Free Guide to TSA PreCheck and Southwest Airlines

What TSA PreCheck Is and How It Works

TSA PreCheck is a program run by the Transportation Security Administration that allows certain air travelers to move through airport security checkpoints more quickly. When you participate in TSA PreCheck, you go through a separate security line at participating airports instead of the standard screening line. This program began in 2011 and has grown significantly over the years.

The main difference between PreCheck and standard security is what you can leave on during screening. In a TSA PreCheck line, you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on while going through the metal detector. You can also leave your laptop and liquids bag in your carry-on luggage. At standard security checkpoints, you must remove these items. This saves time—TSA reports that PreCheck members typically spend 5 minutes or less at security, compared to 20-30 minutes in standard lines.

As of 2024, TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports across the United States, including major hubs like Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and New York. The program works with more than 90 airlines, including all major carriers. However, availability varies by airport and time of day, so you might not always have access to a dedicated PreCheck line.

The program costs $78-$85 for a five-year membership, depending on the processing method. This breaks down to roughly $15-$17 per year. You pay this fee once every five years to maintain your membership status.

Practical takeaway: TSA PreCheck is a paid program that reduces security screening time at U.S. airports. The cost is a one-time fee that covers five years of participation. Understanding the basic mechanics helps you decide if the program aligns with your travel habits.

Who Can Participate in TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck participation is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old. There are no income restrictions, and the program does not discriminate based on employment status or travel frequency, though it is most valuable for people who fly regularly.

The program does require a background check. TSA conducts these checks to review your criminal history, immigration status, and records held by other federal agencies. Most people pass this background check without issues. TSA will deny membership to individuals with certain criminal convictions, immigration violations, or security-related offenses. The specific disqualifying factors are detailed on the TSA website and include felony convictions, certain drug-related offenses, and violations of transportation security regulations.

There is no restriction based on travel patterns. You do not need to demonstrate that you travel frequently or plan to travel in the future. This means someone who flies once a year can participate just as easily as someone who flies monthly. However, from a practical standpoint, people who fly several times per year tend to see the best value from their membership.

Non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents may explore other expedited screening programs. The TSA offers programs like Global Entry (for international travelers returning to the U.S.) and NEXUS (for travel between the U.S. and Canada), which may include TSA PreCheck benefits.

Family members must each hold their own TSA PreCheck membership. There is no family plan or discount for multiple members in the same household. Children under 18 can participate, but parents or guardians must enroll them separately.

Practical takeaway: Verify your citizenship or permanent resident status and ensure you have no disqualifying criminal or security issues before proceeding. Understanding these basic requirements prevents wasted time in the enrollment process.

The TSA PreCheck Enrollment Process

The enrollment process for TSA PreCheck involves several steps and typically takes 3-5 business days from submission of your information, though approval can sometimes take longer during peak travel seasons. The process begins online, where you create an account on the official TSA PreCheck website and submit your personal information.

You will need to provide your full legal name, date of birth, contact information, passport number or driver's license number, and answers to background check questions. These questions ask about your criminal history, immigration status, and travel conduct. You must answer honestly, as providing false information is a federal offense. The background check questions are straightforward and ask whether you have been convicted of certain crimes or violated immigration laws.

After you submit your online information, you must schedule an in-person appointment at a TSA PreCheck enrollment center. These centers are located at airports, post offices, and other facilities nationwide. As of 2024, there are over 500 enrollment locations. During your appointment, which typically lasts 10-15 minutes, a TSA official will verify your identity, take your fingerprints for a thorough background check, and collect your payment.

Bring the following documents to your appointment: a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID), a second form of identification if available, and proof of citizenship or permanent residency (passport, birth certificate, naturalization documents, or green card). You can pay the enrollment fee using cash, check, or card at your appointment.

Once approved, you will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). This 10-digit number is what the TSA uses to identify you at security checkpoints. You should receive your official PreCheck card in the mail within 5-7 business days of approval. You can start using your KTN immediately by adding it to your airline reservations, even before your physical card arrives.

Practical takeaway: Budget for a 10-15 minute in-person appointment and gather your identification documents ahead of time. Adding your KTN to airline reservations right after approval lets you start using PreCheck benefits immediately.

TSA PreCheck and Southwest Airlines Partnership

Southwest Airlines is one of the major carriers that honors TSA PreCheck at security checkpoints across the United States. As a Southwest customer with TSA PreCheck, you gain access to the expedited security lines at all airports where Southwest operates, which includes most major U.S. airports. This applies whether you are flying on Southwest or another airline that participates in the PreCheck program.

To use TSA PreCheck benefits on Southwest flights, you must add your Known Traveler Number to your Southwest account. You can do this through the Southwest website or mobile app by logging into "My Account" or "Account and Wallet," finding the Rapid Rewards profile section, and entering your KTN. Some travelers also add their KTN directly to individual flight reservations, though adding it to your main account is more efficient for regular flyers.

When you check in for a Southwest flight online, your boarding pass will display "TSA Pre✓" (a checkmark symbol) if your PreCheck status is correctly linked. You may not see this indicator on every boarding pass, even if you are a PreCheck member—this sometimes happens if there is a processing delay or system issue—but you can still use the PreCheck line as long as your membership is active.

Southwest does not charge PreCheck members any additional fees. The benefit comes from your TSA PreCheck membership, which you maintain separately from your Southwest Rapid Rewards account. However, Southwest Rapid Rewards elite members do receive some security perks, such as dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at certain airports during specific times.

It is important to note that TSA PreCheck availability at your specific airport depends on factors beyond Southwest's control. Not all airports have dedicated PreCheck lines at all times. During very busy travel periods (holidays, spring break), TSA may close PreCheck lines if standard lines become too long, or they may consolidate passengers to manage capacity. Arriving early remains a good practice even with TSA PreCheck.

Practical takeaway: Add your TSA PreCheck number to your Southwest account immediately after receiving your KTN. Check that your boarding passes display the TSA Pre✓ indicator to confirm proper linking.

Costs, Renewal, and Maintaining Your Membership

TSA PreCheck membership costs between $78 and $85, depending on how you pay. Payment by credit card typically costs $85, while paying by check or money order may cost $78. You pay this fee once every five years. This works out to approximately $15-$17 per year, making it relatively inexpensive for frequent travelers.

To put this cost in perspective, a round-trip flight can cost $200-$500 or more depending on route and timing. If PreCheck