For more than a decade, frequent travelers have had access to “trusted traveler” programs that help them move more quickly through airport security and customs than other passengers. Travelers sometimes have a hard time differentiating between a few of these programs—TSA CLEAR+…Global Entry…and TSA PreCheck. Bottom Line Personal asked travel expert John E. DiScala (aka, Johnny Jet) to explain each program and which travelers benefit from each.
Problems and Solutions
To understand these offerings, it’s helpful to understand how these trusted-traveler programs provide solutions to frequent-traveler problems. The following assumes you have your boarding pass and you carry on your bag, purse or briefcase.
Problem: Long line to have your boarding pass checked.
There is sometimes a long wait before you even get to the ID and boarding pass checkpoint.
Solution: CLEAR+ allows you to use a special line or kiosk where your retina or fingerprint is quickly scanned. You then can proceed directly to the security checkpoint. After the security checkpoint, you’ll go through a normal bag and carry-on screening.
Problem: Long lines to screen carry-on luggage or personal items.
Even after you’ve shown your boarding pass, or speed through with CLEAR+, it sometimes can take a while to get through the security scans.
Solution: TSA PreCheck. You can keep your light jacket and belt on and leave electronics and liquids inside your carry-on as you pass through security.
Problem: Long lines at Passport Control on re-entry from abroad
After a long flight home, standing in line to have your passport checked and declare items at customs can be a pain.
Solution: Global Entry. You get on a dedicated line, where your biometric profile including fingerprints and facial recognition are read and an agent asks you to verbally declare any items you might have purchased abroad.
Ins and Outs of Each Program
CLEAR+
To avoid the ID/boarding pass line: CLEAR+ provides service at 59 airports around the US as well as 14 sports stadiums. Generally, it makes travel smoother, but sometimes no CLEAR+ lines are available…and sometimes the CLEAR+ line can be as long as the regular line.
How much is CLEAR+? Individuals pay $209 per year and can add family members for $125 per person. At signup, you’re offered the option of bundling in five years of TSA PreCheck to make your security experience super-streamlined. You’ll still pay $209, with your first year of CLEAR+ discounted to $131.05. Tip: If you have a premium credit card, it may reimburse the cost of joining CLEAR+—check with your credit card issuer.
Enrollment in CLEAR+ takes only a few minutes. You’ll need to go to an airport to have your fingerprints and retina scanned just once—you even can do it the day you are traveling, but you can save a few minutes by starting your enrollment at ClearMe.com.
TSA PreCheck
To speed through security: To join PreCheck, part of the Trusted-Traveler program and available at more than 90 airlines in over 200 airports, you apply in-person at one of the more than 1,300 enrollment centers across the US.
How much is TSA Precheck? You’ll pay between $61 and $85, depending on where you apply, for a five-year plan. Children age 17 and under can use PreCheck for free when accompanying their member parents. Tip: Some credit cards and airline loyalty programs reimburse your enrollment fee—check with your credit card issuer. As noted above, you also can save by bundling TSA PreCheck in with CLEAR+ or by purchasing Global Entry (see below), which gives you TSA PreCheck automatically.
Once you’re approved, you receive a unique Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you include when you reserve your flight.
More information on TSA Precheck: TSA.gov/precheck.
Global Entry
To clear Passport Control and Customs quickly: You can use the US Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry status at about 80 major airports.
Applying for Global Entry status takes longer and is a more intensive process than with PreCheck or CLEAR+. It involves an FBI background check and an in-person interview at an Global Entry Enrollment Center.
How much is Global Entry? The fee of $120 covers you for five years. If you’re traveling with others, everyone in the group must have Global Entry for any of you to use that line. That includes children age 17 or under, but you can enroll them for free. Tip: As with the other two programs, your credit card may reimburse you for joining. And Global Entry comes with automatic enrollment in TSA Pre-Check.
More information on Global Entry: CBP.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs.
Credit Cards That Offer Reimbursement for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
- Capital One Venture Rewards and Capital One Venture X Rewards
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- The Platinum Card from American Express
- Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
