TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry vs CLEAR: Which Should You Get?
Three programs, three promises, three different price tags. Here's a plain-English breakdown of what each one actually does — and which one makes sense for how you travel.
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If you've ever stood in an airport security line that snaked past the food court, watching people in a separate lane breeze through in two minutes, you've probably thought: What do they know that I don't?
The answer is usually one of three programs: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR.
Each one is designed to get you through the airport faster. But they work differently, cost different amounts, and solve different problems. Choosing the wrong one means paying for something you don't need. Choosing the right one means every airport experience for the next several years becomes noticeably calmer.
Let me explain what each program actually does, where they overlap, and — most importantly — which combination makes sense for the kind of travel you do.
What each program does (in plain English)
TSA PreCheck: Skip the slow security line
TSA PreCheck is a program run by the Transportation Security Administration — the federal agency that handles airport security screening. When you have PreCheck, you use a dedicated, shorter security line at most domestic airports.
What changes at security:
- You keep your shoes on
- Your laptop stays in your bag
- Your liquids stay in your bag
- You don't remove light jackets or belts
- The line is almost always shorter and moves faster
What it doesn't do: PreCheck only applies to the security screening portion. It doesn't help at check-in, boarding, customs, or immigration.
Cost: $78 for five years ($15.60 per year)
Enrollment: Apply online at tsa.gov, then attend a brief in-person appointment (about 10 minutes) at an enrollment center for fingerprinting and identity verification. Approval usually takes two to four weeks.
Where it works: Most domestic US airports and a growing number of international departure points. Over 200 airports currently participate.
Global Entry: Skip the customs line when returning to the US
Global Entry is a program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It's designed for international travelers and does two things: it gives you faster passage through US customs and immigration when you re-enter the country, and it automatically includes TSA PreCheck.
What changes at customs:
- Instead of waiting in the standard immigration line — which can stretch 30 to 90 minutes at busy airports like JFK, Miami, or Atlanta — you walk to a Global Entry kiosk
- You scan your passport, place your fingerprints on the scanner, answer a few questions on the screen, and receive a receipt
- The whole process typically takes under two minutes
What it also includes: Full TSA PreCheck benefits on all domestic flights. You get both programs for one price.
Cost: $100 for five years ($20 per year)
Enrollment: Apply online at the Trusted Traveler Programs website (ttp.cbp.dhs.gov), complete a background check, and attend an in-person interview with a Customs and Border Protection officer. The interview is the main difference from PreCheck — it's more thorough, and wait times for interview appointments can range from two weeks to several months, depending on your location.
Where it works: All US international airports. Also provides expedited entry in several other countries through reciprocal agreements.
CLEAR: Skip the ID check line
CLEAR is a private company — not a government program. It uses biometric identification (your eyes and fingerprints) to verify your identity, replacing the part of the security process where a TSA agent checks your ID and boarding pass.
What changes at the airport:
- Instead of waiting in line to show your ID to a TSA agent, you walk to a CLEAR pod
- You scan your eyes or fingerprints, and the system confirms your identity
- A CLEAR ambassador escorts you to the front of the security screening line
What it doesn't do: CLEAR doesn't replace the security screening itself. You still go through the metal detector or body scanner. It only handles the identity verification step. It also does nothing for customs or immigration.
Cost: $189 per year (no multi-year discount). Family members can be added for $60 per year each.
Where it works: About 50+ airports and some stadiums and event venues. Major hubs like JFK, LAX, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and San Francisco are covered. Smaller regional airports generally are not.
The comparison at a glance
| Feature | TSA PreCheck | Global Entry | CLEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | ~$15.60/year | ~$20/year | $189/year |
| Faster security screening | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (includes PreCheck) | ❌ No (only skips ID line) |
| Keep shoes/laptop in bag | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (unless you also have PreCheck) |
| Faster customs re-entry | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Government-run | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (private) |
| Enrollment interview | Fingerprints only (~10 min) | In-person CBP interview | In-person biometric scan |
| Duration | 5 years | 5 years | 1 year (renews annually) |
| Airports covered | 200+ | All US international | ~50+ |
| Best for | Domestic travelers | International travelers | Frequent flyers at major hubs |
So which should you get?
Let me make this straightforward.
If you fly domestically a few times per year: Get TSA PreCheck
At $78 for five years, PreCheck is the single best investment in travel comfort you can make. Even if you only fly twice a year, that works out to less than $8 per trip for a consistently faster, calmer security experience. You keep your shoes on. You keep your laptop in the bag. You skip the longest line. Done.
If you travel internationally at least once a year: Get Global Entry
Global Entry costs only $22 more than PreCheck — for five years — and includes full PreCheck benefits. If there's any chance you'll travel outside the US in the next five years, Global Entry is the obvious choice. You get everything PreCheck offers, plus you skip the customs line when you come home.
The customs line savings alone can be dramatic. Coming back from a European vacation, the immigration line at a busy airport can take 45 minutes to an hour. Global Entry turns that into a two-minute kiosk interaction. After a long international flight, that's not a minor convenience — it's the difference between arriving home frustrated and arriving home relaxed. For tips on maximizing your European travel experience, see our guide to booking international flights on points.
One practical note: Global Entry requires an in-person interview with a Customs and Border Protection officer, and appointment availability varies by location. In some cities, you might wait two to three months for an appointment. Plan ahead. Some airports also offer "Enrollment on Arrival," which lets you complete your interview when you return from an international trip — no separate appointment needed. It's worth checking if your airport participates.
If you fly frequently from major hub airports: Consider adding CLEAR
CLEAR is the most expensive option and the most situational. It makes sense if you fly often (10 or more times per year) from airports that have CLEAR, and you find that even the PreCheck line gets long during peak travel times.
At $189 per year, CLEAR is roughly 10 times the annual cost of Global Entry. For occasional travelers, the math doesn't work. But for frequent travelers at busy hubs, CLEAR plus PreCheck together means you bypass virtually every line between the airport door and your gate.
The combination that works best for frequent international travelers: Global Entry (which includes PreCheck) plus CLEAR. Total annual cost: about $20 for Global Entry and $189 for CLEAR. You skip the ID check, the security screening is faster, and customs when you return is a two-minute kiosk visit.
How to get these programs for free (or close to it)
Here's something worth knowing: many travel credit cards reimburse the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck as a cardholder benefit.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example, provides a statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The American Express Platinum does the same. The Capital One Venture X covers it as well.
If you carry any of these cards — or are considering one — check the benefits before paying out of pocket. There's a reasonable chance you can get Global Entry at no additional cost to you.
A few cards that currently cover Global Entry or PreCheck:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve — up to $100 credit
- American Express Platinum — up to $100 credit
- Capital One Venture X — up to $100 credit
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant — up to $100 credit
- United Explorer Card — up to $100 credit
Check your specific card benefits, as the reimbursement amount and frequency can vary. If your credit card covers the fee, Global Entry is effectively free — which makes the decision even simpler.
The enrollment process: what to expect
Both PreCheck and Global Entry require an in-person visit, and many people put off enrolling because they're not sure what the process involves. Let me walk through it.
For TSA PreCheck:
- Apply online at tsa.gov/precheck (takes about five minutes)
- Schedule an appointment at an enrollment center near you
- At the appointment, bring your passport or other valid ID. They'll take your fingerprints and verify your identity.
- The whole visit takes about 10 minutes
- You'll receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) within two to four weeks
- Add your KTN to your airline accounts and booking profiles — PreCheck will appear on your boarding passes automatically
For Global Entry:
- Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov
- Complete the online application (more detailed than PreCheck — expect questions about your travel history and employment)
- Wait for conditional approval (usually two to four weeks, sometimes longer)
- Schedule an in-person interview at a Global Entry enrollment center or check if your airport offers Enrollment on Arrival
- At the interview, bring your passport. The officer will ask a few questions about your travel patterns.
- Most applicants are approved on the spot
- Your KTN works for both Global Entry and PreCheck — add it to your airline profiles
For CLEAR:
- Sign up online at clearme.com or at a CLEAR pod in the airport
- At the enrollment location, they'll scan your eyes and fingerprints and verify your ID
- The process takes about five minutes
- You can use CLEAR immediately after enrollment
Frequently asked questions
Can I use TSA PreCheck on international flights departing from the US?
Yes. PreCheck applies to your security screening at the departure airport, regardless of whether you're flying domestically or internationally. It won't help you at customs on the return, though — that's where Global Entry comes in.
Does my spouse need their own enrollment?
Yes. PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR are individual memberships. Your spouse or travel companion needs to enroll separately. However, CLEAR offers a discounted rate of $60 per year for family members added to an existing account.
Can I get Global Entry if I have a minor criminal record?
It depends. Customs and Border Protection reviews each application individually. Some infractions may disqualify you; others may not. If you're unsure, it's worth applying — the application fee is non-refundable, but many applicants with minor past issues are approved.
Does PreCheck guarantee a short line?
Not guaranteed, but it's consistently faster. During peak travel times — holiday weekends, Monday mornings — the PreCheck line can still have a wait. But even a busy PreCheck line moves faster because everyone in it is leaving shoes and laptops in their bags. On average, TSA reports that PreCheck passengers wait less than five minutes.
Is CLEAR worth it if I already have PreCheck?
For occasional travelers, usually not. For frequent travelers at major hubs, the combination can save significant time. If you find yourself at the airport 10 or more times per year and the PreCheck line at your home airport is often backed up, CLEAR is worth trying for a year to see if it makes a difference.
The bottom line
For most travelers, the decision is simpler than it looks:
- Flying domestically a few times a year? Get TSA PreCheck. It costs less than a decent dinner out, lasts five years, and makes every airport experience better.
- Traveling internationally at all? Get Global Entry. For $22 more than PreCheck over five years, you get everything PreCheck offers plus expedited customs re-entry.
- Flying frequently from major hubs? Add CLEAR to Global Entry if the cost makes sense for your travel frequency.
And before you pay for any of them, check your credit card benefits. There's a good chance one of your cards will cover the entire cost.
The goal is the same regardless of which program you choose: less time in line, less stress at the airport, and more energy for the trip itself. That's a worthwhile trade at any price — but especially at $20 a year.
📚 Related Reading:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve: Which Should You Upgrade To?
- Best Time to Book International Flights on Points
- Best Credit Cards for International Travel
WanderWise helps experienced travelers turn credit card points into trips worth taking. Many of the travel credit cards we recommend include free Global Entry as a cardholder benefit. Take the Travel Score quiz to see which card — and which benefits — make sense for you.