Is Global Entry worth it over TSA PreCheck?

If you fly internationally even once a year, yes. Global Entry costs $120 for 5 years vs PreCheck at $85 for 5 years (now $77.95) — only $35 more — and it INCLUDES PreCheck plus fast-tracks you through US Customs on re-entry. The application takes longer because of the in-person interview, but the savings on international trips alone justify it.

Does Clear include TSA PreCheck?

No. Clear is a biometric ID-verification line that gets you to the front of the X-ray queue faster — but you still need either PreCheck or standard screening after Clear. Many people pair Clear ($199/yr) with PreCheck ($17/yr) for maximum speed at busy airports.

Can I use TSA PreCheck if I'm not a US citizen?

Yes for PreCheck — US permanent residents and select foreign nationals (Canadians via NEXUS, citizens of Argentina, Bahrain, Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, Germany, India, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK) can apply directly. Global Entry has tighter citizenship restrictions but accepts the same foreign nationals.

TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry vs Clear vs NEXUS — which is right for you?

Feature	TSA PreCheck	Global Entry	Clear+	NEXUS	SENTRI
Cost (5 years)	$77.95	$120	$199 / year	$50	$122.25
Effective per-year	$15.59	$24.00	$199	$10.00	$24.45
US security (TSA)	✓ Dedicated laneShoes, belt, laptop, liquids stay in bag.	✓ Includes PreCheck	✓ ID verification lineFaster to X-ray; you then need PreCheck or standard screening.	✓ Includes PreCheck	✓ Includes PreCheck
US Customs re-entry	✗ No	✓ Auto kiosksSkip Customs queues at 70+ US airports.	✗ No	✓ Canada+US	✓ Mexico land border + US
Canadian border	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	✓ Yes (NEXUS lanes)	✗ No
Mexican border	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	✓ Yes (SENTRI lanes)
Application time	~3 weeks	~3–6 months	~10 min (instant)	~3–6 months	~6 months
In-person interview	Yes (15 min)	Yes (45 min)	NoBiometric enrollment at the airport.	Yes (joint US-Canada)	Yes
Includes children	Free for <12 with parent	Per-person fee	Free for <18 with adult	$50 per child	Per-person fee
Credit card reimbursement	✓ CommonMany premium cards refund the application fee (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum, etc.).	✓ Common	✓ Amex Plat covers Clear+	Rare	Rare

Feature

TSA PreCheck

Global Entry

Clear+

NEXUS

SENTRI

Cost (5 years)

$77.95

$120

$199 / year

$50

$122.25

Effective per-year

$15.59

$24.00

$199

$10.00

$24.45

US security (TSA)

✓ Dedicated laneShoes, belt, laptop, liquids stay in bag.

✓ Includes PreCheck

✓ ID verification lineFaster to X-ray; you then need PreCheck or standard screening.

✓ Includes PreCheck

US Customs re-entry

✗ No

✓ Auto kiosksSkip Customs queues at 70+ US airports.

✗ No

✓ Canada+US

✓ Mexico land border + US

Canadian border

✗ No

✓ Yes (NEXUS lanes)

✗ No

Mexican border

✗ No

✓ Yes (SENTRI lanes)

Application time

~3 weeks

~3–6 months

~10 min (instant)

~3–6 months

~6 months

In-person interview

Yes (15 min)

Yes (45 min)

NoBiometric enrollment at the airport.

Yes (joint US-Canada)

Yes

Includes children

Free for <12 with parent

Per-person fee

Free for <18 with adult

$50 per child

Per-person fee

Credit card reimbursement

✓ CommonMany premium cards refund the application fee (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum, etc.).

✓ Common

✓ Amex Plat covers Clear+

Rare

The math: when does it pay off?

Average time savings per security pass with PreCheck: 10–25 minutes at busy hubs (peak hours), 5 minutes at quieter airports. At 5 round trips per year (10 security passes), that's 1.5–4 hours saved annually for $15.59 — easily justifies even at minimum-wage time valuation.

Global Entry is the value pick for anyone who flies internationally even once a year. At $24/year (vs $15.59 for PreCheck), you get everything PreCheck does PLUS skip US Customs queues that routinely run 30–90 minutes at JFK, MIA, LAX, ORD international arrivals. Most premium credit cards refund the $120 application fee.

Clear is the controversial one. $199/year for a faster line to the X-ray, but you still need PreCheck or standard screening AFTER. At busy hubs during peak hours, it can save 15–30 minutes (the PreCheck line itself can be long); at quieter airports, it saves little. Worth it for road warriors at LAX/JFK/SFO/ATL/EWR; questionable elsewhere. Amex Platinum cardholders get it included.

NEXUS is the hidden gem for anyone crossing the Canadian border or flying to/from Canada regularly. $50 for 5 years (cheapest of the lot) gets you PreCheck + Global Entry + Canadian preclearance. Joint US-Canada CBP/CBSA interview required.

Related on this site

You still need a REAL ID-compliant ID at TSA even with PreCheck — your global Entry card counts as a REAL ID alternative. Check the CT-scanner status of your home airport: PreCheck lanes typically get CT scanners first, so the program's effective benefit (keep liquids/laptops in bag) varies by airport. If your flight gets disrupted, DOT refund rights apply equally regardless of Trusted Traveler status.

Sources

Official enrolment pages: TSA PreCheck ↗ · CBP Global Entry ↗ · Clear ↗ · NEXUS ↗ · SENTRI ↗.

Pricing as of May 2026. PreCheck fee dropped from $85 to $77.95 in late 2024.