TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry vs CLEAR: Which One Is Worth It?

The three programs at a glance

	TSA PreCheck	Global Entry	CLEAR
Run by	TSA	CBP	Private company
What it speeds up	Security screening	US immigration + includes PreCheck	ID verification at the checkpoint
Keep shoes/laptops/liquids	Yes	Yes (via PreCheck)	No (unless you also have PreCheck)
Cost (approx.)	$78 / 5 years	$120 / 5 years	~$199 / year
Enrolment	Online + 10-min in-person	Online + interview (can be on arrival)	Kiosk at airport, minutes
Where	200+ US airports	US arrivals + PreCheck lanes	~60 US airports and venues

Who should get what

• Fly abroad at all? Global Entry. The immigration line at JFK, LAX or MIA after a long-haul can be an hour; members use kiosks or the mobile app and are through in minutes. The PreCheck benefit is included.
• Domestic only, two-plus trips a year? PreCheck. The lane is shorter and the screening is faster.
• Weekly flyer from a CLEAR airport? Add CLEAR. It moves you to the front of the ID check; combined with PreCheck it’s the fastest path through most big US airports. On its own, at a quiet airport, it’s not worth the price.
• Canada or Mexico regularly? NEXUS (Canada) or SENTRI (Mexico) include Global Entry and PreCheck benefits for less, if you can reach an enrolment centre.

Enrolment shortcuts

• Apply for Global Entry, get conditional approval, then use Enrollment on Arrival at a participating airport when returning from any international trip — no appointment needed.
• Check credit-card benefits before paying: many premium travel cards reimburse the Global Entry or PreCheck fee every four to five years.
• Add your Known Traveler Number to every reservation and your airline profiles; without it, the PreCheck mark won’t print on your boarding pass.

New in 2026: PreCheck opens the gate for non-flyers

The Gateside pilot lets PreCheck members apply for a free pass to go through security without a ticket at 13 airports, including LAX, DFW and LAS — one more reason the membership pays off.

Frequently asked

Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?

Yes. Global Entry members receive a Known Traveler Number that grants PreCheck on participating airlines, plus expedited US immigration on arrival.

Can I use CLEAR without PreCheck?

Yes, but CLEAR only replaces the ID check. Without PreCheck you still go through the standard screening lane. Together they're fastest.

How long does Global Entry approval take?

Conditional approval can take weeks to many months. Interview slots are the bottleneck; Enrollment on Arrival lets conditionally approved applicants interview when landing from abroad without an appointment.