With US airport passenger volumes reaching record highs in 2026, averaging over 2.9 million travelers per day according to TSA projections, the time savings offered by trusted traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry have evolved from convenient perks into genuine necessities for stress-free air travel. The average security wait time at major hubs like Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, and Los Angeles now regularly exceeds 35 to 45 minutes during peak periods, while TSA PreCheck members breeze through dedicated lanes in an average of five to seven minutes. For international travelers, Global Entry further accelerates the process by eliminating the dreaded immigration lines upon returning to the United States, where customs waits at JFK and LAX can stretch past 90 minutes during busy arrivals windows. This guide breaks down every aspect of both programs including current costs, application procedures, specific benefits, and a clear decision framework to help you determine which option delivers the most value for your particular travel patterns.
TSA PreCheck: What You Get for $78
TSA PreCheck is a five-year trusted traveler membership that costs $78 and provides expedited security screening at over 200 participating airports across the United States. The core benefit is access to dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes where you can keep your shoes, belts, and light jackets on, leave laptops and approved liquids in your carry-on bag, and walk through a standard metal detector instead of the full-body scanner. This seemingly simple change reduces your average security screening time from 35 minutes to approximately five minutes at busy airports, according to TSA's own 2025 performance data. The program is available at every major US airport including all hubs for American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, and Alaska Airlines, as well as at over 150 smaller regional airports. Your Known Traveler Number, or KTN, which you receive upon approval, must be added to each airline reservation for the PreCheck benefit to appear on your boarding pass. Without the KTN in your reservation, you will be directed to the standard security lane regardless of your membership status. TSA PreCheck members also receive expedited screening when departing from select international airports in Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe where TSA PreCheck lanes are available, including airports in Aruba, the Bahamas, and Dublin.
Global Entry: The Premium Upgrade at $120
Global Entry is a five-year trusted traveler program operated by US Customs and Border Protection that costs $120 and includes all TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs and immigration processing when returning to the United States from international destinations. Upon arrival at any of the 75 participating US airports with Global Entry kiosks, you proceed directly to a dedicated kiosk, scan your passport, complete a brief customs declaration on the touchscreen, have your photo taken, and proceed to baggage claim without waiting in the standard immigration line. At busy international airports like JFK Terminal 1, LAX Tom Bradley, and Miami, where standard customs lines regularly exceed 60 to 90 minutes during peak afternoon arrivals, Global Entry reduces your total immigration and customs process to approximately five to ten minutes. The program also provides access to expedited lanes at select international pre-clearance locations and trusted traveler programs in Canada, making cross-border travel significantly smoother. Your Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck, so you receive both domestic security expedited screening and international customs expedited processing under a single membership. For US citizens who travel internationally even once or twice per year, the additional $42 cost over standalone TSA PreCheck pays for itself in saved time and reduced stress on the very first return trip.
TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry: Detailed Comparison
The fundamental difference between the two programs comes down to scope: TSA PreCheck exclusively handles domestic security screening within the United States, while Global Entry encompasses both that domestic benefit and international customs processing for a total cost of $120. If you fly domestically exclusively and never leave the country, TSA PreCheck at $78 provides everything you need and saves you $42 compared to Global Entry. However, the moment you take a single international trip per year, Global Entry becomes the superior value proposition because the time saved at customs on just one return flight more than justifies the additional cost. The application process differs in significant ways as well. TSA PreCheck requires an online application followed by an in-person appointment at any of over 500 enrollment centers nationwide, typically completed within 10 to 15 minutes, where you provide fingerprints, a photo, and identity verification. The approval process usually takes three to five business days, and appointments are generally available within one to two weeks at most locations. Global Entry requires an online application followed by a more rigorous background check and an in-person interview, either at a US airport enrollment center upon your first international return or at a dedicated Global Entry enrollment center. Interview wait times for Global Entry have improved in 2026 but can still stretch to four to eight weeks at high-demand locations like JFK, Miami, and San Francisco.
Credit Cards That Reimburse the Cost
Several premium travel credit cards now offer statement credits that fully or partially offset the cost of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, making the programs effectively free for cardholders. The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides a $100 credit every four and a half years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment, which fully covers the $120 Global Entry fee with the cardholder paying just $20 out of pocket. The American Express Platinum offers up to $100 in statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees, available once every four years, and also provides up to $189 in CLEAR Plus credits annually for an additional expedited screening option. The Capital One Venture X provides a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years, fully covering TSA PreCheck and nearly covering Global Entry. The Citi Premier Card and US Bank Altitude Reserve both offer similar Global Entry credits, making the program accessible through multiple card ecosystems. For travelers who already hold one of these premium cards, applying for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck represents an immediate return on their card's benefits with zero additional cost. If you do not currently hold a card with this benefit, the credit can be a compelling reason to upgrade to a premium travel card that you would benefit from regardless.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Applying for TSA PreCheck begins at the TSA PreCheck enrollment website where you complete an online application providing your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and a series of eligibility questions. After submitting the application and paying the $78 fee online, you schedule an in-person appointment at a nearby enrollment center, with locations available at most major airports and many UPS Store and IdentoGO facilities. Bring a valid US passport or a combination of a driver's license and birth certificate to your appointment, where you will be fingerprinted, photographed, and have your identity verified. The entire appointment takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes, and most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number via email within three to five business days. Applying for Global Entry starts at the Trusted Traveler Programs website where you create an account, complete a detailed application including your travel history and any criminal background questions, and pay the $120 fee. After conditional approval, which typically takes two to four weeks, you must complete an in-person interview either at a Global Entry enrollment center at a US airport or at a dedicated enrollment center. For the airport interview option, you can complete your interview upon returning from your next international trip by proceeding to the Global Entry enrollment area after clearing customs. The interview involves a brief review of your application, fingerprinting, a photo, and a short series of questions about your travel habits. Upon approval, you receive your PASS card in the mail within two weeks and your Global Entry membership becomes active immediately, granting you both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits.
How to Use Your Membership Effectively
Once approved, using TSA PreCheck requires adding your Known Traveler Number to every airline reservation you book. Most airline websites and apps have a dedicated field for the KTN in the traveler information or secure traveler program section of your profile, and adding it once to your frequent flyer profile ensures it populates automatically on future bookings. After adding your KTN, look for the TSA PreCheck indicator, which appears as a small "TSA PreCheck" or "TSPC" notation in the upper portion of your boarding pass. At the airport, follow signs for the TSA PreCheck lane, which is typically located to the left or right of the standard security checkpoint entrance. For Global Entry, upon returning to the United States from an international trip, follow signs for Global Entry kiosks located in the customs hall before reaching the standard immigration lines. Scan your passport at the kiosk, verify your photo and fingerprint, answer the customs declaration questions on the touchscreen, and collect your printed receipt before proceeding to baggage claim. If you have connecting domestic flights, show your Global Entry receipt to the connecting flights agent and proceed directly to your departure gate without additional screening. Both programs require renewal before expiration, and TSA recommends beginning the renewal process at least six months before your membership expires to avoid any gaps in coverage.
Why This Matters in 2026
The travel landscape in 2026 has made trusted traveler programs more valuable than at any previous point. US airport construction projects at JFK, LaGuardia, and LAX have reduced the number of active security lanes, increasing wait times for standard screening passengers even on average-demand days. The TSA has projected that summer 2026 will see the highest passenger volumes in US aviation history, with peak days exceeding 3.1 million travelers passing through security checkpoints nationwide. At the same time, international travel has surged to 115 percent of 2019 levels, meaning customs halls are processing more arriving passengers than ever before. CLEAR, the biometric identity verification service, has expanded to over 50 airports but costs $189 per year on its own, making the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership that comes bundled with several premium credit cards an even more compelling value proposition. For Americans who have been procrastinating on enrolling, the combination of record crowds, limited infrastructure, and affordable access through credit card benefits makes 2026 the year to finally get signed up and start saving time on every flight.
Pros and Cons of Each Program
- TSA PreCheck Pros: Lowest cost option at $78 for five years, making it accessible to virtually all travelers. Widely available at over 200 airports covering nearly every commercial airport in the United States. Significantly reduces domestic security wait times from an average of 35 minutes to approximately five minutes. Simple application process with appointments typically available within one to two weeks at convenient locations.
- TSA PreCheck Cons: Only covers domestic security screening with no benefit for international arrivals or customs processing. The KTN must be added to every reservation manually, and missing it means losing the benefit for that trip. Does not provide any benefit when flying from international airports that lack TSA PreCheck lanes. The five-year renewal cycle means costs compound over time without the added international benefit.
- Global Entry Pros: Includes full TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs and immigration, providing dual value for a single membership. Pays for itself on the very first international return trip by saving 30 to 90 minutes at customs. Applicable at 75 US airports with international arrivals, covering all major gateway cities. Available to citizens of several trusted partner countries including the UK, Germany, and Colombia.
- Global Entry Cons: Higher cost at $120 for five years, though the difference is only $42 over TSA PreCheck. Application process is more involved with a longer background check and interview requirement that can take four to eight weeks. Interview availability at popular enrollment centers remains limited, requiring flexibility in scheduling. Only beneficial for travelers who actually leave the country, offering no additional value for purely domestic flyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry? If you fly internationally even once per year, Global Entry is the better choice because it includes TSA PreCheck plus expedited customs processing for just $42 more. If you only fly domestically within the United States, TSA PreCheck alone provides everything you need at the lower $78 price point. Many frequent travelers also pair Global Entry with CLEAR for maximum time savings, using CLEAR to skip the ID check line and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry for the security screening itself.
How long does it take to get approved for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry? TSA PreCheck approval typically takes three to five business days after your in-person appointment, with appointments generally available within one to two weeks of applying. Global Entry takes longer, with the background check and interview process usually requiring four to eight weeks from application to approval, though some applicants at low-demand enrollment centers report approval in as little as two weeks.
Can I add family members to my TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership? No. Each person, including children of any age, must have their own individual TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership. Children 12 and under accompanying a TSA PreCheck member can use the PreCheck lane without their own membership, but children 13 and older need their own KTN to access the expedited lane. For Global Entry, every traveler regardless of age must have their own membership and complete the application and interview process independently.
Does TSA PreCheck work when flying internationally? TSA PreCheck benefits are available at select international airports with TSA PreCheck lanes, including airports in Canada, the Caribbean, and parts of Europe. However, the benefit is not available at most international airports outside the United States, and you will go through standard security screening at airports that lack PreCheck lanes. For international departures, Global Entry provides a separate benefit of expedited processing at US preclearance locations in Ireland, the Bahamas, and select Canadian airports.