Travel

Should I get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?

Calculate if TSA PreCheck or Global Entry is worth the cost based on how often you fly and the time savings per trip.

By ShouldICalc Team

Updated January 2025 · See our methodology

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Trade-offs to Consider

Every decision has pros and cons. Here's what to weigh:

Money

TSA PreCheck costs $78/5 years ($15.60/year). Global Entry costs $100/5 years ($20/year). Many credit cards reimburse this fee, making it effectively free.
Time

PreCheck saves 15-30 minutes per flight. Global Entry saves 30-60+ minutes per international return. Time savings compound with frequent travel.
Quality

Shorter lines mean less stress. Keeping shoes, belt, laptop in bag is more comfortable. Less rushed security experience.
Convenience

Application requires background check and interview. Interview scheduling can take weeks. But once approved, 5 years of faster travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry?

TSA PreCheck ($78/5 years) speeds up domestic security screening—keep shoes on, laptop in bag, shorter lines. Global Entry ($100/5 years) includes everything in PreCheck PLUS expedited US customs clearance when returning from international trips. If you ever travel internationally, Global Entry is worth the extra $22.

How much time does TSA PreCheck actually save?

Typical savings: 15-30 minutes per security screening. PreCheck lines average 5-10 minutes vs 20-40+ for standard screening. At busy airports (ATL, LAX, ORD) or during peak times (holidays, mornings), savings can exceed 45 minutes. You also skip removing shoes, belt, and unpacking laptops.

How many flights make PreCheck worth it?

At $78 for 5 years ($15.60/year): if you value your time at $30/hour and save 20 minutes per flight, just 2-3 flights/year covers the cost. Most frequent travelers consider it worthwhile with 4+ flights/year. If your credit card covers the fee, even 1 flight/year makes it worth applying.

What credit cards cover TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?

Many travel cards include this as a benefit: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X, Citi Prestige, and many airline/hotel branded cards. Check your card benefits—you may already have this perk available.

TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry: Is It Worth the Cost?

Airport security is the worst part of flying. PreCheck and Global Entry promise to fix that. Here’s whether the math works out for your travel patterns.

The Cost Breakdown

Program	Cost	Duration	Annual Cost	Includes
TSA PreCheck	$78	5 years	$15.60/year	Faster domestic security
Global Entry	$100	5 years	$20/year	PreCheck + expedited customs
CLEAR	$189	1 year	$189/year	Skip ID check line (not security)

Global Entry is $22 more total for 5 years—includes everything in PreCheck plus international benefits. Almost always worth the upgrade.

The Time Savings Calculation

TSA PreCheck time savings:

Airport Scenario	Standard Line	PreCheck Line	Savings
Off-peak, small airport	10 min	5 min	5 min
Average conditions	25 min	7 min	18 min
Peak time, major hub	45 min	10 min	35 min
Holiday travel	60+ min	15 min	45+ min

Plus the convenience: No removing shoes, belt, jacket, laptop, liquids.

Global Entry additional savings (international return):

Scenario	Standard Customs	Global Entry Kiosk	Savings
Average return	45 min	5 min	40 min
Busy airport (JFK, LAX, MIA)	75 min	10 min	65 min
Peak season	90+ min	10 min	80+ min

Break-Even Analysis

How many flights to break even?

Assumptions: $50/hour time value, 20 min saved per screening

TSA PreCheck ($78 / 5 years):

Cost per year: $15.60
Value per flight: 20 min × ($50/60) = $16.67
Break-even: Less than 1 flight/year

At just 1 flight per year, PreCheck pays for itself.

Global Entry ($100 / 5 years):

Cost per year: $20
Domestic value per flight: $16.67
International return value: 40 min × ($50/60) = $33.33
Break-even: 1-2 flights/year

Value by Travel Frequency

Annual value of TSA PreCheck:

Flights/Year	Time Saved	Value at $50/hr	ROI
2	40 min	$33	113%
4	80 min	$67	330%
8	160 min	$133	754%
12	240 min	$200	1,183%
24	480 min	$400	2,466%

Additional Global Entry value (international trips):

Int’l Trips/Year	Extra Time Saved	Extra Value at $50/hr
1	40 min	$33
2	80 min	$67
4	160 min	$133

The Credit Card Factor

Many travel cards include Global Entry/PreCheck:

Card	Annual Fee	Includes	Effective PreCheck Cost
Chase Sapphire Reserve	$550	Global Entry	$0
Amex Platinum	$695	Global Entry	$0
Capital One Venture X	$395	Global Entry	$0
Amex Gold	$250	No	$78-100
Chase Sapphire Preferred	$95	No	$78-100

If your card covers it: Apply immediately. It’s completely free value.

Even without card coverage: At $15.60/year, it’s one of the cheapest travel upgrades available.

PreCheck vs Global Entry: Which to Get?

Get TSA PreCheck only if:

You never travel internationally
You already have Global Entry and it expired (renew GE instead)

Get Global Entry if:

You take even 1 international trip per 5 years
You might travel internationally eventually
The $22 difference doesn’t matter ($4.40/year)

The recommendation: Global Entry for almost everyone. The marginal cost is negligible and you never know when you’ll travel abroad.

What About CLEAR?

CLEAR ($189/year) does something different:

Skips the ID verification line (not the security screening)
Works alongside PreCheck (use both)
Saves 5-15 additional minutes

CLEAR math:

Travel Frequency	Time Saved/Year	Value at $50/hr	Worth It?
4 flights	40 min	$33	No
12 flights	120 min	$100	Maybe
24+ flights	240+ min	$200+	Yes

CLEAR makes sense for very frequent travelers (12+ flights/year) or those at airports with long ID check lines.

For most people: PreCheck/Global Entry is enough.

The Application Process

What’s required:

Step	TSA PreCheck	Global Entry
Online application	5-10 minutes	5-10 minutes
Background check	Automatic	Automatic
In-person interview	10 min at airport	10-15 min at airport or border
Interview scheduling	Usually 1-4 weeks	Can be 2-8 weeks
Renewal	Online, no interview	Online, no interview

Pro tip: Global Entry interviews can be done at certain international airports upon arrival (“Enrollment on Arrival”) if US interviews are booked out.

Conditional Approval and Alternatives

If denied or complicated:

Prior criminal history can disqualify
Immigration issues affect eligibility
Some countries’ citizens may have additional scrutiny

Alternatives:

Mobile Passport (free app for US customs)
Automated Passport Control kiosks
Some airline elite status includes PreCheck

Family Considerations

Each person needs their own membership:

Children under 12: Free if traveling with enrolled adult
Children 13-17: Must apply separately
Family of 4: $400 for Global Entry ($80/year total)

Family break-even: Family of 4 taking 2 trips/year:

16 security screenings × 20 min = 320 min saved
Value at $50/hr = $267/year
Cost: $80/year
ROI: 234%

When It’s NOT Worth It

Skip PreCheck/Global Entry if:

You fly less than once every 2 years
You always fly out of tiny airports with no lines
Your credit card doesn’t cover it AND budget is extremely tight
You have disqualifying criminal history

But realistically: For anyone who flies 2+ times per year, the value is obvious.

The Bottom Line

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are among the highest-ROI travel purchases available.

Program	Annual Cost	Typical Savings	ROI for 4 Flights/Year
PreCheck	$15.60	80+ min/year	330%+
Global Entry	$20	80+ min domestic + 40+ min per int’l	400%+

If your credit card covers it: No-brainer. Apply today.

If paying yourself: Still worth it for anyone flying 2+ times/year.

Get Global Entry over PreCheck: The extra $4.40/year for international benefits is trivial.

The only question is why you haven’t applied already.

About This Calculator

Program fees from TSA and CBP official sources. Time savings based on TSA data and traveler surveys. Credit card benefits current as of January 2025—verify with your card issuer. Individual wait times vary by airport and time of travel. Last updated January 2025.