Enroll in TSA PreCheck at Staples, not the airport.
If you’ve been conditionally approved for TSA PreCheck and haven’t been able to schedule an interview due to a backlog among applicants for Trusted Traveler Programs, you may be able to complete the process at a Staples near you.
Though this has been a feature available at select Staples stores since 2018, this is a timely opportunity to finalize your enrollment in TSA PreCheck ahead of what the Transportation Security Administration expects to be a busy summer travel season.
As a reminder, TSA PreCheck is an expedited security program that enables travelers to speed through TSA security via a PreCheck-only line, where they do not have to remove their shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or light jackets. Currently, TSA PreCheck is available at 200-plus U.S. airports when flying 85 domestic and foreign airlines.
TSA PreCheck can save you an enormous amount of time you would otherwise spend waiting in line, with 92% of users reporting waiting less than five minutes at airport security checkpoints nationwide last month, per TSA data.
How do you enroll in TSA PreCheck at Staples? First, enter your zip code online to see if one of the participating Staples is convenient for you. For example, you can enroll at five locations in the Denver area:
After you select a location, begin the enrollment process as you would normally through the TSA PreCheck website. This includes completing an application with identifying information, including your date and location of birth, current address, height, weight, and eye color, among other metrics.
Once you’re conditionally approved for TSA PreCheck, you must schedule an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. A pandemic-induced backlog of applications means it could take weeks or even months to schedule an interview for Trusted Traveler Programs, such as TSA PreCheck. One way to expedite this process is to see if there is a Staples enrollment center in your area.
When reserving your appointment on the government website, select the option to interview at an enrollment center “located inside Staples” and confirm you are scheduling at your desired store location.
Though appointments are appreciated, Staples says you can also walk in for this service. I recommend scheduling an appointment to guarantee a slot.
Beyond its location, the process should not differ otherwise from interviewing at Staples versus at one of the government’s 400 enrollment centers, many of which are at airports. For a full list of enrollment centers, see here.
During the interview, expect fingerprinting and a background check, with the whole process taking only a few minutes. After your interview, you should receive a letter by mail with your Known Traveler Number within two to three weeks, if not sooner. In the interim, you can also check your application status online and find out much faster whether you’ve been approved, at which point you can begin using TSA PreCheck on your next trip.
Twist’s Take: Expedite the TSA PreCheck process by booking an appointment at a Staples enrollment center in your area.
