Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck
For $22 more, Global Entry includes PreCheck and skips international customs too.
TSA PreCheck speeds up the airport security line on US domestic departures. Global Entry does the same — and also clears you through US customs when you arrive from abroad. They are not mutually exclusive: every Global Entry member gets TSA PreCheck included.
Side by side
- US customs (international arrivals)
- TSA airport security
- TSA airport security
Best for
— pick onePick Global Entry if you ever fly internationally back to the US. Includes everything PreCheck does, plus the customs benefit. Costs $22 more over five years.
Pick TSA PreCheck only if you exclusively fly domestic US, never leave the country, and do not qualify for Global Entry (e.g. some non-US permanent residents).
Key differences
Global Entry costs $100 for 5 years; TSA PreCheck costs $78 for 5 years.
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck does not include Global Entry.
Global Entry skips the customs queue at 80+ US airports on international arrival; TSA PreCheck has no international benefit.
Global Entry requires an interview. TSA PreCheck requires fingerprinting and an in-person enrollment but no formal interview.
Both programs are valid for 5 years.
The full breakdown
For most travellers who can qualify for both, Global Entry is the better deal — and it is not close. The fee difference is $22 over five years, or about $4.40 a year. In exchange you get the entire TSA PreCheck benefit on domestic departures plus a separate, much more valuable benefit on international arrivals: skipping the customs queue.
The customs benefit is the headline. On a typical evening at JFK, EWR, ORD, or LAX, the standard non-resident customs queue can run 45 minutes to 90 minutes after a long-haul flight. Global Entry kiosks usually clear in under 5 minutes. PreCheck does nothing for that line. If you fly internationally even twice a year, Global Entry pays itself back in saved time on the first trip.
There are two reasons to choose PreCheck over Global Entry. The first is eligibility — Global Entry is closed to nationalities CBP has not yet partnered with, but PreCheck is open to any lawful permanent resident regardless of citizenship. The second is the application process. PreCheck enrollment is faster: a 10-minute appointment at an IdentoGO centre with fingerprinting and no formal interview. Global Entry requires a CBP interview, which can take 4-12 months to schedule depending on your nearest enrollment centre.
For families, the math is more complicated. PreCheck is free for children 17 and under travelling with a PreCheck-enrolled adult on the same reservation. Global Entry requires every traveller to enrol separately, including children. A family of four who flies domestic only might prefer to put one parent on PreCheck and bring the kids along free. A family who flies internationally would still benefit more from Global Entry because the customs benefit applies per-person.
Frequently asked
Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?+
Yes. Every approved Global Entry member receives a Known Traveler Number that works in TSA PreCheck lanes at every participating US airport.
Should I get TSA PreCheck if I already have Global Entry?+
No. Global Entry already includes the entire PreCheck benefit. Applying for PreCheck on top of Global Entry would be redundant.
Is Global Entry harder to get than PreCheck?+
The vetting is more thorough — Global Entry includes a CBP interview, broader background check, and customs-violation review. PreCheck is a quicker enrollment with fingerprinting only. Most clean applicants are approved for both.
Can children skip the line with my PreCheck or Global Entry?+
PreCheck: yes, children 17 and under fly free in the PreCheck lane when on the same reservation as an enrolled adult. Global Entry: no, every traveller must be individually approved.
How long does it take to get Global Entry vs PreCheck?+
PreCheck typically clears in 1-3 weeks after enrollment. Global Entry can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months due to interview availability. Plan ahead if you want Global Entry before a specific trip.
Does my credit card cover the application fee?+
Many premium travel cards (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, etc.) reimburse the Global Entry or PreCheck application fee every 4-5 years. Check your specific card's benefits.
If you ever leave the country, get Global Entry. The $22 premium over PreCheck is the best return on dollars-per-minute that any of these programs offer.