The Biggest Cons Of TSA PreCheck You Need To Know Before Getting It
Traveling is rarely hassle-free. From getting denied boarding on an overbooked flight to paying never-ending airline baggage fees to having no choice but to fly out from an airport with a poor record of losing luggage, travelers often face inconveniences that put a damper on an otherwise seamless adventure. Among the most notorious time-wasters? Long queues at security — a problem that TSA PreCheck claims to solve.
As part of the U.S. government's Trusted Traveler programs, TSA PreCheck allows pre-approved travelers to zip security without the hassle of removing shoes, belts, and jackets or unpacking liquids and electronics. It's available at nearly 300 airports nationwide, with TSA boasting clearance times of 10 minutes or less. But here's the catch: The TSA PreCheck approval process can be a test of patience.
Aside from paying a hefty $78 fee (though reimbursable, thanks to some credit cards) and attending an in-person appointment, you also have to wait for approval. Although the TSA advertises that approvals can take as little as three days, the reality is it could also stretch to a whopping 60 days. Some travelers have reported excessive delays, with one Reddit user revealing that they had to wait 122 days, while another endured an 86-day wait. Plus, even after receiving your Known Traveler Number (KTN) — which must be entered each time you book a flight to access the PreCheck benefits — the promise of expedited security can fall short during peak travel times when even PreCheck lines can grow long.
You can sometimes expect longer lines at PreCheck
The TSA's promise that travelers can breeze past security in less than 10 minutes isn't always reliable. When travel volumes spike, as often happens during peak times, even PreCheck members may find themselves waiting longer than expected. This is especially true at extremely busy hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which is considered the busiest airport in the entire world, with one X user claiming that they had to wait 40 minutes despite having TSA PreCheck. There's also a Reddit user who encountered an instance where the TSA PreCheck line had a longer wait time than the regular line.
This increase in wait times can probably be attributed to the growing number of PreCheck members. In November 2023, the TSA revealed that there are over 17.6 million passengers enrolled in the program, and that number is only bound to increase. CNN also reported that issues with staffing and the introduction of new scanners also contribute to exacerbating delays. "A lot more people are traveling than anybody anticipated post-Covid. We have a pilot shortage and air traffic shortage," Jeffrey Price, an airport management consultant and a professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver's Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science, told the outlet. "It really is a combination of things that's causing a person to stand in line longer than necessary."
Traveling internationally? You're better off with Global Entry
If you're going to spend money and endure a lengthy wait, you might as well take the next level and opt for Global Entry, which is also part of the Trusted Traveler program. For a mere $22 more — totaling $100 for five years — you're not just getting the benefits of TSA PreCheck, but you also get to whisk through U.S. customs and immigration when flying back from an international trip. Sure, it costs a tiny bit more, but like PreCheck, many credit cards can cover the fee, making the upgrade essentially free.
Now, Global Entry isn't without its quirks. It has fewer enrollment centers and requires a more extensive background check, leading to longer wait times for approvals. Global Entry says that approvals could take between four to six months, but travelers have reported waiting in limbo for over a year. Then again, the payoff is twofold. You'll breeze through domestic security checks with PreCheck and make a swift exit through U.S. customs after flying in from other countries.
At the end of the day, it's up to you to choose the expedited program that is best aligned with your needs. If your travel plans mostly involve domestic trips, you can likely stick with TSA PreCheck. But if you're planning on putting more stamps on that passport, Global Entry could be worth every penny of your travel budget. Just weigh what inconveniences you are willing to tolerate.