TSA Pre-check!

[LHARTWICK]

I get pre check about 90% of the time and I've never filled out anything or paid for it.

 

I have a friend who has never signed up either, and at least 90% of the time he gets TSA Pre-check on his tickets - and he travels quite often. I've heard that some of the frequent flyer programs just automatically assign it at random, and I've heard that it's completely random luck. I have no idea which is true....if either is. I just know that it makes me just a little envious because I paid for mine. Oh well! I'm glad I have it. Every time we get through security my husband and I both comment on how we love it. So much less stressful!! The problem I see with the airlines giving it to people at random is that so often those people rarely fly and they have no idea what to do in the Pre-check line - so they immediately begin stripping down. Then the TSA agents have to tell them it isn't necessary and they stand there with a puzzled look on their face. Just holds up the line. Just our observation.

[FireStation46]

Which means that Pre-Check gets you nothing at immigration lines, only airport security within the USA and only with airlines that participate in Pre-Check data transfers.

So, from a cruise standpoint the Global deal woukd get you through customs faster?

 

Since we cruise RCL Sky class or higher, don't we get escorted off quicker thus no need for the Global deal.

 

Not a cost issue to have both forms but if it is not a significant improvement to have Pre Check and Global, I reckon I can get by with Pre Check only?

[slidergirl]

So, from a cruise standpoint the Global deal woukd get you through customs faster?

 

Since we cruise RCL Sky class or higher, don't we get escorted off quicker thus no need for the Global deal.

 

Not a cost issue to have both forms but if it is not a significant improvement to have Pre Check and Global, I reckon I can get by with Pre Check only?

 

At certain cruise terminals now, Global Entry is offered. Sure, your Sky Class may get you escorted off the ship first, but you still have to go through Immigration and Customs. That is where GE will help. As others have said, Pre Check only deals with the airport TSA checkpoints, nothing more. Now, when TSA starts running rat mazes and nude-o-scopes at cruise terminals, you may see a Pre Check line...

[waterbug123]

Not a cost issue to have both forms but if it is not a significant improvement to have Pre Check and Global, I reckon I can get by with Pre Check only?

 

If you get Global Entry, you are automatically eligible for Pre-Check, but not the reverse.

[ducklite]

I have a friend who has never signed up either, and at least 90% of the time he gets TSA Pre-check on his tickets - and he travels quite often. I've heard that some of the frequent flyer programs just automatically assign it at random, and I've heard that it's completely random luck. I have no idea which is true....if either is. I just know that it makes me just a little envious because I paid for mine. Oh well! I'm glad I have it. Every time we get through security my husband and I both comment on how we love it. So much less stressful!! The problem I see with the airlines giving it to people at random is that so often those people rarely fly and they have no idea what to do in the Pre-check line - so they immediately begin stripping down. Then the TSA agents have to tell them it isn't necessary and they stand there with a puzzled look on their face. Just holds up the line. Just our observation.

 

Back when they were first piloting the program, the highest level elite's with US, AA, DL, and UA were given the access for free as guinea pigs. This is before you could buy into it.

 

Then TSA began randomly offering it to various travelers to get the word out--beyond STUPID and it ended up with a bunch of people who never should have been given access to fly, let alone pre-check onto planes. But I digress.

 

The TSA has made it clear that they will be diminshing and if I recall eliminating by the end of 2016 non-enrollees being given access to the TSA Pre lines.

[CruiserBruce]

If you get Global Entry, you are automatically eligible for Pre-Check, but not the reverse.

 

Eligible, but Pre is not guaranteed. But as documented on the dozen or more threads going on GE, very high success rate getting Pre if you have GE.

Edited August 12, 2016 by CruiserBruce

[CruiserBruce]

So, from a cruise standpoint the Global deal woukd get you through customs faster?

 

Since we cruise RCL Sky class or higher, don't we get escorted off quicker thus no need for the Global deal.

 

Not a cost issue to have both forms but if it is not a significant improvement to have Pre Check and Global, I reckon I can get by with Pre Check only?

 

If cruises are your only reason for entering the US, you might not even wish to spend the $85 for Pre. Up to you....we fly 5 to 8 times a year, at least once a year out of the country....this year and next year twice. GE was a wise investment. We are in Europe right now, with carry ons only. We will be at our car before anybody with checked bags is through immigration and Customs.

[njhorseman]

Back when they were first piloting the program, the highest level elite's with US, AA, DL, and UA were given the access for free as guinea pigs. This is before you could buy into it.

 

Then TSA began randomly offering it to various travelers to get the word out--beyond STUPID and it ended up with a bunch of people who never should have been given access to fly, let alone pre-check onto planes. But I digress.

 

The TSA has made it clear that they will be diminshing and if I recall eliminating by the end of 2016 non-enrollees being given access to the TSA Pre lines.

 

You didn't even have to be a high level elite frequent flier. We almost always received TSA Pre on our United flights just as a result of our belonging to their program and informing United that we wished to receive the benefit We have never been elite level members.

[njhorseman]

Eligible, but Pre is not guaranteed. But as documented on the dozen or more threads going on GE, very high success rate getting Pre if you have GE.

 

It's not guaranteed if you have TSA Pre either.

[ducklite]

You didn't even have to be a high level elite frequent flier. We almost always received TSA Pre on our United flights just as a result of our belonging to their program and informing United that we wished to receive the benefit We have never been elite level members.

 

When was this? The very early days of the program it was only rolled out to the very top tier elites. Others never even heard of it, and the Pre lanes weren't well marked like they are now.

[njhorseman]

When was this? The very early days of the program it was only rolled out to the very top tier elites. Others never even heard of it, and the Pre lanes weren't well marked like they are now.

 

I don't recall exactly when it started, but we had it for quite a while. We have Global Entry now, so it no longer matters to us.

[ducklite]

I don't recall exactly when it started, but we had it for quite a while. We have Global Entry now, so it no longer matters to us.

 

 

 

The program started in late 2011 with DL and AA. In June 2012 they expanded to UA and US (this is when I was invited in.). PreCheck was not available for sale to the general public until late 2013. Prior to that you needed to have GE or Nexus or similar or be invited in (it was complimentary to the elites who were invited), you couldn't buy PreCheck as a standalone product.

[njhorseman]

The program started in late 2011 with DL and AA. In June 2012 they expanded to UA and US (this is when I was invited in.). PreCheck was not available for sale to the general public until late 2013. Prior to that you needed to have GE or Nexus or similar or be invited in (it was complimentary to the elites who were invited), you couldn't buy PreCheck as a standalone product.

 

Based on the timeline you've stated, I'm reasonably sure we've had PreCheck through UA's frequent flier program since 2012 or 2013...and as I said we've never had any elite status with UA. We applied for and got approved for Global Entry this year after TSA announced they would be severely cutting back on PreCheck granted through frequent flier programs.

 

Come to think of it, we've flown exactly once on Southwest, early this year before we had applied for Global Entry, and also were given PreCheck on our sole Southwest flight through their frequent flier program. Obviously we had no elite status with Southwest either.

[waterbug123]

Eligible, but Pre is not guaranteed. But as documented on the dozen or more threads going on GE, very high success rate getting Pre if you have GE.

 

Correct, which is why I said having GE makes you eligible for Pre. Not guaranteed, but eligible. Someone was debating between the two, but if you travel internationally at all, it's a no brainer to pay a few extra bucks for GE and get Pre (eligibility) as a bonus.

[FireStation46]

Well, i just got back from a r/t flight. I had updated my profiles with the aireline with my TSA #.

 

All went well. Even better on the return flight where i saw long lines through basic security.

 

I am happy to have Pre Check!

[mattg43]

I have PreCheck through work. The first time I flew (on American Airlines) after getting it on leisure travel with my wife, the PreCheck was also on her ticket.

 

I assumed it was because I paid for the tickets? Is my assumption correct? For this October, will my PreCheck transfer to her (and my kids this time) again?

[ducklite]

I have PreCheck through work. The first time I flew (on American Airlines) after getting it on leisure travel with my wife, the PreCheck was also on her ticket.

 

I assumed it was because I paid for the tickets? Is my assumption correct? For this October, will my PreCheck transfer to her (and my kids this time) again?

 

Highly doubtful.

[mattg43]

Highly doubtful.

 

I'm curious as to what reason they used to allow my wife to also have PreCheck the last time we flew together.

 

Just random luck?

[peymas]

Random luck. I get it most of the time and husband got it our last flight. First time for him.

[Goes Cruising]

I have bought tickets for coworkers who are traveling with me, and yes, they end up with TSA Precheck for that trip only. She will not retain that status.

 

With that said, myself and several others I know ended up with TSA Precheck status on some kind of experiment. I called it the "harmless middle aged lady" bonus. I had status for better than a year for no known reason. When it went away, I secured TSA Precheck on my own.

[ducklite]

I have bought tickets for coworkers who are traveling with me, and yes, they end up with TSA Precheck for that trip only. She will not retain that status.

 

 

 

With that said, myself and several others I know ended up with TSA Precheck status on some kind of experiment. I called it the "harmless middle aged lady" bonus. I had status for better than a year for no known reason. When it went away, I secured TSA Precheck on my own.

 

 

 

Three times in the past year I have flown on tickets bought as a group with coworkers. I was the only person who got PreCheck.

[waterbug123]

I'm curious as to what reason they used to allow my wife to also have PreCheck the last time we flew together.

 

Just random luck?

 

Yes, random luck. As for your kids, it depends on their ages. If they are under a certain age, they may not be listed as Pre Check but can go through Pre with you. Above a certain age, they have to go through the regular line. I think the cut off is 15. I checked this past summer before a trip and my 12 year old could go through with me but my 17 year old couldn't.

[fbgd]

Three times in the past year I have flown on tickets bought as a group with coworkers. I was the only person who got PreCheck.

 

Same PNR?

 

I've had Pre-Check for years and whenever my OH travelled on the same reservation as me (maybe 20 reservations) she'd also get Pre-Check too. She has since obtained GE/Pre on her own.

[ducklite]

Same PNR?

 

I've had Pre-Check for years and whenever my OH travelled on the same reservation as me (maybe 20 reservations) she'd also get Pre-Check too. She has since obtained GE/Pre on her own.

 

Yes, same PNR.

[DZalumni]

Went with Global Entry as it gives you 2 things that pre does not:

1) Federally issued Global entry id (no matter the situation of your state's compliance with Real ID Act can use this id to travel)

2) Access to Nexus lanes and Nexus screening benefits in Canada.

And, Pre Check comes with Global too.

 

Pre check, check just gets you pre check.

 

Global is $100 and good for 5 years

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

Edited September 14, 2016 by DZalumni