5 New Airlines With TSA PreCheck, Bringing the Total to 42 Airlines

Even though TSA PreCheck lines at some airports can be loooonnng, it is still one of the best programs around for frequent or semi-frequent travelers to get through the security area quickly. So, it is always good news when new airlines are added to this program! This week, 5 new airlines have been added bringing the current grand total to 42 airlines with TSA PreCheck

5 New Airlines with TSA PreCheck, Bringing the Total to 42 Airlines

Link: TSA PreCheck Participating Airlines

The 5 new airlines are:

• All Nippon Airways (ANA)
• Cathay Pacific Airways
• Contour Aviation
• Finnair
• Korean Air

While it is nice to see some large airlines adding this for passengers in the US, there are still some airlines missing! One in particular is British Airways. I would much rather have seen them on this new list than Contour Aviation (had to look them up! They are a charter service based in Smyrna, TN). Oh well, maybe in a future addition we will see them!

Here is the current list of 42 airlines with TSA PreCheck (ones in bold are the newest additions):

• Aeromexico
• Air Canada
• Alaska Airlines
• All Nippon Airways
• Allegiant Air
• American Airlines
• Aruba Airlines
• Avianca
• Boutique Airlines
• Cape Air
• Cathay Pacific Airways
• Contour Aviation
• Copa Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Dominican Wings
• Emirates
• Etihad Airways
• Finnair
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• InterCaribbean Airways
• JetBlue Airways
• Key Lime Air
• Korean Air
• Lufthansa
• Miami Air International
• OneJet
• Seaborne Airlines
• Silver Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• Southern Airways Express
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• Sunwing Airlines
• Swift Air
• Turkish Airlines
• United Airlines
• Virgin America
• Virgin Atlantic
• WestJet
• Xtra Airways

What is TSA PreCheck?

Link: TSA PreCheck

In case you have only noticed the special TSA PreCheck signs at airports and not looked into it, TSA PreCheck is a kind of preclearance program for travelers. For $85, you can get 5 years of smoother security screening at TSA checkpoints around the USA. This can be a big help at busier times or at larger, international airports (though the TSA lines can get very long as well, but at least you do not have to take things out of your bag!).

With TSA PreCheck, you will no longer have to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets!

TSA PreCheck can be obtained by filling out the application and then appearing for an in-person interview at an enrollment center. This interview includes some questions, fingerprints, and a background check. You can check to see your closest one of the almost 400 enrollment centers here.

If you are a US Armed Forces member, you are able to participate in the program for free!

TSA PreCheck can also be obtained by being part of a trusted traveler program, like Global Entry. For an extra $15 for the 5 years, Global Entry is a much better deal, especially since it includes TSA PreCheck. Check out this page for more information about Global Entry and the application process.

You also may be able to get your TSA PreCheck $85 fee refunded by having certain credit cards like these:

• American Express Platinum cards
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards card
• Citi Prestige
• Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite card
• AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite card
• US Bank Altitude Reserve

With each of those cards, you can apply for and pay for Global Entry and be reimbursed the $100 fee – and you will have TSA PreCheck included for free!

If you are flying domestically more than a couple of times per year or flying internationally, definitely consider getting Global Entry (and with it, TSA PreCheck). You will be very grateful for it! Having TSA PreCheck has literally saved me hours in airports because I have been able to book flights that were tighter than I would have considered had I had to wait in the normal line. It gave me more time in the cities I was in and still got me to my final destination at a convenient time!

Featured image by Arina P Habich, Courtesy of Shutterstock

HT: TPG