Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck: Which Should You Get?

If you fly even a few times per year, the time you spend in security lines and customs queues adds up quickly. Trusted traveler programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck exist to reduce that time, but figuring out which one to get, and whether it is worth the cost and application process, requires understanding what each program actually provides.

This guide compares both programs in detail, covers the application process from start to finish, and helps you decide which one makes sense for your travel patterns.

What TSA PreCheck Does

TSA PreCheck is a domestic security screening program run by the Transportation Security Administration. When you have PreCheck, you use a dedicated security lane at participating airports that is faster and less invasive than the standard screening process.

In the PreCheck lane, you keep your shoes on, your belt on, and your light jacket on. You leave your laptop in your bag and keep your liquids bag packed away. You walk through a standard metal detector rather than a full-body scanner in most cases. The entire process typically takes 5 minutes or less, compared to 15 to 45 minutes in the standard security line during busy periods.

PreCheck is available at over 200 airports in the United States and is recognized by more than 80 airlines. When you book a flight and enter your Known Traveler Number, the airline includes your PreCheck status on your boarding pass, and you are directed to the PreCheck lane at security.

The program costs 78 dollars for a five-year membership. Renewal is 70 dollars.

What Global Entry Does

Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection program that expedites the customs and immigration process when you return to the United States from an international trip. Instead of waiting in the standard customs line, which can take 30 minutes to over an hour at busy airports, you use an automated kiosk or the Global Entry app to clear customs in minutes.

At the Global Entry kiosk, you scan your passport, provide fingerprints, answer a few customs declaration questions on the screen, and receive a receipt. You then walk past the standard customs line and proceed to baggage claim. The entire process from plane to baggage carousel typically takes under 5 minutes.

The critical additional benefit is that Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost. Every Global Entry member automatically receives a Known Traveler Number that provides PreCheck access for domestic flights. This means Global Entry gives you both expedited international arrivals and faster domestic security screening.

Global Entry costs 100 dollars for a five-year membership. Renewal is 100 dollars.

The Clear Comparison

Feature	TSA PreCheck	Global Entry
Cost	$78 for 5 years	$100 for 5 years
Domestic security expedited	Yes	Yes (includes PreCheck)
International customs expedited	No	Yes
Application interview	At enrollment center	At enrollment center or on arrival
Approval timeline	2-4 weeks typical	3-6 months typical
Background check	Yes	Yes (more extensive)
Eligibility	US citizens and residents	US citizens, residents, and citizens of select countries

Which One Should You Get

The decision is straightforward for most travelers. If you ever travel internationally, get Global Entry. The 22-dollar price difference over five years is negligible, and you get both PreCheck benefits and expedited customs re-entry. There is virtually no scenario where paying less for PreCheck alone makes sense if you qualify for Global Entry and travel internationally even once during the five-year membership period.

The only reasons to choose PreCheck over Global Entry are if you never travel internationally, if you are ineligible for Global Entry due to citizenship or background check issues, or if you need the faster approval process since PreCheck applications are typically processed more quickly.

If you only fly domestically and have no plans for international travel, PreCheck alone provides the relevant benefit at a slightly lower cost. But even for domestic-only travelers, the marginal cost of Global Entry is so low that many opt for it as insurance against future international trip opportunities.

The Application Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Create a Trusted Traveler Programs Account

Go to the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs website and create an account. You will need your legal name, date of birth, address, and other identifying information.

Step 2: Complete the Application

The application asks for your travel history over the past five years, employment history, addresses for the past five years, vehicle information if you plan to use the SENTRI or NEXUS programs as well, and any criminal history.

Be thorough and honest. The background check is comprehensive, and discrepancies between your application and their findings can result in denial or delays.

For Global Entry specifically, you will also provide passport information and details about countries you have visited. The application takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete if you have all your information ready.

Step 3: Pay the Fee

The fee is charged when you submit your application. It is non-refundable even if your application is denied, so make sure you are likely eligible before applying. Common reasons for denial include criminal history, customs violations, providing false information, and being under investigation by law enforcement.

Step 4: Conditional Approval

After submitting your application, CBP reviews it against their databases. For TSA PreCheck, this typically takes a few days to a few weeks. For Global Entry, the conditional approval process can take several weeks to several months depending on volume.

You will receive notification of conditional approval through your account on the Trusted Traveler Programs website. Conditional approval means you have passed the background check and are cleared to proceed to an interview.

Step 5: The Interview

This is where the two programs diverge most significantly in terms of convenience.

For TSA PreCheck, interviews are available at hundreds of enrollment centers across the country, including many Staples stores and IdentoGO locations. Walk-in appointments are often available, and the entire interview takes about 10 minutes. You provide fingerprints, verify your identity with documents, and answer a few basic questions.

For Global Entry, interviews are conducted at CBP offices, which are typically located at international airports. Scheduling an interview can be the most frustrating part of the process because appointment availability varies significantly by location. Major hub airports like JFK, LAX, and ORD often have long wait times for appointments, sometimes months.

However, Global Entry offers an alternative called Enrollment on Arrival. If you are conditionally approved and traveling internationally, you can complete your interview upon returning to the US at any airport with a Global Entry enrollment center. This eliminates the scheduling problem entirely. You clear standard customs as usual, then stop at the Global Entry enrollment office in the arrivals area for a brief interview before leaving the airport. Many travelers find this the easiest path.

Step 6: Activation

After your interview is complete and approved, your membership is active immediately for Global Entry kiosk use. Your Known Traveler Number for PreCheck becomes active within a few days. Add the number to your airline loyalty program accounts and it will automatically appear on future bookings.

Getting the Fee Reimbursed

Many travel credit cards reimburse the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee as a cardholder benefit. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X, Citi Prestige, and several other premium cards include this reimbursement.

The reimbursement typically works as a statement credit. You pay the fee with the card, and the credit appears on your statement within one to two billing cycles. Since the fee is charged once every five years, this is a recurring benefit that covers renewal costs as well.

If you have a card that offers this reimbursement, Global Entry is effectively free. This makes the decision even more clear-cut. Apply for Global Entry, pay with your travel card, receive the reimbursement, and enjoy both PreCheck and expedited customs for five years at no net cost.

Tips for a Smooth Application

Apply well before you need the benefits. The Global Entry process from application to completed interview can take three to six months in some cases. Starting six months before a major international trip gives you comfortable buffer time.

Gather your documents before starting the application. You will need your passport, driver’s license, and details about your travel history, employment, and addresses for the past five years. Having this information ready prevents errors and speeds up the application.

When scheduling a Global Entry interview, check multiple airports if you live within driving distance of more than one. Appointment availability varies widely between locations, and a slightly longer drive might get you an appointment months sooner.

Consider the Enrollment on Arrival option seriously. If you have an international trip coming up, complete your application and receive conditional approval before the trip. Then complete your interview effortlessly when you return. This is often the fastest path to Global Entry.

For families, each person needs their own application and interview, including children. Children under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present at the interview. Apply for the whole family at once to schedule interviews together.

Using Your Benefits Effectively

Once approved, make sure your Known Traveler Number is in every airline loyalty account and booking profile you use. This ensures PreCheck appears on every boarding pass automatically.

For Global Entry, download the CBP One app on your phone. This allows you to use the mobile passport feature for customs declarations and is faster than the kiosk at many airports.

Remember that PreCheck is not guaranteed on every flight. Airlines make the final determination, and occasionally a PreCheck member will not receive the designation on a specific boarding pass. This is rare but can happen, especially on codeshare flights or bookings through third-party travel agencies where the Known Traveler Number was not properly transmitted.

Global Entry works at all US airports of entry with customs facilities, not just the airport where you did your interview. It also works when entering the US by land at many border crossings.

NEXUS: The Alternative for Canada Travelers

If you frequently travel between the US and Canada, consider NEXUS instead of Global Entry. NEXUS is a joint US-Canadian trusted traveler program that costs only 50 dollars for five years, less than both PreCheck and Global Entry.

NEXUS includes Global Entry benefits, TSA PreCheck benefits, and expedited entry into Canada. The catch is that the interview must be conducted at a NEXUS enrollment center, which is located at or near US-Canada border crossings. If you live near the border or can plan a trip to one of these centers, NEXUS offers the best value of any trusted traveler program.

The Bottom Line

For the vast majority of travelers, Global Entry is the right choice. The combination of expedited customs clearance and TSA PreCheck for just 22 dollars more than PreCheck alone is an exceptional value. When you factor in credit card fee reimbursement, the cost is often zero.

The application process requires some patience, particularly the interview scheduling for Global Entry. But the time investment pays for itself many times over across five years of faster airport experiences. Every time you walk past a 45-minute customs line or breeze through PreCheck in 3 minutes while the standard line snakes around the terminal, the few hours spent on the application feel very worthwhile.

Start your application today. Future you, standing in the fast lane while everyone else waits, will be grateful.