Anyone under 30 has faced a pretty unforgiving run of events, from growing up through the COVID-19 pandemic to navigating recessions and today’s cost-of-living pressures.
It’s been challenging for everyone, but there’s at least one small perk arriving for younger travelers.
It won’t change your life, but savings are savings.
If you’re flying out of airports in the US, there’s a limited-time chance to knock a little money off the cost of TSA PreCheck during May.
The timing could also work in travelers’ favor, with the partial government shutdown—one of the longest on record—recently coming to an end.
That should mean TSA staff are back to being paid, and it may help normal travel operations settle as the busy summer season approaches.
TSA PreCheck is a US government program designed to speed up the airport security process for approved, low-risk travelers at more than 200 airports.
Those enrolled can usually keep shoes, jackets, and belts on, and leave electronics and 3-1-1 liquids in their carry-on bags—often making screening quicker and less hands-on.
During May, travelers can save $20 by enrolling in TSA PreCheck through one of TSA’s authorized enrollment providers: CLEAR, IDEMIA, or Telos.
It may not be a huge discount, but it could leave you with a little extra to put toward your trip.
To get TSA PreCheck, you’ll need to enroll in person at an enrollment center somewhere in the US. You can check the provider’s site for the closest location and available appointment times.
TSA also advises pre-enrolling online with your chosen provider first, which can help make the in-person appointment quicker.
At enrollment, bring an original or certified copy of your identity and citizenship/status documentation, and make sure the name on your documents matches the name you entered on the application.
TSA has also noted that if you’ve legally changed your name, you’ll need to bring an original or certified name-change document (for example, a marriage certificate or divorce decree) in addition to the standard paperwork.
For frequent flyers—or anyone who hates airport queues—TSA PreCheck can significantly cut down wait times, with expedited lanes often moving in under five minutes.
And anything that reduces airport stress is a win. Safe travels.