The short answer: TSA PreCheck and Global Entry both make airport travel faster, and with holiday flights coming up, now is when many families finally decide to apply. TSA PreCheck speeds up security screening on domestic and international departures from U.S. airports. Global Entry speeds up customs when you come home from abroad and includes TSA PreCheck.
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Here is how the two programs compare on cost, benefits and kids' rules, and how to choose.
Keep everyone's Known Traveler Numbers, passport dates and renewal reminders together in the Household Binder, or use the Family Life Admin Bundle to track every family member's travel documents.
TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry at a glance
| Feature | TSA PreCheck | Global Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Transportation Security Administration | U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
| What it speeds up | Airport security at U.S. airports | Customs on return to the U.S., plus TSA PreCheck |
| Cost | $85 or less for five years (new) | $120 for five years |
| Membership length | Five years | Five years |
| Passport required | No | Yes, or a permanent resident card |
| Interview | Short in-person appointment with fingerprints | In-person or Enrollment on Arrival interview |
| Kids | 17 and under may join an enrolled adult | Need their own membership; fee waived for minors with a parent |
What TSA PreCheck gets you
According to TSA, PreCheck members usually do not need to remove shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops or 3-1-1 liquids at screening, and TSA reports that most PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes. There are more than 1,300 enrollment locations, and you apply online, then visit a provider for fingerprints and identity checks. Enrollment providers are CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos, and prices differ a bit between them. Online renewal is available for many members and is often cheaper than a new enrollment.
What Global Entry gets you
U.S. Customs and Border Protection runs Global Entry for low-risk travelers. When you land back in the United States, members use special kiosks or touchless processing instead of the regular passport line, which can save a long wait after an international flight. The $120 fee covers five years and includes TSA PreCheck benefits, so you get both programs for one application. You need a passport, a background check and an interview, and some applications take a while, so do not wait until the week before a trip.
Which program should your family choose?
- Choose TSA PreCheck if you mostly fly within the U.S., do not have passports or want the simplest application.
- Choose Global Entry if anyone in the family travels abroad even occasionally. The price difference is small for the added customs benefit.
- Mixed families can combine them: one parent with Global Entry and young kids riding along in the PreCheck lane on the same reservation, then applying for kids' Global Entry before an international trip.
- Check your credit cards. Many travel cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee every few years.
How to apply before holiday travel
- Decide which program fits your travel, and check whether a credit card will cover the fee.
- For TSA PreCheck, apply online with a provider and book a fingerprint appointment near you.
- For Global Entry, create a Trusted Traveler Programs account, apply and pay, then schedule an interview or use Enrollment on Arrival after an international flight.
- Once approved, add your Known Traveler Number to every airline profile and existing reservation.
- Write the number and expiration date in your family records and set a renewal reminder six months before it expires.
Holiday airport tips for families
Even with PreCheck, holiday airports are busy. Check in online, pack liquids in one easy-to-reach bag, and arrive early on peak days such as the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Our packing list and holiday travel budget for families guide help with the rest of the trip, and if you are heading somewhere for the holidays, our winter break schedule for kids keeps the days off organized.
The bottom line
TSA PreCheck is the simplest, cheapest way to speed through security on U.S. flights. Global Entry costs a little more, adds faster re-entry from abroad and includes TSA PreCheck. Apply early, add your Known Traveler Number to every booking, and keep everyone's documents in one place before the holiday rush.
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Frequently asked questions
Is TSA PreCheck or Global Entry better? If you fly only within the United States, TSA PreCheck is usually enough and costs less. If you travel internationally even once a year or so, Global Entry is often the better value, because for $120 it includes TSA PreCheck benefits plus faster U.S. customs and passport control when you return from abroad. Both memberships last five years.
How much does TSA PreCheck cost? TSA says a five-year TSA PreCheck membership costs $85 or less for new applicants, depending on which enrollment provider you choose, and online renewal can cost less. Prices vary slightly between the enrollment providers CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos, so compare them before you apply. Some credit cards and loyalty programs reimburse the fee.
Can kids use TSA PreCheck with their parents? Yes, TSA says children 17 and under can go through the TSA PreCheck lane with an enrolled parent or guardian on the same reservation, as long as the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child's boarding pass. For Global Entry, children need their own membership, but the application fee is waived for minors applying with a parent.
How long does it take to get Global Entry? Global Entry requires an online application, a background check and an interview. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says many applications are processed in about two weeks, but some take much longer. If you have holiday or spring trips planned, apply several months ahead and look for Enrollment on Arrival interviews at participating airports.
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