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TSA PreCheck adds 4 international carriers to program
Meghna Maharishi
Aviation Reporter
Meghna Maharishi is an aviation reporter at TPG. She specializes in everything related to airlines, including their day-to-day operations, newly unveiled flight routes and lesser-known aspects of the industry.
Sept. 15, 2022
•
3 min read
TSA PreCheck adds 4 international carriers to program
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Passengers flying with Air Europa, ITA Airways, Flair Airlines or Volaris El Salvador will no longer have to wait in long lines during security clearance at some U.S. airports.
The Transportation Security Administration’s TSA PreCheck expedited screening program will now include these four international carriers, the agency announced in a press release on Wednesday.
With this expansion, customers of Air Europa (Spain's third-largest airline), ITA Airways (an Italian airline owned by the country's Ministry of Economy and Finance), Flair Airlines and Volaris El Salvador (two low-cost carriers based in Canada and El Salvador, respectively) can now use TSA PreCheck for flights departing the U.S.
Related: What to do if a boarding pass isn't marked TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is currently available at 200 airports in the U.S. and now includes 87 airlines.
Passengers who are U.S. citizens can apply for a five-year TSA PreCheck membership, which costs $85 per person. TSA PreCheck can be renewed six months before the membership expires, and renewals cost $70 for an additional five years. Members of other traveler programs like Global Entry also qualify for TSA PreCheck.
Related: The definitive guide to all airlines offering TSA PreCheck
While you can pay outright for your membership, know that there is a way to avoid out-of-pocket costs for the program. Certain credit cards offer credit card statement credits that cover the application fees for programs like TSA PreCheck, so you'll be reimbursed when you enroll in and renew qualifying memberships.
Regardless of how you pay, once your application is approved, you'll be issued a Known Traveler Number that designates your eligibility for TSA PreCheck. The KTN can then be applied to flight bookings for participating carriers at select airports, allowing you to skip long security lines.
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As travel experienced a major resurgence this past year, TSA PreCheck has become an increasingly popular option for travelers. Since the pandemic, the TSA has seen an uptick in TSA PreCheck enrollments, with the number of total members increasing from 18.9 million in 2019 to 27.4 million in 2022.
Despite this spike, TSA PreCheck members still face short waits in security lines on average. Roughly 95% of TSA PreCheck members waited less than five minutes to pass through security in August 2022, according to the TSA.
Related: 12 key things to know about TSA PreCheck
Although there are some airlines that do not participate in TSA PreCheck, in the past year, the program has added a number of carriers. In addition to this latest international expansion, TSA PreCheck has grown to encompass airlines like Advanced Airlines and Eurowings Discover, plus Viva Air Colombia and Breeze Airways.
The agency also added its first international TSA PreCheck location at Nassau, Bahamas' Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in March.
Featured image by PATRICK T. FALLON/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.