Piedmont Triad International Airport is set to facilitate a new series of federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck enrollment sessions from January 6 to 10, offering travelers the chance to streamline their airport experience. With the cost of membership at $78, which is valid for five years, the PreCheck program allows low-risk travelers to enjoy expedited screening, making airport navigation quicker and less stressful.
During these sessions, held daily from 9:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, participants can complete the necessary background checks and fingerprinting at the arrivals level, located on the American side of the airport. To complete their enrollment successfully, applicants are required to bring proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. The process begins with submitting an online pre-enrollment application via the TSA website.
For those who manage to get approved, the benefits include not having to remove shoes, light outerwear, belts, or take out any liquids or laptops from carry-on bags. Most applicants can expect to receive their Known Traveler Number within three to five days, which must be added to flight reservations to enjoy PreCheck benefits. If travelers can’t make it to PTI during the enrollment days, they can still enroll online and book appointments at TSA’s authorized Idemia centers around the country.
Meanwhile, as the travel industry rebounds, budget airline travelers need to be aware of the additional costs associated with online bookings. Various airlines, particularly those operating out of Harry Reid International Airport, are known to charge substantial extra fees when tickets are purchased online as opposed to at the airport's ticket counters.
For example, Sun Country Airlines has introduced what they call the “Passenger Interface Charge,” which can add $22 per passenger for each flight segment booked online. This extra charge, along with similar fees from airlines like Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines, can quickly inflate the cost of flying for families or groups—sometimes adding upwards of $200 to the total fare.
Allegiant Air refers to its online charge as the “Electronic Carrier Usage Charge” and similarly waives it for tickets purchased directly at the airport. Allegiant’s spokesperson, Stephanie Garibay, confirmed, “Passengers who buy tickets at the airport do not pay this fee,” yet surprisingly, only a small number of customers are taking advantage of this opportunity, with most opting for the online purchasing convenience.
While these online fees can seem steep, the option to purchase tickets on-site presents significant savings. This strategy is increasingly recommended by airlines as they navigate the delicate balance between providing affordable fares and managing operational costs. Flight fares reviewed from different airlines each show variable names for booking fees, yet they all point back to the same root issue—the strategy to entice consumers to book at their counters where they can minimize additional overheads.
Spirit Airlines, for example, implements what they call the “Passenger Usage Charge,” which ranges from $3.99 to $22.99 per leg of the flight, demonstrating yet again how these hidden fees can complicate customers' travel plans. Breeze Airways adds its own “Technology Development Charge,” which, similar to its competitors, can be bypassed by purchasing directly from ticketing agents.
According to Breeze Airways’ chief commercial officer, Lukas Johnson, for the best chance to avoid extra fees, travelers should ideally buy tickets at the ticket counter only between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM PT on Tuesdays—adding yet another layer of strategic planning for savvy travelers.
Alongside these challenges, the TSA PreCheck and enrollment options provide travelers with another avenue to improve their flying experience. With most airports now integrating TSA PreCheck lines, travelers can look forward to quicker passage through security protocols, especially during peak travel seasons.
More than 200 airports across the U.S. offer dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes, ensuring significant time savings for those enrolled. The combination of streamlined security and cost-saving booking strategies can truly make for smoother travel experiences, particularly as we enter another season filled with holiday flying.
By focusing on smart booking practices and utilizing programs like TSA PreCheck, travelers can take control of their airline experiences and potentially save both time and money. Whether enrolling for expedited screening or opting for face-to-face bookings with airlines, being informed about the hidden costs and benefits of today's air travel can make all the difference.
