Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck: which should you get?

By the Jumbo Flights editorial team · Published November 2, 2026 · Updated November 2, 2026

Get Global Entry if you take international trips and want faster passport control when you come home; get TSA PreCheck if you mostly fly within the US. Global Entry costs $120 and includes TSA PreCheck, while standalone PreCheck costs $79.75 to $85, both for five years, as of November 2026.

The price gap is small, but the programs are not the same. Global Entry is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and has a stricter background check and an interview. PreCheck is run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and is quicker to finish. This guide compares them, walks through each application, and explains who should pick which. Fees and rules come from the agencies' own pages as of November 2026; confirm them before you pay.

What is the difference between Global Entry and TSA PreCheck?

PreCheck speeds up airport security screening on departure; Global Entry does that too and also speeds up customs and immigration when you arrive in the US.

TSA describes PreCheck as five years of benefits for $85 or less. Once approved, you receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) to add to your airline reservations and travel profiles. CBP describes Global Entry as membership for pre-approved, low-risk travelers, with expedited clearance at major U.S. airports, reduced wait times, TSA PreCheck access and use at land borders.

If you only remember one thing, remember this: Global Entry is PreCheck plus customs, and it costs more because of the extra background check.

How much do Global Entry and TSA PreCheck cost?

Global Entry has a single $120 fee, while PreCheck prices vary by enrollment provider between $79.75 and $85.

CBP lists the Global Entry fee as $120 for five years. TSA lists PreCheck enrollment at $79.75 to $85, with the three providers being CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos. Renewal prices on TSA's page also vary by provider:

• Telos: $69.95 online, $58.75 in person.
• CLEAR: $72.95 online, $84.95 in person, with free renewal for CLEAR+ members.
• IDEMIA: $58.75 online, $66.75 in person.

The difference between the cheapest PreCheck price and Global Entry is roughly $40, which works out to about $8 a year over five years. Some credit cards reimburse one of the two fees as a statement credit; that benefit varies by card, so check your card's terms rather than assuming it applies.

Do you need Global Entry if you have TSA PreCheck?

No. If you have Global Entry you do not need PreCheck, because CBP lists PreCheck access as a Global Entry benefit.

The reverse is not true. A PreCheck membership does not give you Global Entry's expedited customs processing. If you already have PreCheck and later want Global Entry, you apply to CBP through the Trusted Traveler Programs site and pay the Global Entry fee; do not assume you will receive a discount for your existing PreCheck membership. Check the application page for any current offers.

For a traveler who flies abroad twice a year or more, that second application is usually the better decision made once, at the start.

How does the TSA PreCheck application work?

You apply online with an enrollment provider, then finish in person with fingerprints and a photo.

1. Choose a provider. TSA lists CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos. Their fees are within the $79.75 to $85 range.
2. Complete the online application. TSA says this takes as little as 5 minutes.
3. Visit an enrollment center. TSA says there are over 1,300 enrollment locations, and you can go with or without an appointment. Staff check your documents, take your fingerprints and photo and collect payment, which TSA says takes about 10 minutes.
4. Receive your KTN. After approval, add the Known Traveler Number to each airline reservation and frequent flyer profile.

TSA's participating airlines page includes carriers such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines. Check that your airline is on the list before you pay, and check the date on the page, since airlines are added over time.

How does the Global Entry application and interview work?

You apply and pay online, CBP runs a background check, and then you complete an in-person interview.

CBP says that after you submit and pay, it completes a background check, which is usually reviewed within about 2 weeks but can take up to 12 months or longer depending on criminal history. First-time enrollment requires an in-person interview. CBP also lists Enrollment on Departure and Enrollment on Arrival as alternatives for completing the interview without scheduling an Enrollment Center appointment; read the CBP page for which airports offer them before you rely on either.

You apply through the official Trusted Traveler Programs site at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. Use that address directly; the fee goes to CBP, and you should not pay a third party to submit the form for you.

Who can be denied Global Entry?

CBP can deny anyone who cannot show they are low-risk, and the fee is not refunded if it does.

CBP's eligibility page lists these among the reasons for denial:

• False or incomplete information on the application.
• A criminal conviction, pending criminal charges or an outstanding warrant, including a DUI.
• A violation of customs, immigration or agriculture laws or regulations in any country.
• An ongoing investigation by a federal, state or local law enforcement agency.
• A denied firearm purchase.
• Inadmissibility to the US under immigration rules.

Applicants must be 18 or older, though minors may apply with a parent's or guardian's consent. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents qualify. CBP also lists citizens of a set of other countries, including Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, with extra requirements for some of them. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident, CBP says you must keep your visa information current at an enrollment center.

Does Global Entry work outside the US?

Partly. CBP maintains international arrangements with other countries, and Global Entry membership can matter when you travel abroad.

CBP's International Arrangements page lists partner countries including Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Germany, India, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The page links to a separate page for each country with its specific benefits, and those details differ, so read the country page for your destination before you count on them.

If you are heading to the UK, our guide to the UK ETA for US citizens covers the separate entry permission you still need, and the New York to London route page shows the fare calendar. For Japan, see the Los Angeles to Tokyo Haneda page. Global Entry does not replace a visa or travel authorization.

Which should you get?

Pick by how often you come back into the US from abroad, not by how often you fly.

Note that PreCheck is not guaranteed on every trip. TSA PreCheck is not available at every checkpoint and on every itinerary, so treat it as a time saver rather than a promise. Also remember that passengers on international itineraries may be affected by other rules at the airport. For example, our TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule guide covers what still goes through the checkpoint. You should also confirm your ID meets the REAL ID requirements, because a trusted traveler number does not substitute for acceptable ID.

If you do travel abroad, a local data plan matters when you land. You can compare options on our eSIM finder so you are connected before you reach the arrivals hall.

What should you do before you apply?

Gather your documents, apply through the official site and add your number to every booking.

1. Decide between PreCheck and Global Entry using the table above.
2. Check your eligibility on CBP's page if you chose Global Entry.
3. Apply only at tsa.gov enrollment providers or ttp.cbp.dhs.gov.
4. Bring the documents each agency asks for to your appointment.
5. Add your Known Traveler Number to every airline booking and profile.
6. Calendar a reminder for the renewal date; five years goes fast.

If a trip is booked and the date is close, a PreCheck application is the safer choice, since CBP says its background review can take anywhere from about 2 weeks to a year or more.

Sources

• TSA: TSA PreCheck
• CBP: Global Entry
• CBP: Global Entry eligibility
• CBP: Global Entry international arrangements
• TSA: TSA PreCheck participating airlines
• DHS Trusted Traveler Programs: official application site

Frequently asked questions

General information, not legal advice. Found an error? Tell us and see our corrections policy.