 99 % of PreCheck passengers clear safety in 10 minutes or much less—making this system a game-changer for many who choose arriving on the airport last-minute or who merely don’t like ready in lengthy traces.
One of many few downsides to TSA PreCheck is that it does price some cash. Making use of for PreCheck usually prices $85 (or a couple of {dollars} much less underneath sure circumstances), a payment that covers your membership for 5 years when you’re accepted.
If you happen to’re savvy, although, there are some methods to grow to be a TSA PreCheck member without spending a dime. Almost 50 totally different bank cards will cowl the price of PreCheck membership as one in every of their cardholder perks. A couple of hospitality-industry loyalty applications can even pay PreCheck charges for his or her members, and one luxurious journey membership available on the market will accomplish that as properly.
Regardless of which methodology you favor, learn on to discover ways to get TSA PreCheck without spending a dime.
Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos
How you can Get TSA PreCheck for Free With a Credit score Card
Due to the sheer variety of playing cards that provide PreCheck as a profit, making use of with a certified bank card might be the best technique to get PreCheck without spending a dime. The TSA retains a listing of the playing cards it companions with at any given time, and, as of Could 2025, that checklist consists of round 4 dozen playing cards.
The eligible playing cards vary from beginner-friendly credit score traces with no annual payment to high-end playing cards that ooze exclusivity. That selection means there’s in all probability an eligible card that may very well be a match for you—in the event you don’t have one in your pockets already.
The phrases of utilizing bank cards for PreCheck membership are usually the identical throughout the board. If you apply for PreCheck (or apply for renewal of an present membership), pay your utility payment with the cardboard you wish to earn your profit from. When you’ve carried out so, your card supplier will subject you a press release credit score protecting the price of your utility payment, normally inside two assertion cycles.
Sure, that does imply it’s important to entrance the associated fee your self with this methodology—however, on the finish of the day, you’ll nonetheless finally have your PreCheck membership paid for.
Many of the playing cards under provide a PreCheck profit simply as soon as each 4 years or so, so plan fastidiously if it’s good to buy a membership for a number of members of your loved ones. The cardboard advantages usually can be utilized for brand new purposes or renewals, so as soon as the profit resets after 4 years, you need to be capable of use it once more to resume your PreCheck each half-decade.
Most of the certified playing cards enable prospects to decide on whether or not they wish to use this profit for TSA PreCheck or for World Entry, the Customs and Border Patrol program that expedites processing for members flying into the U.S. from overseas. However bear in mind, if you wish to get World Entry without spending a dime, your card in all probability received’t additionally cowl your PreCheck charges—these advantages usually cowl only one or the opposite. (After all, World Entry consists of PreCheck, so in the event you journey internationally typically, it’s possible you’ll wish to splurge on the extra complete choice.)
Listed below are bank cards that cowl TSA PreCheck:
Credit score Playing cards With No Annual Charge That Provide Free TSA PreCheck
- American Airways Credit score Union Visa Signature Credit score Card
- Arvest Visa Signature Credit score Card
- Truist Get pleasure from Journey Credit score Card
- U.S. Financial institution Altitude Join Visa Signature Card
Credit score Playing cards With Annual Charges Underneath $100
- Aeroplan Credit score Card: $95 annual payment
- Financial institution of America Premium Rewards Credit score Card: $95 annual payment
- Capital One Enterprise Card: $95 annual payment
- Selection Privileges Choose Mastercard: $95 annual payment
- HSBC Premier World Mastercard: $95 annual payment
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card: $99 annual payment
- Navy Federal’s Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Card: $49 annual payment
- One Key+ Card: $99 annual payment
- PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card: $95 annual payment
- Provident World+ Journey: $45 annual payment (waived within the first 12 months)
- Truist Enterprise Journey Rewards Credit score Card: $49 annual payment (waived within the first 12 months)
- Truist Get pleasure from Past Credit score Card: $95 annual payment
- USAA Eagle Navigator Visa Signature Credit score Card: $95 annual payment
Credit score Playing cards With Annual Charges Over $100
- American Specific Platinum Card: $650 annual payment
- American Specific Centurion Card: $5,000 annual payment
- Capital One Enterprise X Card: $395 annual payment
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit score Card: $550 annual payment
- Citi / AAdvantage Government World Elite MasterCard: $595 annual payment
- Citi Status Card: $495 annual payment
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Specific Card: $350 annual payment
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card: $650 annual payment
- HSBC Elite World Elite MasterCard: $495 annual payment
- Marriott Bonvoy Sensible American Specific Card: $650 annual payment
- MasterCard Black Card: $495 annual payment
- MasterCard Gold Card: $995 annual payment
- UBS Visa Infinite Credit score Card: $650 annual payment
- United Membership Card: $695 annual payment
- United Explorer Card: $150 annual payment (waived within the first 12 months)
- United Quest Card: $350 annual payment
Enterprise Credit score Playing cards That Provide Free TSA PreCheck
- American Specific Enterprise Platinum Card: $695 annual payment
- American Specific Company Gold Card: $250 annual payment
- American Specific Company Platinum Card: $550 annual payment
- Capital One Spark Miles Card: $95 annual payment (waived within the first 12 months)
- Capital One Enterprise X Enterprise Card: $395 annual payment
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Specific Enterprise Card: $350 annual payment
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Enterprise Card: $650 annual payment
- IHG One Rewards Premier Enterprise Credit score Card: $99 annual payment
- Southwest Fast Rewards Efficiency Enterprise Credit score Card: $199 annual payment
Different Methods to Get TSA PreCheck for Free
If you wish to earn free TSA PreCheck with out the usage of a particular bank card, there are a couple of different choices. First, a couple of rewards applications throughout the hospitality {industry} provide free PreCheck to their members, both as a member profit or in alternate for factors or miles. The applications presently providing this profit are:
- IHG One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Orbitz Rewards Platinum
- United Mileage Plus
Lastly, there’s one final technique to get your PreCheck prices lined. In keeping with the TSA, the luxurious journey neighborhood ASmallWorld presents PreCheck without spending a dime to a few of its members. One thing of a cross between a social networking website and a personal members’ membership, ASmallWorld offers its members entry to all types of journey advantages, from perks at resort companions just like the 4 Seasons to upgrades on cruise and airline companions like Silversea and Etihad. Paid-for PreCheck membership is simply the icing on the cake.