Vault Guardian renewal education
What happens if your TSA PreCheck expires?
TSA PreCheck cuts airport security wait times from 30+ minutes to under 5, so an expired membership is a rude surprise the morning of a 6 a.m. flight. The good news: renewal is one of the simpler expirations in your document folder.
TSA PreCheck cuts airport security wait times from 30+ minutes to under 5, so an expired membership is a rude surprise the morning of a 6 a.m. flight. The good news: renewal is one of the simpler expirations in your document folder.
Your KTN stops working on the expiration date
Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is valid for exactly 5 years from your enrollment date.
The moment it expires, airlines stop printing 'TSA Pre✓' on boarding passes — no warning, no grace period.
Renewal is online-only for most members
Members who enrolled after 2018 can renew online at tsa.gov/precheck up to 6 months before expiration.
Renewal fee: $70 for another 5 years (as of 2025).
You may not need to redo fingerprints
If your background check is still clean and there's no adjudication needed, renewal is fully online in under 10 minutes.
If TSA flags anything, you'll be scheduled for an in-person appointment (like initial enrollment).
Global Entry members renew separately
Global Entry includes PreCheck as a bundled benefit but is a different program (CBP, not TSA). Renewing Global Entry auto-renews PreCheck.
Global Entry: $120 for 5 years. Renew at ttp.dhs.gov.
KTN vs Passport ID confusion
Your KTN is not on your passport or driver's license. Save it in a note or password manager — you'll need it when booking flights.
Enter it in the 'Known Traveler Number' field, not 'Passport Number.'
Airline programs sometimes offer credits
Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Delta Reserve, and several others reimburse $85 for TSA PreCheck / $120 for Global Entry every 4–5 years.
Check your card's benefits portal before paying out of pocket.
VaultGuardian tracks TSA PreCheck expiration alongside Global Entry, NEXUS, and CLEAR — so you never learn about a lapse at the airport.
Download Vault Guardian to track renewals at 90, 60, and 30 days.