TSA Precheck vs. Global Entry: Which Is Right for You? - NerdWallet
Federal trusted traveler programs like TSA Precheck and Global Entry let you go through special security lanes at the airport, which usually means faster and less intrusive screening.
Applying for either option requires time, effort and cost, but some credit cards or frequent flyer programs will cover the expense. Even if you fly only occasionally, an application could be worth it.
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The difference between TSA Precheck and Global Entry
Here's a closer look at the programs and some tips to help when choosing between them.
Nerd tip: To limit the spread of coronavirus, the Department of Homeland Security closed all Global Entry enrollment centers through at least June 1, 2020. Because of this, the renewal grace period has increased from six to 18 months for anyone who applies to renew before their current membership expires. Travelers arriving in the U.S. during this grace period do not need to show any special documents to use Global Entry.
How TSA Precheck works
If you pass a background check that verifies you as a low-risk traveler, the government will issue you a “Known Traveler Number” or KTN. You can use that number when making airline reservations. If you add it to a frequent flyer account, it will automatically be applied to all your reservations with that airline.
When using a KTN, you’re very likely — but not guaranteed — to get Precheck status for your flights. You’ll see a Precheck indicator on your boarding pass, whether paper or electronic. Eligibility is also embedded in the bar code of the boarding pass.
Precheck status gives you access to security lanes with lighter screening: You can leave your belt and shoes on, your laptop can stay in its case, and you don’t have to take the liquids and gels out of your carry-on. Most of the time, that means a quicker line. In January 2020, 94% of Precheck passengers waited less than five minutes in line, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
Nerd tip: Since the TSA Precheck program became widely available in late 2013, passengers have sometimes been selected to use Precheck lanes even if they weren’t enrolled in the program. The TSA said in 2017 that practice will be "significantly reduced." It recommends travelers who fly three times a year or more apply for a program that gets them access to expedited lanes.
Programs offering Precheck status
TSA Precheck
Costs $85 to apply. Some credit cards and elite frequent flyer programs reimburse your application fee. Membership lasts five years. This program has one benefit: access to TSA Precheck lanes. Those lanes are available at 200 airports and through 73 airlines, as of December 2019.
Global Entry
Costs $100 to apply. Some credit cards and elite frequent flyer programs reimburse your application fee. Membership lasts five years. This program refers to the Known Traveler Number as PASSID, but the number is used the same way. Global Entry includes TSA Precheck and its benefits but also gives you expedited customs screening when traveling internationally. Upon returning to the U.S., you can use an airport kiosk that should be far faster than traditional customs inspection lines. It also includes expedited processing at land borders with Mexico and Canada.
Hassle vs. benefits
For frequent travelers, Global Entry is probably preferable because it offers extra benefits when leaving the U.S. Even if you’re paying the application fee yourself, you'll get the added benefits of Global Entry costs for just $15 extra, or $3 a year.
The downside? Applying for Global Entry is more of a hassle than TSA Precheck. Here’s why:
Important considerations for both programs
Privacy
For any trusted traveler program, a potential drawback is supplying information about yourself to the government, including fingerprints and a photo. Giving up that personal information is an individual decision.
Children
Children ages 12 and younger can accompany an adult with TSA Precheck or Global Entry through the quicker airport security lines without having their own Precheck clearance. However, Global Entry doesn't allow children to go through expedited customs screening without their own enrollment in the program.
Nonrefundable fees
The application fees for both programs are nonrefundable, even if your application is denied.
Traveling with others
A practical consideration with speedier security and customs lanes is your traveling companions. If they don't have Precheck status, you may find yourself waiting for a while on the other side of the security screening area for your family or friends.
How to apply
If you decide Precheck or Global Entry is right for you, you can get started with these online forms:
These application sites guide you through the process, help you find enrollment center locations and list the documents to bring.
Nerd tip: Do you have an upcoming trip or long layover through an airport that offers Global Entry interviews? That could be an ideal time to schedule an interview without making a special trip to a far-flung enrollment center. Or you could use a program called Enrollment on Arrival when returning to the U.S. from an international trip during which you can complete the interview at many U.S. airports without an appointment.
Cards that reimburse application fees
Some credit and charge cards reimburse you the application fee for trusted traveler programs when you charge the fee to the card, mitigating its annual fee. A sampling of cards offering a statement credit for application fees:
Additionally, some credit card and travel loyalty programs will let you use travel credits or rewards points to pay for the application fee. American Express has its own list of cards that can help you pay for trusted traveler programs.
Other programs for travelers
NEXUS
For $50, or half the price of Global Entry, you'll get the equivalent of Global Entry privileges for entering Canada. The bad news: An interview is required, and it must take place at a border-crossing facility. So it makes sense to apply only if you live near the Canadian border or will be traveling through and can coordinate the interview with your travel plans.
SENTRI
This is a border-crossing program with Mexico that offers similar benefits to NEXUS, but costs $122.25. Enrollment centers are only on the U.S. southern border.
CLEAR
Available at about 30 airports as of mid-2019, Clear is a prescreening program administered by a private company. It uses biometrics, such as fingerprint and iris scans, to confirm your identity at a kiosk. You must still go through physical security screenings at participating airports, but you can bypass the identification check and get straight to the conveyor belt and security scanners. It doesn't qualify you for the light TSA Precheck screening. You can use Clear and Precheck together. Clear also lets you cut the security line at several stadiums, such as Major League Baseball parks.
This option is considerably more expensive at $179 per year. (Remember, the government programs’ fees cover five years.) Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have financial stakes in Clear and offer free and discounted memberships to frequent flyers. The American Express® Green Card offers up to $100 per year in statement credit when you use the card to pay for your Clear membership fee. Terms apply.
For military personnel
Precheck status is available for U.S. armed forces service members, including those serving in the Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard.
Frequently asked questions
Is TSA Precheck included in Global Entry?
Yes, Global Entry includes TSA Precheck in addition to expediting your re-entry to the U.S. from international destinations. Global Entry also includes faster processing when crossing the Mexican and Canadian borders.
How do you apply for Global Entry?
Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website to start your application. After being conditionally approved, you’ll need to schedule an in-person interview to complete your enrollment.
Is TSA Precheck worth it?
If you mostly travel domestically and want access to expedited security screening, TSA Precheck may make sense for you. If you travel internationally and want access to faster customs screening upon re-entry to the U.S., consider Global Entry instead (which also includes TSA Precheck).
How can I get Global Entry for free?
How can I get TSA PreCheck for free?
Just like Global Entry, many travel credit cards offer reimbursement for your TSA Precheck application fee as a cardmember benefit. While you may get lucky and be randomly allowed to use the TSA PreCheck line, paying for your application with one of these cards and using the credit is more reliable.
All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express® Green Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.
How to Maximize Your Rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2021, including those best for:
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Federal trusted traveler programs like TSA Precheck and Global Entry let you go through special security lanes at the airport, which usually means faster and less intrusive screening.
Applying for either option requires time, effort and cost, but some credit cards or frequent flyer programs will cover the expense. Even if you fly only occasionally, an application could be worth it.
Table of Contents
See 2021’s Best Travel Cards.
The Best-of Awards List has dropped. Here’s your shortcut to 2021’s best travel reward programs and more.
The difference between TSA Precheck and Global Entry
- TSA Precheck speeds up security screenings for flights departing from U.S. airports. As the name suggests, it's operated by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. A five-year membership costs $85.
- Global Entry provides the benefits of TSA Precheck plus faster U.S. customs screening for international travelers arriving at U.S. airports. It's run by a different agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A five-year membership costs $100. While more comprehensive, its requirements are more stringent and include a passport and an interview.
Here's a closer look at the programs and some tips to help when choosing between them.
Nerd tip: To limit the spread of coronavirus, the Department of Homeland Security closed all Global Entry enrollment centers through at least June 1, 2020. Because of this, the renewal grace period has increased from six to 18 months for anyone who applies to renew before their current membership expires. Travelers arriving in the U.S. during this grace period do not need to show any special documents to use Global Entry.
How TSA Precheck works
If you pass a background check that verifies you as a low-risk traveler, the government will issue you a “Known Traveler Number” or KTN. You can use that number when making airline reservations. If you add it to a frequent flyer account, it will automatically be applied to all your reservations with that airline.
When using a KTN, you’re very likely — but not guaranteed — to get Precheck status for your flights. You’ll see a Precheck indicator on your boarding pass, whether paper or electronic. Eligibility is also embedded in the bar code of the boarding pass.
Precheck status gives you access to security lanes with lighter screening: You can leave your belt and shoes on, your laptop can stay in its case, and you don’t have to take the liquids and gels out of your carry-on. Most of the time, that means a quicker line. In January 2020, 94% of Precheck passengers waited less than five minutes in line, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
Nerd tip: Since the TSA Precheck program became widely available in late 2013, passengers have sometimes been selected to use Precheck lanes even if they weren’t enrolled in the program. The TSA said in 2017 that practice will be "significantly reduced." It recommends travelers who fly three times a year or more apply for a program that gets them access to expedited lanes.
Programs offering Precheck status
TSA Precheck
Costs $85 to apply. Some credit cards and elite frequent flyer programs reimburse your application fee. Membership lasts five years. This program has one benefit: access to TSA Precheck lanes. Those lanes are available at 200 airports and through 73 airlines, as of December 2019.
Global Entry
Costs $100 to apply. Some credit cards and elite frequent flyer programs reimburse your application fee. Membership lasts five years. This program refers to the Known Traveler Number as PASSID, but the number is used the same way. Global Entry includes TSA Precheck and its benefits but also gives you expedited customs screening when traveling internationally. Upon returning to the U.S., you can use an airport kiosk that should be far faster than traditional customs inspection lines. It also includes expedited processing at land borders with Mexico and Canada.
Hassle vs. benefits
For frequent travelers, Global Entry is probably preferable because it offers extra benefits when leaving the U.S. Even if you’re paying the application fee yourself, you'll get the added benefits of Global Entry costs for just $15 extra, or $3 a year.
The downside? Applying for Global Entry is more of a hassle than TSA Precheck. Here’s why:
- Passport: You must already have a valid passport to apply for Global Entry. Getting a passport comes with its own costs and paperwork. Specific eligibility requirements for Global Entry are here.
- Interview: Both programs require you to visit an enrollment center for fingerprinting and an ID check. But Global Entry also requires an interview, and availability might be weeks away.
- Enrollment locations: There are fewer places to apply for Global Entry — mostly at major airports, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Offices and some designated enrollment centers. By contrast, TSA Precheck has far more enrollment locations — over 380 as of July 2019. You can walk in during business hours or schedule an appointment.
Important considerations for both programs
Privacy
For any trusted traveler program, a potential drawback is supplying information about yourself to the government, including fingerprints and a photo. Giving up that personal information is an individual decision.
Children
Children ages 12 and younger can accompany an adult with TSA Precheck or Global Entry through the quicker airport security lines without having their own Precheck clearance. However, Global Entry doesn't allow children to go through expedited customs screening without their own enrollment in the program.
Nonrefundable fees
The application fees for both programs are nonrefundable, even if your application is denied.
Traveling with others
A practical consideration with speedier security and customs lanes is your traveling companions. If they don't have Precheck status, you may find yourself waiting for a while on the other side of the security screening area for your family or friends.
How to apply
If you decide Precheck or Global Entry is right for you, you can get started with these online forms:
These application sites guide you through the process, help you find enrollment center locations and list the documents to bring.
Nerd tip: Do you have an upcoming trip or long layover through an airport that offers Global Entry interviews? That could be an ideal time to schedule an interview without making a special trip to a far-flung enrollment center. Or you could use a program called Enrollment on Arrival when returning to the U.S. from an international trip during which you can complete the interview at many U.S. airports without an appointment.
Cards that reimburse application fees
Some credit and charge cards reimburse you the application fee for trusted traveler programs when you charge the fee to the card, mitigating its annual fee. A sampling of cards offering a statement credit for application fees:
Additionally, some credit card and travel loyalty programs will let you use travel credits or rewards points to pay for the application fee. American Express has its own list of cards that can help you pay for trusted traveler programs.
Other programs for travelers
NEXUS
For $50, or half the price of Global Entry, you'll get the equivalent of Global Entry privileges for entering Canada. The bad news: An interview is required, and it must take place at a border-crossing facility. So it makes sense to apply only if you live near the Canadian border or will be traveling through and can coordinate the interview with your travel plans.
SENTRI
This is a border-crossing program with Mexico that offers similar benefits to NEXUS, but costs $122.25. Enrollment centers are only on the U.S. southern border.
CLEAR
Available at about 30 airports as of mid-2019, Clear is a prescreening program administered by a private company. It uses biometrics, such as fingerprint and iris scans, to confirm your identity at a kiosk. You must still go through physical security screenings at participating airports, but you can bypass the identification check and get straight to the conveyor belt and security scanners. It doesn't qualify you for the light TSA Precheck screening. You can use Clear and Precheck together. Clear also lets you cut the security line at several stadiums, such as Major League Baseball parks.
This option is considerably more expensive at $179 per year. (Remember, the government programs’ fees cover five years.) Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have financial stakes in Clear and offer free and discounted memberships to frequent flyers. The American Express® Green Card offers up to $100 per year in statement credit when you use the card to pay for your Clear membership fee. Terms apply.
For military personnel
Precheck status is available for U.S. armed forces service members, including those serving in the Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard.
Frequently asked questions
Is TSA Precheck included in Global Entry?
Yes, Global Entry includes TSA Precheck in addition to expediting your re-entry to the U.S. from international destinations. Global Entry also includes faster processing when crossing the Mexican and Canadian borders.
How do you apply for Global Entry?
Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website to start your application. After being conditionally approved, you’ll need to schedule an in-person interview to complete your enrollment.
Is TSA Precheck worth it?
If you mostly travel domestically and want access to expedited security screening, TSA Precheck may make sense for you. If you travel internationally and want access to faster customs screening upon re-entry to the U.S., consider Global Entry instead (which also includes TSA Precheck).
How can I get Global Entry for free?
How can I get TSA PreCheck for free?
Just like Global Entry, many travel credit cards offer reimbursement for your TSA Precheck application fee as a cardmember benefit. While you may get lucky and be randomly allowed to use the TSA PreCheck line, paying for your application with one of these cards and using the credit is more reliable.
All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express® Green Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.
How to Maximize Your Rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2021, including those best for:
TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which Is Better? - NerdWallet
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can get you through airport security and customs lines more quickly. You just need to pass the required background check.
My flight out there I had it tho.
