Waiting in line is sometimes part of life, but at the airport, it doesn’t have to be. If you’re a frequent flier based in the US, you—and your partner (thank us later)—should consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, two programs that allow airline passengers to zoom through faster lines at airport security, the customs and immigration checkpoint, or both.
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry share many similarities: both are Trusted Traveler programs run by the Department of Homeland Security that give fliers access to streamlined airport checkpoints. But the two memberships actually come with different benefits, enrollment requirements, and price points. As a result, one of the programs could be better suited to an individual travel style compared to the other.
Here’s our guide to choosing between Global Entry and TSA PreCheck and how to find the program that fits your travel needs. Consider the decision your official initiation into the savvy traveler club.
TSA PreCheck: best for domestic fliers with occasional trips abroad
TSA PreCheck is a program that vets US travelers (citizens, nationals, and permanent residents) in order to give them access to an expedited screening lane at the airport security checkpoint. Members of PreCheck do not need to remove large electronics or liquids from their carry-on bags, and they can keep on light jackets and belts, too, saving precious time before a flight.
About 99% of PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes at security checkpoints, according to TSA data. PreCheck also unlocks access to new airport programs for its members, such as Touchless ID, which allows travelers to use an ultra-fast facial recognition scan at the checkpoint kiosk in lieu of presenting a boarding pass and ID.
To enroll in TSA PreCheck, travelers fill out an online application that takes about five minutes to complete. The next step is a 10-minute interview at one of hundreds of enrollment centers nationwide, where certified enrollment specialists will take your fingerprints, check your documents, and accept payment of the membership fee, which starts at $76.75 for a five-year membership. Overall, the enrollment process tends to be easier than the one for Global Entry, and the membership fee is cheaper, too.
A TSA PreCheck membership is best for travelers who don’t fly internationally very often, as its perks only apply to flights departing the US; there are no benefits when returning from an international trip. However, even travelers who take several international flights per year might consider going with PreCheck only, as new technology is easing the Immigration and Customs process for US citizens.
DHS is using facial recognition at dozens of airport immigration checkpoints across the US. The technology, part of a program called Enhanced Passenger Processing, takes only a few moments to clear travelers and keeps lines moving fast. It’s in use at most major US hubs, like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), New York-JFK, and many others. It’s not a guarantee that the immigration checkpoint will be easy, but it’s something to consider if applying for Global Entry sounds like too big of a hassle.
Global Entry: best for frequent international fliers
A Global Entry membership gives US travelers access to an expedited clearance lane at airport Custom and Immigration checkpoints when arriving back in the US from an international flight. At the checkpoint, Global Entry members join a special line for kiosks that verify their identity via facial recognition or a fingerprint and passport scan.
Global Entry members also receive a TSA PreCheck membership included with their benefits. So all of the above perks are automatically granted with Global Entry. As it comes with enrollment in both programs, Global Entry is slightly more expensive and costs $120 for a five-year membership.
