Summary

• Invest in a Trusted Traveler Program to breeze through airport security with TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR.
• TSA PreCheck pros: robust availability, no need for time-consuming security checks, budget-friendly option.
• Consider Global Entry for international travelers with expedited immigration lines and TSA PreCheck benefits.

Airport security is a breeze... said no one ever! Air travel is rebounding swiftly but not without the incredible (re)growing pains associated with airport logistics. Even if you're choosing between the best airports like JFK vs LaGuardia, it seems like the recommended time to arrive at the airport is getting earlier and earlier. Long lines at the check-in counter, bag drops, and security make it feel like you're never at the airport early enough, even at the most connected airport in the world.

If you're someone who travels by plane more than once a year, it may be the right time to invest in an expedited security program (also known as a Trusted Traveler Program) to get you through some of these hard travel spots. Nowadays, though, there's more than one choice to investigate, and the savvy traveler must choose the one that fits their travel and financial needs. Between TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR, which is best?

UPDATE: 2024/04/04 13:33 EST BY LANE VASQUEZ

Pros & Cons Of TSA Precheck Vs. Global Entry Vs. Clear

This feature has been updated with rate increase news (coming October 2024), information on SENTRI, an alternative Trusted Traveler Program, plus updated information on rates, wait times, discounts, and more.

What Is TSA PreCheck? What To Know (And How Much It Costs)

TSA PreCheck saves time, but it costs $78+ to enroll

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck program is a federally organized scheme that allows for expedited entry through security at over 200 airports across the country.

To enroll, a prospective participant submits an application online via the official website. After a conditional acceptance, you make an appointment at an enrollment center for an in-person interview. These centers are often in major airports or at highly-trafficked land crossings.

Once you obtain a Known Traveler Number (KTN) — sometimes this takes a few days up to a couple of months — you input this number upon any airline booking. Renewal is required every five years, but you have two options for enrollment, as of 2024.

Pros Of TSA PreCheck

First, the widespread availability of TSA PreCheck is the most obvious pro of this first program. As a program organized by and facilitated by the federal government, over 80 airlines and over 200 airports have a TSA PreCheck lane dedicated to expedited security.

Pre-check holders can get through security without having to take out electronics or toiletries or take off articles of clothing like shoes, belts, and jewelry.

About 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes. — TSA

TSA PreCheck is also the most budget-friendly option and works well for people who predominantly travel domestically, but PreCheck's usefulness varies based on your travel plans and other factors.

Some credit cards and loyalty programs offer TSA PreCheck for no additional fee, so you can save more on top of airline points and discounts.

Cons Of TSA PreCheck

While the availability of use once you receive your Known Traveler Number, especially for the price you pay, makes TSA PreCheck a great option, the availability to enroll once getting your conditional letter is a true con of this program.

Some enrollment centers, especially at major hub airports, have their appointments booked up for the rest of the year and into the next. If you're hoping for an immediate turnaround, you may have to travel to a different enrollment center than the one closest to you.

Also, with this program gaining popularity in years past, the TSA PreCheck lane sometimes may actually have a slightly longer line than even regular security. So while you have that KTN, it's no guarantee that you'll get through faster.

In fact, having a KTN is no guarantee of TSA PreCheck at all; the TSA can omit the assignment of that illustrious green check mark on your boarding pass if, for some reason, they see fit. This is rare, but a con that may take you by surprise if you only air travel once or twice a year domestically, and for some reason, you don't get PreCheck on one of those flights.

What's Global Entry (And How Much Does It Cost)?

Global Entry has a higher cost, but more perks (and includes TSA PreCheck)

Global Entry, much like its domestic cousin TSA PreCheck, is a government-organized program facilitated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

This program can be utilized by international passengers arriving in the United States. Once landing, Global Entry members can participate in expedited arrival procedures via an automated kiosk, passport, and fingerprinting. You fill out an online application and then submit it to an in-person interview before being approved.

Pros Of Global Entry

Where TSA PreCheck is focused on domestic travel, Global Entry accommodates international travelers entering into or back into the U.S. via 50 American airports. You can even participate in pre-clearance Global Entry procedures at over two dozen international airports. This can be especially appealing for travelers between the U.S. and Canada as many of these airports include the major airports in Canada.

With your Global Entry approval, you also receive TSA PreCheck, so you get both the international and national benefits from enrolling in this program. At some major airports, you may also enroll upon arrival.

Cons Of Global Entry

Global Entry suffers some of the same cons as TSAPreCheck, given they are both facilitated by the federal government and some procedural perks are, in fact, exactly the same.

Snagging an enrollment interview or taking advantage of enrollment upon arrival has been harder lately than in years past, so again, here, you'll need to plan far ahead to get your Known Traveler Number in time for your next trip. The same pitfall of wait times at security applies to Global Entry as TSA PreCheck, too, since, again, you also get PreCheck with this program.

Global Entry is also not as budget-friendly as TSA PreCheck. While you do get the same eligibility period of five years, Global Entry will set you back $100 until September 30th; after October 1st, 2024, Global Entry will increase to $120. Also, it appears that children must apply separately (with a guardian's permission).

As of April 2024, processing times for Global Entry are 4 to 6 months.

Is Global Entry Worth It If You Already Have TSA PreCheck?

• You get TSA PreCheck included with Global Entry enrollment.
• Global Entry is $100-$120 and lasts for five years.

For those debating Global Entry, if they already have PreCheck, there are a few things to consider. First, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, but TSA PreCheck does not include Global Entry. Therefore, someone who wants to get two-for-one would want to go with Global Entry, which entails TSA PreCheck privileges.

Many make the mistake of doing this the opposite way, resulting in more hassle and money spent at the airport. Global Entry is more of a "blanket" program, with the TSA PreCheck falling under it.

One of the major benefits of having Global Entry is expedited immigration lines between countries. For instance, if someone is traveling back to the United States after being in Mexico, they would go through security and immigration and spend less time answering questions and going through security screenings.

Global travel can be incredibly time-consuming before someone even steps foot into the new or returning country they're traveling to, so with Global Entry, travelers can get to their vacation/home faster.

The pricing alone is another reason to purchase Global Entry, as it's not much more than TSA PreCheck with more benefits for international travelers.

CLEAR: What To Know And How Much It Costs

CLEAR is a pricey alternative to government travel programs

CLEAR is a newer addition to the expedited security line game. Created by a private company that's partnering with various airports around the country, CLEAR utilizes your boarding pass and biometric scanning (either eyes or fingers) to get you through the security line fast (no ID required).

First, you enroll initially online, much like the other programs, and then you go to a CLEAR enrollment center to finish the process at participating airports.

Pros Of CLEAR

Where TSA PreCheck and Global Entry fall short, CLEAR beats both programs swiftly. CLEAR's enrollment process isn't dependent on the availability of appointments, so it's possible for you to get cleared with CLEAR within days.

Once you complete the online enrollment portion, you simply go to the CLEAR center (usually the cluster of pods near security) to finish your enrollment — no appointment is necessary!

CLEAR virtually never has a wait to use its kiosks, so it also bypasses the problem of regular security times outpacing PreCheck security times... you'll be breezing past it all. Also, because its use is not limited to border crossings, CLEAR kiosks can also be found at some sports and concert venues too.

Another perk: family members under 18 don't need a membership for CLEAR, and can join an adult family member in the CLEAR line.

Military service members and government employees get a discount, but the discounted rate isn't posted online.

Cons Of CLEAR

The major drawback of CLEAR is its hefty price tag: $189 a year! Now, if you have an American Express Card or are a mileage rewards member for Delta or United, there are discounts available. You can also add family members or friends to your CLEAR account for $99 per person, so it is possible to share this fee with others.

But here comes another con: though you get through the document check part of security quickly, the actual security screening still applies to CLEAR users. This means that if you don't have TSA PreCheck (it is possible to double-dip and be enrolled in both programs, however), then you still have to go through the arduous process of removing liquids, electronics, shoes, etc.

CLEAR has stated that they hope to forge a formal partnership with TSA PreCheck in the future, however, so this concern may become moot in years to come.

The last major con of CLEAR is its availability at airports — or lack thereof — and the fact it is run by a company. Though getting enrolled is a breeze compared to other options, the program isn't implemented in as many airports since it wasn't rolled out by the government.

However, the company does have a presence at most major hubs, so many airline passengers are covered.

What To Know About Sentri (For Canada And Mexico Travelers)

Sentri is only for US entry via Canada and Mexico

For travelers entering the US from Canada or Mexico, Sentri is a convenient way to minimize wait times when traveling by air or land.

What to Know:

• Costs $122.25 currently while labeled an "a la carte" fee; will increase to $120
• "May" include TSA PreCheck
• Application processing time of 10 to 12 months

Which Program Is Best For US-Based Travelers?

If cost is your primary concern, TSA PreCheck is worth it for the convenience

US Travelers will need to weigh the pros and cons of each program to decide which is best for them, their travel itineraries, and their budgets.

*as of October 2024

Fees are part of travel life, but there are some ways to avoid extra airport fees while traveling.

TSA PreCheck is the most affordable program, and its coverage may mean an easier travel experience for all your domestic flights. However, experienced travelers swear by Global Entry for the international travel perks.