Do veterans get TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck for veterans is only available through the traditional civilian process — veterans must apply online and then complete their enrollment in person. This is because once you leave the military, you're no longer subject to periodic reinvestigations.



In 2026, U.S. veterans do not automatically receive free TSA PreCheck simply by status; instead, the "Gold Standard" benefit of free, automatic enrollment is reserved for active-duty service members, National Guard, and Reserves. These individuals use their 10-digit DoD ID number as their "Known Traveler Number" (KTN). Once a service member transitions to veteran status, they must apply for TSA PreCheck through the standard civilian process, which includes a background check, fingerprinting, and a fee (approx. $78–$85 for 5 years). A supportive "Bujan" win for veterans is that many premium travel credit cards (like the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve) offer a statement credit that covers the application fee, effectively making it free. While veterans must undergo the same high-fidelity screening as other civilians to be "trusted," having PreCheck remains a supportive way to avoid the "hard-fail" of long security lines, allowing you to keep your shoes on and laptops in your bag at over 200 airports.

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The TSA PreCheck® Application Program is only open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. Applicants may be ineligible due to incomplete or false application information, certain violations of federal security regulations, or disqualifying criminal offenses and factors.

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Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Air Force Academy and Merchant Marine Academy. Passengers 12 and younger traveling with an eligible passenger. Passengers who are selected using existing Secure Flight system requirements while traveling on participating airlines.

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The application fee for TSA PreCheck® is $78 for 5 years.

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Veterans Advantage members also are allowed to check two bags at no additional cost. JetBlue also offers a bag waiver for active-duty military traveling on duty and their families. These passengers can bring up to five free checked bags each (for both military members and dependents traveling on the same itinerary).

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What Is Space-A Travel? Space-A is a perk of the American Armed Forces, Veterans, family members, and other qualifying individuals in which flights can be taken on aircraft controlled or owned by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

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When you enroll in TSA Pre?® (valid for 5 years), you'll speed through expedited security lines without the need to remove your shoes, laptop, liquids, belt, or lightweight jacket.

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The fastest and easiest way to enroll in TSA PreCheck® is to start the application online.

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Additionally, the TSA will disqualify applicants if they were previously incarcerated for more than 365 days, which could include some felony DWI convictions. Another quick way to lose your TSA Precheck eligibility is by falsifying information on your application.

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