TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck (branded as TSA Pre✓) is a trusted traveler program initiated in December 2013 and administered (except for enrollment) by the United States Transportation Security Administration that allows selected members of select frequent flyer programs, members of Global Entry, Free and Secure Trade, NEXUS, and SENTRI, members of the US military, and cadets and midshipmen of the United States service academies[1][2] to receive expedited screening for domestic and select international itineraries.[3] As of October 2024, 104 airlines participate in the program,[4] which is available at more than 200 airports.[5]
History
[edit]Enrollment
[edit]After completing a background check, being fingerprinted,[6] and paying a fee ranging from $76.75 to $85.00 depending on the provider, travelers receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). Unlike other trusted travel programs, whose enrollment is managed by the US government, the enrollment of TSA PreCheck is managed by three commercial companies: CLEAR,[7] IDEMIA and Telos.[8] The TSA does not issue an ID card like Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI do.[9] Travelers are notified if they have PreCheck by having an indicator printed on their boarding pass that may say "TSAPRECHK", "TSA PRE", or "TSA Pre✓®" depending on the airline and type of boarding pass.[9]
Touchless ID
[edit]
TSA PreCheck Touchless ID (formerly known as Delta Digital ID) is an experimental and optional facial recognition technology used by only a few select airlines at a small number of TSA security checkpoints at major domestic hubs.[10][11]
The program uses biometric cameras to compare a traveler's live image against the passport photo associated with their enrollment, allowing eligible passengers to verify their identity without presenting a physical ID or paper boarding pass.[10] However, passengers are still required to carry an acceptable physical photo ID in the event manual identity verification is necessary.[11]
Enrollment
[edit]Travelers must be active TSA PreCheck members, have a valid U.S. passport saved to Google Wallet or your airline profile[a], and opt in before checking in. Once opted in, a Touchless ID indicator is displayed on the passenger's mobile boarding pass. As of 2026, only six major U.S. carriers offer Touchless ID: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.[11]
Privacy
[edit]Biometric data collected for Touchless ID is retained for a maximum of 24 hours after flight departure, and federal policy prohibits its use for law enforcement, surveillance, or external data sharing except for limited testing to evaluate the accuracy of TSA's facial comparison technology. These tests are conducted only at select locations with advance passenger notification. TSA secures all personal data and images used or temporarily stored by its facial comparison technology, and all systems comply with DHS and TSA cybersecurity requirements.[11][12]
Policies and Reception
[edit]The program has led to complaints of unfairness and longer wait lines.[13] The TSA says that PreCheck is not guaranteed on every flight, as passengers are subject to random exclusions.[9] Furthermore, passengers may be disqualified or suspended from PreCheck for violations of federal transportation security regulations.[9] The TSA maintains a list of credit card issuers and loyalty programs that reimburse members' TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees.[14]
Children and Minors
[edit]Citing high travel demand, the TSA announced in May 2023 that children aged between 13 and 17 would be able to accompany a parent or guardian through the PreCheck security lines as long as they are all under the same reservation, and the parent or guardian has PreCheck linked on their reservation. Previously, this rule applied only to children 12 and under.[15]
Notes
[edit]- ↑ Using Google Wallet without an airline profile is only supported by participating airlines and is subject to the same location and availability limits.
References
[edit]- ↑ "Military Travel". TSA.gov. Transportation Security Administration. n.d. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
All members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those serving in the Reserves and National Guard can benefit from TSA Pre✓® expedited screening (using dedicated security checkpoints and no need to remove shoes, laptops, etc.) at select airports when flying on participating airlines. Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Air Force Academy are also eligible to receive TSA Pre✓® screening benefits. Use your Department of Defense identification number when making flight reservations.
- ↑ "TSA PreCheck™ reaches milestone with 10 million members | Transportation Security Administration". www.tsa.gov. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
- ↑ Sharkey, Joe (8 November 2011). "ON THE ROAD; For the Chosen Fliers, Security Check Is a Breeze". The New York Times. p. 9. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
- ↑ "TSA PreCheck® Participating Airlines". tsa.gov. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ↑ "Clear vs. TSA PreCheck: What's better for price and privacy?". washingtonpost.com. Washington Post. July 23, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ↑ "Stuck in line: TSA PreCheck expansion slowing down frequent travelers". NBC News. February 5, 2014. Archived from the original on February 5, 2014.
- ↑ "CLEAR becomes TSA's third official TSA PreCheck® enrollment provider | Transportation Security Administration". www.tsa.gov. Transportation Security Administration. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ↑ "TSA Just Made Enrolling in PreCheck a Bit Easier — Here's How". Travel and Leisure. August 16, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 "TSA Pre✓® FAQ". TSA.gov. Transportation Security Administration. n.d. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- 1 2 "TSA PreCheck Touchless ID | Delta News Hub". news.delta.com. 2026-03-04. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- 1 2 3 4 "TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID | Transportation Security Administration". U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ "Does TSA protect all data (e.g., photos) collected during testing of facial comparison technology? | Transportation Security Administration". U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Jeff Plungis (22 March 2013). "TSA Chief John Pistole Gets Into a Knife Fight". BusinessWeek. Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2013.
- ↑ "Credit Cards and Loyalty Programs featuring TSA Pre✓®". TSA.gov. Transportation Security Administration. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ↑ "TSA Will Now Allow Teens to Access PreCheck with Parents or Guardians". www.travelmarketreport.com. 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-23.[permanent dead link]