TSA PreCheck vs CLEAR vs Global Entry: Which Should You Get?

The Quick Answer

If you fly internationally even once every few years, get Global Entry ($120 for 5 years). It includes TSA PreCheck and adds customs benefits. If you only fly domestically, get TSA PreCheck ($78-$85 for 5 years). Only add CLEAR ($189/year) if you fly frequently from busy hub airports and want to skip the ID verification line entirely.

What Each Program Actually Does

TSA PreCheck ($78-$85 for 5 years)

PreCheck gives you access to a dedicated security lane where you don't have to:

• Remove your shoes
• Take out your laptop
• Remove your belt
• Take out your liquids bag
• Remove light jackets

The PreCheck line is almost always shorter than the standard line, and the screening process itself is faster since you're not unpacking and repacking your bag. It's available at 200+ U.S. airports, which covers virtually every airport with commercial service.

Average time through PreCheck: under 5 minutes. Average time through standard screening: 15-30 minutes depending on the airport and time of day.

Global Entry ($120 for 5 years)

Global Entry includes everything TSA PreCheck offers, plus expedited customs and immigration clearance when you return to the U.S. from international trips. Instead of waiting in the general customs line (which can stretch to 60+ minutes at busy airports), you use automated kiosks or mobile processing to clear customs in minutes.

For just $35-$42 more than PreCheck over five years, you get international benefits on top of the domestic ones. The math is simple: if you travel internationally even once in five years, Global Entry pays for itself in time saved at customs.

CLEAR ($189/year)

CLEAR does something completely different from PreCheck and Global Entry. It uses biometric identity verification (fingerprints and iris scans) to skip the ID check line at security. A CLEAR ambassador walks you directly to the physical screening area.

Here's the important distinction: CLEAR doesn't replace PreCheck. It skips the line to get to the TSA agent. You still go through the same screening process once you reach the checkpoint. Without PreCheck, you'll still need to remove your shoes, laptop, etc.

CLEAR operates at about 50+ major airports, concentrated at big hubs like Atlanta, JFK, LAX, SFO, Dallas, Denver, and Chicago. If your home airport doesn't have CLEAR, it's useless to you.

Cost Comparison

• TSA PreCheck: $78-$85 for 5 years ($15.60-$17/year)
• Global Entry: $120 for 5 years ($24/year)
• CLEAR: $189/year
• CLEAR + PreCheck bundle: Some promotional bundles available
• Best combo (PreCheck + CLEAR): ~$274/year

Over five years, PreCheck costs about the same as one checked bag fee. Global Entry costs less than two. CLEAR costs nearly $1,000 over the same period.

How to Get Each One for Free

Many premium credit cards reimburse these fees:

• Global Entry/PreCheck credit: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Amex Gold, Capital One Venture X, and several other cards reimburse the $120 Global Entry fee (which includes PreCheck) every 4-5 years
• CLEAR credit: The Amex Platinum offers a CLEAR Plus credit. Some Delta and United co-branded cards offer CLEAR discounts.

If you already carry a premium travel card, check your benefits. You might already qualify for a full reimbursement.

Enrollment Process

TSA PreCheck

• Apply online at tsa.gov (5 minutes)
• Schedule an in-person appointment at an enrollment center (10-minute visit for fingerprinting and ID verification)
• Receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in 3-5 days, sometimes within 72 hours
• Add your KTN to your airline profiles and future bookings

Global Entry

• Apply online through the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) portal
• Wait for conditional approval (can take 2 weeks to several months depending on backlog)
• Schedule an in-person interview at a Global Entry enrollment center (usually at international airports)
• Interview wait times vary significantly by location. Some centers have weeks of wait; others have months.
• Pro tip: Use Enrollment on Arrival. If you're conditionally approved and returning from an international trip, you can complete your interview right at customs instead of scheduling a separate appointment.

CLEAR

• Sign up online or at a CLEAR kiosk at the airport
• Enrollment takes about 5 minutes at the airport
• Provide fingerprints and iris scans
• Start using it immediately after enrollment

Which Combination Should You Get?

Fly 1-3 times per year, domestically only

Get TSA PreCheck. At less than $17/year, it's a no-brainer. The time savings on even a few flights per year makes it worth it. Skip CLEAR; you won't use it enough to justify $189/year.

Fly 1-3 times per year, including international

Get Global Entry. For $8 more per year than PreCheck, you get customs benefits that'll save you 30-60 minutes every time you re-enter the U.S. Easy decision.

Fly 10+ times per year from major hubs

Get Global Entry + CLEAR. If you're a frequent flyer departing from airports with CLEAR, the combination gives you the fastest possible airport experience. You skip the ID line with CLEAR and breeze through screening with PreCheck. The cost is high, but if your credit card covers the fees, it's effectively free.

Fly frequently but from smaller airports

Get Global Entry and skip CLEAR. CLEAR only operates at 50+ airports. If your home airport isn't one of them, you're paying $189/year for occasional use. Not worth it.

Kids and Family Members

Each program handles family members differently:

• TSA PreCheck: Children 12 and under can go through the PreCheck lane with a parent or guardian who has PreCheck. Children 13-17 need their own enrollment. This alone makes PreCheck worth it for families.
• Global Entry: Every family member needs their own membership, including children of all ages. Each person pays the $120 fee and must complete an interview. For a family of four, that's $480 every five years.
• CLEAR: The primary member can add up to 3 family members for free if they're under 18. Adult family members cost an additional $60/year each.

For families with young kids, PreCheck's free ride for children under 12 is a huge perk. Getting through security without removing shoes and unpacking bags makes flying with kids significantly less stressful.

Renewal and Expiration

Don't let your membership lapse. Here's what renewal looks like:

• TSA PreCheck: Valid for 5 years. Renew online for $70 (cheaper than the initial enrollment). No in-person visit required for renewal.
• Global Entry: Valid for 5 years. Renewal requires a new application but typically no interview if your information hasn't changed. Processing can take several weeks.
• CLEAR: Auto-renews annually. Cancel anytime, but you lose access immediately.

Set a reminder 6 months before your PreCheck or Global Entry expiration. Renewal processing times can vary, and you don't want a gap in coverage during travel season.

Common Misconceptions

• "CLEAR replaces PreCheck": No. CLEAR skips the ID line. PreCheck skips the shoe-and-laptop hassle. They do different things. You ideally want both if you're going the CLEAR route.
• "Global Entry works everywhere": Global Entry is for re-entering the U.S. only. It doesn't help you clear customs in other countries (though some countries have reciprocal programs like NEXUS for Canada).
• "PreCheck guarantees a short wait": Usually, but not always. During peak travel periods, PreCheck lines can get long too, especially at busy airports. It's still faster than standard screening, though.
• "You need to bring your card to the airport": No card needed. Your KTN is linked to your airline reservation. Just make sure it's in your booking, and your boarding pass will show the PreCheck indicator.

The Bottom Line

Global Entry at $120 for five years is the best value in travel. It includes PreCheck, adds international benefits, and costs barely more. Get that first. Add CLEAR only if you fly frequently from airports that have it and your credit card covers the fee. There's no reason any regular traveler should be standing in the standard security line.