Do you really need TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR?
Reading Time: 4 minLong security lines and lengthy waits at customs can fizzle the excitement out of travel. That’s where programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR come in, helping you navigate the airport with less hassle.
But do you really need all three? Let’s break down the differences and costs so you can decide which programs are worth it.
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Subscribe for freeWhat TSA PreCheck gets you
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operates TSA PreCheck, a trusted traveler program that offers expedited security screening. PreCheck members get dedicated lanes that are often much faster. You can keep your belt and light outerwear on, while laptops and tablets can stay in your carry-on bags.
The application fee is about $77 per person, giving you five years of membership. Apply directly through the official TSA website, not a third-party site that tacks on extra fees.
From there, find an enrollment location near you to schedule an appointment or walk in. Enrollment centers now include many Office Depots, Staples, and AAA locations, not just airports.
The in-person appointment typically takes around 10 minutes. You’ll need to bring the required identification documents and have your fingerprints and a photo taken. Once approved, you’ll receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN), which you can add to your airline reservations to have the TSA PreCheck identifier appear on your boarding pass.
What Global Entry gets you
Global Entry is administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It gives preapproved travelers faster clearance when returning to the U.S. from international trips.
The application fee is $120 per person, giving you five years of membership. A Global Entry application also includes TSA PreCheck, so if you travel internationally even just once a year, it’s worth applying for Global Entry to get the benefits of both programs through a single membership fee.
Global Entry is available to travelers of any age. Minors can apply with a parent or guardian’s consent, and those under 18 can get the fee waived if a parent is already a member or applying too. The program is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and citizens of a handful of partner countries. The Global Entry application process is more lengthy than TSA PreCheck with a required background check and interview slots that are harder to book. As part of the interview process, you’re required to list every country you’ve visited in the last five years.
To apply, create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account on the CBP website. Once you’re conditionally approved, you’ll schedule an interview at an airport enrollment center and bring your identification documents.
What CLEAR+ gets you
CLEAR is the company; CLEAR+ (also written CLEAR Plus) is its paid airport membership, a privately operated program designed to speed up the identity verification process at airport security.
Rather than waiting for your ID to be manually checked by a TSA agent, CLEAR uses your biometric data to verify your identity.
A CLEAR ambassador then escorts you to the standard TSA line or PreCheck, if you’re enrolled in that program.
The membership cost is $219 per year and renews annually, unlike Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. Children ages 17 and under can accompany a CLEAR+ member for no additional cost, though you can add adult family and friends to your plan for a discount.
Enrollment takes just a few minutes, online or in person, with no appointment needed. You’ll need to present a valid government-issued ID and complete biometric enrollment.
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I tried a new hotel chain, and I'm so glad I didWhich cards pay for PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR?
Many travel credit cards reimburse you, roughly every four years, for your choice of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application. You’ll receive a statement credit with the following cards:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card: $95 annual fee
- Capital One Venture Rewards Card: $95 annual fee
- American Express Platinum Card®: $895 annual fee
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card: $795 annual fee
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Card: $395 annual fee
Only certain American Express cards offer CLEAR+ statement credits, covering up to $219 in annual membership costs upon enrollment. This includes the Amex Platinum Card, the American Express Business Platinum Card®, and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
If you’ve got multiple travel credit cards, you can use the credits to cover application fees for family members and friends.
So, do you need all three?
For most travelers, no. If you only fly domestically, PreCheck covers you. If you leave the country even once a year, Global Entry is the better buy, since it includes PreCheck for a little more money. CLEAR+ is the one to skip unless a card you already hold pays for it.
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