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The three most widely used “Trusted Traveler Programs” that you will see in U.S. airports are: TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, and, more recently, CLEAR. Each of these allows members an expedited security process at airports (and some stadiums and festivals) in the United States.
So what’s the differences, which ones are worth it, how do I qualify, and how do they work?!
TSA PRE-CHECK
What is it?
-
- A U.S. government program for expedited security screening at United States airports
Benefits
-
- Skip the long security lines at airports and use designated TSA Pre-Check line (sometimes these lines can still look rather long now that people are learning about the program, but they move so quickly)
- You do not need to remove…
- Shoes
- Laptop
- 3-1-1 liquid bag
- Belts
- Light jackets
How much?
-
- $85.00 for 5 years of TSA Pre-Check clearance
Who is eligible?
-
- U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent residents, subject to a background check
How do I apply?
-
- Apply online to get pre-approved: TSA Pre-Check Application
- You’ll be prompted to schedule a 10-minute in-person meeting where they’ll check your passport and scan your finger prints. Find the nearest TSA Pre-Check enrollment office to you. (Louisville residents – we have one in town!)
- You’ll receive written confirmation by mail within two to three weeks, along with your new Known Traveler Number to use when booking flights
- And enjoy!
Is it worth it?
-
- YES. But if you travel internationally, TSA Pre-check is also included in a Global Entry membership, so now, review…
GLOBAL ENTRY
What is it?
-
- A U.S. government program for expedited U.S. Customs screening when re-entering the United States. Includes TSA-Pre-Check clearance.
Benefits
-
- All benefits listed above for TSA Pre-Check
- Expedited screening in U.S. Customs lines, using designated Global Entry line, when re-entering the United States
How much?
-
- $100.00 for 5 years of Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check clearance
Who is eligible?
-
- All U.S. citizens, all U.S. lawful permanent residents
- …. and (this is interesting!!) citizens of Argentina, India, Colombia, United Kingdom, Germany, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Mexican Nationals. Residents of Canada should look into the NEXUS program. All are subject to a background check.
How do I apply?
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- Apply online to get pre-approved: Global Entry Application.
- You’ll be prompted to schedule an in person meeting to scan finger prints and have short interview. Find the nearest Global Entry office to you. (Louisville residents – the closest office is in Erlanger / Cincinnati, but sometimes they do pop-up offices at the Louisville airport)
- You’ll receive confirmation immediately and be mailed a Global Entry welcome letter & card shortly with your new Known Traveler ID number to use when booking flights.
- And enjoy!
Is it worth it?
-
- 10000% YES. If you plan to leave the country even once in the 5 years of your membership, this is worth it to skip that long, confusing, sweaty, exhausting process of customs upon reentering the United States. And it’s only $15 more than TSA Pre-Check, but includes both. A no brainer for me!
CLEAR
What is it?
-
- An expedited “I.D. check” at security, skipping the role of the TSA employee that scans your ID and checks your boarding pass. A “CLEAR hub” will use biometrics (fingerprint or eye scans) instead of your Drivers License or Passport to grant you security clearance. The service is currently available at 25+ airports in the United States: where CLEAR is located.
Benefits
-
- Expedited security lines at participating U.S. airports
- After the CLEAR hub scans you, you go to the front of the ID-check line and move on to the scanners
- This can be combined with TSA or Global Entry, so after you’re cleared, you jump to the front of that respective line and move on to your even more expedited screening process.
How much?
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- $179.00 annually*
- You can add up to three family members for $50.00 a year each.
Who is eligible?
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- You must be 18 years or older and have one of the following: US Driver’s License, US Passport, US Passport Card, US-issued Permanent Resident Card, State Issued ID, or US Military ID.
How do I apply?
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- Apply online or at a participating airport location: CLEAR Application.
- If you applied online, you’ll be asked to come in for a brief interview at a participating airport or office. Find participating CLEAR locations.
- You are approved immediately and can use CLEAR that same day
- And enjoy!
Is it worth it?
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- Why not?! But not instead of TSA or Global Entry. If you travel a lot and value the most speedy check-in process possible, this is the next thing to add to your list. However, I would not choose this option over TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry as those serve different purposes and are far more valuable, in my opinion.
*Delta SkyMiles members receive discounted annual CLEAR rates
Go forth and be expedited!
Your travel advocate,
Katie
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