Global Entry / PreCheck

PreCheck expedites domestic security screening at TSA checkpoints, letting you keep shoes and belts on. Global Entry expedites customs and immigration when returning to the US from abroad and includes PreCheck benefits automatically. Global Entry is the broader program since it covers both international re-entry and domestic security lanes.

Global Entry costs 120 USD for a five-year membership, while PreCheck alone costs 78 USD for five years. Global Entry is only 42 USD more but includes all PreCheck benefits, making it the better value for anyone who flies internationally even occasionally. Many premium credit cards, like those from Chase and Amex, reimburse this fee in full.

Approval typically takes 2-8 weeks after submitting the online application and completing an in-person interview at an enrollment center or airport. Some airports offer enrollment-on-arrival for Global Entry, letting travelers finish the interview step upon landing back in the US. CBP conducts a government background check as part of the process, which can extend timing during high-demand periods.

TSA PreCheck lanes operate at more than 200 US airports, while Global Entry kiosks are located at over 75 US airports. Global Entry is also available at select preclearance locations abroad, including in Canada, Ireland, and Caribbean airports. Both programs are administered by US Customs and Border Protection under the Department of Homeland Security.

If you never leave the country, PreCheck alone at 78 USD for five years covers your needs since it only handles domestic security screening. However, Global Entry costs just 42 USD more over the same period and adds customs/immigration expediting plus PreCheck automatically, so it's the safer bet if international travel is even a possibility. Most travel advisors recommend Global Entry as the default choice for this reason.

No, Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck benefits, so you don't need to apply separately. Once approved for Global Entry, your Known Traveler Number works for both expedited domestic security lanes and automated customs kiosks. This makes Global Entry the more comprehensive option despite the slightly higher fee.

Global Entry is available to US citizens, US nationals, and lawful permanent residents, plus citizens of partner countries like Mexico, the UK, Germany, and South Korea through reciprocal arrangements. PreCheck eligibility follows similar rules for US citizens and permanent residents. Foreign nationals without a qualifying partner-country passport typically cannot enroll in either program. CEOFLIGHTS specialists can help find discounted business class fares — call (888) 851-6897.