TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry

TSA PreCheck costs $85 or less for five years, per TSA, and speeds you through U.S. airport security. Global Entry costs $120 for five years, per CBP, adds faster customs when you return from abroad, and includes TSA PreCheck. Pick Global Entry if you fly overseas often. Otherwise TSA PreCheck is enough.

Published November 1, 2026.

TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry at a glance

Both programs last five years. They differ in price, in what they speed up and in how you enroll.

	TSA PreCheck (per TSA)	Global Entry (per CBP)
Fee	$85 or less; TSA lists $79.75 to $85 across its three providers	$120, non-refundable
Membership length	Five years	Five years
What it speeds up	Security screening at U.S. airports	Customs when you arrive in the U.S., plus TSA PreCheck lanes at security
Who can apply	U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents	Age 18 or older (minors with consent): U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and citizens of listed countries
How you enroll	Online application, then about 10 minutes in person with CLEAR, IDEMIA or Telos	Online application, then an interview at a CBP Global Entry Enrollment Center
Approval time	Most in 3 to 5 days, some up to 60	80% within 2 weeks, some up to 12 months or longer
Children	17 and under can join an enrolled parent in the PreCheck lane for free	No minimum age; fee waived for minors with a parent enrolled or applying

I have planned a lot of cruise and national park trips over the years, and nearly every one starts with a flight. After enough of them, the thing I notice is that the airport is the one part of the trip nobody controls. The security line is a coin toss. A shorter, more predictable line also takes a little weight off travel anxiety before a trip.

So I treat both programs as a price-per-year question. How many times will you fly in the next five years, and how many of those trips end in another country?

Is TSA PreCheck worth it?

For most people who fly a few times a year, it pays off. TSA says about 99% of passengers wait less than 10 minutes in PreCheck lanes. You can leave electronics and 3-1-1 liquids in your bag and keep your belt, light jacket and shoes on. At TSA’s $85 ceiling, five years works out to $17 a year.

Two limits are worth knowing. TSA says no one is guaranteed expedited screening, because it uses unpredictable security measures throughout the airport. You also have to enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in each airline reservation, or the PreCheck indicator will not print on your boarding pass.

Of all the travel hacks out there, this one pays you back on every single departure.

Is Global Entry worth it?

Global Entry earns its price if you fly abroad more than a couple of times a year. CBP calls it the program for frequent international or business travelers, with reduced wait times in expedited lines when you arrive at major U.S. airports. TSA’s own FAQ points people who travel abroad often toward Global Entry instead.

At $120 for five years, per CBP, Global Entry runs $24 a year. That is $35 more than TSA’s $85 ceiling for PreCheck, and you get TSA PreCheck benefits too, per TSA. The trade is the interview. CBP requires one in person for first-time enrollment.

If you fly overseas less often, CBP’s own advice is simpler. Enroll in TSA PreCheck and use the free Mobile Passport Control app to cut the wait on arrival. If a cruise is the reason you are flying, the same advance planning applies to avoiding getting sick on a cruise.

How to apply for TSA PreCheck

Only U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents can apply, per TSA’s PreCheck FAQ. The steps, from TSA’s PreCheck page:

1. Pick one of TSA’s three enrollment providers (CLEAR, IDEMIA or Telos) and find a location near you.
2. Submit the application online. TSA says it takes as little as 5 minutes.
3. Visit the location, by appointment or as a walk-in. TSA says staff check your documents, take fingerprints and a photo, and collect payment in about 10 minutes.
4. Once approved, add your Known Traveler Number to airline reservations and travel profiles.

Prices differ by provider. TSA’s page lists $85.00 at Telos, $84.95 at CLEAR and $79.75 at IDEMIA for a new enrollment. TSA’s FAQ also warns that any site claiming to register you for PreCheck that does not end in .gov is not official.

How to apply for Global Entry

CBP’s how-to-apply page lists the steps:

1. Create your own Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account. CBP says every applicant needs one, whatever their age.
2. Complete the application and pay the $120 fee. CBP says it is non-refundable even if you are denied. You can pay by credit card or electronic bank transfer.
3. Wait for CBP’s review. CBP says 80% of applications are approved within 2 weeks, while some take 12 months or longer.
4. If you are conditionally approved, schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Bring a valid passport and one other ID, such as a driver’s license.

If you want either program in place for holiday travel, start now. TSA says some PreCheck applications take up to 60 days, and CBP says some Global Entry applications take far longer.

How long does TSA PreCheck last?

Five years, per TSA. Global Entry also lasts five years, per CBP. TSA’s PreCheck page lists renewal prices by provider, from $58.75 to $84.95 depending on the provider and whether you renew online or in person.

TSA’s FAQ says that if the PreCheck indicator stops showing up on your boarding pass, the first thing to check is whether your membership has expired. Then confirm with your airline that your KTN, name and date of birth are entered correctly.

Can kids use TSA PreCheck?

Yes, with a parent or guardian who has it. TSA says children 17 and under can join an adult with PreCheck in the PreCheck lane for free.

The rules change with age. Per TSA’s FAQ, children 12 and under can join you in the lane without the indicator on their boarding pass. Children 13 to 17 must be on the same reservation and can join only when the PreCheck indicator appears on their own boarding pass. Teens flying alone, or without an eligible parent, have to apply.

Global Entry works differently. CBP says there is no minimum age. Minors need a parent or guardian’s consent, their own TTP account and an interview with a parent present. The fee is waived for a minor whose guardian is enrolled or has a pending application.

Frequently asked questions about TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?

Yes. TSA says Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits as part of their membership, and CBP lists TSA PreCheck access among Global Entry’s benefits. You do not need to pay for both.

Can you use TSA PreCheck on international flights?

Yes, for the departure. TSA says PreCheck is available when you leave a U.S. airport for a foreign country, and on domestic connecting flights after you return. It does not speed up customs on arrival. That is what Global Entry does.

Does TSA PreCheck guarantee a shorter line?

No. TSA says it uses unpredictable security measures throughout the airport, all travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening. The PreCheck indicator has to appear on your boarding pass to use the lane.

Who can apply for Global Entry?

CBP says applicants must be 18 or older (minors need a parent or guardian’s consent) and be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a citizen of a listed country, including India, Japan and the United Kingdom. Criminal convictions, customs or immigration violations and false application information can make you ineligible.

How much does Global Entry cost?

CBP charges a one-time, non-refundable $120 application fee, paid at submission by credit card or electronic bank transfer. Membership lasts five years. The fee is waived for a minor whose parent or guardian is enrolled or has a pending application.

This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. Talk to a licensed financial or tax professional about your own situation.