Travel is making a serious comeback, and that means lines at airport security have returned to their former glory. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait in those lines. Consider TSA PreCheck — a Trusted Traveler Program and a game-changing way to speed through airport screening, all while keeping your shoes on your feet and your laptop in your bag.

But whether or not you're already a member, you may be wondering how long TSA PreCheck lasts. Is there an expiration date? And what do you do when your membership is almost up? We explain it all.

How long is a TSA PreCheck membership good for?

The answer is straightforward: A TSA PreCheck membership is good for five years from your date of approval. And for those who travel often, joining can absolutely be worth it. The $78 fee over the course of the included five years breaks down to just $15.60 per year. And it's possible to get the TSA PreCheck application fee covered through a travel credit card.

With more than 200 airports and 81 airlines participating in TSA PreCheck, you’ll be set up to experience reduced security wait times — sometimes less than 5 minutes. And if you’re traveling with a child 12 or under, they can join you in the TSA PreCheck security lane.

During one trip I took around the holidays, TSA PreCheck actually saved me from missing my flight. Wait times in the regular security lines were an hour or more, but the TSA PreCheck line had only a handful of people in it.

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Renewing TSA PreCheck membership

You can being your TSA PreCheck renewal up to six months before your membership is set to expire. As this date approaches, you’ll receive a renewal notification by email (from “Universal Enroll”) or by phone.

You’ll get a heads-up starting six months before your membership expires, and then several more times leading up to the expiration date. You can check your expiration date online.