Free TSA PreCheck: Certain Veterans Now Qualify for Faster Airport Screening at No Extra Cost

Navigating airport security is often one of the most stressful parts of traveling. For years, active-duty service members have enjoyed the perk of free, expedited security screening through TSA PreCheck. However, once a service member transitioned to civilian veteran status, that benefit disappeared—leaving them to pay the standard application fees out of pocket.

Thanks to a vital update under the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act, that is changing. A new initiative officially allows thousands of veterans to enroll in or renew their TSA PreCheck membership completely free of charge.

If you or a loved one served in the military, here is a breakdown of who qualifies for this free travel benefit and how to claim it.

What is the VETS Safe Travel Act?

Passed to reduce physical stress and travel hurdles for wounded warriors, the VETS Safe Travel Act removes the financial barrier to expedited airport security.

With TSA PreCheck, qualifying travelers can utilize dedicated airport lanes where the average wait time is under five minutes. Even better, you get to skip the most tedious parts of the security line:

• Keep your shoes, belts, and light jackets on.
• Leave laptops and electronics inside your carry-on bag.
• Keep compliant 3-1-1 liquids packed away instead of placing them in a separate bin.

Who is Eligible for the Free TSA PreCheck Waiver?

The fee waiver is specifically designed to assist veterans who have service-connected disabilities that make standard airport screening physically challenging. To qualify for the free application or renewal code, a veteran must be enrolled in the VA health care system and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• The loss or loss of use of an extremity (such as an arm or leg).
• Full or partial paralysis.
• Permanent blindness.
• A service-connected injury requiring the use of a VA-issued wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other mobility assist device.

Note: While the program waives the standard enrollment fee, applicants must still complete the standard TSA background check and in-person fingerprinting appointment to receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN).

How to Claim Your Free PreCheck Code

The Department of Veterans Affairs and TSA enrollment partners have established a digital process so eligible veterans do not have to pay upfront and wait for a reimbursement. Here is how to apply:

1. Get Your VA Letter: Log into your account on VA.gov. Navigate to your benefit letters dashboard and download your official TSA PreCheck Application Fee Waiver Letter.
2. Request Your Code: Email a copy of this PDF letter to the official processing partner at tsaenrollmentbyidemia@ps-idemia.com. Use the subject line “VETS Safe”.
3. Apply Securely: Once your letter is verified, you will receive a unique authorization code via email. Enter this code when submitting your TSA PreCheck application online or present it during your in-person appointment to bypass the fee entirely.

Alternative Free Options for Other Veterans

If you are a veteran who does not meet the specific disability criteria of the VETS Safe Travel Act, you can still avoid paying for PreCheck out of pocket.

Many popular travel rewards and premium credit cards offer a statement credit that covers the fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every 4 to 5 years. By using one of these cards to pay for your application, the bank will automatically credit the amount back to your account.

Safe travels, and thank you for your service!