TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR: What’s the difference?

avatar for Papi_Chulo
Papi_Chulo
Miami, FL (or the nearest big-booty club)
If there’s one thing everyone can agree on about flying, it’s that nobody likes a long security line at the airport. Thankfully, when it comes to paying a little extra to skip the crowds, there are a few options to choose from.

Increasingly, statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees (of up to $100 every four years) are becoming a standard benefit of many travel rewards cards. And with a third alternative added to the mix, CLEAR, the decision of which program to choose for expedited security at the airport can be a difficult one to make.

If you travel often, these are great benefits that can save you both time and money — but which program does what?

Below, CNBC Select reviews the difference between each travel perk: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR.

TSA PreCheck
If you rarely travel abroad and don’t want to pay for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck is $85 for a five-year membership and gives you expedited security checks at more than 200 select airports in the U.S. If you don’t have a U.S. passport, this is the best option.

For anyone who has experienced TSA PreCheck, the process is also less invasive than the standard security screenings. You don’t have to remove your shoes, belt, light jacket, laptop or TSA-approved liquids.

To apply, you have to submit an online application and then schedule a 10-minute in-person appointment at one of the enrollment centers. The appointment includes a background check and fingerprinting.

Global Entry
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the U.S. after traveling internationally. It basically means getting in the express line at customs and immigration, which can save you time and a potential headache after a long trip.

To apply, you must submit an application and a non-refundable $100 fee. If you’re approved, your five-year membership includes both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck in the U.S.

To qualify for Global Entry, you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident. Residents of select countries can also qualify, and you can learn more about international application requirements. Applicants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in Global Entry. Learn more about eligibility for Global Entry, and be sure to check out CNBC Select’s how to apply for Global Entry.

Which credit cards offer TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credits
Popular cards that waive the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees include the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. Though each of these cards has an annual fee (the first year is waived for Capital One®), this travel bonus can help effectively offset it once every four years — not to mention all the additional rewards you can earn using these cards regularly.

The Global Entry and TSA PreCheck credits are worth $100 or $85, respectively, and they are typically offered every four or five years, depending on which card you have. You receive the credit after you submit and pay for an application, and it can take a few weeks to see the cost credited on your account.

CLEAR
The newest addition to accelerating airport security screenings is CLEAR, which uses your eyes and fingertips rather than traditional IDs to verify your identity when you travel. The most expensive program of the three, CLEAR costs $179 for an annual membership and does not include TSA PreCheck, like Global Entry does.

With CLEAR, you can add up to three adult family members for only $50/year each. Kids under 18 are free and don’t need to enroll. Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus members with status can often receive CLEAR discounts.

To apply, you sign up online and complete an in-person biometric scan. Once you are approved to use CLEAR, your experience going through security at the airport is pretty seamless. You report directly to a CLEAR kiosk and scan your fingerprints or eyes. A representative then escorts you to a security checkpoint.

For sports and music fans, the membership also grants you CLEAR Sports, which allows you to skip the security line when attending many major stadiums and entertainment venues throughout the country, including Staples Center and Madison Square Garden.

Which credit card offers CLEAR statement credits
Right now, there is just one card that offers a statement credit toward the high CLEAR membership fee. With the American Express® Green Card, you can receive up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year toward a membership.

This credit can help offset the Green Card’s $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) while you get to enjoy a discounted CLEAR membership. American Express® Green Card cardholders also earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible travel, transit and at restaurants worldwide and 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other purchases.

Bottom line
You don’t have to be a jet-setter to really benefit from any of these three travel programs.

Even if you only fly a few times a year, the hassle of waiting in airport security lines is often enough to justify enrolling in one of them.

Overall, it’s generally recommended that you apply for Global Entry rather than TSA PreCheck (as long as you have a U.S. passport). Global Entry, which grants members expedited entry back into the U.S. after traveling internationally, is a five-year membership that also gives you access to TSA PreCheck, for just $15 more.

Although CLEAR offers the added entertainment access perk, its membership cost is substantially higher and you have to regularly fly through one of the 35 U.S. airports it serves to really benefit. Otherwise, you will still need to purchase TSA PreCheck or Global Entry to have shorter security lines when traveling.

Whichever route you choose to go with, these three programs are designed to minimize the amount of time spent waiting in queues, which is a pretty nice travel perk no matter where you are headed.

https://www.cnbc.com/select/tsa-precheck…

31 comments

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avatar for san_jose_guy
san_jose_guy
5 years ago
^^^^ I take it your interests go beyond mongering in TJ.

SJG
avatar for Papi_Chulo
Papi_Chulo
5 years ago
^ not for the time being - the day I retire (a decade+ from now), I would consider living in a Latin country or the Caribbean b/c of the cost-of-living and I'm also fully-fluent in Spanish and TJ would be an option of several -but that is a while's-away.

I just put this up as an FYI b/c for the frequent TJ TUSCL mongers current and future.
avatar for san_jose_guy
san_jose_guy
5 years ago
Living in a Latin Country? That is reserved for those who go to heaven!

SJG
avatar for Papi_Chulo
Papi_Chulo
5 years ago
^ and for those w/o a million-dollars in their 401K

😊
avatar for herbtcat
herbtcat
5 years ago
My experiences with TSAPre and Clear:

TSAPre is a clear winner. It's available at almost every major airport in the US, and those airports that don't have it are generally not busy enough to have long security screening lines.

CLEAR has problems. It is not available in as many airports/ternminals as TSAPre, and the CLEAR kiosks (located in a parallel lane to TSAPre) are not staffed as many hours as TSAPre (which is open whenever the security line is open). I had a lot of 7:15 am flights when I had CLEAR only to find out the CLEAR kiosk didn't open at that airport/terminal until 8:00 am.

No experience with Global Entry as I no longer travel internationally very often. But I'd recommend looking up the Visa/Entry processes for your international destinations for alternative methods to get through their customs and immigration at least 60 days before you fly. You can often sign up for some type of fast lane/electronic process that minimizes the need for face-to-face checkpoints.
avatar for san_jose_guy
san_jose_guy
5 years ago
Living in a Latin Country, like say in TJ's Cascadas Hotel could also be for those of us trying to run a business in Mexico.

Current income beats inflation better than IRA/401K or the Stock Market. The Reagan idea of a self funded retirement was a scam.

Social Security is still the best thing ever done in this country and it should be strengthened.

:) :) :)

SJG
avatar for skibum609
skibum609
5 years ago
TSA pre-check saved us 35 minutes in Boston last week, compared to driends who went the regular route. 6:05 a.m. flight.
avatar for doctorevil
doctorevil
5 years ago
TSA Precheck is well worth the money. And for only $15 more you can get Global Entry, too, so that's a no brainer if there is any chance you will travel internationally. Precheck basically puts you back in pre-9/11 days. You just walk through a metal detector without taking anything off and without taking anything out of your bag.
avatar for Warrior15
Warrior15
5 years ago
Never heard of CLEAR before. Where are these special check points ? I have Pre-Check. Smartest thing I ever did. It takes no time at all for me to go thru security.
avatar for doctorevil
doctorevil
5 years ago
TSA Precheck and Global Entry are government programs. Clear is a private company. It's only at major airports where there is enough traffic for them to make money.
avatar for jackslash
jackslash
5 years ago
I have TSA Precheck and Global Entry. I don't have to take off my shoes, belt, etc. when going thru security. When I return to US, I go thru the short, fast Global Entry line.
avatar for Papi_Chulo
Papi_Chulo
5 years ago
^ yeah jack - but also remember that you don't have to take off your pants either whether you have Precheck or not, even if the TSA-chick is kinda-hot - you seem to forget that one
avatar for PinkSugarDoll
PinkSugarDoll
5 years ago
Cool thread, thx 👍🏼
avatar for Pyroxl
Pyroxl
5 years ago
Don't forget about the Mobile Passport phone app:
https://www.businessinsider.com/travel-t…
avatar for PaulDrake
PaulDrake
5 years ago
I have global entry. Well worth it if you fly a lot. As others have stated global entry includes precheck and is only a tiny bit more expensive than precheck by itself.
avatar for georgebailey
georgebailey
5 years ago
Get global entry. It's the best value. It would be great if it included Nexus (for Canada and Mexico) but I'm pretty sure it does not.
avatar for 623
623
5 years ago
The real down side to nexus/global entry/sentri is that the waiting time for an interview, for either a renewal or a new application is running at least 6 months. I believe Nexus is the best option, costs less and has all the benefits of the other two. I have Nexus which includes TSA pre and 6 months ago, United gave me Clear, which helps in certain select cases.
avatar for Electronman
Electronman
5 years ago
I misread this title. I thought it was an escort clearance service called T&A Precheck for customers.

I also have TSA precheck and it does save lots of time in busy airports. Well worth the $85 dollars for 5 years.
avatar for jacej
jacej
5 years ago
I have Clear and TSA precheck. The combo is awesome, and you don't even need any ID. Ok ok, you give up some privacy with Clear as they fingerprint you and take iris scans for their biometric system, but the fingerprints you already have to give up to get precheck. When I go to the airport, I go to the Clear line, get biometric/boarding pass scanned, the Clear employee takes me to the front of the TSA line, and I jump the queue. I just flash my boarding pass to the TSA employee, and I'm through to the X-ray machine, and on my way to the gate within 2-3 minutes. If I take an early morning flight, the time savings is not great since the lines aren't usually long in the mornings. But in the afternoons, the time savings are significant.

Another advantage with Clear is that they've partnered with Hertz at some airports, like FLL. Hertz have these Fast Lanes with Clear systems, and those never have lines. You just drive up, scan your fingerprints, the gate opens, and you go out. No need to scan ID, provide credit card, or do any paperwork. They don't have Fast/Clear lanes at MIA, and I've waited in the queue to get out of the rental lot for 10 or 15 minutes before.
avatar for Daddillac
Daddillac
5 years ago
I have Global Entry, I find it to be useful in larger airports and certainly for international travel. Probably half the time I am not flying commercial and the airports I use do not have long lines at security
avatar for Uprightcitizen
Uprightcitizen
5 years ago
Global Entry here which includes Pre-check. Never felt the need for Clear but if I traveled for a living it's probably worth the time savings.
avatar for Musterd21
Musterd21
5 years ago
At some of the airports I use there is no lines.
avatar for Jascoi
Jascoi
5 years ago
I have global entry but I only use it for crossing the Mexican border as a pedestrian or driving. it certainly saves time. $100 fee for five years but it is a bit of a hassle going through the process to get it. and make sure that you have a valid passport BOOK. the passport CARD is not enough for the application process.
avatar for Estafador
Estafador
5 years ago
Shouldn't have to just go to TJ to enjoy these perks. I'd pay for Global entry just for the convenience of 1 flight per year. However, how long will it be before even Global Entry becomes congested because $100 really isnt going to break most middle class folks pockets?
avatar for 623
623
5 years ago
Global entry has been around for many, many years and it isn’t clogged yet so I don’t think it will be anytime soon. Most ppl are too lazy to jump thru the hoops it takes to get it, the $100 fee is only a small part of the effort it takes.
avatar for DeclineToState
DeclineToState
5 years ago
Didn't read through entire thread so maybe much of what I'm saying here has already been said:
Global entry:
-Costs $100
-Must first apply, then when application processed, must go to interview, then global entry card arrives in mail 2 weeks later
-You are issued a trusted traveler number. If you enter that number when booking airline ticket, your boarding pass will show TSA Pre to go through TSA Pre's expedited security check when entering airport terminal. In TSA Pre security line, you do not have to take off your shoes or take your laptop computer out of carryon bag.
-Gets you expedited re-entry into USA at destination airport customs line.
-Per comments on tuscl, when re-entering USA from TJ, it gets you into an expedited re-entry line

Clear:
-Gets you into expedited entry line at some sports venues
-At airports that have Clear, the treatment varies, for example:
--At some airports, the Clear agent walks you to the front of the TSA Pre line where you are treated like a TSA Pre passenger at security check (shoes stay on, computer stays in carryon bag)
--At other airports, you go through a Clear-only designated security check line where shoes must be removed (not sure about laptops staying in carryon). Just recently traveled with a friend, I was TSA Pre via Global Entry card, he was Clear - his line was shorter but I got through quicker and he had to take shoes off when passing through security
avatar for mjx01
mjx01
5 years ago
Global Entry is expedited entry back into US when fling back from abroad, and includes PreCheck for only $15 more. It is an awesome deal if you travel abroad.

When I flew back from Europe, via Newark, there were multiple flights, 300+ people, in the regular customs line and ZERO people in the Global Entry line. I cleared into the US in less than 5 minutes.

CLEAR is only at a very limited number of airports, and not a viable option if you don't happen to live at a airport with CLEAR.
avatar for mjx01
mjx01
5 years ago
I fly about once a month for work. Granted work picks up most of the tab. IMHO, flights are dominated by diamond members and basic economy fares and I see a ton of people who refuse to pay $30 to check a bag. I don't think the basic economy fare, and three carry-on bag demographic is much of a threat to the demographic that can afford the $100 fee and time investment required for Global Entry. If you are not already stuck in the airport, how many people are going to take extra time out of their life to show up for the interview?
avatar for Estafador
Estafador
5 years ago
Clear seems too invasive for my taste. You dont need my eye and fingerprints just to get on board. Then I'd feel like a employee....or prisoner
avatar for max_starr
max_starr
5 years ago
I have come close to buying precheck a few times...But I'm quite busy and its hard to make the in person appointment. Also I'm often traveling with 4-5 family members who are not precheck so it wouldn't do me much good.
All in the last 2 years.
Spirit airlines gave us all precheck on a trip to california round trip....
The next trip to cali I got a deal on first class and we were able to use the premier access lines
trip after that we used normal security and regular access but no big delays
next trip I have to bitcoin convention I am in economy plus but I have premier access again.
avatar for max_starr
max_starr
5 years ago
and after that, I'll be down in the Caribbean again with premier access, so I don't see precheck happening soon.
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