Why trust this guide
  • First-hand where we say so — we name the places we’ve actually stayed
  • No invented prices, no made-up restaurants, no AI filler
  • Written to stay true — methods, not details that rot
  • Interactive tools so you can test any of it yourself

Three programs promise to get you through the airport faster, they cost different amounts, they do different things, and travelers mix them up constantly — sometimes paying for the wrong one. TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR each solve a specific problem. Here's exactly what each does, who each is for, and the combination most travelers actually want.

TSA PreCheck: faster security screening

PreCheck speeds you through the security checkpoint on departing US flights. In the PreCheck line you keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, and leave your laptop and liquids in your bag. The lines are typically much shorter and the whole process is far less of a hassle. It's a US government program, valid for five years, and it's the single biggest quality-of-life upgrade for domestic flying.

The key distinction PreCheck speeds you OUT of the US at security. Global Entry speeds you back INTO the US at customs. They solve different halves of the trip — and Global Entry includes PreCheck.

Global Entry: faster customs re-entry

Global Entry speeds you through US customs and immigration when you return from abroad, using kiosks or a mobile app instead of the long arrivals line. Crucially, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost. It requires an in-person interview and a background check, and it's valid for five years. If you take even one or two international trips in five years, it's usually the smarter buy than PreCheck alone — you get both benefits for a modest amount more.

CLEAR: skip to the front of the ID line

CLEAR is different in kind. It's a private service that verifies your identity with biometrics (eyes or fingerprints), letting you skip the ID-check line and go straight to physical screening. It doesn't change how you're screened — it changes how fast you reach screening. It's a paid annual membership, generally the priciest of the three, and it's available only at participating airports and venues.

Which one — or which combination — you actually need

Fly mostly domestic? TSA PreCheck alone covers you well.

Fly internationally even occasionally? Get Global Entry — it includes PreCheck, so you're covered coming and going for barely more.

Fly very frequently through big, busy airports? Adding CLEAR on top of PreCheck/Global Entry gets you through the ID line fastest of all — the power-user combination.

Check your wallet first Many travel credit cards reimburse the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and some cover CLEAR. Before paying out of pocket, check whether a card you already hold covers it — effectively making it free.
Breeze through, then fly comfortable

The gear for the frequent flyer

You cleared security in five minutes — now make the flight itself better with the headphones, chargers, and comfort gear that earn their place in every carry-on.

See our travel gear picks →

The bottom line

For most travelers, Global Entry is the sweet spot: it includes PreCheck, covers both departure and return, and costs only a little more than PreCheck alone. Add CLEAR only if you fly constantly through its airports and want the absolute fastest path. And always check your credit cards first — you may be entitled to have the fee covered entirely.

See the real difference

What things actually cost there

Compare everyday prices across twenty cities — the index that shows you where your money stretches and where it evaporates.

Open the price index →

This piece reflects our own research and testing, current as of publish. Prices, policies, and award charts change constantly — always confirm current specifics before you book. Some links above are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps keep the hacks free.