Confused about the difference between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry? Wondering which one makes more sense for you and your family? Read on to find out all the pertinent information to make your decision.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
This post is not intended as legal advice. Be sure to consult the appropriate entity before making any decision.
Do you like waiting in long lines at the airport? Enjoy worrying that you’re going to miss your flight because you’re stuck in the security line? What about being half asleep while snaking your way through the line to get your passport stamped after a long trip? Yes? Then this article is not for you! And neither are TSA PreCheck or Global Entry!
But for the rest of you, read on…or jump to comprehensive comparison chart.
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
Two of the more popular Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) administered under the auspices of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. TSA PreCheck is run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Global Entry is run by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), respectively. (The others are NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST.)
Both programs require an online application and an in-person interview after being approved. Although processing times, availability of interviews, and the cost are different, both are valid for five years.
The DHS is currently recommending TSA PreCheck, unless you travel internationally several times per year. This is due to the heavy backlog and large application volume of all other TTPs. Current processing time for Global Entry is 4-6 months whereas it’s only a couple weeks for TSA PreCheck.
However, if you have the time and patience to wait it out, I think that Global Entry is a better option since it includes TSA PreCheck. But, there are some differences and other considerations you may have.
TSA PreCheck
The primary purpose of TSA PreCheck is to expedite the security process at the over 200 participating US airports.
There are over 500 enrollment centers to complete your interview once you are conditionally approved, even on a walk-in basis. Even some Staples locations are enrollment centers. (Yes, the office supplies store.) The current fee is $78 for the initial 5 years and $70 for a 5-year renewal. The program is open to US citizens and lawful permanent residents.
Once you’re enrolled, you’ll be issued a number known as your Trusted Traveler Number or Known Traveler Number. This number must be included on your reservation so that it shows up on your boarding pass. If it isn’t, you will not be allowed to use the PreCheck line at the airport. Although you can always wait in line at the check-in counter to have your boarding pass re-issued, I recommend adding the number to ALL your frequent flyer accounts as soon as you get it. This way it’s already in the system when you book your ticket. What’s the point of being able to save time in the security line if you have to spend it at the check-in line?
When I first got mine, I forgot to add it to an already existing reservation. As a result, my daughters and I had to wait in a hot and humid security line for over an hour in Miami after having to clear customs and recheck our luggage.
Minors
This brings me to the point regarding minors and TSA PreCheck. There are several categories of minors when it comes to PreCheck. First of all, minors travelling alone only have access to the PreCheck line if they are enrolled in the program themselves. Children 12 and under can use the PreCheck line when travelling with an eligible Parent/Guardian.
Children 13-17 are in an interesting situation when it comes to TSA PreCheck. They can access the PreCheck line when travelling on the same reservation as an eligible parent/guardian AND the “PreCheck indicator” is printed on their boarding pass. This means, they may be randomly excluded from using the PreCheck line. Therefore, they would have to either go through the regular screening line on their own, or their parent/guardian would have to forego use of the PreCheck line themselves.
3 Essentials for a Minor to Travel Internationally Without Parents
Whereas regular airport security lines are very unpredictable, the TSA says that 92% of passengers wait less than 5 minutes in the PreCheck line. Furthermore, the screening process is simpler, faster, and less invasive. It’s reminiscent of Pre-9/11 airport security. You don’t have to remove your shoes, laptop, belt, light jacket, or liquids (although you still have to follow the 3-1-1 rule). Also, generally you’re just going to go through a metal detector rather than a full body scanner.
Global Entry
The primary purpose of Global Entry is to expedite entry into the US from international destinations. Last time I returned to the US, the whole process took about 20 seconds–I had to take off my glasses and look at the screen. That was it. I didn’t even have to take out my passport!
I understand they were testing new kiosks at my home airport, so if you “get stuck” with the old kiosk it may take you about a minute to scan your passport and fingerprints and answer a couple questions on the screen. But just think how long the snaking passport control line is–especially if you’re one of the last ones off the plane or you don’t get there so fast. Also, the kiosks tend to be before you even get to where the line is. So you’re even out faster even when there isn’t anybody in the regular line.
Currently, there are about 80 airports, including about a dozen-and-a-half foreign ones, with Global Entry automatic kiosks.
There are only about 100 enrollment centers to complete your interview once you’re conditionally approved, and interviews may only be available several months out. My husband was conditionally approved in July and the earliest interview available was in April.
However, there is the option for “Enrollment on Arrival“. If you’re returning to the US after your application has been processed, you can complete your interview with an agent at your port of entry (when available). There are even some EoA locations abroad. Be sure to have proof of residency with you if you’re planning to do this. Keep in mind that you may receive your conditional approval while you’re in the air; often the fact that you’re on a passenger list will trigger your application to be processed. This is what happened to me–even on a Sunday flight.
But be forewarned: my husband received his approval less than 15 minutes after leaving the airport. He’s convinced it actually came through while he was at the interviews with the kids but he couldn’t check his phone. The agent wouldn’t check for him and told him that kids often get approved more quickly. Once you leave the airport, you can’t go back.
The soonest appointment available was almost nine months out. And we even checked multiple locations across the country (we were doing a cross-country road trip anyway). So, we scheduled it. Happy to report that we have to cancel the appointment. He was able to do Enrollment on Arrival in the meantime. Good thing. He has an upcoming flight with very little time to get to the airport. So, he has also enrolled in CLEAR to help expedite things. (More on that a different time.)
The current fee is $100 for the initial 5 years as well as for 5-year renewal. The program is open to US citizens and lawful permanent residents as well as citizens of 12 other countries. Although the purpose of Global Entry is to facilitate entry into the US, your Global Entry ID card can be used as a valid form of ID at airport security checkpoints. But, the physical card itself is only needed when entering the US at land borders.
TSA PreCheck is included with Global Entry. So, even though Global Entry is $22 more than TSA PreCheck, it comes out to $4.40 per year. On an individual basis, I think it’s a no-brainer. Unless you don’t even have a passport, have zero intention of travelling abroad, or you feel you really need PreCheck now and can’t wait out the processing time.
Minors
However, if you have a large family, this may not be the best option for you. As mentioned above, minors do not need their own TSA PreCheck membership. However, the same does not apply to Global Entry. Each person needs to be enrolled in the program to be able to use the kiosk. I can happily report that my toddler passed his interview with flying colors! He wasn’t so happy to give up his pacifier for the picture though.
On a recent flight, the TSA agent supervising the kiosks offered to manually check his passport rather than have us take him out of the stroller to have his face scanned.
Covering the Cost
For most people who travel, the cost of any of these programs is probably relatively insignificant compared to the benefit. However, I think we can all agree that the cost is even more insignificant if it is free. There are several dozen credit card and loyalty programs that will cover or reimburse the cost of either of these programs once every four to five years–which is all you need. If you have more than one of these cards, you can use a different card for each member of your family. When using a pay with points option, you can generally do so without the five year limit.
The two cards that we’ve recently used to cover this expense are the Capital One Venture X and American Express Platinum. Both have sizeable annual fees. However, the credits and benefits outweigh those fees–especially in the first year with the sign-up bonuses factored in.
Renewals
Make sure you keep up with renewals. There was a woman scanning her face at the kiosk next to mine recently and her Global Entry had expired. So she had to go all the way around and wait in the regular line. The regular line can be long enough on its own. But, when you were anticipating a 20 second process, it seems even longer. And the person picking you up is stuck waiting too.
TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry
Are you enrolled in either of these programs? Do you plan to? What has your experience been? Have you used a credit card or loyalty program benefit to pay for it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Check out these great offers for wherever your travels take you:
Anything you need for your journey on Amazon.
Join Going, and never pay full price for a flight again.
Get great custom travel accessories at Etsy.
Explore flight options on Kayak.
Book activities and sightseeing excursions with Viator and Get Your Guide.
Want to ship your luggage? Get a 5% discount when booking with Luggage Forward.
Use promo code BTR5QTP to get $5 off when you join Roadtrippers Plus to find off the beaten path destinations.
Save up to 25% on your travel costs by booking an RV through RVshare.
Save 15% when you join Harvest Hosts to find great experiences and places to stay.