Southwest has a new PreCheck membership offer for Rapid Rewards members. (Image: Southwest Airlines)
We’re starting to see a bandwagon effect among airlines that want to see more of their customers signed up for TSA’s PreCheck trusted traveler program. The latest is Southwest, which just came out with a new offer for Rapid Rewards members.
Southwest said in an email to members that for a limited time, they can redeem 9,000 points to obtain a code that will cover the $85 cost of a five-year PreCheck membership.
Members can take advantage of the offer through August 22, the airline said, adding that the authorization code for the PreCheck fee will be sent to them by mail after they apply for the redemption online. Rapid Rewards members can use points to obtain up to eight codes per customer.
To join PreCheck, they must still go through the usual sign-up process including a personal interview at an application center.
Southwest’s offer comes on the heels of a JetBlue promotion announced last week that offers a similar code at no cost to Mosaic-level elite members of its TrueBlue loyalty program. The JetBlue gift codes can be redeemed for PreCheck payment through September 30.
And Delta has started offering free or discounted membership in the CLEAR trusted traveler program to members of SkyMiles. The membership, normally $179 per year, is free to Diamond Medallions; $79 for Platinum, Gold and Silver members; and $99 for other members. The CLEAR program uses biometric IDs to let members go to the head of the regular TSA screening lines. CLESR is currently available at 13 airports.
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If you are even considering foreign travel, Global Entry, at $100 / 5 years, seems to be a much better deal than PreCheck at $85 / 5 years. GE gives you PreCheck as well as rapid pass through U.S. Customs.
strange, knock on wood, I’ve never had a problem.
Big deal! About half the time the Precheck notation does not display on the Southwest boarding passes. Then the SWA clerks are indignant to look up your info on their system.