If you’re under 31 and have been putting off signing up for TSA PreCheck, the trusted traveler program for rapid airport screening, you might want to reconsider. This May, the Transportation Security Administration is offering a limited-time “$20 Take Off” promotion for first-time TSA PreCheck applicants who are 30 and under.
“TSA recognizes that young travelers are underrepresented in the TSA PreCheck population and saw this as a great opportunity to offer discounts and encourage enrollment for young travelers, especially ahead of the busy season,” TSA PreCheck program manager Denise Wells said in a statement to Afar.
With a record partial government shutdown and TSA lines sometimes stretching for hours, we were recently reminded of how important access to faster PreCheck security screening is.
And while the partial government shutdown finally ended this week, the move forced more than 1,000 TSA employees to retire and significantly reduced the agency’s ability to meet passenger demand, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Each new employee requires four to six months of training, so that gap won’t close quickly.
The layoffs come as the summer travel season begins, with a surge in travelers traveling across the country this year to watch and watch FIFA World Cup games at stadiums across North America.
A five-year TSA PreCheck membership normally costs $85, but with the new discount, the cost will range from $57 to $65, depending on which of the three authorized enrollment providers you choose: Clear, Idemia, or Telos (a private company contracted by TSA to collect PreCheck enrollment information). Each enrollment provider has its own enrollment locations and costs, with Idemia being the cheapest and Telos offering the most locations.
“TSA PreCheck will provide a faster and smoother airport security experience as young adults embark on new adventures, whether traveling for school, work or play,” Ha Nguyen McNeil, a TSA senior official who performs administrative duties, said in a press release. “With this special discount, we are helping the next generation of travelers make TSA PreCheck a part of their journey.”
To qualify, applicants must be 30 years of age or younger at the time of enrollment, meet standard TSA PreCheck eligibility requirements, including a background check and submission of multiple forms of identification, and complete the full enrollment process between May 1 and May 31, 2026.
This promotion is available to new members only. If you turn 31 in May, you can still take advantage of the promotion as long as you complete your in-person registration before your birthday.
To begin the process, fill out an application online through one of three certified providers, then complete the process in person at one of more than 1,300 registration locations nationwide. Enrollment centers are located at airports as well as in stores such as Home Depot and Staples, depending on the authorized enrollment provider you choose. Most applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) within 3-5 days and can add it to their flight reservation for TSA PreCheck access.
TSA PreCheck members can also opt-in to touchless ID, TSA functionality using facial recognition technology enables even faster identity verification. The program was recently rolled out to 65 airports. You must have a passport to use it and opt-in through a frequent flyer account with a participating airline. (Currently participating are all major U.S. airlines except JetBlue.)
Before applying for TSA PreCheck, there are a few things to keep in mind. Children under 17 generally do not require a TSA PreCheck membership when traveling with a registered parent, unless they regularly travel alone. Minors can receive a $20 discount when traveling alone. Membership application discounts cannot be duplicated. If you qualify for other TSA PreCheck discounts, such as the military spouse discount, you cannot use both.
First, visit the TSA website, select your enrolled provider, and find a location near you. This promotion will be applied automatically and will last until May 31st.