If you’ve ever wanted to avoid the headaches of airport security but don’t want to pay for a Global Entry membership, there’s good news. TSA PreCheck is another program that lets you move through security faster and sit in the priority screening lane, but it doesn’t come with the added bonus of entering the U.S. without an interview at customs upon returning from international travel (Global Entry does). If you have Global Entry or are planning on getting one anyway, though, consider adding TSA PreCheck as well—it’ll save you time every time you fly!
A TSA PreCheck membership costs $85 for five years, with a $15 discount if you’re a member of a frequent flyer program.
A TSA PreCheck membership costs $85 for five years, with a $15 discount if you’re a member of a frequent flyer program. You can apply online or by mail, and to do so you’ll need to provide your driver’s license number and social security number as well as documents proving citizenship or lawful status in the United States (a passport or birth certificate). If approved, you’ll receive an ID card in the mail within 7-10 business days.
If you’ve already been fingerprinted by Customs and Border Protection before, then getting approved for TSA PreCheck is even easier—the TSA just checks your fingerprints against their database to see if they match up with those taken at customs check points. You can also apply through participating airlines such as Delta Airlines and United Airlines—they have kiosks where passengers can get fingerprinted on site instead of doing so at a DMV office first (in this case they will still need proof that they are US citizens though).
The Global Entry program comes with TSA PreCheck and only costs $100 for five years.
If you’re a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you can apply for Global Entry by filling out an online form and paying $100. When you successfully complete your interview process and background check, they’ll send an email with instructions on how to enroll in TSA PreCheck.
Now that we’ve covered some basics on Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, let’s get into how these programs work.
You can pay the fee and apply online or by mail.
You can pay the fee and apply online or by mail.
To pay online, log in to your account on tsa.gov, click “How do I pay for PreCheck?” and follow the instructions provided. You will need to enter your credit card information as well as your frequent flyer number if you have one.
If you do not have a frequent flyer account with any of the participating airlines, fill out and submit an application online at https://www.precheckfaq.tsa.dhs/precheck/faqs/how-do-i-pay-for-precheck or print out the application at https://www.dhs.gov/publication/tsa-approved-forms#715434037802696436; either way will take you through all required steps before submitting it by mail or dropping it off at an enrollment center or airport ticketing desk (if applicable).
TSA PreCheck’s fee is comparable to other trusted traveler programs, though you’ll get more benefits from Global Entry.
You can compare the TSA PreCheck program to other trusted traveler programs, such as Global Entry and SENTRI. Global Entry is $100 for five years, but you get more benefits than TSA PreCheck: expedited clearance through customs when entering the United States from abroad (a big benefit if you’re traveling internationally a lot), no waiting in security lines at U.S. airports, and access to any of the expedited security lanes available in the U.S., Mexico, or Canada.
TSA PreCheck costs $85 for five years, but doesn’t include automatic customs preclearance at select international airports like those participating in SENTRI or Global Entry programs do; instead, it just lets you go through special TSA checkpoints without removing shoes or jackets—and your laptop stays with you throughout the process—and then clears out of security faster than normal travelers once they land back on American soil.
Conclusion
Overall, TSA PreCheck is a great value. You’ll pay a hefty $85 fee to join, but this is comparable to other trusted traveler programs and comes with several benefits. The program also allows you to skip the line at airport security checkpoints when traveling by plane or train, which saves time and stress for frequent flyers. If you travel frequently, consider making an investment in Global Entry as well—it comes with TSA PreCheck and also offers expedited entry into Canada and Mexico (among other things).