TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which One Is Worth It?
Both last five years for under $25 a year. One adds customs. A simple rule to pick.
You are about to pay for a trusted traveler program, and two names keep coming up. They sound alike, they both promise shorter lines, and one costs noticeably more.
The choice comes down to one question: do you ever fly back into the United States from another country? Here is how to decide, and how to avoid paying twice.
Key takeaways
- TSA PreCheck covers airport security. Global Entry covers security and customs when you return from abroad.
- Global Entry includes PreCheck, so you never need both.
- You cannot upgrade from one to the other. You apply as a new applicant.
What each one costs
Both memberships last five years. The numbers below come from TSA and CBP.
-
TSA PreCheck: about $80 to $85. Three providers enroll people: IDEMIA at $79.75, CLEAR at $84.95, and Telos at $85.00. That works out to roughly $16 to $17 per year.
-
Global Entry: $120. CBP charges $120 for five years, about $24 per year. The fee is not refundable, even if your application is denied.
-
The gap is small. Global Entry costs roughly $35 to $40 more over five years than PreCheck. That is the price of adding expedited customs.
Prices change, so check the provider's page before you pay.
The one rule that decides it
- You only fly within the United States. Choose PreCheck. Customs benefits would never get used.
- You return from another country, even once in five years. Choose Global Entry. It covers PreCheck, so the extra $35 to $40 buys customs help on arrival.
If you are unsure, the gap is small enough that Global Entry is the safer buy for anyone who might travel abroad.
What to know before you apply
-
Eligibility is stricter for Global Entry. CBP can deny applicants with certain criminal convictions, pending charges, or customs and immigration violations. Because the fee does not come back, read the eligibility list first.
-
The process differs. For PreCheck, you pre enroll online, then visit an enrollment location, with or without an appointment. For Global Entry, you create an online account, pay, and schedule an interview at an enrollment center.
-
You cannot upgrade. TSA states you cannot switch between programs. If you already have PreCheck and want Global Entry, apply as a new applicant and enter your Known Traveler Number so processing is expedited.
-
Apply before PreCheck expires. If your PreCheck lapses before Global Entry is approved, you lose PreCheck screening in the gap.
-
Kids have different rules. Children 12 and under can use PreCheck lanes with you. Teens 13 to 17 need the PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass and must be on the same reservation as an adult who has PreCheck.
Your checklist for this week
- ☐ Count your international returns in the last five years. If it is one or more, plan on Global Entry.
- ☐ Read the Global Entry eligibility list before paying.
- ☐ Compare the three PreCheck providers if you are choosing PreCheck.
- ☐ Add your Known Traveler Number to every airline profile once approved.
- ☐ Put your expiration date on your calendar for four years from now.
The takeaway
Pick by travel pattern, not by price. Domestic only means PreCheck. Any return from abroad means Global Entry, which already includes PreCheck. Either way, you will not need both.
If you are flying soon, pair this with the holiday week travel game plan, and if your trip includes a long connection, the layover playbook covers the time between flights.
Subscribe below for the next Travel piece: how to compare airline fare types before you buy.
