TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which Trusted Traveler Program Should You Get?

Get Global Entry if you fly internationally more than once a year; get TSA PreCheck if you mostly fly domestic. Global Entry costs $100 to apply as of August 2026 and already includes TSA PreCheck, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Most applicants hear back within two weeks, though some cases run far longer.

What Is the Difference Between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry?

TSA PreCheck speeds up the domestic security line at the airport — you keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, and laptops and 3-1-1 liquids can stay in your bag. Global Entry does that too, because CBP designed it to include TSA PreCheck automatically, but it also gets you through a faster customs kiosk when you land back in the U.S. from an international trip. If you only fly within the U.S., PreCheck alone covers what you need. If you cross a border more than once a year, Global Entry does both jobs for one membership.

How Much Does Each Program Cost, and What Do You Get for It?

Global Entry’s application fee is $100, non-refundable, charged whether or not you’re approved, per CBP’s official Global Entry page. TSA PreCheck’s enrollment fee is set by CBP’s approved third-party providers rather than a single flat number; TSA’s own PreCheck page lists initial enrollment ranging from about $77.95 to $85 depending on which provider you use, with online renewal typically cheaper than a new in-person enrollment. Both memberships run five years before you need to renew, according to TSA.

How Long Does It Actually Take to Get Approved?

For Global Entry, CBP says 80% of applications are approved within two weeks of submission, but the agency is explicit that some applications can take up to 12 months or longer — so this is not a program to start the week before a trip. Once you’re conditionally approved, you still need to complete an interview (often available on arrival at many airports rather than a separate scheduled visit), and CBP says your physical card typically arrives two to four weeks after final approval. TSA PreCheck enrollment itself is quick — TSA describes the in-person appointment as taking about 10 minutes — and approval commonly follows within days, though TSA doesn’t guarantee a specific turnaround.

How Do You Apply, Step by Step?

1. Check eligibility. Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and citizens of a handful of partner countries; CBP will deny anyone with a disqualifying criminal, customs, or immigration history, or who submits false information.
2. Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account for Global Entry, or start directly through an approved TSA PreCheck enrollment provider for PreCheck-only.
3. Submit the online application and pay the fee — $100 for Global Entry, or the provider’s listed rate (roughly $77.95–$85) for PreCheck.
4. Wait for conditional approval, then schedule or complete your interview — for Global Entry this can often happen on arrival at a participating airport instead of a separate appointment.
5. Watch your TTP account or provider portal and email for the final decision, since CBP notes the notification timeline varies case by case.

What Happens When Your Membership Expires?

CBP allows Global Entry members to apply for renewal starting one year before their membership expires, and if you renew before the expiration date, you can keep using your benefits for up to 24 months past that date while the new application processes — a cushion that matters given how unpredictable Global Entry processing times can be. TSA is less specific about a grace window on its renewal pages, but both agencies flag the same lesson: don’t wait until the week of a trip to renew. Start the renewal application as soon as your account shows you’re eligible, not after you get a lapse notice.

Does Everyone Qualify?

Global Entry is built around a background check, not just a fee. CBP’s eligibility page states the program is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and citizens of Germany, the Netherlands, Panama, and South Korea, plus separate arrangements for Mexican nationals and Canadian citizens or residents. CBP will deny an application if the applicant provided false or incomplete information, has a criminal conviction or pending charges, has a customs, immigration, or agriculture violation in any country, is under active law enforcement investigation, or is otherwise inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration regulations. Applicants under 18 need parental or guardian consent and a machine-readable passport or permanent resident card. If something in your background could affect approval, that’s a question to raise with CBP directly — this article covers process and cost, not individual eligibility determinations, and is not legal or immigration advice.

Which One Should You Get?

If your flying is entirely domestic, TSA PreCheck is the cheaper way to get the faster security line. If you take even one or two international round-trips a year, Global Entry’s extra cost buys you both the security line and the customs shortcut, since it already bundles TSA PreCheck — you don’t need to pay for both separately. The tradeoff is timeline: PreCheck can be running in days, while Global Entry sometimes needs months, so if a trip is close and you don’t already have either membership, PreCheck is the safer bet to have in hand in time.

Fees, processing times, and program rules can change without notice. Verify current pricing and requirements on the official CBP and TSA websites before you apply. This article is not legal or immigration advice.

For a related aviation perspective, read Economic Benefits of a Sustainable Agricultural Revolution.