What to know about TSA PreCheck® military benefits
Quick insights
- Active-duty military members can receive complimentary TSA PreCheck status and are automatically eligible by using their Department of Defense (DoD) ID number as their Known Traveler Number (KTN) when booking travel.
- Veterans and military spouses do not receive complimentary TSA PreCheck status and must apply the same way as other civilians.
- Children 12 and under can use TSA PreCheck lanes if they are traveling with an active-duty military member who has TSA PreCheck.
If you're an active or retired military member and are interested in applying for TSA PreCheck, you can receive additional benefits from the airport security program. Below you'll find information on TSA PreCheck military benefits for active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses and dependents.
How TSA PreCheck works
TSA PreCheck is an airport security program run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Members of TSA PreCheck receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which can be used when booking flights to access TSA PreCheck security lanes at participating airports.
TSA PreCheck lanes can help expedite the airport security process. Additionally, TSA PreCheck members do not typically have to remove their shoes, belts, sweatshirts/light outerwear, liquids and laptops during security screening.
To receive TSA PreCheck status, you must be fingerprinted and pass a background check. Once approved, your membership is valid for five years. However, active military members don't have to go through the same process as civilians when applying for TSA PreCheck.
How to get TSA PreCheck if you're in the military
If you're an active-duty military member, you can receive complimentary TSA PreCheck status. That benefit is also available to a handful of other groups, including:
- All members of the U.S. armed forces
- Reserve members
- National Guard members
- Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy and Air Force Academy
If you fall under any of these groups, you do not have to fill out a TSA PreCheck application or engage in the enrollment process. Instead of a KTN, military members can use their 10-digit DoD identification number when making airline reservations.
Note that military members do not need to be in uniform to use TSA PreCheck lanes and can use it for both personal and official travel.
TSA PreCheck for veterans
TSA PreCheck for veterans is only available through the traditional civilian process—veterans must apply online and then complete their enrollment in person. This is because once you leave the military, you're no longer subject to periodic reinvestigations. Veterans will undergo the same fingerprinting and background check as other civilians.
TSA PreCheck for military family members
While active-duty military members are eligible for free TSA PreCheck benefits, these benefits do not apply to military spouses. Military spouses must go through the same process as veterans and other civilians.
However, accompanying family members aged 12 and under can use TSA PreCheck if they are traveling with a service member. If the child is 12 or under and flying without the active-duty service member, they cannot use TSA PreCheck. Children do have the option to apply for the program on their own with permission of a legal parent or guardian.
Because spouses and dependents both must go through the traditional TSA PreCheck application process, they will be responsible for the application fee.
If you travel often, you may want to consider a travel rewards credit card. Some cards, such as Chase Sapphire Reserve®, offer a statement credit every four years as reimbursement for the TSA PreCheck application fee. To receive reimbursement, cardmembers must use their Chase Sapphire Reserve card to pay the application fee. Note that this card has an annual fee.
In summary
TSA PreCheck military benefits include automatic eligibility and the waiver of the traditional enrollment process for active-duty members. Veterans, spouses and dependents, however, must enroll in the program, but can potentially have the application fee reimbursed by using an eligible travel credit card.
