If you've been searching for a faster way through the airport in late May 2026, you've probably come across two programs: TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. Both offer expedited airport screening, but they solve different problems — and most travelers only need one.
This guide breaks down the key differences so you can make the right call.
What is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is a program run by the Transportation Security Administration that lets pre-approved travelers use dedicated, faster security lanes at domestic U.S. airports. When you have PreCheck, you can:
- Keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on
- Leave your laptop and liquids in your bag
- Use shorter, faster-moving security lines
It applies to domestic flights and international flights departing from U.S. airports. It does not help you when you land back in the U.S. after an international trip — that's what Global Entry is for.
Cost: $78 for 5 years Approval time: 3–5 days after in-person enrollment (no background check delay) Interview required: Yes, but walk-ins available at many locations
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that gives pre-approved travelers expedited customs clearance when arriving in the United States from international destinations. Instead of waiting in the passport control line, you walk up to a kiosk, scan your passport, answer a few on-screen questions, and walk out — in minutes.
Global Entry also automatically includes TSA PreCheck, making it the better deal for most travelers.
- Cost: $120 for 5 years.
- Child Pricing Advantage: Under DHS rules, children under 18 can apply for free when their parent or legal guardian is already a member or applying at the same time. This makes Global Entry a massive cost-saver for families compared to TSA PreCheck (which charges full price for children over 12 applying separately).
- Approval time: 2–6 months for background check, followed by the in-person interview.
- Interview required: Yes, at a CBP enrollment center (slots fill fast).
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | TSA PreCheck | Global Entry | |---|---|---| | Application Fee | $78 for 5 years | $120 for 5 years | | TSA PreCheck Benefit | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (included automatically) | | US Customs Expediting | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (skip lines at 75+ airports) | | Child Application Fee | ❌ Full Price ($78 over age 12) | ✅ Free (under 18 with parent) | | Approval Timeline | 3–5 Days | 2–6 Months (for background clearance) | | Interview Scheduling | Easy (flexible slots) | Extremely Competitive (often booked months out) | | Best Suited For | Domestic-only flyer | Families, commuters, and international flyers |
Which One Should You Get?
Choose TSA PreCheck if:
- You fly exclusively within the United States.
- You need fast approval within days for an upcoming flight and cannot wait for the background checks.
- You do not travel internationally at all.
Choose Global Entry if:
- You travel internationally at least once a year.
- You want to skip the customs and passport control queues on return.
- You want TSA PreCheck included automatically.
- You want to save money on your family's travel credentials (benefiting from free applications for children under 18).
[!TIP] The Family Math: If you are a family of four (two adults, two children aged 13 and 15), applying for TSA PreCheck would cost $312 ($78 x 4). Applying for Global Entry would only cost $240 ($120 x 2 adults, kids are free), giving your entire family superior travel perks for less money.
Tired of checking for Global Entry slots?
Stop refreshing the government portal. We watch your chosen enrollment centers 24/7 and send instant SMS alerts directly to your phone when a slot opens.
Start SMS Alerts 60-day money-back guarantee
The One Catch with Global Entry: The Interview Wait
Once your background check is conditionally approved, you must schedule an in-person interview at a CBP enrollment center. At major hubs (JFK, LAX, SFO, ORD), slots are frequently booked out 6–11 months in advance.
[!WARNING] The 730-Day Expiration Clock: Once you receive your Conditional Approval, you are on a strict DHS clock. You must schedule and complete your interview within your conditional approval window — check your exact deadline in the TTP portal — or your application is permanently purged and your $120 fee is forfeited. Do not delay your scheduling.
Because waiting nearly a year is impractical, the best workaround is scanning for cancellation slots. When a traveler cancels their appointment, that slot re-opens immediately. However, it survives on the calendar for less than 3 minutes before another traveler claims it.
Instead of refreshing the CBP site manually for hours, you can use our Global Entry alerts system. It scans the schedule every 60 seconds and texts your phone the instant a cancellation appears, letting you secure a slot within 2 to 5 days.
Does Your Credit Card Cover the Fee?
Before you pay, check if you have a premium travel credit card that reimburses the Global Entry fee automatically.
When you pay the application fee using one of these eligible cards, the bank will automatically issue a statement credit (usually within 1-2 billing cycles) to offset the cost. The benefit typically resets every 4 to 4.5 years, aligning with the 5-year membership renewal cycle.
Here are the most popular credit cards that offer this statement credit:
| Credit Card | Reimbursed Programs | Frequency | |---|---|---| | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Global Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck ($78) | Every 4 years | | Capital One Venture X® | Global Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck ($78) | Every 4 years | | The Platinum Card® from American Express | Global Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck ($78) | Every 4 years | | Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Mastercard® | Global Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck ($78) | Every 4 years | | United℠ Explorer Card | Global Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck ($78) | Every 4 years | | Bank of America® Premium Rewards® | Global Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck ($78) | Every 4 years |
Note: Since Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, you should always use the credit card credit to purchase Global Entry ($120) rather than TSA PreCheck alone ($78).
The Bottom Line
For almost everyone, Global Entry is the superior program. You get both customs speed and domestic security lane benefits, and families save significantly. Just be sure to set up automated alerts once conditionally approved so you can bypass the interview backlog and get traveling.
For official program details, see the TSA PreCheck FAQ and CBP's Global Entry page.