Should I Apply for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?

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Many of our clients have asked us about the benefits of the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs offered by the TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, respectively. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

 

TSA PreCheck is administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and costs $85 for a 5-year term. Many popular credit cards cover the cost of enrollment in this program. You can apply online and then schedule a 10-minute in person interview at a nearby enrollment center (a quick search listed ten centers within a 30-mile radius of our office) which will include a background check and fingerprinting. Once approved, you’ll receive a “Known Traveler Number” which can be added to your domestic airline reservations and frequent flyer profiles.

 

When you print your boarding pass, you’ll have “TSA PreCheck” listed on your ticket. Security agents will direct you to a special screening line (available at over 200 airports), in which you will find shorter wait times and can skip some of the major annoyances of typical TSA checkpoints, such as the need to remove:

• Laptops
• Shoes
• Belts
• Light Jackets
• 3-1-1 bag of liquids (shampoo, etc.)

Global Entry is a program administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows for “expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States” at a host of airports. You can even pre-clear U.S. Customs at several international airports, especially in Canada and the Caribbean. The application process is a little more involved and takes longer than TSA PreCheck. It entails:

• Creating a Trusted Traveler Programs account on the CBP website.
• Completing an online application.
• Application will be reviewed by CBP for conditional approval. This includes a thorough background check.
• If approved, you will be asked to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center (usually only at airports or at select CBP offices).
• Once approved, you will receive a special Global Entry identification card and Known Traveler Number that can be used when making airline reservations, much like TSA PreCheck.

At a cost of $100 for a 5-year term, this is truly a great deal, as you’ll receive TSA PreCheck benefits as well as the ability to clear customs in a breeze when returning from international trips. Many credit cards also will cover the cost of enrollment as a benefit to cardholders.

 

We highly recommend that all travelers, both business and leisure, take advantage of these programs. The Global Entry program is particularly advantageous at only $15 more than the cost of PreCheck. Both programs can help you begin and end your travels with less stress and hassle – well worth the cost of only $20 per year.