By: Sarah Stone
If you’ve ever watched travelers breeze through airport security while you’re stuck fumbling with your shoes and laptop, you’ve probably wondered what their secret is. The answer? TSA PreCheck or Global Entry—two programs designed to make the airport experience faster and less frustrating.
Both programs help travelers skip long lines, but they serve different purposes. TSA PreCheck speeds up security screening before flights, while Global Entry allows for quicker re-entry into the U.S. after international trips. One may be better for you than the other, depending on how and where you travel.
TSA PreCheck: Faster Security Screening in the U.S.
TSA PreCheck is for travelers departing from U.S. airports. It provides access to dedicated security lanes and gets rid of the need to remove shoes, belts, and light jackets. Laptops and liquids can stay in your bag. More than 200 U.S. airports and dozens of airlines participate in the program.
The biggest benefit is shorter wait times—most TSA PreCheck passengers clear security in five minutes or less. Families also benefit, as children 12 and under can join a parent in the TSA PreCheck lane without needing their own enrollment. Those between 13 and 17 may access the lanes with the TSA PreCheck logo on their boarding pass.
The application process is relatively simple. You submit an online form, attend a brief in-person appointment for fingerprinting, and usually receive approval within a few days to a few weeks. The membership fee is about $78, valid for five years.
Global Entry: Expedited U.S. Customs and Immigration
Global Entry includes all TSA PreCheck benefits but adds a major perk for international travelers: skipping long immigration lines when returning to the U.S. Instead of waiting for a customs officer, Global Entry members use a self-service kiosk to scan their passport, answer a few questions, and move on.
The program is available at most major U.S. airports and several international locations with U.S. pre-clearance facilities. The application process is more extensive than that of TSA PreCheck. It requires an online application, a background check, and an in-person interview with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Processing times vary widely—80% of applications are approved within a couple of weeks, but it can take a year or longer for other cases.
Global Entry costs $120 and lasts five years (expiring on your birthday in the fifth year). There is a grace period where, if you renew before the expiration date, you can keep using your Global Entry benefits for 24 more months in case your renewal application takes a long time to process. If you travel internationally at least once a year, the extra cost and effort are well worth it.
Which One Should You Get?
If you only fly domestically, TSA PreCheck is all you need. It significantly reduces security wait times and makes the screening process more manageable.
If you travel internationally, Global Entry is the better choice. It includes TSA PreCheck and allows you to clear U.S. customs in minutes rather than waiting in long immigration lines. For just a little extra cost, it’s a much better deal.
If you’re considering Global Entry but face long wait times for an interview, you can apply for TSA PreCheck first. Later, when you complete your Global Entry approval, you’ll automatically retain TSA PreCheck benefits.
A Hidden Perk: Travel Credit Card Reimbursements
Many premium travel credit cards offer reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture provide a statement credit every five years to cover the application fee. If you have one of these cards, signing up for either program is essentially free.
Do you use PreCheck or Global Entry? Share your tips and advice with the Frayed Passport community!
About the Author
As the editor in chief of Frayed Passport, my goal is to help you build a lifestyle that lets you travel the world whenever you want and however long you want, and not worry about where your next paycheck will come from. I've been to 20+ countries and five continents, lived for years as a full-time digital nomad, and have worked completely remotely since 2015. If you would like to share your story with our community, or partner with Frayed Passport, get in touch with me at sarah@frayedpassport.com!
Featured image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay
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