TSA PreCheck helps to expedite your journey through airport security. With lines often snaking around the airport, having it can make a big difference.

Membership in the program is valid for five years, and renewing it online is recommended about six months before expiration. There is no penalty to starting early since the new membership period begins as soon as the previous one ends, meaning you won’t be overlapping membership periods.

Here’s what you need to know about TSA PreCheck renewal, so you can extend your membership for another five years.

How much is TSA PreCheck renewal?

TSA PreCheck renewal is easier (and cheaper) than before since it can be done online and the fee has dropped from $85 to $70 for online applications. TSA says that most people renew online anyway, but if you choose to do it in person, you'll now pay $78 due to another recent drop in fees.

But TSA PreCheck renewal could also be free. You may already have a credit card that will cover the cost of your application, or you could apply for one. This could save you some real cash.

Even if you don’t have one of these travel rewards cards, someone you know just might. Since the cardholder can pay for someone else’s application — and receive a credit for the fee — it may be worth finding a family member who is not using their credit (perhaps someone who does not travel much or has already used the perk from another card they have) to cover yours.

Among the cards that include TSA PreCheck credits are the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the United℠ Explorer Card and the IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card. These credits are eligible for use once every four years.