TSA Precheck & Global Entry, Are They Worth It?

I would say some of the top things in life that most impatient people hate are the hassles of security at airports and the waiting times in customs lines when entering back into your home country—at least for the United States. Every time I return from out of the country, I not only dread going back to work, but the thought of waiting in the customs lines at EWR or JFK makes the post-travel depression even worse. If you are a frequent traveler for work or for leisure, then getting at least one of the two is definitely worth it!

What is the difference between TSA Precheck and Global Entry?

If you’ve ever waited in line at airport security, you have most likely seen the blue stand-up banner and a separate line for those passengers who have TSA Precheck. This status allows you to go through security without some of the annoyances that regular security requires travelers to endure when traveling within the United States (and its territories). If you hate removing many articles of clothing, taking your laptop out of your bag and placing it into a separate container, removing your jewelry that triggers the metal detector, and, most importantly, enduring the agonizing security line in general, then having TSA Precheck status is definitely worth it! If you travel for work domestically and often, you are most likely living out of a carry-on suitcase, and getting through security with TSA Precheck is a breeze! Your TSA Precheck status is valid for five years before you must renew.

Like TSA Precheck, one of the worst things about traveling, especially if traveling out the country, is waiting in customs after your trip. If you fly into congested international airports like JFK in New York or ORD in Chicago, you as a traveler absolutely dread this part of traveling as lines are very long and can take up to over an hour (this has unfortunately happened to me MANY times.) Global Entry is where you have been prescreened before your trip and get to answer the customs questions quickly on a kiosk instead of with an agent at the booths. At the screen you still must declare any items you have bought as well as anything over $10,000 as you usually would when returning to the U.S. The same TSA rules apply restricted items being brought into the country (animal products, firearms, precious metals, etc.) Another perk of having Global Entry status is that you automatically receive TSA Precheck! Once you obtain Global Entry status and activate your I.D. card, you can use the Global Entry Lane coming home internationally. Global Entry status is valid for five years before you must renew.

How to you obtain TSA Precheck and/or Global Entry?

The TSA Precheck application and interview process are simpler than those for Global Entry. First, you create an account and fill out the application on the government TSA website. Once you have completed and submitted your application, they will ask you to schedule an appointment at an enrollment center near your location. During the interview, you are asked to verify information about yourself, bring the required documents to your appointment, have your fingerprints taken, smile for a picture, make your payment, and then you are sent on your way with your TKA number! You are allowed to use it immediately for any upcoming flight reservation, saving time at security. If you live or work in a major city, like New York, there are many enrollment centers to choose from. The entire process took me under an hour (the enrollment center I chose was in the heart of Manhattan, so my waiting time was longer than the interview itself), and I was able to update my TKA number for all of my upcoming airline reservations the next day!

The Global Entry interview process is a bit more thorough and requires you to travel to the nearest airport that conducts the Global Entry interview. The process is not as quick and can take from four to six months. I applied in September and wasn’t able to get an interview at JFK scheduled until November (the other nearest airport, EWR, didn’t have any availability until December.) First, you create a TTP account (if you already have TSA and have an account, you can apply through the account you’ve already created) on the U.S. Customs and Border Control Website and fill out the application. Once you have applied and paid for the application, it will be reviewed before you are accepted to schedule an interview at your nearest airport. The interviews are scheduled in 15-minute increments. Once you arrive at the interview, you have to wait to be called, go through your interview where they ask you questions about yourself, what was on the application, and take your picture (I definitely was not photo-ready or prepared for that part.) Afterward, you must wait for your approval, which will be posted on your TTP account and can take up to two weeks. Luckily, I was approved the day after! In one to two weeks, you will receive your Global Entry card that you have to activate, and you can immediately start using it on your journeys abroad!

How much does it cost to have TSA Precheck or Global Entry?

TSA is fairly affordable, as it only costs $78.00 to apply, and you only have to pay when you go for your scheduled appointment. Global Entry has a fee of $100.00 just for the application. If you do not get accepted, you cannot get a refund. I was able to get Global Entry for free with my United Explorer credit card. Below is a list of travel credit cards that will give you a $100.00 credit to use towards your Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee:

• United Explorer – apply here!
• IHG One Rewards Premier
• Capital One Venture
• American Express Platinum
• Capital One Venture X Rewards
• Bank of America Premium Rewards
• Citi / AA Advantage Executive World Elite
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• Delta SkyMiles American Express

Is this all too good to be true? What’s the catch?

Since obtaining my TSA Precheck status, I have encountered a couple of hiccups at multiple airports. I recommend double-checking the TSA open and close times of your departure airport before booking your flights. If you have a late flight, TSA is most likely going to be closed, especially red-eyes! Recently, TSA closed at 7:30 pm at Newark Airport, and my sister and I had to beg the agents to let us through, or we would miss our flight. Other instances include, during 2021, LaGuardia Airport had a longer TSA Precheck line than the regular security line during the holiday season, and Denver International Airport (DEN) has been notorious for having very long TSA lines in general. There is no real “catch” to Precheck or Global Entry as long as you prepare for any inconveniences that could happen during your travels.

Summing It All Up

Overall, I think having either TSA Precheck or Global Entry status is very beneficial if you plan to travel more than twice a year! I was gifted money to spend towards TSA Precheck, which I got first, and then applied for Global Entry about a year and a half later with my $100 credit from the United Explorer card. If you like to travel outside of the U.S. like me for most of your trips, I think it is very beneficial to have Global Entry since TSA Precheck is included. If you are a domestic traveler, save some money for that vacation you are planning and only apply for TSA Precheck since it is less of a hassle to get an interview and cheaper! Don’t be the friend or family member left behind at TSA for not having Precheck while everyone zips right through security. Get the Precheck status ASAP!

Below is an overall summary of each status:

TSA Precheck

• New Enrollment $78.00
• Travel by Air
• Available to U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals and U.S. Lawful permanent residents
• Apply online and visit enrollment center
• Five-year status before renewal
• Obtain Known Traveler Number (KTN)
• Fast Security screening in over 290 airports
• Children under the age of 17 can join accompanying adult when your TSA Precheck appears on their boarding pass
• Best if you are going to be traveling primarily within the United States

Global Entry

• $100.00 to enroll
• Travel by Air, Land and Sea
• Available to U.S. Citizens, U.S. Lawful permanent residents, and select foreign nationals
• Application processing time 4-6 months
• Five-year status before renewal
• TSA KTN included
• No paper work to be filled out when reentering the U.S.
• Customs Kiosk available at 75 airports when returning from abroad