TSA PreCheck deal knocks $20 off for young travelers in May

• The TSA is offering a $20 discount on a five-year PreCheck membership for new applicants aged 30 and under.
• Potential for longer airport security lines may increase as emergency funding for TSA employees is expected to run out.
• Over 1,100 TSA personnel have left the agency amid a partial government shutdown, which could delay security processing.

The Transportation Security Administration is offering $20 off a first-time five-year membership in its TSA PreCheck program, which streamlines the airport security process by validating your identity ahead of time.

That could become very useful as the busy summer travel season, graduations and the FIFA World Cup get closer. The deal is available throughout May.

On April 30, Congress ended the lengthy Department of Homeland Security shutdown that led to hours-long lines at TSA checkpoints with a funding bill that is headed to President Donald Trump's desk. For more than two months, travelers dealt with overworked, unpaid and sometimes absent TSA employees. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told FOX News on April 24 that emergency funding shuffled over to cover payroll was expected to run out in early May.

On April 29, TSA told USA TODAY that more than 1,100 personnel have left the agency. Politico first reported the story on April 27. Even when paychecks start flowing again, it will take time to train new employees, Mullin said.

TSA PreCheck on sale for travelers 30 and under

This spring, the TSA finished rolling out TSA PreCheck Touchless ID at 65 airports across the country to allow travelers to use facial recognition and zip past checkpoints even faster, without presenting an ID Card or boarding pass. Touchless ID is free for travelers with PreCheck.

"TSA PreCheck streamlines the checkpoint experience," the agency said in an April 29 release. "Ninety-nine percent of enrolled passengers wait less than 10 minutes; they can keep their electronics and 3-1-1 liquids in their bags and leave on their belts and light jackets."

The TSA's "$20 Take Off" promotion lets eligible applicants 30 and younger sign up for PreCheck for anywhere between $56.75 and $65 for five years, depending on the provider. The offer is available through TSA PreCheck’s three authorized enrollment providers, CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos, and is available at any of the 1,300 TSA PreCheck locations nationwide or start online at tsa.gov/precheck (applications must be completed in person).

The promotion runs from May 1 through May 31.

“As young adults embark on new adventures – whether it’s travel for school, work, or fun – TSA PreCheck offers a quicker and smoother airport security experience,” said TSA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill in the release. “With this special discount, we’re empowering the next generation of travelers to make TSA PreCheck a part of their journey.”

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is currently limited to six participating airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines — even though the technology is now live at more than 60 U.S. airports.

C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.