By John Egan
Edited by Michelle TipswordTSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR: What’s the Difference?
By John EganEdited by Michelle Tipsword
Quick Answer
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR are programs for trusted travelers that can decrease the amount of time you spend in security lines at airports. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Smart travelers, especially frequent fliers, hunt for ways to zip through security or passport checks at the airport. TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR are three programs that help frequent travelers save time when they're going through TSA and U.S. Customs lines. Each program provides different benefits and charges different fees—fees that may be offset with perks from certain credit cards.
| TSA PreCheck | Global Entry | CLEAR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits | Quicker security lines at U.S. airports; no removal of electronic devices, liquids, belts, jackets or shoes | Expedited re-entry into the U.S. by verifying your identity and customs forms at a Global Entry kiosk | Quicker trip through U.S. airport security checkpoints |
| Cost | $76.75, $79.75 or $85 for five years; no cost when paired with CLEAR membership | $120 for five years | $209 for one year |
| Requirements | Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident | Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident or citizen of one of 20 other countries | Must be at least 18 years old and have U.S. driver's license, state-issued ID or passport from U.S. or one of 40 other countries |
| Availability | Over 200 airports nationwide | 77 airports | 64 airports nationwide |
| Renewal | $58.75 to $79.95 for five-year renewal | $120 for five-year renewal | $209 for one-year renewal |
What Is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is a government-run program that speeds up the screening process at an airport's security checkpoint. The program conducts background checks on travelers who apply for TSA PreCheck. If the government determines you're a low-risk traveler, you'll be assigned a Known Traveler Number to include when you book a flight. That identifier allows you to go through a quicker security screening line where you don't need to remove electronic devices and eligible liquids from your carry-on bags, and you can leave on a belt, a light jacket and shoes.
TSA PreCheck is available at over 200 airports nationwide when you're flying on one of the more than 90 airlines that participate in the program. A first-time, five-year membership normally costs $76.75, $79.75 or $85, depending on which enrollment provider you use. You can apply for TSA PreCheck on the TSA website. After that, you'll visit an enrollment center where you'll provide required documents, get your fingerprints taken and pay for the membership.
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What Is Global Entry?
Like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry is a government-run program for trusted travelers. However, it serves a different purpose: speeding up a traveler's entry into the U.S. after traveling internationally. Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck.
If you're approved for Global Entry, you can use your passport or U.S. permanent residence card at an automated Global Entry kiosk to verify your identity and complete an electronic customs form. This can help you bypass the long line for customs.
Global Entry is available at 61 U.S. airports and 16 foreign airports. A $120 nonrefundable fee covers five years of membership. To apply, you'll go to the Global Entry website, set up an online Trusted Traveler Program member account, schedule an interview at a Global Entry enrollment center and present a valid U.S. passport or another form of ID at your appointment. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must bring your permanent resident card.
In addition to airports, travelers can use Global Entry for lawful entry into the U.S. by land or by sea.
What Is CLEAR?
CLEAR, whose membership program is called CLEAR+, is a private program (not run by the government) that helps shave time off your trip through an airport security checkpoint. It does so through the use of biometrics, such as scanning one of your fingers or your eyes, to identify you at a CLEAR station. If your identity is confirmed, you'll be escorted to a TSA security lane. Depending on your TSA PreCheck status, you'll then go through the regular baggage and body screening process or the expedited process.
CLEAR is available at 64 U.S. airports. At airports equipped with CLEAR eGates, you scan your boarding pass when you enter the CLEAR lane, approach an eGate, verify your identity with a facial scan, and head to baggage and body screening without stopping at a CLEAR or TSA station.
A one-year CLEAR membership costs $209, so it's more expensive than TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. To join, you can sign up online and then visit a participating airport to finish the application process. There, a CLEAR representative will scan your ID and take your photo.
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Which Frequent Traveler Program Should You Choose?
Deciding among TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR depends on your travel habits.
For domestic travel, TSA PreCheck is the most cost-effective way to simplify air travel, as it is the cheapest option and is widely available. For those who travel internationally, even infrequently, Global Entry may pay off because it's affordable and includes TSA PreCheck benefits.
CLEAR, the priciest of the three options, is available at fewer airports than TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. But signing up for CLEAR may be a wise move if you're OK paying a bit more to bypass the TSA check-in process.
You must pair CLEAR with TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, however, to enjoy the benefits of those programs, such as foregoing the need to remove electronic devices from carry-on bags.
How to Save Money on TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR Fees
If you're a frequent traveler who uses travel rewards credit cards, you might not have to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or CLEAR enrollment or renewal. Why? Some travel credit cards offer a rebate or credit to offset the cost.
The rebate or credit often works by reimbursing the fee after you charge it to your credit card. Before signing up for or renewing a membership, check your credit cards to see whether paying with a certain one can cut the cost of TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or CLEAR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flying Through the Airport
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR are three programs that can decrease the amount of time it takes to get through security checkpoints at airports. But each program appeals to different travelers—domestic in the case of TSA PreCheck, international in the case of Global Entry and time-crunched in the case of CLEAR. Before signing up for these programs, consider your travel habits as well as the price of each membership.
Keep in mind that many credit cards reimburse some or all of the fees for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR, which can help reduce the cost of joining these programs.
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About the author
John Egan
John Egan is a freelance writer, editor and content marketing strategist in Austin, Texas. His work has been published by outlets such as CreditCards.com, Bankrate, Credit Karma, LendingTree, PolicyGenius, HuffPost, National Real Estate Investor and Urban Land.
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