U.S. domestic security expediting program with shorter airport screening lines.
Frequent domestic U.S. business travelers, families flying within the country, and budget-conscious leisure flyers
International trusted traveler program combining expedited customs entry with TSA PreCheck domestic benefits.
Frequent international travelers, business professionals crossing borders 3+ times yearly, families with overseas trips, and those with premium travel credit cards
Global Entry is better for frequent international travelers as it includes TSA PreCheck plus expedited customs/immigration screening, while TSA PreCheck alone suits domestic-only flyers seeking faster airport security lines. Global Entry costs more ($100 vs $78-85) but delivers superior value for those crossing borders regularly.
Choose TSA PreCheck if you fly domestically within the U.S. only and want the lowest cost expedited security option. Choose Global Entry if you travel internationally 2+ times yearly or value customs/immigration fast-tracking, as it encompasses all TSA PreCheck benefits plus arrivals screening. Consider premium credit cards that reimburse either program's fee to offset costs.
Choose TSA PreCheck if
Frequent domestic U.S. business travelers, families flying within the country, and budget-conscious leisure flyers
| Metric | TSA PreCheck | Global Entry | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment Fee (5 years)(USD) | $78-85 | $100 | -19% |
| Annual Cost Breakdown(USD/year) | $15.70-17 | $20 | -18% |
| Domestic Security Line Wait Time(minutes) | 5-10 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
USA vs China
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Choose Global Entry if
Frequent international travelers, business professionals crossing borders 3+ times yearly, families with overseas trips, and those with premium travel credit cards
| — |
| International Customs Line Wait Time(minutes) | Not applicable | 15-20 minutes (vs 180+ standard) | — |
| Approval Processing Time(business days) | 3-5 days typical | 7-10 days typical | -53% |
| Participating U.S. Airports(count) | 200+ | 200+ (U.S. portion) | — |
| International Airports with Benefits(count) | 0 | 100+ | -100% |
| Validity Period(years) | 5 years | 5 years | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Apr 2026.
TSA PreCheck
Domestic U.S. flights only
Global Entry
Domestic + international arrivals🏆
TSA PreCheck
Not included
Global Entry
Included with kiosks🏆
TSA PreCheck
$78-85 for 5 years🏆
Global Entry
$100 for 5 years
TSA PreCheck
Full benefits included
Global Entry
Included as subset
TSA PreCheck
3-5 business days typical🏆
Global Entry
7-10 business days typical
TSA PreCheck
Covered by select cards
Global Entry
Covered by premium cards🏆
TSA PreCheck
U.S. airports only
Global Entry
100+ airports worldwide🏆
TSA PreCheck
Fully operational🏆
Global Entry
Restored after Feb suspension
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Yes. Global Entry includes all TSA PreCheck benefits for domestic U.S. flights plus expedited customs and immigration screening for international arrivals. You do not need both programs if you enroll in Global Entry.
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| Attribute | TSA PreCheck | Global Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment Fee (5 years)(USD) | $78-85 | $100 |
| Annual Cost Breakdown(USD/year) | $15.70-17 | $20 |
| Domestic Security Line Wait Time(minutes) | 5-10 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
| International Customs Line Wait Time(minutes) | Not applicable | 15-20 minutes (vs 180+ standard) |
| Approval Processing Time(business days) | 3-5 days typical | 7-10 days typical |
| In-Person Interview Required(required) | No | Yes |
| Participating U.S. Airports(count) | 200+ | 200+ (U.S. portion) |
| International Airports with Benefits(count) | 0 | 100+ |
| Operational Status (March 2026)(status) | Fully operational, no changes | Restored March 11 after Feb suspension |
| TSA PreCheck Included(boolean) | Yes (standalone) | Yes (included) |
| Validity Period(years) | 5 years | 5 years |
| Credit Card Reimbursement Availability(premium card tiers) | Some mid-tier cards | Most premium/elite cards |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
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