How to Renew Your TSA PreCheck

Airport security has always been time-consuming to go through, and for low-risk travelers, this can be something of a problem – one that can even lead to a missed flight. That being said, the enrollment of pre-checks to a variety of airports can save a lot of time for the average traveler and pose little to no risk.

Still, like almost any document, pre-checks will also expire at some point. Just like you’d have to renew your passport, you should also have your TSA PreCheck renewed. But when should you do that, and what will the process entail? Read our quick guide on how to renew your TSA PreCheck.

When to Renew TSA PreCheck

Your TSA PreCheck lasts for 5 years after you made it, so it’s safe to assume that when the expiry date is getting near, you need to renew it. Bear in mind that just like passport renewals, TSA PreChecks might also experience delays in order to have the application accepted.

For this reason, you might want to apply for the new one six months before the old one expires. This way, you will be certain that you are covered at the airport, even if you are experiencing delays.

How to Renew TSA PreCheck

To renew your TSA PreCheck, you need to pay a visit to the official TSA PreCheck website and follow the steps there. It should only take you about a couple of minutes until you fill in all the data. Here’s what you should do:

1. Visit the TSA PreCheck Enrollment Website

To start your TSA renewal process, you need to go to the official enrollment website for TSA PreChecks. On the home page, you will see a green button with “Renewal” rewritten on it, which will direct you to the renewal process. You will be sent to the renewal form, where you can read the instructions and begin your renewal process.

2. Complete the TSA PreCheck Renewal Form

Once you are on the form page, you need to provide the required information. This includes your legal name, your birthday, and your KTN. If you aren’t exactly sure what your KTN is, you may check the TSA website or even the platform that you typically use to book potential flights. It should take about 10-15 minutes to put that information down.

3. Pay the TSA PreCheck Renewal Fee

Once you finish completing the form, you need to pay the renewal fee for your TSA PreCheck, which is $85. You will have to use a credit card for this, in case you choose electronic payments. Certain credit cards will also reimburse the fee, but you’ll have to check with the credit card provider to see if you are covered.

4. Receive the TSA PreCheck Renewal Confirmation

Once you’ve made your payment, all you have to do now is to wait for confirmation on the renewal. Depending on the circumstances, you may even need to schedule an in-person interview (for instance, if TSA requires biometrics such as new fingerprints). It can take anything from a couple of days to a couple of weeks in order to be confirmed, depending on the demand, along with potential complications in your case.

How to Renew TSA PreCheck for Free

Technically, you need to pay the renewal fee every time you apply for it. With that in mind, you may still get a reimbursement for the fee, provided you use a travel credit card that covers it. Certain credit cards for small businesses can also cover the fee. You might want to check with the company that issued your credit card.

TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry

TSA PreCheck mainly offers airport benefits to those who need domestic travel from airports in the United States. On the other hand, Global Entry is tied to the US Customs and Border Protection and is used when you need to travel internationally. The fee for Global Entry is $100, but you get TSA benefits and international coverage as well.

How to Renew TSA PreCheck through Global Entry

Global Entry also provides TSA PreCheck benefits for those who opt for them. This can save you time at the airport as you are boarding international flights. In order to get these benefits, you should go through these steps:

• Visit the Portal for the Trusted Traveler Program: The official website that Global Entry uses will guide you on how to renew your TSA PreCheck benefits:
• Enter Your Account: If you already have an account, log in using your information. If you don’t already have a login.gov account, then you may want to make a new one now.
• Complete the Application: There is a short online application that you will have to fill out – this will ask for your personal information and other relevant data.
• Pay the Renewal Fee: The renewal fee for your TSA PreCheck through global entry is $100, which you can pay with your credit or debit card. If you are using a travel credit card, there is a good chance you will get a reimbursement.

Once the request has been reviewed, you will receive a confirmation email. You will also be told if other steps need to be taken in order to finalize your renewal. For instance, you may be scheduled for a remote interview, so that you won’t have to travel to the location.

TSA PreCheck Renewal FAQ

The PreCheck renewal may occasionally be confusing, and lead to the rise of many questions. Here are the most common ones, along with their answers.

How Long Is the TSA PreCheck Good For?

TSA PreChecks have a 5-year validity period, regardless of where you get your pre-check from. Still, you may want to begin renewing your pre-check at least 6 months before the old one expires. This is essential, especially when you are traveling outside the country and not inside your own. The processing of a PreCheck may also take quite some time, which is why you may want to begin gathering the documents on time. A good tip is to check your passport status as well, as these documents often have the same validity period.

How Much Does TSA PreCheck Renewal Cost?

Under normal circumstances, TSA PreCheck renewals call for a non-refundable fee of $85. Depending on the situation, you may even get it for free or for a lowered fee – for example, when you are using travel credit or loyalty points. People who are also past a certain age (usually 75) also receive more benefits for TSA PreCheck renewals.

How Long Does TSA PreCheck Renewal Take to Process?

The process of filing for a PreCheck renewal only takes about 14 minutes, but it’s the approval and the actual release of the document that take the most time. It may take days, even weeks to be approved. The duration can increase if you have a slightly more complicated situation that needs an interview as well. For instance, unruly passengers that had their TSA temporarily revoked might have to go through extra steps.

Since Global Entry Includes TSA PreCheck, How Do You Use PreCheck?

In this case, in order to use your TSA PreCheck, you must make sure that the logo along with the checkmark is found on your boarding pass. This applies to digital and paper documents alike. For that to happen, whenever you are booking a flight going outside the United States, you need to provide your Known Traveler Number (KTN) when they ask you for it.

Read More

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• How Long Does it Take to Get a Passport?
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• Form DS-11 for Passport Applications

Final Thoughts

Renewing your TSA PreCheck is quite straightforward, provided that you follow the steps correctly. You just need to decide exactly through which portal or program you want to renew and make your application ahead of time.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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