You now not want TSA PreCheck to maintain your sneakers on by means of airport safety nowadays. So is it nonetheless value signing up?
The brief 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 packages, like TSA PreCheck. Now, it isn’t a differentiator.
However it will be untimely to write down off this system simply due to that change. Even with updates to the shoe rule, TSA PreCheck nonetheless gives important worth for many who fly greater than a few occasions per 12 months.
What’s modified and what hasn’t
In its July 2025 assertion concerning the shoe coverage change, the TSA says that it has been rolling out new screening expertise that makes normal safety strains 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 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 means of normal safety strains should additionally:
Separate their liquids from their baggage.
Take away their belts, jackets and different outerwear.
Take away their laptops from their baggage for separate screening.
TSA PreCheck time financial savings nonetheless matter
Whereas conserving your sneakers on is now 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 strains require passengers to take away belts with metallic buckles or {hardware}, which might create delays. With TSA PreCheck, you possibly can hold your belt on.
Jacket and outerwear elimination. Within the TSA PreCheck line, there isn’t any 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 baggage. Common vacationers are required to separate laptops from their baggage, 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 strains. PreCheck lanes persistently transfer sooner as a result of fewer individuals have entry to them, and the screening course of is extra environment friendly.
A few of these variations might sound individually insignificant, however they add as much as a smoother airport expertise.
Households may profit as a result of youngsters aged 17 and below can accompany mother and father by means of PreCheck lanes with out their very own membership. This makes household journey considerably much less anxious.
When TSA PreCheck is value the price
Relying on which supplier you employ, 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 median of two round-trip home journeys per 12 months, 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 collaborating CLEAR enrollment places 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; anticipate to listen to again in three to 5 days.
If you happen to’re nonetheless involved concerning the worth, the excellent news is which you can get the applying charge reimbursed with the proper bank card.
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Annual charge
$0 intro for the primary 12 months, then $150.
Profit
Assertion credit score of as much as $120 as reimbursement whenever you cost the applying 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 whenever you cost the applying 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 whenever you cost the applying charge for TSA PreCheck or International Entry to the cardboard. Obtainable as soon as each 4 years.
When it isn’t value it
Whereas TSA PreCheck gives significant time financial savings and lowered stress for a lot of vacationers, it’s not superb for everybody. It is not match for:
Rare vacationers. If you happen to fly fewer than two occasions per 12 months, 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 rapidly outweigh the financial savings if you happen to not often 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 hastens the home airport screening course of. If most of your journey is worldwide and begins exterior 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 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 employ most and whether or not a program like International Entry could 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 instances, it might 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 permits preapproved vacationers to expedite their reentry into the U.S. after worldwide journeys. As a substitute of ready in lengthy customs strains, International Entry members can use automated kiosks at choose airports to confirm their identification and full customs declarations rapidly.
What’s extra, this system consists of TSA PreCheck advantages. That makes International Entry particularly precious for frequent worldwide vacationers who need to save time each when departing and returning dwelling.
So, do you have to join?
Regardless of modifications to plain safety screening, TSA PreCheck stays precious for frequent vacationers. The mix of shorter strains, 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 important time financial savings at customs. If you happen to fly domestically at the very least twice per 12 months, TSA PreCheck could be nicely value it. However if you happen to journey internationally even as soon as yearly, International Entry might be the smarter funding.
