TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are both federal “trusted traveler” programs, and both let a vetted traveler skip some of the usual friction at airports. They are run by different agencies and do different jobs: one changes how you go through security before a flight, the other changes how you are processed when you arrive from abroad.
Two programs, two agencies, two checkpoints
TSA PreCheck is run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It gives approved travelers access to dedicated screening lanes at participating airports when flying on participating airlines. Global Entry is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the Department of Homeland Security. According to CBP, it offers expedited arrival clearance to pre-approved, low-risk travelers.
The distinction matters because the two checkpoints sit at opposite ends of a trip. Security screening happens before you board, whether the flight is domestic or international. Customs and immigration processing happens when you land after traveling from another country. PreCheck helps with the first; Global Entry helps with the second and, as a bundled benefit, with the first too.
What PreCheck changes at the checkpoint
According to TSA, PreCheck members can leave electronics in their bags and keep liquids that meet the “3-1-1” limit (the familiar rule for small containers of liquids carried on board) in their bags. They can also keep on their shoes, belts and light jackets. TSA says about 99% of passengers wait less than 10 minutes in PreCheck lanes. That is TSA’s own figure, and the agency does not publish it as a guarantee for any individual trip.
That last point is stated plainly in TSA’s own program guidance: no one is guaranteed expedited screening, even if eligible, because the agency uses unpredictable security measures. A PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass is common for members, but it is not certain on every flight.
PreCheck also does not replace identification. Travelers still need an acceptable ID to fly, which for most domestic passengers is the subject of our explainer on REAL ID and air travel.
What Global Entry changes on arrival
Global Entry is aimed at international travelers returning to, or entering, the United States. CBP says members get reduced wait times at major U.S. airports, and the program can also be used at land borders. CBP also points to a Global Entry mobile app that speeds processing on entry.
Membership includes PreCheck. For someone who flies abroad even once or twice a year, that bundling is the main reason the two programs get compared: Global Entry covers both checkpoints, while PreCheck alone covers only domestic-style screening.
Who can apply?
PreCheck is, according to TSA, open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. Global Entry has a wider pool. CBP’s eligibility page lists U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, plus citizens of a list of other countries that includes, among others, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and the United Kingdom, some with extra requirements. Applicants must generally be 18 or older, and minors need a parent or guardian’s consent.
For both programs, an application can be denied. TSA says reasons include incomplete or false application information, certain violations of federal security regulations, and disqualifying criminal offenses. CBP says every Global Entry applicant undergoes a background check. Neither agency promises approval, and the program fee is not refunded if an application is turned down; CBP describes its $120 application fee as non-refundable.
How much do they cost?
The numbers below were published by the agencies as of early November 2026.
| Program | Fee for a new application | Membership length |
|---|---|---|
| TSA PreCheck | $79.75 to $85 depending on provider | Five years |
| Global Entry | $120 | Five years |
TSA’s PreCheck fee varies because enrollment is handled by three outside providers. According to TSA’s pricing page, new enrollment costs $85.00 through Telos, $84.95 through CLEAR and $79.75 through IDEMIA. Renewal prices differ by provider and by whether you renew online or in person. TSA also notes that CLEAR offers PreCheck as part of its separate paid CLEAR+ membership.
A worked example of the yearly cost
Illustrative arithmetic: spreading each fee over a five-year membership gives a rough yearly cost.
- PreCheck at $85: $85 ÷ 5 = $17 per year.
- PreCheck at $79.75: $79.75 ÷ 5 = $15.95 per year.
- Global Entry at $120: $120 ÷ 5 = $24 per year.
The gap between the highest PreCheck fee and Global Entry is $120 − $85 = $35 over five years, or $7 per year. These figures cover only the government and provider fees; they leave out travel to an appointment, passport costs or any renewal fees.
What does the enrollment process involve?
PreCheck
TSA describes a two-step process. First, submit an application online, which the agency says can take as little as five minutes. Second, visit an enrollment location, by appointment or walk-in, where staff check documents, take fingerprints and a photo, and collect payment. TSA says that visit takes about 10 minutes. Most applicants then receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) in three to five days, though TSA says some wait up to 60 days.
The KTN is the identifier you add to airline reservations and travel profiles so that PreCheck can appear on your boarding pass. Forgetting to enter it is a common reason a member does not see the indicator.
Global Entry
CBP outlines four steps: submit and pay for the application; wait for the background check; attend an in-person interview, required for first-time enrollment; then receive your benefits. CBP says most background checks are completed within about two weeks, but some take 12 months or longer depending on criminal history. To avoid booking a separate appointment, CBP offers “Enrollment on Departure” and “Enrollment on Arrival” options that let an applicant complete the interview around an international trip.
Do children and families need their own enrollment?
It depends on age and how the family travels. TSA says children 17 and under can join a parent or other adult with PreCheck in the PreCheck lane. Children 12 and under can generally go through with the adult without a PreCheck indicator on their own boarding pass. Teens aged 13 to 17 can join only if the indicator appears on their boarding pass, which requires them to be on the same reservation as the adult. A teen who routinely flies alone should enroll separately, according to TSA.
For Global Entry, CBP says minors do not pay the application fee when a parent or legal guardian is already enrolled or applying. Parents escorting a child with a gate pass receive standard screening, TSA notes, even if they hold PreCheck.
Which one fits which trip?
A rough way to think about it, based on what the agencies describe:
- Mostly domestic flights: PreCheck covers the security line. Global Entry’s extra benefit, faster arrival processing, does not apply to trips that never cross a border.
- Occasional international travel: Global Entry includes PreCheck and also covers the customs hall, at a higher fee and with a stricter vetting process.
- Land border crossings: CBP lists other programs for particular routes, including SENTRI for expedited clearance on arrival and NEXUS for travelers entering the U.S. and Canada. Details and fees are on CBP’s pages for those programs.
- Plenty of time and uncertainty about the interview: Global Entry’s timeline is longer and less predictable, so applicants planning around a particular trip should allow for it.
None of these is a guarantee of a shorter wait. If a flight is canceled or badly delayed, trusted traveler status does not change your rights; our guide to flight delays and cancellations covers that side. And once the security line is behind you, long-haul trips raise a different problem, which we cover in how to handle jet lag.
Renewal and keeping your membership active
TSA says PreCheck memberships last five years and can be renewed up to six months before they expire. The agency recommends renewing at least 60 days early. Because renewal prices differ by provider and by online or in-person options, check the current price list before you renew.
Because the KTN must be entered into each airline profile or reservation, members who change airlines or book through a new account need to add it again. TSA’s site offers a KTN lookup tool for members who have lost the number.
Choosing with the limits in mind
Both programs are optional, time-limited and paid for up front. PreCheck is a smaller, cheaper step that mainly affects domestic and departing screening, while Global Entry costs more, takes a more involved vetting process and adds faster arrival processing along with PreCheck. For a traveler who flies rarely, neither may repay the cost; for a frequent flyer, the per-year figures above are modest. Because fees, providers and wait times can change, confirm current terms with TSA and CBP before applying.
This article is general information about government programs, not personalized financial, legal or travel advice.
Sources: Transportation Security Administration; U.S. Customs and Border Protection
