TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry all promise to get you through the airport faster. But they solve different problems, cost different amounts, and work in different situations. Here's how to decide which ones are worth your money.
The Quick Answer
If you only get one: TSA PreCheck. It's the cheapest, works at every US airport, and solves the biggest pain point (the security line). Global Entry is worth adding if you travel internationally. CLEAR is a luxury that makes sense for frequent flyers at specific airports.
| Program | Cost | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSA PreCheck | $78 for 5 years | Faster security screening | Everyone who flies 2+ times/year |
| Global Entry | $100 for 5 years | PreCheck + skip customs lines | International travelers |
| CLEAR | $189/year | Skip to front of ID check | Frequent flyers at busy airports |
TSA PreCheck: The Foundation
PreCheck gives you access to a separate, shorter security line where you keep your shoes on, laptop in bag, and liquids packed. The line moves faster because everyone knows the drill.
What you actually get:
- Dedicated security lane at 200+ airports
- Keep shoes, belt, and light jacket on
- Laptop and liquids stay in your bag
- No body scanner arms-up pose (walk-through metal detector instead)
The real value: It's not just shorter lines. It's less chaos. No fumbling with bins, no repacking at the belt, no watching someone ahead of you forget their laptop. The whole experience is calmer.
Application process: Apply online at tsa.gov/precheck, then schedule an in-person appointment (usually 10 minutes) at an enrollment center. Approval takes 3-5 days. You get a Known Traveler Number (KTN) to add to your airline profiles.
At $78 for five years, that's $15.60 per year. Many travel credit cards (Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X) reimburse this fee entirely. If you fly twice a year, each trip costs you less than $8 in PreCheck fees. Worth it.
Global Entry: PreCheck Plus Customs
Global Entry includes everything in PreCheck, plus expedited customs when returning to the US from international trips. Instead of waiting in the immigration line, you use a kiosk, scan your passport, answer a few questions, and walk through.
What you actually get:
- Everything in TSA PreCheck
- Dedicated kiosks at customs (skip the immigration line)
- Works at all US international airports
- Reciprocal benefits in some other countries
The real value: International arrival lines can take 30-90 minutes during peak times. Global Entry takes about 2 minutes. If you've ever landed at JFK after a transatlantic flight and faced a 500-person customs line, you understand the appeal.
Application process: Apply online at CBP's Trusted Traveler site, complete a background check, then do an in-person interview. The interview is the bottleneck. Wait times vary from 2 weeks to 6 months depending on location. Some airports offer "Enrollment on Arrival" where you do the interview after landing from an international trip.
At $100 for five years (only $22 more than PreCheck alone), Global Entry is the obvious choice if you travel internationally even once during that period.
CLEAR: The Premium Option
CLEAR uses biometrics (eyes and fingerprints) to verify your identity, letting you skip the ID check portion of security. A CLEAR employee walks you to the front of the line.
What you actually get:
- Skip the ID verification line entirely
- Escorted to the front of the security screening line
- Available at 50+ airports and some stadiums/venues
What you don't get: CLEAR doesn't replace PreCheck. After CLEAR verifies your identity, you still go through security screening. If you have PreCheck, you go to the PreCheck line. If you don't, you go to the regular line (shoes off, laptop out, the whole thing).
The real value: CLEAR shines at busy airports during peak hours. At LAX or Newark on a Monday morning, the PreCheck line can still be 15-20 minutes because everyone has PreCheck now. CLEAR lets you skip that wait.
The catch: At $189/year, CLEAR costs more annually than PreCheck and Global Entry combined for their entire 5-year terms. It only makes sense if you fly frequently from airports where CLEAR operates and where lines are consistently long.
How to get it cheaper: Delta, United, and American offer discounted CLEAR memberships for their elite status holders. Some credit cards (like the Amex Platinum) include CLEAR as a benefit. Check before paying full price.
Which Combination Makes Sense?
Occasional traveler (2-5 trips/year, domestic): TSA PreCheck only. $78 for 5 years is a no-brainer. CLEAR isn't worth the annual cost at this frequency.
Regular traveler with international trips: Global Entry. You get PreCheck included, plus customs benefits. Best value for the money.
Frequent flyer (20+ trips/year): Global Entry + CLEAR. At this point, time savings compound. Check if your airline status or credit card covers CLEAR first.
Frequent flyer, domestic only: PreCheck + maybe CLEAR. Depends on your home airport. If you fly out of a smaller airport with short lines, CLEAR adds nothing. If you're based at ATL or ORD, it might be worth it.
Common Questions
Can I use PreCheck for my family? No. Each person needs their own membership. Kids 12 and under can use PreCheck lanes with an enrolled parent. Kids 13-17 need their own enrollment.
Does CLEAR work without PreCheck? Yes, but it's less useful. CLEAR only skips the ID check. Without PreCheck, you still go through regular screening (shoes off, laptop out). With both, you skip two lines.
What about NEXUS and SENTRI? NEXUS ($50 for 5 years) is for US-Canada travel and includes Global Entry benefits. SENTRI ($122.25 for 5 years) is for US-Mexico travel. Both include PreCheck. If you cross those borders frequently, they're better deals than Global Entry alone.
My Global Entry expired. Do I lose PreCheck too? Yes. They're bundled. Renew Global Entry to keep both.
Related: Once you have PreCheck, learn what you can bring through security and make sure your ID is REAL ID compliant. New to flying? Start with our First Time Flying Guide.
The Bottom Line
Start with Global Entry ($100 for 5 years). You get PreCheck included and customs benefits for barely more money. Add CLEAR only if you fly 15+ times a year from airports where it operates and your credit card or airline status doesn't already cover it.
The goal isn't collecting memberships. It's spending less time in lines. Global Entry handles that for most travelers at the best price.
Written by
Jim
Contributing writer for Airport Overview.
-hero.jpg)
