If you get my weekly newsletter (sign up here) then you know that I have a love/hate relationship with TSA PreCheck. I love it because the line is usually much shorter and I don’t have to take off my shoes, belt and jacket. I also don’t have to take my laptop or my 3-1-1 compliant liquids bag out.
But at the same time I sort of hate it because it seems they’ve been allowing totally random people who haven’t applied or received a background check to enjoy the benefits of the program. Here’s my rant on the subject.
However, it looks like the Transportation Security Administration is starting to wake up because according to the New York Times, they plan to end the free rides for those who haven’t applied. So how do you get TSA PreCheck for free?
Global Entry—for international travel
TSA PreCheck costs $85 for five years, which seems like a fair deal. But if you travel internationally at all (and especially if you do it frequently), it makes sense to instead get Global Entry, which gives you expedited processing through CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) at airports and land borders upon arrival in the U.S. as well as TSA PreCheck for only $15 more ($100 total) and is also good for five years! Tip: If you have an American Express Platinum credit card, pay with it and they’ll reimburse you the $100 Global Entry fee.
NEXUS—for travel to Canada
An even better deal, if you travel to and from Canada often, is to get NEXUS. It’s basically the same thing as Global Entry except only for Canada—and it also includes Global Entry and TSA PreCheck and only costs $50 for five years. The downside is that you need to have your face-to-face appointment in Canada or one of their enrollment centers near the Canadian border, like in Seattle or Niagara Falls. Here’s a list of locations.
Sentri—for travel to Mexico
For those frequent travelers to and from Mexico, get Sentri ($122.25) as it’s just like NEXUS but for Mexico and it too includes Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.
To give you a better understanding, here’s a quick and handy comparison chart from the Department of Homeland Security created. It shows all the programs, the eligibility requirements, application process and fees, along with links to all of them.
No matter which one makes sense for you, it will be the best money you’ve ever spent as a traveler as it will mean you’ll be able to breeze past the customs and immigration lines—which will now take about two minutes.
I have a question… We are a family of four destined to bounce around Europe this summer. Three of my family members have a Middle Eastern last name. Will any of these cards assist with customs in other countries besides US? We have travelled internationally 4 times since 9-11 with little trouble. Thank you!
They won’t help outside the U.S.
We just got the TSA Precheck approval a few months ago. I was wondering is it somehow possible to add Global Entry? Would we have to apply for that separately? Thank you.
You would. The trick is to get Global Entry since it comes with TSA PreCheck
this may sound trivial but my son has an AE Platinum card and I do not, can he use his card to pay for my GE and TSA PreCk and then get reimbursed or does the CC used have to be in my name. BTW, he already has both…don’t know if he has this info though!
Good question. You might have to call AMEX but I *believe* it has to be the cardholders name.
Yes only the AX Platinum Card Holder is eligible for the Global Entry Card which is reimbursed by AX later.
One odd thing that AX will pay 100.00 for Global Entry but not 50.00 for the Nexus with the Global Entry included.
So now i am applying on my own for the Nexus
Thanks, John. I just applied. I have been using Pre-Check for free and don’t want to lose it…
I have Aeroplan and cannot find a place to input my known traveler ID. Do you know where I can input it? Thanks.
I don’t have an Aerolplan account but it should be in your settings. Just call Air Canada
I’m flying on Westjet to canada, can I use my global entry card to go thru TSA pre check?
Nope! You would have to have TSA PreCheck on your ticket and you won’t since Westjet isn’t a member. Air Canada is.
Is the TSA PreCheck only available to US citizens? What is the criteria to qualify? My husband travel to the US from Australia frequently for work and it would be handy for him to have this.
I’ve seen foreign passport holders get TSA PreCheck but Aussies can’t get Global Entry http://www.cbp.gov/global-entry/about/eligibility
Thanks for the clarification and the link :)
Regarding the NEXUS application, say we apply and interview at the Seattle location, how soon afterwards will they become active, i.e., NEXUS, GE and TSA Pre-Check? That day, for example?
No. It will take time to get approved and then even more time to get an appt and then you will have wait about a week for your card in the mail
I have Global Entry and I also have my known id in my American profile, but I always have to ask for them to add the TSA precheck at the counter. The TSA told me GE is not precheck. I just let it go because the line was getting longer than the regular priority lines anyway.
i’ve always been curious about the global entry…but everytime i land at logan, it’s roped off! that seems like a waste to me. has anyone had pleasant experience with global entry?
I love it!
Great info. Thanks! I need a little more information on the Nexus play which seems the no-brainer most cost-effective option. For $50 ya really get it all for 5 years? (Nexus, Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check?) Scanning the Nexus application sites I note some offices state they can take the necessary iris photographs and other sites don’t explicitly state this. Can all the listed sites provide all the necessary services needed to issue the Nexus certification? Or must the applicant visit one of the sites capable of taking the iris photo before the card can be issued? TIA for any clarification.
You have to go to one of the locations listed for an interview with NEXUS and GE peeps.
Not all airlines are a part of the precheck system. It’s mainly the legacy carriers and a few others. I believe the pre-check website lists the airlines that participate.