You not want TSA PreCheck to maintain your sneakers on via airport safety nowadays. So is it nonetheless price signing up?
The quick reply: For normal vacationers, sure.
In July 2025, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) airport safety checkpoints stopped requiring passengers to take away their sneakers. For years, that comfort was reserved for members of trusted traveler applications, like TSA PreCheck. Now, it isn’t a differentiator.
However it might be untimely to write down off this system simply due to that change. Even with updates to the shoe rule, TSA PreCheck nonetheless presents important worth for individuals who fly greater than a few instances per yr.
What’s modified and what hasn’t
In its July 2025 assertion in regards to the shoe coverage change, the TSA says that it has been rolling out new screening know-how that makes customary safety traces function slightly extra like TSA PreCheck lanes. This gear meets the federal company’s safety requirements with out requiring passengers to take away their sneakers.
Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem additionally introduced that the federal company is trying into liquid limitations, although she did not present any particulars. At present, vacationers can deliver liquids in containers of not more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) every, all of which should slot in a quart-sized bag.
Vacationers going via customary safety traces should additionally:
Separate their liquids from their luggage.
Take away their belts, jackets and different outerwear.
Take away their laptops from their luggage for separate screening.
TSA PreCheck time financial savings nonetheless matter
Whereas preserving your sneakers on is not unique to TSA PreCheck, the service can nonetheless save vacationers important time at airport safety.
In accordance with the TSA, roughly 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait 10 minutes or much less. Listed here are another methods this system can prevent time:
Belt elimination. Common safety traces require passengers to take away belts with steel buckles or {hardware}, which might create delays. With TSA PreCheck, you may preserve your belt on.
Jacket and outerwear elimination. Within the TSA PreCheck line, there is no must strip right down to your base layer. In distinction, customary passengers should take away jackets, blazers, hoodies and heavy sweaters, then spend the time to dress once more afterward.
Laptop computer elimination from luggage. Common vacationers are required to separate laptops from their luggage, which might maintain up the road. With TSA PreCheck, electronics can keep packed in your carry-on.
Liquid elimination. Whereas the liquid restrictions are the identical, you don’t must take away yours out of your bag.
Devoted traces. PreCheck lanes persistently transfer sooner as a result of fewer folks have entry to them, and the screening course of is extra environment friendly.
A few of these variations may appear individually insignificant, however they add as much as a smoother airport expertise.
Households may profit as a result of kids aged 17 and below can accompany dad and mom via PreCheck lanes with out their very own membership. This makes household journey considerably much less demanding.
When TSA PreCheck is price the price
Relying on which supplier you utilize, TSA PreCheck membership can price between $76.75 and $85 for 5 years. That comes out to as little as $15.35 yearly. If you happen to take a mean of two round-trip home journeys per yr, that is lower than $4 per airport expertise.
The extra continuously you fly — whether or not for enterprise or pleasure — the price turns into more and more price it.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Beneath a brand new partnership between the TSA and CLEAR, you may apply for TSA PreCheck at one in all nearly 50 collaborating CLEAR enrollment areas with out an appointment. Submit your utility on-line first, then end the method at a CLEAR kiosk at a collaborating airport. CLEAR will submit your TSA PreCheck utility in your behalf; count on to listen to again in three to 5 days.
If you happen to’re nonetheless involved in regards to the value, the excellent news is that you may get the appliance charge reimbursed with the proper bank card.
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Annual charge
$0 intro for the primary yr, then $150.
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Assertion credit score of as much as $120 as reimbursement while you cost the appliance charge for TSA PreCheck, World Entry or NEXUS to the cardboard. Out there as soon as each 4 years.
Assertion credit score of as much as $120 as reimbursement while you cost the appliance charge for TSA PreCheck, World Entry or NEXUS to the cardboard. Out there as soon as each 4 years.
Assertion credit score of as much as $120 as reimbursement while you cost the appliance charge for TSA PreCheck or World Entry to the cardboard. Out there as soon as each 4 years.
When it isn’t price it
Whereas TSA PreCheck presents significant time financial savings and decreased stress for a lot of vacationers, it’s not excellent for everybody. It is not a superb match for:
Rare vacationers. If you happen to fly fewer than two instances per yr, the charge will not be well worth the restricted alternatives to make use of the profit. The comfort is actual, however the price per use can shortly outweigh the financial savings should you hardly ever journey.
Smaller airports. Not all airports have devoted TSA PreCheck lanes, particularly regional or smaller ones. Even when out there, restricted staffing or working hours could make it much less reliable.
Worldwide-only vacationers. TSA PreCheck solely accelerates the home airport screening course of. If most of your journey is worldwide and begins outdoors the U.S., the advantages gained’t apply.
Keep in mind, TSA PreCheck isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. Whether or not it’s price it to you comes right down to your private journey habits and availability on the airports you frequent.
Earlier than making use of, take a second to guage how usually you journey, which airports you utilize most and whether or not a program like World Entry is likely to be a greater match to your wants.
Why World Entry could also be a better option
TSA PreCheck is not the one program that may velocity issues up on the airport. In lots of circumstances, it could make sense to go for World Entry as a substitute, which prices $120 each 5 years.
World Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Safety (CBP) program that enables preapproved vacationers to expedite their reentry into the U.S. after worldwide journeys. As a substitute of ready in lengthy customs traces, World Entry members can use automated kiosks at choose airports to confirm their identification and full customs declarations shortly.
What’s extra, this system contains TSA PreCheck advantages. That makes World Entry particularly useful for frequent worldwide vacationers who wish to save time each when departing and returning dwelling.
So, do you have to enroll?
Regardless of adjustments to plain safety screening, TSA PreCheck stays useful for frequent vacationers. The mix of shorter traces, streamlined screening and comfort justifies the modest annual price for most individuals who fly often.
For vacationers who cross worldwide borders, although, World Entry presents superior worth by offering all TSA PreCheck advantages plus important time financial savings at customs. If you happen to fly domestically not less than twice per yr, TSA PreCheck might be properly price it. However should you journey internationally even as soon as yearly, World Entry might be the smarter funding.
