TSA expands perks for military families: PreCheck, separate lanes and cost cuts

In a significant move to honor America’s service members and their families, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has launched a new initiative offering expanded travel benefits for military personnel, their spouses, and Gold Star families. Announced as part of its “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” campaign, the program aims to streamline airport security experiences for those connected to the U.S. Armed Forces and reduce the financial burden of TSA PreCheck enrollment.

The enhancements include free TSA PreCheck for Gold Star families, a group that includes immediate relatives of U.S. military personnel who died in the line of duty. Military spouses can now receive a $25 discount on PreCheck enrollment or renewal through participating providers, such as CLEAR and IDEMIA. Active-duty service members and Department of Defense civilians continue to be eligible for complimentary access by entering their DOD ID number as a Known Traveler Number when booking flights.

As part of the rollout, TSA has also introduced “Honor Lanes” — expedited security screening lanes at select airports located near military bases. These lanes are currently operational in airports such as Austin, San Diego, Charlotte, and Colorado Springs, with plans to expand nationwide in the coming months. The agency is also deploying mobile PreCheck enrollment units to military installations to make the registration process more accessible to service families.


TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said the upgrades reflect the agency’s “deep gratitude for the sacrifices made by our military community” and are intended to make travel less stressful for those who serve. According to TSA data, more than one million military members already take advantage of existing PreCheck benefits, and the expanded program is expected to bring thousands more into the fold.

Gold Star family members, who now qualify for free enrollment, simply need to provide appropriate documentation during the application process. Military spouses must present their DOD ID card with the appropriate designation to receive the $25 discount. Standard TSA PreCheck enrollment costs $78 for five years, meaning spouses now pay just $53—a significant reduction for families that travel frequently.

These changes arrive as travel continues to surge nationwide. TSA reports that checkpoint volume has exceeded 2.5 million passengers daily during the summer travel season, setting multiple post-pandemic records. With crowded airports and extended wait times, expedited screening through PreCheck can cut security line delays by more than 50%.

In addition to PreCheck benefits, TSA continues to support the military community through the TSA Cares program, which offers personalized assistance for wounded warriors, disabled veterans, and individuals with medical needs. Travelers can call ahead to arrange help navigating security screenings with dignity and privacy.