What You Should Know Before Renewing Your TSA PreCheck Membership
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Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck is one of those things you never know you need until you actually experience it. Launched in December 2013 as part of the Department of Homeland Security's Trusted Traveler Program, TSA PreCheck is designed to deliver convenience to low-risk travelers by letting them do away with time-consuming tasks at the airport — particularly the removal of belts, shoes, outerwear, electronics, and carry-on liquids — when going through security. According to the TSA, roughly 99.4% of TSA PreCheck members breeze through security in under 10 minutes, as opposed to the roughly 30 minutes the passengers in the regular lanes endure.
Over 18 million travelers have signed up for TSA PreCheck since the program was introduced, thanks in part to the agency's efforts to make both the enrollment and renewal process accessible and affordable. Aside from expanding its list of participating airlines and airports, TSA has also dropped the enrollment fee from $85 to $78 and the online renewal fee from $85 to $70. While the upfront cost may still seem steep, a membership lasts for five years, so it technically comes down to around $14 a year. Renewal isn't a pain, either. In most cases, renewing your TSA PreCheck is faster than the initial enrollment process. You can even renew for free, but only if you have the right credit cards.
You can renew up to six months before your membership ends
You don't have to wait until your TSA PreCheck membership lapses to kick-start the renewal process. Current members can renew up to six months before the five-year deadline. Given the lengthy validity period of TSA PreCheck, regularly monitoring your membership status may slip your mind. You can always check via the TSA PreCheck KTN (Known Traveler Number) Lookup website, but TSA also takes the extra step of sending reminders to its members via email. You can expect a renewal notice from IDEMIA/Universal Enroll to hit your inbox from six months to two weeks before your membership ends.
As for the renewal fee, you can stand to save money if you choose to renew your membership online. It costs $70 to renew online via IDEMIA or Telos (TSA-approved enrollment providers), and it costs $68.95 to renew online via CLEAR (another approved provider). But if you renew in person, the cost is more at IDEMIA ($78) and CLEAR ($77.95). Renewing in person via Telos costs the same as online, at $70. Here's the most up-to-date enrollment information via TSA.
Luckily, these fees won't be a problem if you have an eligible credit card that can cover it, like the Capital One Spark Miles Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card. Checking with your credit card provider is best, but the TSA also has a list of eligible credit cards that offer a statement credit for enrollment or renewal.
There's a grace period until you lose your existing Known Traveler Number
In case you can't renew your TSA PreCheck membership in time, TSA allows for a grace period of up to a year after it expires. During this period, TSA PreCheck might not show up on your boarding pass, but you can continue to keep your existing Known Traveler Number (KTN). If you go beyond the grace period, you'll have to apply for PreCheck again like a new member and get a brand new KTN. This can prove a hassle, especially if your previous KTN is saved in various online airline accounts.
You may not want to wait that long because renewal is a cakewalk, anyway. Generally, you only have to complete a form and pay the required fee, making the process relatively quick and painless (unlike how it feels to stand in the regular TSA lines). As a precaution, TSA advises its PreCheck members to renew their membership at least 60 days before it's set to expire to avoid approval-related delays. You know what they say: The early bird gets the worm.
You may be required to do an in-person screening
When you're waiting to get approved for TSA PreCheck as a first-time applicant, you're required to visit an enrollment location in person for fingerprinting, documentation, and payment. During the renewal stage, an in-person meeting isn't common, though it's not unheard of either. If you get flagged by TSA, you may have to attend an in-person screening or, in some cases, your renewal may not be approved at all.
Thankfully, in-person meetings aren't generally a cause for concern. TSA states that travelers who have changed their name since first applying for PreCheck might have to visit an enrollment center when renewing their benefits. Low-quality fingerprints from your initial application could also warrant a mandatory in-person meeting.
Be sure to bring any supporting documentation, such as a marriage certificate (if your name changed), along with you for your appointment. After the meeting, you can generally expect a decision on your renewal within just a few business days, though name changes or other unique situations could take up to two months.