Experienced travelers use three secret weapons to speed through airport security and make screenings less intrusive: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear®. For country crossings between the U.Due south. and Canada, NEXUS offers a similar speedy service. Each is designed to make travel easier, but the way each works differs.

TSA PreCheck provides defended lines and expedited screening at domestic airports in the U.s.. Global Entry allows expedited entry into the United States for international travelers and includes TSA PreCheck. NEXUS provides dedicated lanes at select border crossings between the U.S. and Canada while too offering full TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits when flying. CLEAR provides identity verification and a shortcut through airport screening.

In this commodity, nosotros'll discuss the differences between each plan and help y'all make up one's mind which is the best one for your travel manner.

What Is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is a regime-run membership program that allows travelers to use an expedited airport security line. In these dedicated lines, travelers undergo a less-intrusive airport security screening than other passengers.

At airport security, members get through metal detectors instead of full-body scanning machines and can keep their shoes and light jackets on. Additionally, they can leave their laptops and three-1-1 liquids in their suitcase or carry-on handbag.

Where tin can I use TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is bachelor at more than 200 airports throughout the U.S. with 80 participating airlines. This program is intended for domestic utilise only, so at that place are no international drome locations.

What Is Global Entry?

Global Entry membership is run past the federal authorities and is geared toward the international traveler and allows expedited immigration screening upon entry to the U.S. This do good speeds up the entry process when international travelers are returning to the U.South. afterwards visiting a foreign land. Global Entry membership as well includes TSA PreCheck, so you can double up on benefits with merely i program.

Where can I use Global Entry?

Members tin use Global Entry ports of entry in the U.S. and select pre-clearance locations around the world. Some international airports allow members to clear immigration and customs prior to departure instead of when y'all arrive in the U.S. These airports include Dublin and Shannon in Ireland; Aruba; Freeport and Nassau in The Bahama islands; Bermuda; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria and Winnipeg in Canada.

What is NEXUS?

Unlike TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, NEXUS is designed for travelers who frequently travel betwixt the U.S. and Canada and includes expedited crossings at land, marine and air borders.

By road, NEXUS members volition detect special lanes for their crossing that often have shorter lines than those available to the full general public. Additionally, the questioning procedure at the border is oftentimes faster since their background cheque is already on file. When flying, NEXUS includes all TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits too equally admission to NEXUS kiosks when arriving in Canada (which works similarly to Global Entry when arriving in the U.S.).

NEXUS is duly-run by both nations, which ways applicants volition demand to speak to border patrol officers from both countries equally part of the interview and approval process.

Where can I use NEXUS?

NEXUS is available at 17 U.S.-Canada land border crossings, typically coinciding with the busiest crossing ports in New York, Michigan and Washington (with a scattering of other locations). If approved for NEXUS, y'all can besides study your marine arrivals past phone rather than in person and avail yourself of TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and NEXUS kiosk locations when traveling past air.

What Is Articulate?

CLEAR is a privately-run plan that helps accelerate airport scans by using your fingerprints and your optics instead of traditional ID. It doesn't include TSA PreCheck, so it won't aid you skip taking off your shoes or removing your laptop and liquids from your bags at security. If you want the benefits of TSA PreCheck as well, yous'll need to enroll in TSA PreCheck as well as Clear. Many airports offer a separate Articulate checkpoint for those with TSA PreCheck or funnel those with TSA PreCheck through to the right security line.

Where can I employ CLEAR?

At the moment, CLEAR is bachelor at 38 airports in the U.S. If you dearest attention sporting events and concerts, Clear may also assistance y'all skip the line there likewise. Many stadiums have begun using Clear every bit an alternative to traditional ID checks.

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. NEXUS vs. CLEAR: What You Need to Know

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are two of the Trusted Traveler programs offered past the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. NEXUS is a joint-run initiative past the U.S. Trusted Traveler plan and Canada Border Services Bureau. CLEAR is a separate program, run by a privately-owned visitor and certified past the DHS.

The Section of Homeland Security offers a number of other trusted traveler programs to expeciate travel between the United states, Canada, and Mexico, including SENTRI and FAST (Canada and Mexico). Each of these programs allows travelers to get prescreened by the regime and receive expedited screening while traveling.

Some other selection is to use the free Mobile Passport app (Apple, Android) to help speed up the U.S. Immigration screening process. Mobile Passport isn't a substitute for Global Entry, but is non widely in employ by the general public. Because of this, employ of even Mobile Passport can expedite your entry into the U.S.

Who can Sign Up for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or CLEAR?

Applications for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are bachelor to U.Southward. citizens and U.South. lawful permanent residents. In addition, citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for Global Entry and may exist granted the benefits of TSA PreCheck even though they can't apply for PreCheck directly:

  • Argentina
  • Colombia
  • Germany
  • Bharat
  • Panama
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom

Additionally, Canadian and Mexican citizens and residents are eligible for Global Entry benefits when signing upwards for NEXUS.

Articulate, on the other hand, is only available to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents over the age of 18.

Some people are automatically disqualified from participating in the Trusted Traveler programs. You are excluded if you:

  • Provided false or incomplete data on your application
  • Take been convicted of a criminal criminal offense, take pending criminal charges or have outstanding warrants (including driving under the influence)
  • Accept been found in violation of whatever customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws
  • Are discipline to an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency
  • Are inadmissible to the U.Southward. under immigration regulation
  • Cannot satisfy Customs and Border Patrol with testify of your low-risk status

How Do Yous Sign Upwards For TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS Or Articulate?

To sign upwards for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS, visit the Trusted Traveler portal to submit your application. During the application process, you lot'll provide personal data that allows the Section of Homeland Security to perform a background check on you. In the example of NEXUS, a like background check will exist performed by the Canada Border Services Agency but just a single awarding is required.

Once the Section of Homeland Security has performed its background check, you need to schedule an in-person interview. TSA PreCheck enrollment centers are located at many airports and other locations throughout the country, whereas Global Entry enrollment centers are usually located at international airports and land border crossings. Because of this, completing the TSA PreCheck interview process is easier for most applicants.

Since there are fewer Global Entry locations available to perform interviews, some travelers cull to apply for TSA PreCheck instead. During the interview for either PreCheck or Global Entry, a Department of Homeland Security agent will verify your data, accept your picture and process your fingerprints. Your fingerprints are used to verify your identity at Global Entry kiosks upon arrival from a foreign country.

Global Entry also offers an option chosen, "enrollment upon inflow." Under enrollment upon arrival, applicants who have been conditionally canonical tin can consummate their interview upon inflow into the U.S. Over 60 airports offer Global Entry enrollment upon arrival, including fifteen international locations.

When you land at the international terminal, follow the signs and speak with a Customs and Border Patrol officer. They volition straight you to their colleague who can aid y'all consummate your application. You lot volition need to bring your passport, proof of residency and a permanent resident card (if applicable) with you lot to the appointment.

The NEXUS interview process is slightly more involved, since you're being approved by 2 agencies rather than i. Articulation enrollment centers are few and far betwixt and typically located in cities along the border, making information technology impractical for anyone who isn't crossing by land anyhow. Canadian enrollment centers are temporarily closed due to Covid-19, only several American centers take reopened in border states. Canada takes an iris scan, in addition to fingerprinting.

Signing up for Clear is relatively straightforward. It tin can be washed on the spot, in an airport. Yous as well accept the choice to start the awarding process online, simply yous'll need to go to a Clear centre to annals your biometric data. If you can't find the time or don't have a center nearby, yous can register the first fourth dimension you become to an airport that has a Clear office.

The process only takes about 5 minutes and unlike registering for TSA PreCheck, there's no need to prepare up an date.

Retrieve that earlier you lot tin annals your biometric data, you'll need to provide a valid ID, such every bit a passport, a driver's license or a permanent resident card. Check Articulate's website for more information.

How practise I employ my benefits?

You'll exist able to use your TSA PreCheck, Global Entry benefits as presently as yous've completed your interview. Before you leave the enrollment center, you'll receive a Known Traveler number and in the instance of Global Entry your Trusted Traveler card will get in in the mail inside six to eight weeks. Global Entry members do not need to activate this card to use your benefits for air travel. However, it must be activated to employ for land border crossings.

To use your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry benefits when you wing, your Known Traveler number needs to be attached to your ticket. Log into your airline loyalty program accounts and update your profile with your Trusted Traveler number. Hereafter flights with your loyalty number fastened will automatically attach your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry benefits when available. You can also manually add together your Trusted Traveler Number during the booking process.

Those canonical for NEXUS can use their associated TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits immediately, but will demand to wait for their physical menu to arrive in the mail for use at NEXUS state border crossings or Canadian NEXUS kiosk locations in airports. That'southward because you'll be required to nowadays the bill of fare to proxy carte du jour readers in order to go on through immigrations processing.

Articulate is ready to use as before long every bit y'all've registered your biometric information. To employ Articulate, simply go to one of the CLEAR checkpoints at the drome and verify your identity by using your fingerprints or optics. Once that's done, you're gratis to move on to the security screening line.


How much do Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, NEXUS and Articulate cost?

NEXUS is the cheapest pick, despite beingness the nearly comprehensive background cheque, at a cost of $50 for a v twelvemonth duration. TSA PreCheck costs $85 and Global Entry is $100, both of which are also valid for 5 years.

Even though it'southward the cheapest, NEXUS has and then few interview centers that it may be impractical for many travelers to complete enrollment. For anybody else, Global Entry is likely the best option if you ever travel internationally because the cost is so similar to PreCheck alone. This is especially true if you accept a credit card that reimburses your Global Entry registration fees, making your out-of-pocket toll $0.

A proposed rule would increase Global Entry fees to $120 per five years if approved by the assistants. If you are worried about this rate increase, you should sign upwards for Global Entry now before the price increases to lock in a lower rate.

Articulate is the near expensive program of the three. It costs $189 per year and, unlike Global Entry, doesn't include TSA PreCheck. Clear members can add up to three family members for $50 per year each, lowering the per-person cost of the program. Children don't need to enroll, as the program is free for those under the age of xviii. Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus members are eligible for discounted rates, with free membership for peak-tier elites.

Which Credit Cards Reimburse Global Entry and TSA PreCheck Fees?

There are numerous travel credit cards that volition reimburse TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees up to $100. In most cases, the credit is available once every four to five years. Cheque your card'southward policy for reimbursement details.

Here are some of the most popular travel credit cards that reimburse your application fees:

  • The Platinum Menu® from American Limited (Terms utilise, see rates and fees)
  • The Concern Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, come across rates and fees)
  • Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Menu
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Earth Elite Mastercard®*
  • Citi Prestige® Carte du jour*
  • IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card*
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (Terms apply, run across rates and fees)
  • Mastercard® Black Carte™*
  • United℠ Explorer Card
  • U.S. Banking concern Distance® Reserve Visa Infinite® Menu*

Which Credit Cards Reimburse NEXUS Fees?

Offering statement credits toward NEXUS application fees is a relatively new benefit that's yet only available on select cards.

Currently, Chase is the only card issuer offering reimbursement (up to once every 4 years of card membership) when you charge your awarding fee to an eligible card including:

  • Aeroplan® Credit Menu
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  • United Guild℠ Infinite Card

Which Credit Cards Reimburse CLEAR Fees?

American Express Platinum Cards (personal and business) will reimburse upward to $189 for CLEAR® membership in the form of an annual statement credit. The Centurion® Card from American Limited* likewise offers a CLEAR® membership to card holders.

American Express® Dark-green Carte du jour* offers partial reimbursement—up to $100 per year—of Clear fees. Finally, eligible Delta SkyMiles cards from American Express offer a discount on Clear fees—y'all'll pay $109, instead of the normal $189. Terms and conditions apply.

Do Children Demand to Sign Up for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, NEXUS and Clear?

The answer varies depending upon which Trusted Traveler program y'all are signing upwards for. Children 12 and under may employ the PreCheck security line when accompanied by an adult who is a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fellow member.

Global Entry requires children of all ages to take a valid membership in guild to utilize its kiosks at U.S. Immigration.

As office of the proposed fee increase for Global Entry, children nether eighteen will no longer exist charged an awarding fee. This would be a large savings for families. Today, a family of ii adults and two children would pay $400 to enroll the unabridged family unit. Under the proposed rules, they would only pay $240, which is a savings of $160.

NEXUS requires children nether eighteen to use for the program if they will exist traveling with their parents, merely on the bright side, children will be admitted for gratuitous.

CLEAR doesn't crave children under eighteen to enroll and the program is gratis for them, just they must be accompanied by an developed.

Lesser Line

TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR give travelers several ways to speed through security at the airdrome; NEXUS likewise includes country and marine borders. TSA PreCheck gives domestic travelers a dedicated drome security lane. Plus, members tin go on their shoes on their anxiety, laptop in their carry-on and 3-i-1 liquids in their suitcase as they go through security. Global Entry membership includes all of these benefits, plus provides expedited immigration and community screening when returning from an international flight.

Articulate allows travelers to skip the long lines for ID verifications by using one of their dedicated terminals which utilize biometric data. It does not expedite security screenings in the way TSA PreCheck does.

Currently, application fees are $100 or less for NEXUS, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry and provide benefits for five years. Clear is more expensive at $189 per year, which is why it isn't ideal for occasional travelers. Frequent travelers, still, will most probable enjoy CLEAR'south benefits at airports with long lines.

Many travel credit cards cover up to $100 in application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, then cardholders tin apply to either program and have the awarding fee reimbursed with the right card. Reimbursements for NEXUS are less common, simply all the same included on several popular cards. Select American Express Cards offer full or partial reimbursement of Articulate fees each year.

Fifty-fifty if you lot don't accept a credit card that reimburses your awarding fees, the toll averages out to $20 or less per year for NEXUS, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, and $fifteen per month for CLEAR. The fourth dimension savings provided volition exist worthwhile for many travelers.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees of The Business organisation Platinum Menu® from American Express please visit this folio.
To view rates and fees of Marriott Bonvoy Bright™ American Express® Carte please visit this page.