New Survey: Here’s Exactly How Much Time You’ll Save at the Airport with TSA PreCheck

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There is one crossroads moment that every air traveler knows all too well: choosing between the TSA PreCheck lane and the standard lane at the airport security checkpoint. This single moment divides couples, splits up friend groups and separates colleagues traveling together on business trips. But is TSA PreCheck really worth the cost? How much time does it actually save you when going through airport security? A recent survey got to the bottom of this question, and the results might surprise you.

Keep reading to find out how much time TSA PreCheck can really save you at the airport and which other benefits may make a membership worthwhile.

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How did the survey determine how much time was saved with TSA PreCheck?

Determining how much time travelers save with TSA PreCheck is tricky because there are so many variables to consider (time of day, day of the week, airport, etc.). However, Upgraded Points took matters into its own hands and surveyed more than 1,500 people who “think of traveling as a personal hobby,” per a press release on the survey results. Its goal: to find out exactly how frequent fliers view the TSA PreCheck service.

During one week of March 2025, Upgraded Points divided respondents into two groups—those with TSA PreCheck and those without. Each person was asked why they do or do not have the service, the impact it makes on their airport trips and how they experience airport security.

How much time do TSA PreCheck members say they save on average?

Even though the TSA estimates that people without TSA PreCheck spend under 30 minutes going through the standard security line and that TSA PreCheck lines are usually under 10 minutes, that’s not the case in real life, according to this new survey. Believe it or not, travelers don’t report saving a lot of time by using TSA PreCheck to go through the airport security line. In fact, the survey respondents say they move through security only about seven minutes faster on average.

What are the other top benefits of TSA PreCheck, according to members?

Saving time going through the TSA PreCheck lane at airport security checkpoints isn’t the only benefit of having TSA PreCheck status, and for a majority of the survey respondents who are members, it’s not even one of the most valuable. A majority of TSA PreCheck members who travel with children find that getting through airport security is so much easier (minors may use the lanes with their parents). And since TSA PreCheck members don’t have to take their shoes off to go through security, more than a quarter of people with TSA PreCheck say they wear a different outfit on travel day than they would otherwise. (Lace-up high-tops, anyone?)

Perhaps most significantly, people who have TSA PreCheck tend to report a better airport experience overall, rating their stress level at airport security on a zero to 10 scale as 3.4 versus 5.5 for those without it.

The most important benefits, according to TSA PreCheck members, are:

  • Less stressful experience (39%)
  • Shorter lines (34%)
  • Keeping shoes on (12%)
  • Not removing laptops/liquids (11%)
  • Better services (4.3%)

How much does TSA PreCheck currently cost?

It costs $85 to apply for TSA PreCheck, but the membership is valid for five years. When you do the math, it’s really just $17 per year, which is probably less than what you would spend on snacks at the airport.

So is it worth paying $17 a year to save an average of seven minutes per security screening? Here’s one last survey stat that may convince you: Only 3% of TSA PreCheck members report that they have missed a flight due to security delays, while 4% of nonmembers have. Yes, it’s only a 1% difference, but that percentage point could come in handy the next time you’re trying to catch a flight.

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

  • Upgraded Points: “How Do Americans Really Feel About TSA PreCheck in 2025? Insightful Survey Results”
  • TSA: “TSA PreCheck”

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