A few years ago, I wrote a post declaring that Global Entry was the best expedited-security program. Since then, a lot has changed. Here’s my (refreshed) insight on the best expedited-security program. I looked into CLEAR, TSA Pre-check, and Global Entry.
After weighing all of the factors, the obvious choice was for me was GLOBAL ENTRY AND CLEAR because I’ll be traveling internationally at least 5 times a year during the next five years and about 4-6 times a year within the United States.
CLEAR
With a CLEAR card, you gain access to the CLEAR lanes at a limited amount of airports. For fliers that do not have TSA Pre-Check, there is a separate CLEAR line where you get to cut the regular security line; however, once you cut the security line, you must undergo the same process as all others (removing shoes, remove laptops, and 3-1-1 compliant bags). Most of the time, the agents escorts you to the straight to front of the line. There are limited circumstances where the agent will escort you close to the front.
For those fliers with TSA Pre-Check, there is a separate and dedicated line for TSA Pre-Check + CLEAR. In my experience, most agents will still escort you to the very front of the line in front of other TSA Pre-Check fliers.
I want to reiterate that there is a dedicated line for TSA Pre-Check + CLEAR. If you only have CLEAR, you don’t enter security through this line. If you only have TSA Pre-Check, you don’t enter security through this line. This perk has been a life saver for me. I get through security at the Orlando International airport in less than 5 minutes on average. 5 minutes.
Years ago when I first was researching CLEAR, it was only available in Denver, Orlando, San Francisco, San Jose, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Westchester, San Antonio and Houston. The membership fee was $179/year. Fast forward to present day, CLEAR is available in over 60 airports! The membership fee is still $179/year, but there are plenty of ways to receive a discounted price through student and corporate discounts or as a Delta Skymiles or United MileagePlus member.
After you sign up online, finishing your enrollment at the CLEAR enrollment center takes less than 10 minutes. Visit https://www.clearme.com for more details.
Two added bonuses with CLEAR are its partnership with Hertz and various sporting venues. I’m a Hertz Gold member and have used a separate line to check out because I have CLEAR. Every precious moment saved counts! I haven’t used my CLEAR membership at any of the sporting venues, but definitely a pro (pun intended)!
TSA Pre-check
TSA Pre-check is a program that grants clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers to go through airport security using an expedited line, the TSA Pre-check line. You do not have to take off your jacket, belt, or shoes when going through security. Additionally, your laptop nor your 3-1-1 (liquids weighing 3 ounces or less) bag needs to be taken out of your carry-on.
In theory there is a shorter line, but in reality, the line is just as long as the regular line. This happens because those with Global Entry and frequent flier memberships can also reap the benefits of TSA Pre-check. I’ve even seen people that don’t have any of the above randomly receive TSA Pre-check on their boarding pass.
There is an $85 nonrefundable application fee for TSA Pre-check and membership lasts for five years. You can submit your applications in ~300 locations (https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/locator) and you will need to make an appointment. I believe you can also pre-enroll online to save some time during your appointment (https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/). Certain credit cards offer a full reimbursement for TSA Pre-Check. In short, it’s quite easy to have TSA Pre-Check nowadays.
GLOBAL ENTRY
Global entry offers expedited clearance to low-risk travelers into the United States through Customs and Border Patrol regardless of where you traveled from. Instead of waiting in line at the US Customs and Border Patrol, you skip the line and go to the kiosks to enter the U.S. There are no forms to fill out. Global Entry members are given a “Known Traveler Number” or KTN, and can enter this number into all their travel itineraries (during booking or any time prior to checking-in) to be eligible for TSA Pre-check for no additional cost.
The application fee is $100 (non-refundable in the event you are not eligible for the program) and membership lasts for five years. Certain credit cards offer a full reimbursement for Global Entry. Just use these cards to pay the application fee and receive a statement credit. Every person must have their own membership for Global Entry (this includes kids of all ages). Check this out at https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/goes.
A number of international airports are moving towards the automated passport control (APC). APC expedites your entry back into the United States. APC is free and you don’t have to sign-up before enjoying its benefits. The process to enter the United States is very similar to having a Global Entry membership. You forgo filling out the customs form and only need your passport. That said, in my experience, the Global Entry line is always shorter. Check out what international airports have APC here. See below for my Global Entry Membership timeline from 2014.
Who is the winner?
After weighing the options, I decided that Global Entry was worth it because you get TSA Pre-Check for free, it’s only $15 more than getting TSA Pre-Check, and the lines are still significantly shorter than international airports that offer APC (for free).
But the real winner here is CLEAR. While the price tag is a bit high, there are a number of ways to get a discounted price. At a very least, sign-up for a standard Delta Skymiles membership and pay $119/ year versus $179/year. I have a family plan, so I pay $50 / year. Bottom line: You’re treated like a VIP in the security lines, there is a dedicated line if you have TSA-Pre-Check AND CLEAR, and you have the opportunity to use CLEAR with Hertz and 20+ sporting venues.
Hope these considerations were helpful when deciding among CLEAR, TSA Pre-check, or Global Entry. Check out my post here for more tips on traveling with convenience.
Happy travels!
Global Entry Membership Timeline
5/19/2014 – submitted my application (included general info, where have you traveled, work and residence history for the last five years) and paid the $100 fee. I completed the application online and it took roughly 20-30 minutes to complete. I don’t have any of the Amex cards listed above, so I didn’t get any sort of deal or statement credit.
5/28/2014- received an email indicating a change to my application status from “Pending Review” to “Conditional Approval Granted”. I went onto the website to schedule an interview, and noticed that this was probably the most challenging part. I was going to be at the Orlando International Airport the Friday of that week, and luckily, there was ONE opening at 10am that morning, so I took it immediately. It was probably a last-minute cancellation that worked out in my favor.
I know people who have been lucky enough to walk in and get approved without an appointment. But religiously check the website for an appointment opening, or even consider a surrounding airport. I scrolled through the availability and noticed there wasn’t another opening for a couple months. I live in Los Angeles, and I checked the availability there and it was much better, so don’t be too deterred because you can go to any of the airports listed on the Global Entry site.
5/30/2014 – I went in for my interview and it took a whopping eight minutes. The TSA agent scanned my passport, made sure the name matched what was on my application, and asked me to verify my information as stated on my application (name, address, place of birth, etc). Then he took my picture and my electronic fingerprints, and I was approved.
5/30/2014 – Approval Notification via the website – just a couple hours after the interview
Once successfully enrolled, you are given a “Known Traveler Number” (KTN) that you can enter when making airline reservations or add to existing reservations. This site provides more insight on whether or not using your KTN will give you TSA Pre-check. http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/likelihood-receiving-tsa-precheck
6/2/2014- I added my KTN to every single airline reservation I had.
6/9/2014- This was my first flight after the entire Global Entry Process, and I received the TSA Pre-check!
6/13/2014 – Checked in to my next flight, and I received TSA Pre-check again.
