I have heard that there are multiple ways to get into TSA Pre-check and they don’t all give you the same chances of being selected. Which was is best?

There are 6 possible ways to receive the benefits of TSA Pre-check on a given flight. Regardless of which method you use no one is guaranteed to be selected for Pre-check benefits 100% of the time. However, the method you use to access the program does have a lot to do with how frequently you are selected. Here are the six methods in descending order of likelihood (most likely to least likely):

1. Enroll in Global Entry which automatically confers TSA Pre-check membership
2. Apply directly to TSA Pre-Check
3. Use the DoD number on your CAC card as your Known Traveler Number (military members only)
4. Invitation from your frequent flyer program
5. “TSA Risk Assessment” – using the Secure Flight Data already included in your reservation TSA may pre-select you for a particular flight
6. “Managed Inclusion” – when TSA Pre-check lanes aren’t full officers may divert some travelers to those lanes based on observed behavior”