TSA Introduces Enhanced Travel Benefits for Military Families: A New Era of Ease

TSA's New Benefits for Military and Uniformed Service Community

In a commendable move to honor the sacrifices of military families, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a significant enhancement to its travel services just in time for Independence Day. This initiative aims to ease the travel burdens of U.S. military members, Gold Star families, and their spouses by providing a series of exclusive benefits through the TSA PreCheck® program.

New Initiatives for Gold Star Families

Starting this summer, the TSA is waiving enrollment fees for TSA PreCheck for Gold Star family members. Gold Star families are those who have lost a loved one while serving our country. This gesture acknowledges their invaluable sacrifice and aims to alleviate some of the stress that often comes with travel, especially for families dealing with the loss of a service member.

Discounts for Military Spouses

In addition to supporting Gold Star families, the TSA will also offer a $25 discount on TSA PreCheck enrollment fees for the spouses of military and uniformed service members. Given that military families frequently travel for reunions or relocations due to duty changes, this discount can help make traveling smoother for families who face unique challenges. The TSA PreCheck program grants faster processing through security checkpoints, allowing members to bypass lengthy queues, a significant perk for families on the move.

Expedited Lanes for Active Service Members

To further support military personnel, TSA plans to roll out expedited screening lanes for service members at selected airports, particularly those situated near large military installations. These dedicated lanes aim to minimize wait times effectively, enhancing the travel experience for those who serve our nation.

Enhanced Enrollment Accessibility

As part of these improvements, the TSA will collaborate with enrollment providers such as CLEAR, IDEMIA, and Telos to host mobile enrollment events near major U.S. military bases. This initiative is designed to make it easier for eligible military members and their families to enroll in TSA PreCheck, ensuring they can access faster travel experiences without added hassle.

TSA's Acting Administrator, Ha Nguyen McNeill, stated, "By expanding access, easing enrollment, and collaborating with our TSA PreCheck enrollment providers and industry partners, we strive to honor those who serve and the families who stand beside them."

Details on Enrollment

Military personnel and civilian Department of Defense (DOD) employees are already eligible for free TSA PreCheck access by utilizing their DOD ID number as their Known Traveler Number when booking flights. Children under the age of 12 can join their parents in TSA PreCheck lanes without restrictions, and teenagers aged 13 to 17 must be included on the same airline reservation as a TSA PreCheck-eligible guardian to enjoy expedited screening.

Additionally, the TSA Cares program remains an essential resource for veterans and wounded warriors, offering personalized assistance during the screening process, ensuring a dignified and seamless travel experience.

For those interested in enrolling or learning more about the benefits available, Gold Star families and military spouses can visit the TSA's dedicated sites at www.tsa.gov/military for detailed enrollment instructions and program benefits information.

These initiatives not only reflect TSA's commitment to the military community but also signify an important step towards recognizing the sacrifices made by service members and their families, making travel safer and more comfortable for all involved.