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For frequent travelers, navigating airport security can feel like a gamble. Some days, you fly through the line without a problem, and on other days, you’re caught snaking through the terminal, having your patience tested before the trip even begins. That’s where TSA PreCheck comes in. The program is designed to speed up the security process and make travel less stressful. But does it actually deliver on that promise?
To find out, we surveyed over 1,500 travelers, both with and without TSA PreCheck, to see how the program impacts their airport experience. We looked at everything from wait times to stress levels to whether TSA PreCheck members feel like they’re getting their money’s worth.
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How Does TSA PreCheck Impact the Airport Experience?
Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Navigating airport security is one of the most stressful parts of air travel. For those with TSA PreCheck, the process is meant to be quicker and less frustrating. But does it actually make a difference? We surveyed travelers both with and without TSA PreCheck to find out how their airport experiences compare.
We found that less stress and shorter lines top the list of benefits. According to those who have TSA PreCheck, the biggest perks are a less stressful experience (39%) and shorter lines (34%). Frequent travelers also note that not removing shoes, belts, and laptops makes a significant difference.
Why don’t more travelers have TSA PreCheck? The most common reason is not flying often enough to justify it (41%). Others simply never considered it (25%), while some think the enrollment process is too complicated (13%).
Does TSA PreCheck actually save time at the airport? Not always. TSA PreCheck members arrive at the airport only about 6 minutes later than those without it, which may seem surprising given its time-saving reputation. However, they get through security about 7 minutes faster on average.
Hot Tip:
The TSA estimates that standard security lines take under 30 minutes, while TSAPreCheck lanes should take under 10. Our survey suggests that reality doesn’t always match those estimates.
Security stress levels are significantly lower for TSA PreCheck members. When asked to rate the stress of going through security on a scale from 1 to 10:
TSA PreCheck members rated their stress at just 3.3.
Non-TSA PreCheck members rated theirs at 7.3.
Non-TSA PreCheck members estimated their stress would drop to 3.5 if they had TSA PreCheck — which is right on the money, as our TSA PreCheck members rate their airport security stress at just a 3.4.
Missing flights due to security delays isn’t common, but it happens:
Only 3% of TSA PreCheck members have missed a flight due to security delays, though this number jumps to 18% among frequent flyers (multiple flights per month).
Only 4% of non-TSA PreCheck members have missed a flight due to security delays, though 11% of frequent non-TSA PreCheck members have experienced it.
How much would people pay for TSA PreCheck?
Current TSA PreCheck memberssay they’d pay up to $120, with frequent flyers willing to spend even more — up to $150.
Non-TSA PreCheck members say they’d pay about $87. Which, when you think about it, is a little silly considering that TSA PreCheck only costs $78. Maybe they should just apply for the service.
Credit card reimbursement plays a role:
Nearly 3 in 10 TSA PreCheck members (29%) have a credit card that reimburses the Global Entry fee, which includes TSA PreCheck.
87% of non-TSA PreCheck members say they’d be more likely to sign up for TSA PreCheck if their credit card covered the fee.
More travelers are considering TSA PreCheck. About one-third (32%) of non-TSA PreCheck members plan to enroll in the future. If you’re in this group, you can find a list of TSA PreCheck enrollment centers here.
We also asked respondents to pick the most annoying of 3 frustrating airport experiences:
TSA PreCheck members ranked them as:
Middle seats (50%)
Crying babies (40%)
Going through security (10%)
Non-TSA PreCheck members had a similar answer:
Middle seats (47%)
Crying babies (37%)
Going through security (16%)
This tells us that even though airport security can be frustrating, it’s clear that passengers have bigger concerns — like avoiding the dreaded middle seat.
TSA PreCheck members seem to enjoy a less stressful airport experience even if they aren’t shaving a ton of time off their entire airport journey.
Next, we’ll break down some of the finer points from our survey to see how much of a difference it makes.
More Ways TSA PreCheck Improves Your Time at the Airport
Image Credit: Upgraded Points
For travelers with TSA PreCheck, the benefits go beyond just shorter lines. From easing travel stress to influencing what travelers wear to the airport, TSA PreCheck has a noticeable impact on the flying experience. But how much does it really change things? Here’s what our respondents had to say.
Shorter lines? Not always. While skipping the standard security line is a key perk, 3 in 10 TSA PreCheck members say their line is only shorter half the time or less. TSA PreCheck generally speeds things up, but depending on the airport, time of day, or travel season, the difference isn’t always dramatic.
TSA PreCheck makes security less stressful. A resounding 93% of TSA PreCheck members say it puts them more at ease while navigating airport security. Knowing you can keep your shoes on, leave your liquids and laptop in your bag, and move through the process faster makes a real difference.
Parents find TSA PreCheck a game-changer. Traveling with kids is challenging enough, and security lines don’t help. Among TSA PreCheck members who have flown with children, 61% say it makes getting through security much easier — a major plus for families trying to keep the process smooth. Learn more about traveling with children when you have TSA PreCheck here.
It even changes what people wear. More than one-fourth of TSA PreCheck members say they choose a different outfit for flying because they don’t have to worry about removing belts, shoes, or jackets. That’s a level of convenience that extends beyond just getting through the line faster.
Overall, TSA PreCheck makes travel better. Nearly 94% of TSA PreCheck members say it improves their entire airport experience, reinforcing that the benefits go beyond just saving time in security lines.
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Methodology
To find out more about how people view TSA PreCheck, we surveyed over 1,500 people who consider traveling a hobby of theirs to get a pulse check on TSA PreCheck in 2025.
We segmented survey respondents by those with and without TSA PreCheck, asking them questions about their motivations for having/not having the service, how it impacts their typical airport trip, and what their security experiences are like.
The survey ran over 1 week in March 2025.
Final Thoughts
TSA PreCheck may not always save travelers a significant amount of time, but its impact on reducing stress is undeniable. From shorter lines to fewer hassles, TSA PreCheck users have less to think about when heading out for a trip, leading to a smoother overall airport experience. It’s clearly a great option for frequent flyers and families alike.
For those looking to make the most of their travel, programs like TSA PreCheck are just one piece of the puzzle. Many credit cards offer travel benefits, making the experience more affordable and enjoyable.
