TSA PreCheck enrollment has surpassed 20 million members, up 35% from 2024, as the program's convenience benefits become increasingly clear. Average wait times for PreCheck lanes have dropped to under 5 minutes at all major airports.
The program's growth is partly attributed to the streamlined renewal process, which can now be completed entirely online without an in-person visit. New enrollments can also be processed through mobile verification at many airports, reducing signup to 10 minutes.
TSA reports that standard security lines at busy airports regularly exceed 30 minutes during peak travel periods, making the $78 five-year PreCheck membership fee an increasingly easy decision. Many premium credit cards now reimburse the fee as a cardholder benefit.
The agency has expanded PreCheck lane availability, with dedicated lanes now operating at 200+ airports. Several airports have also introduced PreCheck-like expedited lines for connecting passengers, reducing the stress of tight connections.
CLEAR, the private biometric screening service, complements PreCheck by eliminating the ID verification step. The combined CLEAR + PreCheck experience allows members to move from curb to gate in under 10 minutes at most major airports.
