Starting this July, thousands of servicemembers and their loved ones can skip the $76.75 bill and those shoe‑off lines, enjoying the fast lane at no cost—or at least with a hefty discount.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is rolling out a military‑friendly overhaul of its PreCheck program. Gold Star relatives will pay nothing, while spouses of active‑duty personnel get a $25 break on the five‑year membership fee. Veterans and injured service members also gain tailored help through TSA Cares.
What the new TSA PreCheck expansion means for military families this summer
The headline perk is obvious: lower—or zero—out‑of‑pocket costs. Yet the update also bundles faster dedicated queues at select baseside airports and on‑site enrollment events so you don’t waste leave driving two hours for fingerprinting. Need one more reason? Children under 12 tag along free whenever an eligible adult has PreCheck. Who wouldn’t trade the juggling act of liquids and laptops for that? Step‑by‑step guide to claim your free or discounted PreCheck enrollment today:
- Confirm eligibility
- Gold Star family member, veteran, active‑duty servicemember, or spouse? You qualify.
- Gather ID
- Use your DoD identification as your Known Traveler Number when booking.
- Schedule or attend mobile enrollment
- Check base bulletins; TSA will park its enrollment van at major installations this quarter.
- Update existing membership
- Already paid? Hold tight. TSA says refund guidance may arrive before the next renewal window.
| Applicant category | Normal fee | Your new price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| General public | $76.75 | $76.75 | — |
| Gold Star family | $76.75 | $0 | $76.75 |
| Active‑duty spouse | $76.75 | $51.75 | $25.00 |
| Veteran/injured SM | $76.75 | Case‑by‑case via TSA Cares | Up to $76.75 |
Renew online? The public rate drops to $58.75, but eligible military groups still keep the bigger break. These are the first airports planning exclusive military fast lanes, according to TSA officials:
- Norfolk, Virginia
- San Diego, California
- Fayetteville, North Carolina
- San Antonio, Texas
Additional hubs will join “based on demand,” so keep an eye on updates before holiday block leave. The agency frames the move as both a crowd‑control tactic and a thank‑you to those who serve. With summer passenger volumes topping three million a month, every freed‑up lane helps. Consequently, TSA hints that further fee relief could reach reservists next year, though no timeline is locked in.