You now not want TSA PreCheck to maintain your footwear on by way of airport safety nowadays. So is it nonetheless value 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 footwear. For years, that comfort was reserved for members of trusted traveler packages, like TSA PreCheck. Now, it is not a differentiator.
However it might be untimely to put in writing off this system simply due to that change. Even with updates to the shoe rule, TSA PreCheck nonetheless gives vital worth for many 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 normal safety traces function a little bit extra like TSA PreCheck lanes. This tools meets the federal company’s safety requirements with out requiring passengers to take away their footwear.
Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem additionally introduced that the federal company is wanting into liquid limitations, although she did not present any particulars. At the moment, vacationers can carry 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 by way of normal 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 footwear on is now not unique to TSA PreCheck, the service can nonetheless save vacationers vital time at airport safety.
In response to 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 may create delays. With TSA PreCheck, you possibly can preserve your belt on.
Jacket and outerwear elimination. Within the TSA PreCheck line, there is no have to strip all the way down to your base layer. In distinction, normal 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 may 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 quicker 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 can even profit as a result of youngsters aged 17 and beneath can accompany mother and father by way of PreCheck lanes with out their very own membership. This makes household journey considerably much less traumatic.
When TSA PreCheck is value 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. Should you take a median of two round-trip home journeys per yr, that is lower than $4 per airport expertise.
The extra ceaselessly you fly — whether or not for enterprise or pleasure — the price turns into more and more value it.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Beneath a brand new partnership between the TSA and CLEAR, you possibly can apply for TSA PreCheck at one in every of virtually 50 taking part CLEAR enrollment areas with out an appointment. Submit your utility on-line first, then end the method at a CLEAR kiosk at a taking part airport. CLEAR will submit your TSA PreCheck utility in your behalf; count on to listen to again in three to 5 days.
Should you’re nonetheless involved in regards to the value, the excellent news is that you would be able to get the appliance charge reimbursed with the proper bank card.
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Annual charge
$0 intro for the primary yr, then $150.
Profit
Assertion credit score of as much as $120 as reimbursement while you cost the appliance charge for TSA PreCheck, International Entry or NEXUS to the cardboard. Obtainable 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, International Entry or NEXUS to the cardboard. Obtainable 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 International Entry to the cardboard. Obtainable as soon as each 4 years.
When it is not value it
Whereas TSA PreCheck gives significant time financial savings and lowered stress for a lot of vacationers, it’s not best for everybody. It is not an excellent match for:
Rare vacationers. Should you fly fewer than two instances per yr, the charge might not be definitely worth the restricted alternatives to make use of the profit. The comfort is actual, however the price per use can rapidly outweigh the financial savings in the event you not often journey.
Smaller airports. Not all airports have devoted TSA PreCheck lanes, particularly regional or smaller ones. Even when obtainable, 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.
Bear in mind, TSA PreCheck isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. Whether or not it’s value it to you comes all the way down to your private journey habits and availability on the airports you frequent.
Earlier than making use of, take a second to judge how typically you journey, which airports you utilize most and whether or not a program like International Entry is likely to be a greater match on your wants.
Why International 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 International Entry as an alternative, which prices $120 each 5 years.
International 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 an alternative of ready in lengthy customs traces, International Entry members can use automated kiosks at choose airports to confirm their identification and full customs declarations rapidly.
What’s extra, this system contains TSA PreCheck advantages. That makes International Entry particularly worthwhile for frequent worldwide vacationers who wish to save time each when departing and returning residence.
So, must you enroll?
Regardless of adjustments to straightforward safety screening, TSA PreCheck stays worthwhile for frequent vacationers. The mixture of shorter traces, streamlined screening and comfort justifies the modest annual price for most individuals who fly usually.
For vacationers who cross worldwide borders, although, International Entry gives superior worth by offering all TSA PreCheck advantages plus vital time financial savings at customs. Should you fly domestically at the very least twice per yr, TSA PreCheck might be nicely value it. However in the event you journey internationally even as soon as yearly, International Entry may very well be the smarter funding.
