Does TSA PreCheck Really Make a Big Difference at the Airport?

If you're a frequent traveler, you might already have a TSA PreCheck membership to (ideally) cut down on security wait times and make your airport arrival a generally more pleasant experience.

But what is the real difference between the TSA PreCheck line and the standard security line? How much time will you truly save? Here's a look at some of the real-world data we have available, some other factors to keep in mind, and how you could potentially get a TSA PreCheck membership for free.

How much time will TSA PreCheck save you?

Of course, there's no way to know for sure how much quicker you'll get through security with TSA PreCheck, and there's no guarantee that you'll save any time at all. It depends on the airport, the time of day, whether you're traveling on a busy holiday, and other factors like staffing issues at TSA checkpoints.

Having said that, here's what we know.

First off, the TSA itself claims that 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait for 10 minutes or less at security checkpoints. Actual TSA data from 2021 found that 92% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited for less than five minutes.

On the other hand, travel site PlanetWare found that the average overall security wait time at U.S. airports is about 10 minutes (including non-PreCheck passengers), although this can vary significantly from airport to airport. And the TSA data found that nearly all non-PreCheck travelers make it through security in less than 20 minutes.

The point is that it's tough to say whether TSA PreCheck actually saves a ton of time.

It's also worth noting that these are averages, and the actual results can be very timing-specific. For example, if you fly at a popular time for business travel (Monday morning, for example), it's likely that there will be more people in the TSA PreCheck line than usual.

The benefits of PreCheck go beyond saving time

In full disclosure, I have a TSA PreCheck membership, and the reasons why have little to do with time savings. For one thing, my membership is free (more on that in the next section), so it's not a personal finance hit for me. And I typically fly out of a very small airport in Columbia, South Carolina, where there is rarely a line of more than a handful of people, even in the main security line.

For me, the biggest advantages are the elimination of certain pain points at the security checkpoint. Specifically:

• TSA PreCheck allows me to keep my shoes on. I can keep my belt on as well, and not have to send light jackets through the X-ray machine. (After all, who wants to struggle to take off a hoodie with a line forming behind you?)
• Members can leave their laptop in their bag.
• You don't have to remove travel-sized liquids from your bag.

Essentially, TSA PreCheck allows me to simply drop my carry-on bag on the conveyor belt, walk through a metal detector, and pick it up on the other side. And if I'm being honest, I care far more about this than potentially saving a few minutes.

Is TSA PreCheck worth the cost?

To be sure, TSA PreCheck isn't terribly expensive. It costs $78 to apply, and your membership is valid for five years. Your initial membership will involve being fingerprinted at an enrollment center, so it does require some effort on your part, but future renewals can be done easily online.

In addition, a free TSA PreCheck membership (or a Global Entry membership, which includes PreCheck), is a common perk of travel rewards credit cards. Just to name a couple, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has an excellent rewards program and free TSA PreCheck membership with a $95 annual fee. And if you frequently stay at hotels when you travel, you might want to look into the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which has a $99 annual fee, automatic IHG Platinum elite status, and a free hotel night every year you renew the card.

These are just a couple of examples, and there are plenty of others. But a TSA PreCheck membership can make your travel experience far more pleasant, so it could be worth looking into.