Fly2Any Playbook
Global Entry costs $120 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck access, so for $35 more than the most expensive PreCheck provider it covers both the domestic security line and the arrivals hall. TSA PreCheck alone is five years for $85 or less and speeds up screening only — it does nothing when you land back in the United States. CBP's own guidance is that Global Entry suits frequent international travelers, and that if you fly internationally less often you should take PreCheck and use the free Mobile Passport Control app instead.
Who this is for
- US travelers deciding which trusted traveler program to pay for
- Frequent domestic flyers weighing whether the international program is worth the difference
- Families enrolling more than one person
Side by side
| TSA PreCheck | Global Entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | TSA PreCheck:$76.75–$85.00 for five years, depending on provider | Global Entry:$120 for five years |
| Membership length | TSA PreCheck:Five years | Global Entry:Five years |
| Run by | TSA PreCheck:TSA | Global Entry:U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
| What it speeds up | TSA PreCheck:Airport security screening — electronics and liquids stay in the bag, shoes, belt and light jacket stay on | Global Entry:Clearance on arrival into the United States, at airports and land borders |
| Includes the other? | TSA PreCheck:No | Global Entry:Yes — includes TSA PreCheck access |
| In-person step | TSA PreCheck:About 10 minutes at an enrollment centre for documents, fingerprints, photo and payment | Global Entry:Interview required for first-time enrollment; can be done via Enrollment on Arrival or Departure without an appointment |
| Children | TSA PreCheck:Under-18s use the lane free with an enrolled adult | Global Entry:Minors free when a parent is enrolled or applying |
| Approval time | TSA PreCheck:Not stated by TSA | Global Entry:Most reviewed in about two weeks; some take 12 months or longer |
The playbook
Work through them in order — green moves to make, red traps to skip. Each one protects real money or real time.
Tip 01
✓ Do thisDecide which line you actually stand in. If you rarely fly internationally, PreCheck covers the queue you meet every trip.
Tip 02
✓ Do thisIf you fly internationally even occasionally, price Global Entry against PreCheck — it includes PreCheck access, so you are comparing $120 with $76.75–$85.00, not with zero.
Tip 03
✓ Do thisApply and pay online, then book the in-person step. For Global Entry the interview is mandatory the first time, though Enrollment on Arrival avoids scheduling one.
Tip 04
✓ Do thisAllow real time for the background check — CBP reviews most applications in about two weeks, but some take a year or more.
Tip 05
✓ Do thisPut your Known Traveler Number into every airline profile and reservation. Approval alone does not put PreCheck on a boarding pass.
Tip 06
✗ Avoid thisEligibility rules by citizenship and immigration status are not covered here — check TSA and CBP directly before paying, since a rejected application does not refund the fee.
Tip 07
✗ Avoid thisEnrollment provider prices and locations change; the figures here were read from TSA on 2026-08-09.
Tip 08
✗ Avoid thisNeither program is a substitute for a valid passport or visa.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?
Yes. CBP lists TSA PreCheck access as a Global Entry benefit, so members do not buy PreCheck separately. That is why the real comparison is $120 against $76.75–$85.00, not $120 against nothing.
How much does TSA PreCheck cost?
TSA advertises five years of benefits for $85 or less, and the exact price depends on which of the three authorized enrollment providers you use: IDEMIA charges $76.75, CLEAR $79.95 and Telos $85.00 for a new enrollment. Renewals are cheaper, from $58.75.
Which program should I get if I only fly domestically?
TSA PreCheck. CBP itself advises travelers who take fewer international flights to enroll in PreCheck and use the free Mobile Passport Control app rather than pay for Global Entry.
How long does approval take?
For Global Entry, CBP reviews most applications in about two weeks, but some take twelve months or longer depending on criminal history. Apply well before a trip you are counting on it for.
Do my children need their own membership?
For airport security, no — children 17 and under can use the TSA PreCheck lane free alongside an enrolled adult. For Global Entry, minors are free when a parent is already enrolled or applying at the same time.
I was approved but my boarding pass has no PreCheck. Why?
Almost always a missing Known Traveler Number. The benefit is attached to the reservation, not to you, so the KTN has to be in each airline profile and booking.
Does Global Entry guarantee I skip inspection?
No. CBP states members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States.
Sources & notes
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Discussion
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