Holiday travel is already stressful, but this year is shaping up to be especially chaotic. Airports are expecting record-breaking crowds, December flight schedules are getting tighter, and security lines are going to be… a whole situation.
If you’re flying with kids, meeting up with family, or squeezing in one last trip before the new year, anything that helps you get through the airport faster is worth considering.
TSA seems to know exactly what travelers are walking into, because they just relaunched their “Families on the Fly” promotion — a limited-time TSA PreCheck deal that gives travelers BOGO $15 off when two people enroll together.
It runs now through December 31, and if you sign up soon, your membership can actually kick in before the major December holidays.
And despite the name, this isn’t just for parents. You can pair up with a partner, a sibling, a coworker, your best friend, or even your “holiday travel buddy” you only see once a year. As long as you enroll at the same location at the same time, the discount applies.
What the deal actually is
TSA PreCheck normally runs $85 or less for five years, depending on whether you enroll through CLEAR, IDEMIA, or Telos. With the promotion, the second person gets $15 off their enrollment fee. For a family of four, that’s $30 off. First-time customers only, renewals don’t qualify, and everyone has to enroll together.
TSA confirms that this offer is designed to handle the annual enrollment surge that always hits right before the holidays. People try to sign up at the last minute, and this year, airports are going to be even busier — hence the incentive.
Why TSA PreCheck makes holiday travel SO much easier
Whether I’m traveling solo or with someone else, PreCheck is one of the few things that reliably reduces stress levels. You keep your shoes on, your toiletries and laptop stay in your bag, and the line usually moves a whole lot faster. PreCheck lanes operate at more than 200 airports, which helps if you’re connecting somewhere notorious for long lines.
And if you’re flying with kids? Huge perk: children 17 and under can use the PreCheck lane with an enrolled adult — for free.
Here’s how it works, depending on your child’s age
Kids 12 and under:
They automatically go with you in the PreCheck lane. Their boarding pass doesn’t even need the PreCheck symbol.
Kids 13–17:
They can use the lane if the PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass. To make that happen, you need to:
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be on the same reservation
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leave the KTN field blank for them if they don’t have their own number
If they’re on a separate reservation and don’t have a Known Traveler Number, they’ll be routed to regular screening.
Kids who travel alone:
They’ll need their own TSA PreCheck or another DHS Trusted Traveler Program if you want them to get expedited screening consistently. (And if they’re flying as unaccompanied minors, ID requirements vary by airline.)
Can you get approved before peak holiday travel?
Most people are approved in about 3–5 days, although TSA says some can be approved even faster. Occasionally, it takes up to 60 days — but if you enroll now, you still have a shot at getting it before December’s busiest travel weeks.
Another helpful option: dedicated family lanes
TSA has also started rolling out dedicated family lanes at certain airports — including Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Charlotte, John Wayne, Honolulu, Charleston, Oklahoma City, San Juan, and Providence — with more on the way. These are designed for parents juggling strollers, diaper bags, snacks, and kids under 12, and they move at a more forgiving pace. It’s a solid alternative if you don’t have PreCheck yet but still need a calmer screening experience.
And if someone in your household is active-duty military or DoD, you may already have access to expedited screening without paying for it. I’ve covered that separately, so I won’t repeat it all here — but it’s worth checking before you spend anything.
A little extra help for this year’s travel chaos
If you’re bracing for packed airports, you’re not imagining it — early forecasts are already warning that this holiday season could be unusually messy, with higher passenger volumes and more pressure on airport staffing. And it’s not just humans adding to the congestion. More travelers are bringing their pets along this year, which is creating a whole new layer of stress for families trying to navigate security, carriers, and pre-boarding with anxious animals in tow.
If your December plans involve kids, pets, or just trying to avoid the wo