For U.S.-based travelers, the varied list of trusted traveler programs whose benefits are contingent on the kind of travel, traveler, and destination can make it challenging to decide which one is the best option for your needs. Each carries a cost, requires background checks, and is effective for a set duration before requiring renewal. What’s inarguable is how daunting security lines have become at airports worldwide — making these programs all the more appealing and often downright essential. We break down the benefits and drawbacks of each to help you decide which program is best for you.
In This Article
Domestic Travel Within the U.S.
TSA PreCheck
Broadly accepted is TSA PreCheck, operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and found in more than 200 airports in the U.S. Obvious benefits are shorter lines and fewer requirements as you pass through security screening. At roughly $80, the program is less expensive than Clear+ and membership lasts five years, renewable online within six months of expiration. As with Clear+, some credit cards and hotel loyalty programs provide statement credits to cover the cost of enrollment or offer TSA PreCheck membership as an added benefit.
Enrollment in TSA PreCheck can be by appointment or walk-in at approved sites (including some Clear+ airport locations) with ID verification and fingerprinting. Once applications are approved, Known Traveler Numbers (KTN) are issued relatively quickly, and digitally — there is no paperwork or membership card. It can be tricky to realize you have already received your KTN when the notice quietly slides into your email inbox, so be on the lookout for an email notifying you regarding your eligibility as soon as 3 to 5 days following your submission.
Kids 12 and under can join parents in a TSA PreCheck line without their own membership, but kids 13 to 17 need to be on a shared reservation with a TSA PreCheck adult and have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their own boarding pass or they will have to use the standard security line (anyone 18+ is required to have their own KTN). For furry family members, your pet may join you in line, but specific rules when you arrive at the actual security checkpoint are subject to the airport, airline, and TSA guidelines, including a possible fee, so it’s a good idea to check with their websites for information specific to your trip before you head to the airport.
Growing TSA PreCheck participation can sometimes lead to longer lines, though the goal was to have shorter wait times. Though not common, it’s not completely unheard of for traditional lines to be shorter than TSA PreCheck lines.
THE BIG PICTURE
If you’re looking to have things go just a little more smoothly and — at least most of the time — get you to your gate sooner, but aren’t seeking any additional benefits or services, this is the best choice for the (predominantly domestic) traveler.
Clear+
If you’ve visited a major U.S. airport recently, you’ve likely seen the Clear+ stations, called “pods,” at the entrance to the TSA security screening area. Currently found in 59 airports in the U.S. (and Puerto Rico) and growing, Clear+ features a dedicated line for its members that allows them to bypass the standard TSA lines and identity screening. Travelers can apply on site with no advance appointment, and once their identity is verified and application is approved, they enjoy benefits immediately — an enticing plus when theme-park-length TSA lines loom visibly ahead.
Clear+ uses biometrics to verify passenger identity, letting your face, eyes, or fingers do the work of traditional travel documents. After checking in at a Clear+ pod found in the TSA screening area, members are escorted to their dedicated line. Membership is for travelers 18 and older; kids 17 and younger can join a member parent in the Clear+ line.
Though Clear, the Clear+ parent company, is a publicly traded company and not part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Clear technology is SAFETY certified, which means it meets security requirements set by the Department of Homeland Security, and it’s an official enrollment provider for TSA PreCheck (where travelers can submit TSA PreCheck applications), so the lines between the programs can feel a bit blurred. However, passengers still need to have TSA PreCheck to skip requirements like removing articles of clothing or taking items out of luggage.
THE BIG PICTURE
If you want to have “set it and forget it” security clearance when you arrive at the airport, Clear+ is a great option. But combining it with TSA PreCheck offers even more freedom from some of the hassles of the traditional security and luggage screening experience.
In addition to its signature Clear+ airport security membership, Clear is used in a growing number of locations for advance expedited security, such as major stadiums and events, free of charge. Also free is Reserve Powered by Clear, a program that allows users to reserve a spot in the security line in select major airports both in the U.S. and abroad. The program will spare you unpredictable wait times when you arrive at the airport, though the actual security process is still the standard process — unless you also have an expedited security membership (such as TSA PreCheck) as well.
Comparing International Programs
For global travelers, many countries have their own trusted traveler programs, offering expedited entry for pre-screened, low-risk travelers. For U.S. citizens, the gold standard for international travel is Global Entry.
Global Entry
Like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry is also operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The program includes TSA PreCheck clearance domestically, while adding the ease of expedited travel in a select but growing list of international airports. After a long international flight, a Global Entry membership lets passengers slip past lengthy customs lines to dedicated entry points for reduced wait times.
Global Entry is a more involved process to secure and includes an in-person interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. There is no minimum age for Global Entry eligibility, but the $120 enrollment fee is waived if a minor has a parent in the program. The membership term is five years, after which time renewal may not require another interview.
THE BIG PICTURE
For domestic travelers who are even considering the possibility of international travel in the next five years, a $40 increase in application fee over the TSA PreCheck fee is a small price to pay for added benefits beyond U.S. borders, as long as an interview site’s location isn’t prohibitively far. If you’re weighing between the two, be aware that though both are programs operated by the Department of Homeland Security, if you opt for TSA PreCheck and later decide you’d rather have Global Entry, you cannot upgrade — it’s an entirely new process and you will be required to pay the full $120 application fee.
Country-Specific Programs
For U.S. travelers whose journeys often take them across the border between our closest neighbors, Canada and Mexico, additional programs are in place to further streamline those entries.
Designed for those who frequently travel between the U.S. and Canada, Nexus offers dedicated, expedited processing at airports as well as land and marine entry points. Applicants pay a $120 fee (children under 18 are free of charge) and, once conditionally approved after an initial screening, will need to schedule an interview to complete the process. However, though renewal interviews may be done remotely, first-time applicants must interview in person, and interview locations are extremely limited. Once approved, members receive a card that is valid for five years.
Similar to Nexus, SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection) is a trusted traveler program that benefits those who travel between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. SENTRI members utilize Global Entry lanes at airports for reduced wait times. Also like Nexus, the application process includes a $120 application fee and an in-person interview at an enrollment center, with limited locations available — they’re only found in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. The process can take up to a year to be finalized, but once approved, membership lasts five years.
