If you’re tired of long airport security lines, you’ve probably considered TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Both programs speed up your airport experience, but they work differently and serve different types of travelers. Here’s everything you need to know to pick the right one.
What Is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program run by the Transportation Security Administration. Members get access to dedicated security lanes at over 200 US airports. In PreCheck lanes, you don’t need to:
- Remove belts or light jackets
- Take laptops or liquids out of your bag
- Go through full-body scanners (metal detectors instead)
The result? Average PreCheck wait times are under 5 minutes, compared to 15–30 minutes in standard lines during peak hours.
Cost: $78 for 5 years ($15.60/year) Processing time: 2–3 weeks after fingerprinting
What Is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program for international travelers. It includes all TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs clearance when entering the United States from abroad.
With Global Entry, instead of waiting in the immigration line, you use an automated kiosk — scan your passport, answer a few questions on the touchscreen, and walk through. On busy travel days, this can save 30–60 minutes.
Cost: $100 for 5 years ($20/year) Processing time: 4–6 weeks (includes an in-person interview)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | TSA PreCheck | Global Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $78 / 5 years | $100 / 5 years |
| Includes PreCheck | Yes | Yes |
| Expedited customs | No | Yes |
| Interview required | No (some locations) | Yes |
| Processing time | 2–3 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Best for | Domestic flyers | International travelers |
| Age requirement | Any age | Any age |
| Airports covered | 200+ US airports | 75+ US airports + select international |
Which One Should You Get?
Choose TSA PreCheck if:
- You mostly fly domestically
- You want the cheapest option
- You want the fastest approval process
- You rarely travel internationally
- You have a criminal record, since PreCheck applies a published list of disqualifying offenses while CBP denies Global Entry at its own discretion
Choose Global Entry if:
- You travel internationally at least once a year
- You want PreCheck benefits too (it’s included)
- You’re okay paying $22 more over 5 years
- You can schedule an interview at a CBP enrollment center
For most frequent travelers, Global Entry is the better value — you get everything PreCheck offers plus customs benefits for just $22 more over five years. Many premium credit cards also reimburse the Global Entry fee as a cardholder perk, making it effectively free.
Thinking about CLEAR too? CLEAR is a separate private program that speeds up the ID-check portion of security. It works alongside PreCheck rather than replacing it — see our full CLEAR vs TSA PreCheck comparison to decide whether to stack both.
How to Apply
TSA PreCheck
- Go to tsa.gov/precheck and fill out the application
- Pay the $78 fee
- Schedule a 10-minute appointment at an enrollment center for fingerprinting
- Receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) within 2–3 weeks
- Add your KTN to airline reservations to get PreCheck on your boarding pass
For a step-by-step walkthrough — including what documents to bring, how to find an enrollment center with appointments, and how to get the fee reimbursed by a credit card — see our complete TSA PreCheck application guide.
Global Entry
- Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account
- Complete the application and pay the $100 fee
- After conditional approval, schedule an in-person interview at a CBP enrollment center or Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival location
- Receive your membership and KTN after the interview
Pro Tips
- Check your credit card perks — Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X, and many others reimburse the Global Entry fee
- Enrollment on Arrival — if there’s a long wait for interview appointments, you can complete your Global Entry interview when arriving from an international trip at participating airports
- Renew early — you can renew up to 12 months before expiration, and your current membership stays active during processing
- Add your KTN everywhere — put it in your airline loyalty profiles so it automatically appears on every booking
Frequently Asked Questions
Can children get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?
Yes. Children under 12 can use PreCheck lanes when traveling with an enrolled parent. For Global Entry, each person (including children) needs their own membership.
Does PreCheck guarantee a shorter line?
No. During extremely busy periods, PreCheck lines can still be 10–15 minutes, but they’re consistently faster than standard screening. Look up your airport’s busiest hours on Airport TSA Times, and see our guide on the busiest days and times at airport security to plan around peak periods.
Do I still need a REAL ID if I have PreCheck?
Yes. PreCheck speeds up screening but doesn’t replace the ID requirement. You still need a REAL ID-compliant license or acceptable alternative to pass through the checkpoint.
Can I use PreCheck at every airport?
PreCheck is available at 200+ airports, covering virtually all major US airports. Some smaller regional airports may not have dedicated PreCheck lanes.
Is Global Entry worth it if I only travel internationally once a year?
For just $22 more than PreCheck over 5 years, most travelers find it worth it even for occasional international trips. The customs time savings on a single trip can be significant.
Want to know when your airport is busiest before you fly? Look it up on Airport TSA Times: busiest checkpoint hours from TSA’s own counts.