TSA Improves PreCheck Policy for Teens To Accompany Parents

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is making it a bit easier navigating security screening for families with teenagers with a new policy that just rolled out.

Let’s take a look at this news!

Kids 13-17 Can Accompany Eligible TSA PreCheck-Enrolled Parents

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, TSA has announced that teenagers between 13 and 17 can now accompany their parents or guardians with TSA PreCheck. However, 2 conditions will apply. First, they must be traveling on the same reservation, and the PreCheck indicator must appear on the minor’s boarding pass.

Previously, children needed their own TSA PreCheck membership starting at age 13. But now, they’ll be able to access the TSA PreCheck lanes with their eligible parent or guardian. The important thing to note is that a child between 13 and 17 would still need to have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass.

TSA says kids 12 and under can still accompany an enrolled parent or guardian when traveling through the TSA PreCheck lanes — this policy hasn’t changed.

Is TSA PreCheck Worth It?

If you aren’t familiar, TSA PreCheck is 1 of 5 Trusted Traveler Programs. Others include Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS for personal and business travelers and FAST for commercial trucking.

However, PreCheck is the only program run by TSA — the other programs are operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — and allows the agency to expedite the security screening process for travelers deemed low-risk.

The most noteworthy benefit of a TSA PreCheck membership is the ability to leave your shoes, light outerwear, jackets, and belts on when passing through the security checkpoint. You may also keep laptops and small liquids in your bag.

While $78 might not be a considerable fee, getting a TSA PreCheck membership application reimbursed is possible. For instance, The Platinum Card^® from American Express offers a statement credit for TSA PreCheck (or Global Entry, which comes with a TSA PreCheck membership) application fee. Authorized users also qualify for fee reimbursement.

Other premium credit cards that offer TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee reimbursement include the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card.

Final Thoughts

This is excellent news for parents and guardians with TSA PreCheck traveling with teenagers. They may now accompany them through security without a membership, as long as PreCheck is marked on their boarding pass. Ultimately, this is just one way the agency is making the security screening process more seamless for families.