The newest Upgraded Points study surveyed over 1,500 travelers, both with and without a TSA PreCheck membership, comparing wait times, stress levels, and overall satisfaction to determine if the program truly helps speed up the security screening process and reduce travel stress.



"TSA PreCheck was created to expedite getting through airport security, but while many appreciate its benefits, there is still room for improvement," said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points. "Travelers in TSA PreCheck lines do not think they are always saving as much time as advertised, but they do feel less stressed about going through security."

Some Key Benefits:

• 39% of TSA PreCheck members say a less stressful experience is the most important benefit, while 34% say shorter lines.
• Members also value not having to remove shoes, belts, and laptops.

Barriers to Enrollment:

• 41% of respondents without a TSA PreCheck membership say they don't fly frequently enough to justify purchasing one.
• Additionally, 25% have never considered it and 13% find the enrollment process too complicated.

Time-Saving Impact:

• Travelers with a TSA PreCheck membership arrive about 6 minutes later than non-members and get through security 7 minutes faster on average.
• While the TSA estimates that standard lines take under 30 minutes and TSA PreCheck lanes under 10, travelers indicate standard lines take an average of 43 minutes and TSA PreCheck lanes about 36 minutes.

Stress Less, Fly More:

• TSA PreCheck members rate their security stress at 3.3 on a 10-point scale, compared to 7.3 among non-members.
• Non-members estimate their stress might drop to 3.5 with a TSA PreCheck membership.

Flying Without Delay:

• Only 3% of TSA PreCheck members have missed a flight due to security delays, but the rate rises to 18% among frequent flyers.
• Only 4% of travelers without a TSA PreCheck membership have missed a flight, while 11% of frequent flyers are affected overall.

Paying for Peace of Mind:

• Current TSA PreCheck members are willing to pay up to $120, with frequent flyers up to $150.
• Non-members would pay about $87 for a membership, though the service costs only $78, reflecting their possible frustrations with the standard security process.

Credit Card TSA PreCheck Fee Perks:

• Nearly 29% of TSA PreCheck members have a credit card that reimburses the fee.
• A striking 87% of non-members say they'd be more likely to sign up if their credit card covered the fee.

Study Methodology

Over 1,500 travel enthusiasts were surveyed during one week in March 2025. Respondents were segmented by whether they had a TSA PreCheck membership, while questions addressed their motivations, the impact of the service on their airport experiences, and their overall security encounters.