Guide · Expedited screening

TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry vs CLEAR: which one should you get?

By the TSA Wait Times team · Updated July 2026 · Published June 2026

Get Global Entry first— it costs only $15 more than PreCheck and includes PreCheck automatically. CLEAR is an add-on worth considering if you travel domestically often and face long ID-check lines, but it is not a substitute for PreCheck or Global Entry.

Quick comparison

TSA PreCheck

$17 / year

Cost: $85 for 5 years ($17/yr); $78 if renewed online
What it does: Dedicated PreCheck security lanes — shoes stay on, laptop stays in bag, liquids stay in bag, walk-through metal detector only (no body scanner)
Availability: 200+ US airports, 85+ airlines
Issued by: TSA — enroll at an enrollment center, or at CLEAR and Walgreens kiosks
Enrollment: In-person appointment required; biometrics (fingerprints) taken
Time saved: 10–30 minutes at most major airports
Not included: Fast customs re-entry after international travel
Best for: Domestic frequent flyers who never travel internationally

Best value

Global Entry

$20 / year

Cost: $100 for 5 years ($20/yr)
What it does: Fast customs re-entry at US international airports via Global Entry kiosk instead of the customs line, plus TSA PreCheck included automatically
Availability: Customs kiosks at 75+ US international airports; PreCheck at 200+ airports
Issued by: CBP (US Customs and Border Protection)
Enrollment: Online application + in-person interview (5–10 min at an enrollment center); interview wait up to 6 months at busy centers; use Interview on Arrival for no wait
Not included: Skipping the ID check line at domestic security (that is CLEAR)
Best for: Anyone who travels internationally — or anyone who just wants the best deal (PreCheck included, only $15 more than PreCheck alone)

CLEAR

$189 / year

Cost: $189/year (family add-ons available; often discounted via airline status or credit cards)
What it does: Biometric identity verification (fingerprint or iris scan) at a dedicated CLEAR kiosk, bypassing the ID document check line — then escorts you to the front of the PreCheck or standard security lane
Availability: 55+ airports and sports/entertainment venues
Issued by: CLEAR (private company)
Enrollment: Online or at-airport kiosk; biometrics enrolled in ~5 minutes; no government interview required
Not included: PreCheck benefits — you still go through full screening unless you also hold PreCheck or Global Entry
Best for: Frequent travelers at major airports where the ID check line is the main bottleneck; best when combined with PreCheck or Global Entry

CLEAR discounts — it is often cheaper than listed

The $189/year sticker price for CLEAR is rarely what frequent travelers actually pay. Airlines and premium credit cards heavily subsidize it.

Delta SkyMiles Diamond: free CLEAR Plus membership; Platinum: free; Gold/Silver: 50% off
United MileagePlus: discounts for Premier members
Alaska Mileage Plan: discounts for MVP Gold and Gold 75K members
American Express Platinum / Delta Reserve: $189 statement credit per year — effectively free
Capital One Venture X: $189 statement credit for CLEAR

If you hold an Amex Platinum or Capital One Venture X, CLEAR is essentially free — making the PreCheck + CLEAR + Global Entry combination very compelling at $0 marginal CLEAR cost.

How they work together

The programs are designed to layer on top of each other. Here is what each combination looks like at a domestic security checkpoint.

Global Entry + CLEAR — recommended combinationYou have Global Entry (which includes PreCheck) and CLEAR. Domestically: CLEAR scans your iris, verifies your identity, and escorts you to the PreCheck lane. You walk through the metal detector with shoes on and laptop in bag. The fastest possible domestic security experience.

PreCheck + CLEARSame experience as above for domestic travel. No fast customs for international travel — you queue in the standard customs line when returning from abroad.

Global Entry aloneTSA PreCheck built in. Fast customs when returning from abroad. No CLEAR — you use the regular ID check line domestically, then the PreCheck screening lane.

PreCheck aloneFaster security screening, no fast customs re-entry, no biometric ID bypass. The baseline option for domestic-only travelers.

Which should you get?

You do not fly internationally at all: TSA PreCheck ($85/5yr) — the basic option, nearly always worthwhile for frequent domestic travelers.

You fly internationally even once a year: Global Entry ($100/5yr) — includes PreCheck, plus fast customs re-entry. Only $15 more than PreCheck alone. The right choice for almost everyone.

You travel frequently and hold Amex Platinum or Capital One Venture X: Global Entry + CLEAR (CLEAR covered by card credit). The fastest possible airport experience.

Not sure if you fly enough for PreCheck: Use this site's TSA wait calculator — if your home airport routinely shows 20+ minute waits, PreCheck pays for itself in one trip.

Credit cards that reimburse Global Entry and PreCheck fees

Many premium travel cards cover the $85–$100 application fee as a statement credit. If you carry any of these cards, your Global Entry fee is likely already covered.

Card	Annual fee	Credit
Amex Platinum	$695	Global Entry or PreCheck fee credit every 4 years
Chase Sapphire Reserve	$550	Global Entry or PreCheck fee credit every 4 years
Capital One Venture X	$395	Global Entry or PreCheck fee credit every 4 years
Citi Prestige	$495	Global Entry credit
Delta SkyMiles Reserve	$650	Global Entry credit
United Club Infinite	$525	Global Entry credit
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant	$650	Global Entry credit

Find your enrollment options and check airport availability

PreCheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry enrollment center availability varies by airport. Check your specific hub for locations and appointment slots.

See PreCheck lane status, CLEAR kiosk locations, and Global Entry enrollment centers by airport:

Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?

Yes — Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck. Your Global Entry KTN is your PreCheck number. Enter it in your airline profiles.

Is CLEAR worth it without PreCheck?

CLEAR without PreCheck gets you to the front of the standard screening lane — you still remove shoes, laptop, liquids. The combination of CLEAR + PreCheck is where the full benefit appears.

How long does it take to get Global Entry?

Conditional approval typically takes 2–6 weeks. The interview wait is the main variable — popular enrollment centers have 4–6 month waits. Using Interview on Arrival when returning from an international trip bypasses the wait entirely.

Can I use Global Entry in Canada or abroad?

Global Entry is for re-entry into the US after international travel. Canada has its own NEXUS program (which also includes PreCheck and NEXUS lanes at the border) for $50/5 years — worth considering for those who travel between the US and Canada frequently.

Know exactly when to leave for the airport

PreCheck shortens your security line. Your Leave-By Timetells you exactly when to walk out the door — it counts back from your flight using today's live security wait, the drive, and the walk to your gate, so you always have the right buffer built in.

Get your Leave-By Time

Sources

TSA·WAIT·TIMES