TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR: Which is better?
12 min read
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
If there’s one thing everyone can agree on about flying, it’s that nobody likes a long security line at the airport. Thankfully, you have a few options for paying a little extra to skip the crowds.
Statement credits for CLEAR®, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees have become a standard benefit of many travel rewards cards, and are available as bundles as well.
Below, CNBC Select reviews the difference between each travel perk — TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR — and how your credit card could help you save on membership fees.
What we’ll cover
TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR Comparison
| TSA PreCheck | Global Entry | CLEAR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of airports | 200+ | 77+ | 58+ |
| Price | $78 for 5 years | $100 for 5 years ($120 starting Oct. 1, 2024) | $199 per year |
| How often to renew | Every 5 years | Every 5 years | Every year |
| Eligibility requirements | Available to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents 18 years of age or older | Available to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents and residents of select international countries | Available to individuals 18 years of age and older with a valid U.S. Driver’s License, U.S. Passport, or U.S. State Issued ID |
Source: TSA.gov and clearme.com
TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck
Cost
The cost varies by enrollment provider and ranges from $77.95 to $85 for a 5-year membership. Renewal fees are $68.95 to $78 depending on which provider you renew through and whether you renew online or in-person.
TSA PreCheck perks
Locations with TSA PreCheck lanes
Pros
- Available at 200+ airports and with 90+ airlines
- Children 12 years old and under can come with parent/guardian through the TSA PreCheck lane
- Children 13 to 17 years old can come with a parent/guardian through the TSA PreCheck lane when the PreCheck logo is on their boarding pass
- Membership is valid for five years
Cons
- Appointment required at an enrollment center
- No benefits when traveling internationally
If you rarely travel abroad and don’t want to pay for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck is $78 for a five-year membership and gives you expedited security checks at more than 200 select airports in the U.S. If you don’t have a U.S. passport, this is probably your best option.
For anyone who has experienced TSA PreCheck, the process is less invasive than the standard security screenings. You don’t have to remove your shoes, belt, light jacket, laptop or TSA-approved liquids.
To apply, you have to submit an online application and then schedule a 10-minute in-person appointment at one of the many enrollment centers. The appointment includes a background check and fingerprinting.
Global Entry
Global Entry
Cost
A 5-year membership costs $100 (increasing to $120 as of Oct. 1, 2024).
As of Oct. 1, 2024, children under 18 years old won’t pay an application fee when the parent/guardian is a member of a valid trusted traveler program (Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS) or is applying at the same time.
Global Entry perks
Airports with Global Entry
Pros
- Includes TSA PreCheck benefits
- Expedited entry on arrival in at major U.S. airports
- Membership is valid for 5 years
Cons
- Appointment required at an enrollment center
- More complicated approval process and fewer enrollment centers, so it’s tougher to get an interview compared to TSA PreCheck
- Children and family can’t use the Global Entry lane unless they have their own membership
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the U.S. after traveling internationally. It basically means getting in the express line at customs and immigration, which can save you time and a potential headache after a long trip.
To apply, you must submit an application, pay a non-refundable $100 fee ($120 starting Oct. 1, 2024) and complete an in-person interview. If approved, your five-year membership includes both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck in the U.S.
To qualify for Global Entry, you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident. Residents of select countries can also qualify, and you can learn more about international application requirements. Applicants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in Global Entry. Learn more about eligibility for Global Entry, and be sure to check out CNBC Select’s how to apply for Global Entry.
Which cards offer TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credits
Here’s a sampling of some popular travel credit cards that offer statement credits for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees. Though each of these cards has an annual fee, this travel perk can help offset it — not to mention all the additional rewards you can earn using these cards regularly.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
Welcome bonus
Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
Annual fee
Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals and 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fees
Credit needed
Terms apply.
United℠ Explorer Card
On Chase’s secured site
Rewards
2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases; 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, eligible delivery services and hotel stays; 1 mile earned on every $1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Intro APR
Regular APR
21.99% – 28.99% Variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fees
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Member FDIC. Terms apply.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
On Chase’s secure site
Rewards
Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
22.49% – 29.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fee
Credit needed
Terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
On the American Express secure site
Rewards
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
Foreign transaction fee
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck credits are worth up to $120 or $78, respectively, and they are typically offered every four or five years, depending on which card you have. You receive the statement credit after you submit and pay for an application, and it can take a few weeks to see the cost credited to your account.
CLEAR®
CLEAR Plus
Cost
You can bundle with a 5-year TSA PreCheck membership for the same $199 cost. Military and government employee discounts available. Discounts available for select airline loyalty program members.
CLEAR perks
Locations with CLEAR
Pros
- Allows you to skip to the front of the line at airport security
- Family members under 18 years old can come with you through the CLEAR lane for free
- Discounts available with select airline loyalty programs that are free to join
Cons
- Expensive annual membership fee
- Not available at all airports
- Without a TSA PreCheck membership, you’ll still have to remove your shoes, belt and laptop from your bag at airport security
CLEAR® is a newer addition to accelerating airport security screenings. CLEAR uses your eyes and fingertips rather than traditional IDs to verify your identity when you travel. The most expensive program of the three, CLEAR costs $199 for an annual membership that does not include TSA PreCheck. However, you can also enroll in a CLEAR Plus membership bundled with TSA PreCheck.
For new CLEAR Plus members, you only have to pay $199.95 for the bundle the first year ($77.95 for your TSA PreCheck application and a discounted $122 CLEAR Plus membership). After the first year, your CLEAR Plus membership automatically renews at $199 annually.
If you’re renewing your TSA PreCheck membership and you don’t have a CLEAR Plus membership, you’d only have to pay $190.95 ($68.95 for a 5-year online renewal of TSA PreCheck membership, and $122 for your first year of CLEAR Plus). However, this deal only applies to online renewals — if you renew in person, you have to pay $199.95.
With CLEAR, you can add up to three adult family members for only $99 per year each. Kids under 18 are free and don’t need to enroll. Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus members with status can often receive CLEAR discounts. CLEAR also offers discounts for military service members and government employees.
To apply, you sign up online and complete an in-person biometric scan. Once you are approved to use CLEAR, your experience going through security at the airport is pretty seamless. You report directly to a CLEAR kiosk and scan your fingerprints or eyes. A representative then escorts you to a security checkpoint.
For sports and music fans, the membership also grants you CLEAR Sports, which allows you to skip the security line when attending many major stadiums and entertainment venues throughout the country, including Staples Center and Madison Square Garden.
Which card offers CLEAR® Plus statement credits
The Platinum Card® from American Express
On the American Express secure site
Rewards
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
Foreign transaction fee
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
On the American Express secure site
Rewards
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Also, earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
Welcome bonus
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
Intro APR
Regular APR
19.49% – 28.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
Foreign transaction fee
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Additionally, with the American Express® Green Card, you can receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year toward a membership. Terms apply.
This credit can help offset the Green Card’s $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) while you get to enjoy a discounted CLEAR® Plus membership. American Express® Green Card cardholders also earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible travel, transit and at restaurants worldwide and 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other purchases.
American Express® Green Card
Information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Rewards
3X Membership Rewards® points on travel, transit purchases, and on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
Annual fee
Intro APR
Not applicable
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
Foreign transaction fee
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
On the American Express secure site
Rewards
Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 1X Mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
Intro APR
Regular APR
20.99% – 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
Foreign transaction fees
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
United℠ Explorer Card
On Chase’s secured site
Rewards
2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases; 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, eligible delivery services and hotel stays; 1 mile earned on every $1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Intro APR
Regular APR
21.99% – 28.99% Variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fees
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Member FDIC. Terms apply.
FAQs
What is better, CLEAR or Global Entry?
CLEAR and Global Entry are very different programs because CLEAR saves you time going through security screenings, while Global Entry saves you time at customs and immigration upon arrival in the U.S. after traveling internationally.
Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?
Global Entry members automatically receive TSA PreCheck expedited security benefits as part of their membership.
Do I need Global Entry if I already have TSA PreCheck?
While Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits, TSA PreCheck does not include Global Entry.
Is getting Global Entry worth it?
Global Entry can definitely be worth it as it saves you a lot of time and hassle when returning from an international trip. The cost is just $22 more than TSA PreCheck and it includes all PreCheck benefits as well.
Can I upgrade my TSA PreCheck to Global Entry?
Unfortunately, you can’t upgrade TSA PreCheck to Global Entry — you must apply for the program separately.
Subscribe to the CNBC Select Newsletter!
Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel guide is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Catch up on CNBC Select’s in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date
Information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
For rates and fees for the American Express Green Card, click here
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, click here.
For rates and fees for the Platinum Card® from American Express, click here
For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
Discover more from Slow Travel News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
