TSA PRECHECK VS GLOBAL ENTRY - AND HOW TO SKIP THE SECURITY LINE AT THE AIRPORT FOR FREE

Travel Tips
Written By Stacy Mantellini

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How many times have you arrived at the airport to find that the general security line is over 30 minutes long and you look over and see people breezing through a much shorter line? If you’ve ever wondered how you can get into that much shorter line than this post is for you.

There are several airport security “skip-the-line” programs. Some allow you to skip the TSA security line at your departing airport and some allow you to speed through the line at customs and border patrol upon returning to the United States. Let’s take a look at each program, which one is right for you, and how to skip the line without spending a dime.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes at Orlando International Airport

SPEED THROUGH THE TSA SECURITY LINE WITH THESE PROGRAMS:

TSA PRECHECK 


TSA PreCheck is an expedited security line for pre-screened passengers at U.S. airports. In this line you do not have to remove your shoes, belts, laptops or liquids. 

  • $77.95 - for a five year membership

  • Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) offered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

  • Children 17 and under can join an adult with TSA PreCheck® when TSA PreCheck appears on the child’s boarding pass.

  • Apply online and complete in-person interview

  • Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and U.S. lawful permanent residents

  • VIP: After you receive your TSA PreCheck number, you must enter it into the Known Traveler Number section during a flight booking. It will not automatically show up on your boarding pass.

  • BEST FOR: people that travel several times a year

TSA PreCheck is FREE for the following. 

  • Active duty branches of service

  • Reserve components of the U.S. military 

  • National Guard (both Army and Air)

  • U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard Reserve

  • Students of the U.S. military academies (USMA, USNA, USAFA, USCGA, USMMA) 

  • United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps

  • NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps

  • DoD Civilians including Federal civil service employees and non-appropriated fund (NAF) civilians

For Military Members, you must first:

  • Update your Defense Travel System profile with your DoD ID number in the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field

  • Update your airline frequent flier profiles with your DoD ID number in the KTN field

  • When booking travel, confirm your DoD ID is in the KTN field

For DoD Civilians, you must:

  • First, opt-in via milConnect

  • Update your Defense Travel System profile with your DoD ID number

  • Update your airline frequent flier profiles with your DoD ID number in the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field

  • When booking travel, confirm your DoD ID is in the KTN field

Good to Know: 

  • TSA PreCheck benefits apply to both TDY (official) and R&R (personal) travel when travel reservations include your Known Traveler Number (KTN) otherwise known as your DoD ID number.

  • Military Members do not need to be in uniform to take advantage of the TSA PreCheck program

  • For those transitioning out of the military or a DoD Civilian role, be sure to enroll into TSA PreCheck prior to leaving to maintain your travel benefits for another 5 years.

CLEAR® PLUS: 

Skip to the front of the security line without showing your ID or boarding pass. Please note that without TSA PreCheck (which is not included with your Clear® Plus membership) you’ll still need to go through regular screening (remove your shoes, belt liquids and laptops, etc).

  • Individual: $199/year for an annual membership; family members under 18 can join you in the CLEAR lane for free.

  • CLEAR Plus is a membership offered by CLEAR, a private company that uses biometrics to expedite ID checks before security.

  • Start your enrollment online and finish at any CLEAR location at the airport. No appointment needed.

  • CLEAR is not available at all airports. Check locations here. 

  • Bundle with TSA PreCheck for $199

  • BEST FOR:  travelers that fly 1-2 times a month


CREDIT CARDS THAT WILL REIMBURSE YOU FOR CLEAR PLUS:

The following travel rewards credit cards offer up to a $199 statement credit per year for a CLEAR Plus membership. There are several cards that offer a discounted CLEAR Plus membership of just $159 like the Amex Delta and Chase United cards. 


RESERVE by CLEAR- FREE

This service allows you to book a timed reservation in line at select airports around the world. When you arrive at a participating airport you will enter the Reserve by Clear line where you will essentially go to the front of the security line. You will still go through physical screening: shoes/belts off, liquids and laptops out even if you have TSA PreCheck.


Participating Airports

North America:

  • Calgary (YYC)

  • Denver (DEN)

  • Edmonton (YEG)

  • Halifax (YHZ)

  • Houston (IAH)

  • Los Angeles (LAX)

  • Minneapolis (MSP)

  • Montreal (YUL)

  • New York (JFK)

  • Orlando (MCO)

  • Phoenix (PHX)

  • Seattle (SEA)

  • Toronto (YYZ)

  • Vancouver (YVR)

Europe:

  • Amsterdam (AMS)

  • Frankfurt (FRA)

  • London Luton (LTN)

  • Rome (FCO)

AIRPORTS THAT OFFER THEIR OWN “SKIP THE SECURITY LINE” PROGRAMS INCLUDE: 


Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport-  DFW Security Fast Pass

  • FREE reservation program to bypass the line at the Terminal D checkpoint D18 for TSA general screening. 

  • You can reserve your Fast Pass time slot up to 7 days in advance

  • When you arrive at the security checkpoint, an escort will move you to the front of the line for screening.

  • Please note that the Fast Pass is not available for TSA PreCheck so once you get to the front of the line you pass through regular screening.

  • Only available Thursday-Monday

  • ProTip: Download the DFW app to see real-time TSA security line wait times.


LaGuardia International Airport - B-FAST EXPRESS LANE PASS

  • Instant Access: $20

  • Pre-booked (can use within an hour to 90 days): $15

  • Only in available in Terminal B


London Heathrow (LHR) - FAST TRACK PROGRAM

  • £12.50 per person

  • You can secure your spot up until midnight, the day before you travel

  • You may have Fast Track without applying for it. Fast Track is available free of charge for certain passengers flying in a premium class, passengers with top airline status and those who have access to the American Express Centurion Lounge.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - FAST LANE

  • Free

  • Skip the security line in Terminal 7 and 8 only

  • If you have TSA PreCheck you will not be able to use it through this lane

SPEED THROUGH THE IMMIGRATION LINE UPON ARRIVAL TO THE UNITED STATES WITH THESE PROGRAMS:

GLOBAL ENTRY (includes TSA PreCheck)

Global Entry is an expedited U.S. Customs and Border Protection line for pre-screened passengers ARRIVING from an international destination. 

  • $120 - Five-year Membership.

  • Kids under 18 are free when they register/apply with a legal guardian that has Global Entry. Kids under 18 must still create a CBP account and interview with their legal guardian.

  • Every child regardless of age must have it to enter line**

  • Apply online and complete an in-person interview at select airports after conditional approval

  • Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and select foreign nationals

  • You must be “conditionally approved” before you can make an in-person interview appointment

  • BEST FOR: Those that travel internationally at least 2+ times a year

  • If you download the Global Entry Mobile app - upload photo and travel documents and you can skip the kiosks upon return. 

  • VIP: After you receive your Global Entry number, you must enter it into the Known Traveler Number section during a flight booking. It will not automatically show up on your boarding pass.

TIPS FOR FINDING APPOINTMENT TIMES: 

  • Search the appointment calendar often 

  • Enrollment on Arrival: Complete your interview when you return from an international trip as you go through the customs line. No appointment required.

  • Subscribe to a service like Appointment Scanner which will alert you when appointments s open up

MOBILE PASSPORT CONTROL (MPC) - FREE

If you take at least one international trip every year or two, but can’t justify spending $120 for Global Entry, then this one's for you. Download the free MPC app, enter your travel documents and photo, and when you arrive in the United States, just look for the MPC line at Immigration. When we arrived in JFK this summer, the general immigration line was over an hour long, there were 30 people in the Global Entry line and there were zero people in the MPC line. This is free and easy!

CREDIT CARDS THAT WILL REIMBURSE YOU FOR TSA PRECHECK AND GLOBAL ENTRY 

The following travel rewards credit cards offer up to a $120 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. When purchasing TSA PreCheck or Global Entry using a credit card below you will receive up to a $100 credit on your next billing statement. This statement credit is offered every four years that you hold the card.  

AT A GLANCE:

Skip the TSA Security Line Programs:

  • TSA PreCheck - $77.95 for five-year Membership; Free for military

  • Clear Plus - $199 for annual Membership

  • Reserve by CLEAR - Free

Skip the Customs/Immigration Line Programs:

  • Global Entry - $120 for five years. Kids under 18 free with parent that hold Global Entry and includes TSA PreCheck

  • MPC - Free. Just download the app and submit travel documents upon arrival to a U.S. airport

FINAL THOUGHTS

Whether you’re a frequent flier that travels several times a month or a recreational traveler that flies once or twice a year, there is a “skip-the-security line” program for you.  

If you are considering purchasing TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, look into a credit card that will reimburse you for it. It’s a great way to earn points while making travel less stressful. Let those credit cards work for you.

Happy Travels!

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Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Stacy Mantellini
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