For travelers - FYI: Global Entry includes TSA Precheck

[CJ2008]

TSA Precheck is $85, good for 5 years.

For $15 extra ($100) you can get Global Entry from US Customs, also good for 5 years, and it includes TSA Precheck.

If you already have/paid for TSA Precheck, TSA will not refund you the $85. And the $85 cannot be applied toward Global Entry. They are 2 completely separate programs.

You can read more about both programs here:

https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

 

[Dee*Jay]

You also get TSAPC/GE for free through some credit cards (American Express Platinum and certain of the airline credit cards -- but the credit card company and check first because it's only *certain* cards).

BTW, these clearances expire after five years so keep an eye on it. I had mine expire during a trip to Orlando and I had to stand in line on the way home. Ugh. Now I have both stand-alone TSAPC and GE, which contains TSAPC (paid for by separate credit cards), on a staggered basis so I'll never be without TSAPC (although I still have to watch the GE expiration date).

One other piece of advice: when you get your appointment set up for GE it is often MONTHS out. But you can also do a walk-in appointment at the GE offices. I got my clearance to make the appointment on a Friday last September, set an appointment for December, and walked into the GE office at O'Hare on Sunday and got it done with. I had my GE number emailed to me before I ever made it back to the parking garage to go home that day. So if you have a trip coming up it is worth trying to get in that way. Note you do have to make an appointment on-line before you can do a walk in just so you're in the system.

Oh... and one more one more thing... if you are TSAPC and are traveling with someone who is not they sometimes (depending on the airport and the whim of the security person... ) let your companion go through the Pre Check line with you. But don't count on it.

 

[Arcadian]

some credit card companies will also reimburse the first time you to though this process,so always good to check.

GE is really for those who travel out of the country. Those who drive across the borders (either mexico or canada) need a different type of card.

FWIW I see why some people don't do it. It can sometimes be not worth it. There's no guarantee you will get into the program, and Its invasive. But for those who have no qualms, it can be an amazing program to be in. "they" already got my stuff so lol I'm a lost cause.

 

[CJ2008]

some credit card companies will also reimburse the first time you to though this process,so always good to check.

GE is really for those who travel out of the country. Those who drive across the borders (either mexico or canada) need a different type of card.

FWIW I see why some people don't do it. It can sometimes be not worth it. There's no guarantee you will get into the program, and Its invasive. But for those who have no qualms, it can be an amazing program to be in. "they" already got my stuff so lol I'm a lost cause.

True re: the international. My point of view is, for only $15 extra it's worth having it *in case*. But, if you know for sure you are never going to travel out of the country then yes, just do the TSA Precheck.

Also agree that GE is invasive (more than the TSA PC). I kept saying to DH damn I am really linking myself for the government here but ultimately closed my eyes and just did it.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I honestly think they know everything already, unfortunately. We need to do one of these. So thanks for the info!

 

[CJ2008]

I honestly think they know everything already, unfortunately. We need to do one of these. So thanks for the info!

I agree, they probably do, but I just kind of made it easier for them lol

Anyway, you're welcome.

If I can save one person from making the same mistake I did, I'll hate the fact that I paid $185 when I could have paid $100 a little less.

 

[t-c]

For $15 extra ($100) you can get Global Entry from US Customs, also good for 5 years, and it includes TSA Precheck.

Please note that Global Entry only makes one eligible to participate in TSA Precheck; it is not a guarantee of speedy airport security screening. In the very early days of Global Entry, there were stories of people who did not get Precheck for various reasons. That's probably not the case anymore, but it's something to keep in mind.

I think of Global Entry as improving arrivals (passport control and customs) and TSA Precheck improving departures (airport security screening). I travel internationally more than I do domestically, so I have GE. This, combined with my only carry-on policy, allows me to zoom through the airport upon arrival (the car service people are usually surprised how quickly I get out). Unfortunately, the airline I usually fly with does not participate in Precheck so I still have to take my shoes off for security screening .

GE is really for those who travel out of the country. Those who drive across the borders (either mexico or canada) need a different type of card.

That would be NEXUS for the Canada border. If we're talking best deal, NEXUS would be it, as it also includes Global Entry and TSA Precheck. It's a pain in the butt to get because you also need to be interviewed by Canadian customs. But if you're near the border or a city with an enrollment center, it's worth it.

 

[CJ2008]

Please note that Global Entry only makes one eligible to participate in TSA Precheck; it is not a guarantee of speedy airport security screening. In the very early days of Global Entry, there were stories of people who did not get Precheck for various reasons. That's probably not the case anymore, but it's something to keep in mind.

What do you mean @t-c by "only makes one eligible" - do you meant that it IS better to have TSA Precheck and GE completely separately (as in paying and going through the process for each separately) so as to be guaranteed TSA PC?

And if you do GE only, how do you know if you did not get Precheck? You get a separate notice saying you were not approved for TSA PC?

I think of Global Entry as improving arrivals (passport control and customs) and TSA Precheck improving departures (airport security screening). I travel internationally more than I do domestically, so I have GE. This, combined with my only carry-on policy, allows me to zoom through the airport upon arrival (the car service people are usually surprised how quickly I get out). Unfortunately, the airline I usually fly with does not participate in Precheck so I still have to take my shoes off for security screening .

GE definitely sped up the process the for us when we came back to the US. We zipped by lines of people.

We're travelling domestically soon and we'll see how the TSA PC goes then. I have the separate one, DH only has the "included" one with the GE (again, not sure if there's a difference based on what you said above.)

But yes not all airlines participate yet - hopefully that will change. but then if everyone signs up it will be crowded all over again

That would be NEXUS for the Canada border. If we're talking best deal, NEXUS would be it, as it also includes Global Entry and TSA Precheck. It's a pain in the butt to get because you also need to be interviewed by Canadian customs. But if you're near the border or a city with an enrollment center, it's worth it.

 

[t-c]

What do you mean @t-c by "only makes one eligible" - do you meant that it IS better to have TSA Precheck and GE completely separately (as in paying and going through the process for each separately) so as to be guaranteed TSA PC?

And if you do GE only, how do you know if you did not get Precheck? You get a separate notice saying you were not approved for TSA PC?

GE definitely sped up the process the for us when we came back to the US. We zipped by lines of people.

We're travelling domestically soon and we'll see how the TSA PC goes then. I have the separate one, DH only has the "included" one with the GE (again, not sure if there's a difference based on what you said above.)

But yes not all airlines participate yet - hopefully that will change. but then if everyone signs up it will be crowded all over again

Speedy screening is never a guarantee even if you have TSA Precheck. In theory, anyone can still be made to go through regular screening, although in practice only a minuscule number are pulled out.

At the beginning of the GE program, sometimes you got Precheck, sometimes not (happened to me). The reasons varied, but a lot were because the information provided to the airline did not match exactly what was provided to GE (i.e. name, known traveler i.d., etc...), but also because people were just not given Precheck for that flight. I think most of the issues were resolved and most, if not all, of GE participants now receive Precheck.

If your boarding pass does not have the Precheck notation on it, then you were not approved for Precheck for that flight for some reason.

 

[rainwood]

Nexus is a great deal. That's what I did and it's only $50 but you do need to be interviewed at an office close to the Canadian border.

TSA Pre-Check is wonderful. You don't have to take off your shoes, you don't have to take out your electronics, you don't have to have your liquids in a baggy. There has always been a PSA Pre-Check lane when I travel, but that might be an issue if you fly at odd hours when the lanes might not be staffed or into or out of smaller airports that may not have TSA Pre-Check at all. Was well worth the $10/yr (Nexus is $50 for 5 years) and I even went and had my iris scanned by the Canadians so I can fly in and out of Canadian airports more easily!!

 

[Austina]

We mainly fly BA and they don't participate in the pre check, but get to use the premium line, but when we've flown iinternally, because of GE, we get the pre check.

 

[chemgirl]

Agree that Nexus is the best option if you're in a convenient location. There is an interview by US and Canadian customs, but if you are at a facility where you can have both interviews back to back it's really not a big deal.

I'm not too far from the border and love the Nexus only bridge. Never more than a handful of cars on it at a time.

 

[chemgirl]

Want to add that with Nexus, precheck isn't a guarantee. More often than not I get the notation on my boarding pass, but not every flight even if the airport has lanes for it. I've also received the SSS mega search a few times while traveling with Nexus.

Overall it is a better experience, just saying nothing about travel is guaranteed.

 

[AprilBaby]

Global entry was a breeze at O'Hare. No one in line at kiosk to swipe in and separate customs line (lane 5) with no wait. Was to the curb in 5 minutes!

 

[luv2sparkle]

Bummer. We got pre check last year and I didn't know that. We will get it before we start hard core traveling when DH retires. Thanks for the info. I will pass it on to my son who travels internationally constantly. Although, he is probably too cheap to get it. LOL.

 

[t-c]

We mainly fly BA and they don't participate in the pre check, but get to use the premium line, but when we've flown iinternally, because of GE, we get the pre check.

I still have to take shoes off even in the "premium" line. But what I really want with precheck is the higher likelihood of going through a metal detector instead of the body scanner.

I know the scanner is supposed to be totally safe, but I'd like to see studies of frequent flyers. I used to ask for a pat-down when faced with the scanner, but with the new, very intrusive pat-downs, I submitted to the scanner this year.

I've since decided to change my preferred airline to one that participates in TSA Precheck. The issue with US based airlines is they have very different levels of business or first class: you can get a nice pod with lay-flat seats or an old regular leather seat. Even when I book the new plane, the airline could change planes at the last minute. It's annoying.

 

[CJ2008]

Speedy screening is never a guarantee even if you have TSA Precheck. In theory, anyone can still be made to go through regular screening, although in practice only a minuscule number are pulled out.

At the beginning of the GE program, sometimes you got Precheck, sometimes not (happened to me). The reasons varied, but a lot were because the information provided to the airline did not match exactly what was provided to GE (i.e. name, known traveler i.d., etc...), but also because people were just not given Precheck for that flight. I think most of the issues were resolved and most, if not all, of GE participants now receive Precheck.

If your boarding pass does not have the Precheck notation on it, then you were not approved for Precheck for that flight for some reason.

Ah, I got it now. Thanks t-c!

Well, I have to say you are all way better versed on this than I was!

(which shouldn't surprise me. it's why whenever I'm about to do something I always ask here first lol I just didn't think of this time. If I had, I would've saved myself $85!)

 

[lilmosun]

I take a lot of late flights and precheck is closed . Today I got to the airport early..the regular security lines had no one and precheck was 10 deep

 

[madelise]

Oh... and one more one more thing... if you are TSAPC and are traveling with someone who is not they sometimes (depending on the airport and the whim of the security person... ) let your companion go through the Pre Check line with you. But don't count on it.

I've always been able to go through pre-check with my husband. He has global entry bc of his previous job, and carries that ID in place of his DL. It's printed on my boarding pass.