TSA PRECHECK & GLOBAL ENTRY
You have probably seen the signs at the airport for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck®. If you don’t know what they are and how they work, I will explain each one and tell you why I would NEVER travel without it since signing up 8 years ago.
To break it down simply, TSA PreCheck® provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from U.S. Airports. Global Entry provides expedited U.S. customs screening for international air travelers when entering the United States. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck® benefits as part of their membership. So basically, Global entry gets ALL of the benefits of TSA PreCheck plus some. That is why I chose to go with Global Entry when I made my choice and haven’t looked back since.
After spending wayyyyy too many years, wasting time in neverending security lines - removing shoes, coats, liquids, etc., having close calls almost missing flights and having to hassle in immigrations lines, I took the bait and applied for Global Entry. I haven’t looked back since and also signed my daughter up for her own membership when she turned 12 (children under 12 can join parents in pre check lines) because when we travel together, I didn’t want to have to have to forfeit my privileges to go through the regular procedures with her.
Lets break down TSA Pre Check:
TSA PreCheck is available when you depart from more than 250 U.S. airports and 85 airlines that participate in TSA PreCheck. Available for travel by air.
Benefits:
Dedicated shorter line when available (usually 5 minutes on average)
Not required to remove your shoes, laptop, belts, light jackets, 3-1-1 liquids
How to sign up:
Pay the fee of $78 which is good for 5 years
Schedule your in person interview
Let’s break down Global Entry:
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program facilitating expedited arrival into the U.S. for pre approved, low-risk travelers via automatic kiosks at more than 75 airports. Available for travel by air, land and sea. Application processing time is 4-6 months.
Benefits:
Dedicated shorter line when available (usually 5 minutes on average)
Not required to remove your shoes, laptop, belts, light jackets, 3-1-1 liquids
No processing lines
No paperwork
Access to expedited entry (I have an awesome tip I share with ALL of my group trippers for this as well. We NEVER have to wait in lines on the way home!)
Available at major U.S. airports
Includes TSA PreCheck
How to sign up:
Fill out your application
Pay the fee of $100 which is good for 5 years
Schedule your in person interview at an enrollment center or EoA (enroll on arrival). For EoA, if you are flying internationally into the US within the next 6 months, you can complete your Global Entry enrollment upon entry back into the U.S. as an alternative to scheduling an interview at an Enrollment Center.
BONUS INFO: With the Capital One credit card, you can sign up for Global Entry for FREE!! How it works is, when Capital One recognizes the charge for Global Entry, they immediately refund it in FULL! Easy as that! :D Here’s my Venture referral link if you want to check out the card benefits & information.
SIDE NOTE: Anyone requesting to travel with me on the same flight for a group trip must know that I will be using my Global Entry benefits and will not be waiting in the long lines with anyone. I am happy to meet you at the airport and say hi but if you do not also have Global Entry, we will be parting ways after our greetings and going through our own separate security lines/processes, then reconnecting at the gate for our flight after.
* I am in NO WAY affiliated with TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. I am simply sharing this information to try to make your life and travels easier. :) I you gained value for this article, please share this post with your friends and family! :)