Global Entry Which Is Known Traveler Number

Federal trusted traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry let you become through special security lanes at the airport — which unremarkably ways faster and less intrusive screening.

Applying for either choice requires fourth dimension, effort and cost, merely some credit cards or frequent flyer programs will embrace the expense. Fifty-fifty if y'all fly only occasionally, applying could be worth it.

Here's our guide to both programs to assist you cull the correct expedited security programme for yous. Accept a closer look at the pros and cons of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.

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The difference between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck differ in a few important ways:

TSA PreCheck speeds up security screenings for flights departing from U.South. airports. Every bit the name suggests, its run by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. A five-yr membership costs $85.
Global Entry provides the benefits of TSA PreCheck plus faster U.S. customs screening for international travelers arriving at U.South. airports. It'south run past a dissimilar agency, U.S. Customs and Edge Protection. A five-year membership costs $100. While more comprehensive, the program has requirements that are more stringent and include a passport and an interview.

Which program is right for you? The decision comes down to convenience at the drome versus the hassle and cost to utilise. Consider Global Entry if you plan to travel abroad often and you live about a center for the required interview (more on that later).

If you don't live virtually a Global Entry center, don't have a passport and rarely travel away, TSA PreCheck is the better pick.

Here'south a closer look at the programs and some tips to help choose between them.

Nerdy tip: Because of a backup in processing Global Entry applications, the renewal grace period has increased from half-dozen to 24 months for anyone who applies to renew before their current membership expires. Travelers arriving in the U.S. during this grace catamenia don't need to show any special documents to apply Global Entry.

How TSA PreCheck works

When you use for TSA PreCheck, y'all'll have to pass a groundwork bank check that verifies y'all as a low-risk traveler. Once y'all're canonical, the authorities will upshot y'all a "Known Traveler Number," or KTN, which you'll need to include when making airline reservations. If you add together it to a frequent flyer account, it will automatically be applied to all your reservations with that airline in the time to come.

When using a KTN, you're very probable — but not guaranteed — to get PreCheck status for your flights. You lot'll see a PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass, whether paper or electronic. Eligibility is also embedded in the bar lawmaking of the boarding laissez passer.

PreCheck status gives you access to security lanes with lighter screening : You tin leave your belt and shoes on, your laptop can stay in its case, and you don't have to take liquids and gels out of your comport-on. Most of the fourth dimension, that means a quicker line. Every bit of September 2021, 96% of PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes in line, according to the TSA.

Nerdy tip: The TSA recommends that travelers who wing iii times a year or more than apply for a program that gets them access to expedited lanes.

Programs offer PreCheck status

TSA PreCheck: $85

It costs $85 to utilize, and the membership lasts for five years. Some credit cards and elite frequent flyer programs reimburse your application fee. After the initial application fee, PreCheck renewal simply costs $lxx if completed online.

Some travel credit cards will aid offset this cost as well. This program has one benefit: access to TSA PreCheck lanes. Those lanes are bachelor at 200-plus airports and through 80 airlines .

Global Entry: $100 (includes TSA PreCheck)

It costs $100 to apply, and the membership lasts for five years. Some credit cards and elite frequent flyer programs reimburse your application fee. This program refers to the Known Traveler Number as PASSID, but the number is used the same way.

Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and its benefits but too gives y'all expedited U.S. customs screening when traveling internationally. Upon returning to the U.South., you can use an airport kiosk that should be far faster than traditional community inspection lines.

Global Entry also includes expedited processing at state borders with Mexico and Canada.

Hassle vs. benefits

For frequent travelers, Global Entry is probably preferable because it offers extra benefits when leaving the U.South. Even if you're paying the application fee yourself, the added benefits of Global Entry cost just $15 actress, or $iii a year.

Also, you don't take to exist a U.S. citizen to become Global Entry. U.Due south. lawful permanent residents, Mexican nationals and citizens of Argentina, India, Colombia, United Kingdom, Federal republic of germany, Panama, Singapore, Southward Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan are eligible for membership.

The downside? Applying for Global Entry is more of a hassle than TSA PreCheck. Here'due south why:

Passport: You must already take a valid passport to apply for Global Entry. Getting a passport comes with its own costs and paperwork. Acquire more almost Global Entry's specific eligibility requirements .
Interview: Both programs require you lot to visit an enrollment center for fingerprinting and an ID check. But Global Entry besides requires an interview, and availability might exist weeks abroad.
Enrollment locations: There are fewer places to use for Global Entry — mostly at major airports, U.Due south. Community and Edge Protection offices and some designated enrollment centers. Past contrast, TSA PreCheck has far more enrollment locations — over 380 as of September 2021. You can walk in during business hours or schedule an appointment.

Important considerations for both programs

Privacy

For whatsoever trusted traveler program, a potential drawback is supplying data most yourself to the government, including fingerprints and a photograph. Giving upwards that personal data is an private decision.

Children

Children ages 12 and younger can accompany an adult with TSA PreCheck or Global Entry through the quicker airdrome security lines without having their ain PreCheck clearance. Yet, Global Entry doesn't permit children to go through expedited community screening without their own enrollment in the plan.

Nonrefundable fees

The application fees for both programs are nonrefundable, fifty-fifty if your application is denied.

Traveling with others

A practical consideration with speedier security and community lanes is your traveling companions. If they don't take the aforementioned condition, y'all may find yourself waiting for a while on the other side of the security screening area for your family or friends.

How to apply

If you decide PreCheck or Global Entry is right for you, here are the online forms to get started:

These application sites guide yous through the procedure, help you lot discover an enrollment center and list the documents to bring.

Nerdy tip: Practice y'all accept an upcoming trip or long layover at an airport that offers Global Entry interviews? That could be an ideal fourth dimension to schedule an interview without making a special trip to a far-flung enrollment middle. Or at many airports, you could utilise Enrollment on Arrival when returning to the U.S. from an international trip to end the interview without an appointment.

Credit cards that reimburse application fees

Some credit and charge cards reimburse the awarding fee for trusted traveler programs when you lot charge it to the carte, mitigating the card'due south annual fee. Hither'southward a sampling of cards offering a statement credit for application fees:

Additionally, some credit bill of fare and travel loyalty programs volition let yous use travel credits or rewards points to pay for the awarding fee. American Express has its own listing of cards that can assistance you pay for trusted traveler programs.

Other security programs for travelers

NEXUS

For $50, or half the toll of Global Entry, you'll get the equivalent of Global Entry privileges for entering Canada. The bad news: An interview is needed, and it must take identify at a edge-crossing facility.

And then it makes sense to utilize only if yous live near the Canadian edge or volition be traveling through and tin can coordinate the interview with your travel plans. A NEXUS membership lasts for five years, and memberships for children nether 18 years of age are free.

SENTRI

This border-crossing plan with Mexico offers similar benefits to NEXUS, simply costs $122.25 for 5 years. Enrollment centers are only on the U.S. southern edge.

Articulate

Clear is a prescreening program administered past a private company. It uses biometrics, such as fingerprint and iris scans, to confirm your identity at a kiosk. You must still get through concrete security screenings at participating airports, only you can bypass the identification check and get straight to the conveyor belt and security scanners.

As of Oct 2021, Articulate is available at more than than 50 airports, stadiums and other venues nationwide. However, if you want Clear'due south drome security benefits, you need to terminate the registration process at an airport location.

Clear doesn't qualify you for the lite TSA PreCheck screening. You can use Clear and PreCheck together, though. Clear also lets you cut the security line at several stadiums, such as Major League Baseball parks.

This choice is considerably more than expensive at $179 per twelvemonth. (Recall, the government programs' fees cover five years.) Delta Air Lines and United Airlines accept financial stakes in Clear and offer free and discounted memberships to frequent flyers.

The American Limited® Greenish Card offers up to $100 per year in statement credit when you use the card to pay for your Clear membership fee. Terms use.

For military personnel

TSA PreCheck condition is available for costless to U.Southward. armed forces service members, including those serving in the Coast Baby-sit, Reserves and National Baby-sit.

Oft asked questions

Is TSA PreCheck included in Global Entry?

Yes, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck in improver to expediting your reentry to the U.S. from international destinations. Global Entry besides offers faster processing when crossing the Mexican and Canadian borders.

How do I employ for Global Entry?

Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website to beginning your application. After existence conditionally approved, you'll demand to schedule an in-person interview to complete your enrollment.

Is TSA PreCheck worth it?

If you mostly travel domestically and want access to expedited security screening, TSA PreCheck may make sense for you. If you travel internationally and want access to faster customs screening upon reentry to the U.Southward., consider Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, instead.

How can I get Global Entry for complimentary?

How can I get TSA PreCheck for gratuitous?

Merely like for Global Entry, many travel credit cards offer reimbursement for the TSA PreCheck application fee equally a cardmember benefit. While you may become lucky and be randomly allowed to use the TSA PreCheck line, a more than reliable option is paying for your application with one of these cards and using the credit.

Is TSA PreCheck included in Global Entry?

Yes, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck in addition to expediting your reentry to the U.S. from international destinations. Global Entry also offers faster processing when crossing the Mexican and Canadian borders.

How do I apply for Global Entry?

Visit the U.Southward. Customs and Edge Protection website to start your application. Afterwards being conditionally approved, you'll need to schedule an in-person interview to complete your enrollment.

Is TSA PreCheck worth it?

If you lot mostly travel domestically and want admission to expedited security screening, TSA PreCheck may brand sense for you. If yous travel internationally and want access to faster customs screening upon reentry to the U.S., consider Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, instead.

How tin can I get Global Entry for free?

How can I get TSA PreCheck for gratuitous?

But like for Global Entry, many travel credit cards offer

reimbursement for the TSA PreCheck application fee

as a cardmember benefit. While y'all may get lucky and be randomly immune to use the TSA PreCheck line, a more reliable option is paying for your application with 1 of these cards and using the credit.

All information nearly the American Limited® Greenish Card has been nerveless independently by NerdWallet. The American Express® Dark-green Carte is no longer available through NerdWallet.

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