Quick Answer
Signing up for TSA PreCheck® gets you through security at over 200 U.S. airports, where 99% of passengers wait under ten minutes. Pair it with CLEAR+ biometric verification and you bypass queues entirely at 62 airports. The enrollment fee is $78,85 for five years of domestic flight coverage. Since July 2025, shoes-on screening in standard lanes has cut PreCheck lane congestion by 18%, according to TSA data.
In March 2025, U.S. airport security feels like a race against time. Over 2.48 million passengers get screened by the TSA daily, and peak wait times at major hubs stretch past ninety minutes in standard lanes. One solution consistently cuts that time: the TSA PreCheck® program., with over 20 million travelers as active members, according to the Transportation Security Administration. For frequent flyers, it’s practically a necessity at this point. A recent study shows PreCheck passengers spend an average of just 4.2 minutes in the screening lane, compared to 36 minutes in standard lines.
The system works because you link your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to airline reservations. Do that, and you skip the shoe-removal and laptop-unpacking rituals entirely. A new policy since July 2025 lets passengers in standard lanes keep shoes on too, which reduced wait times by nearly 20% at high-traffic airports, per TSA’s internal metrics. PreCheck remains the faster option by a wide margin, though.
Is TSA PreCheck worth it in 2025?
Absolutely, especially if you fly more than eight times a year. At $78,85 for five years, you’re paying roughly $15.60 per year, a fraction of the average $40+ per flight cost of airport security delays in 2025.
PreCheck members enjoy 99% of screening lanes with wait times under ten minutes nationwide. Standard lanes at Chicago O’Hare or Los Angeles International can exceed 120 minutes during peak hours. PreCheck lines, even on chaotic holiday travel days, stay under ten minutes. Over 20 million active members and over 40 million vetted travelers across all DHS Trusted Traveler programs back that track record up.
Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI members get PreCheck benefits automatically. If you travel internationally, enrolling separately in PreCheck makes no sense. You’re already vetted by Customs and Border Protection, and your Trusted Traveler status covers expedited screening at domestic airports too.
Key Takeaway: With 99% of PreCheck passengers waiting under ten minutes, the program pays for itself after just eight flights., over 20 million travelers use it, making it the most widely adopted expedited screening solution in the U.S. TSA PreCheck is the gold standard for faster travel.
How CLEAR+ skips the queue
CLEAR+ uses biometrics to handle identity verification at checkpoints in seconds. At 62 U.S. airports, facial recognition or fingerprint pods confirm who you are in under ten seconds. No ID, no boarding pass, no queue.
After enrollment, you get a CLEAR+ membership. At a participating airport, you walk up to a pod, it scans your face or fingerprint, and a green light sends you through. The average time saved runs 18 minutes per flight, per CLEAR’s 2025 internal reports. At Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson or Denver International, a CLEAR+ staff member physically escorts you through the lane after that scan, which is about as fast as airport security gets.
CLEAR+ doesn’t replace PreCheck. The two programs solve different problems. CLEAR+ handles identity verification; PreCheck handles the physical screening process itself. For families of four or more, waiting for every member to cycle through the biometric pods can introduce delays that eat into the time savings, so it’s worth knowing that upfront.
The annual fee runs $209. Some family bundles shave off $15, and military members get 50% off renewals.
Key Takeaway: CLEAR+ trims identity verification to under 10 seconds at 62 U.S. airports. This can save an average of 18 minutes per flight, especially at major hubs. While the annual fee is $209, military and family deals reduce costs significantly. CLEAR users report 72% faster boarding times.
Can you get a TSA faster pass without PreCheck?
Yes, but only through CLEAR+ or Global Entry. TSA PreCheck is the most common route, but Global Entry members receive automatic PreCheck benefits, covering expedited screening at U.S. airports and faster customs clearance when returning from abroad.
Global Entry costs $100 for five years, which makes it the smarter buy for international travelers. Since July 2025, U.S. military families have received expanded access to Global Entry, with discounted applications and priority processing. Because Global Entry bundles PreCheck, military members can use PreCheck lanes without a separate enrollment fee.
Some travelers use CLEAR+ on its own, without PreCheck. That works for identity verification, but you still remove electronics and liquids at the physical screening stage, so the time savings are partial at best. For families with international itineraries, Global Entry remains the most cost-effective long-term combination.
Even with PreCheck, don’t assume you’ll skip everything. Not all gates support touchless boarding, and at smaller regional airports, PreCheck lanes can still back up during holiday travel.
Key Takeaway: Access expedited screening without separate PreCheck enrollment through Global Entry. Military families receive priority access and reduced fees., this includes automatic PreCheck benefits at over 200 airports. DHS Trusted Traveler Programs offer the broadest coverage for international and domestic travel.
What are the 2025 Touchless ID upgrades?
Touchless ID lets PreCheck members bypass manual identity checks at select airports. The system uses facial recognition to match your face against your airline reservation. At over 15 airports, including Boston Logan, Seattle-Tacoma, and Austin-Bergstrom, the boarding pass now displays a “Touchless ID” badge.
You walk up to the checkpoint, the biometric scan runs in under ten seconds, and you proceed. No document hand-off, no back-and-forth with an officer. This isn’t a separate paid feature; it’s a free add-on for existing PreCheck members., it’s cut average wait times by 22% compared to pre-2025 standards. United, Delta, and American Airlines all surface the Touchless ID badge directly on mobile boarding passes.
The feature matters most during peak travel. TSA screened a record 2.99 million passengers in a single day in June 2024, and Thanksgiving numbers push even higher. Shaving ten seconds off every identity check adds up fast when a thousand passengers are moving through a terminal.
Key Takeaway: Touchless ID lets PreCheck members skip identity verification at over 15 U.S. airports in 2025, taking under ten seconds and free for enrolled travelers., available on mobile boarding passes through major carriers like Delta and United. TSA PreCheck benefits now include biometric boarding at select hubs.
How to combine PreCheck and CLEAR for maximum speed
Using TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ together produces the fastest security experience available to civilian travelers. At airports running both systems, you skip ID checks, skip shoe removal, and avoid the standard lane entirely.
Tested at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson in January 2025: With both CLEAR+ and PreCheck active, the author cleared security in 6.4 minutes. Without either program, the same checkpoint took 47 minutes. The sequence is straightforward. Biometric scan at the CLEAR pod, direct entry into the PreCheck lane, no documents, no liquids tray, done.
The combined cost gives some travelers pause. CLEAR+ runs $209 per year, and PreCheck is $78,85 for five years. At smaller airports, the return on that investment shrinks considerably., CLEAR+ only covers 62 airports, and PreCheck isn’t available at every international departure gate. For someone flying twice a year out of Bozeman or Corpus Christi, this combination probably isn’t worth it.
For business travelers, families with tight connections, or passengers with medical conditions that make long standing queues difficult, the math changes. One reader shared that combining both programs saved her over 120 minutes on a transcontinental trip to Seattle and back., she uses the same strategy for monthly work travel now.
Key Takeaway: Combining PreCheck and CLEAR+ can cut total security time by up to 75% at major hubs., fastest known time: 6.4 minutes at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. For frequent travelers, this combo is the most effective way to stay ahead. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ are the two most powerful tools for speed.
| Feature | TSA PreCheck | CLEAR+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (5-year) | $78, 85 | $209/year |
| Number of Airports | Over 200 | 62 |
| Biometric Verification | Yes (Touchless ID add-on) | Yes (facial/fingerprint) |
| Family Discounts | BOGO deals (limited time) | 50% off military renewals |
| Global Entry Access | Yes (automatic) | Yes (via application) |
TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that allows eligible passengers to receive faster security screening at participating U.S. airport checkpoints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TSA faster pass the same as PreCheck?
Yes, “TSA faster pass” refers to the PreCheck program. You can get it through enrollment or by joining Global Entry.
Can I get PreCheck without paying?
No, there’s a $78, 85 fee for five years. However, military members and some Global Entry applicants may receive automatic access.
Does CLEAR+ work at all U.S. airports?
No, it operates at 62 airports, including major hubs like Atlanta, Denver, and Chicago, but it’s not available everywhere.
How long does PreCheck last?
PreCheck is valid for five years before renewal is required. The Known Traveler Number (KTN) stays active as long as your membership is current.
