How we rateFind a service

Advertiser disclosure: Paperwork Hero is free to use. We may earn a commission when you sign up through our links. It never changes our scores. How we make money

Home / Travel & ID / Guides
Travel guide

PreCheck, Global Entry or CLEAR: which one do you actually need?

They sound similar but speed up different parts of the airport. PreCheck gets you a faster security lane, Global Entry speeds up U.S. customs and includes PreCheck, and CLEAR Plus lets you skip the ID check line. Most people only need one.

By the Paperwork Hero editorial team · Checked against tsa.gov and cbp.gov · Updated Nov 2026 · 6 min read
The short answer

If you take even one international trip a year, get Global Entry: it costs $120 for five years and includes PreCheck. If you only fly domestically, PreCheck alone is about $80–$85. Add CLEAR Plus only if you fly often through airports with long ID lines.

Side by side

TSA PreCheck
Global Entry
CLEAR Plus
What it speeds up
Security screening
U.S. customs + PreCheck
The ID check at security
Cost
~$80–$85 / 5 yrs
$120 / 5 yrs
~$209 / year
Run by
TSA (government)
CBP (government)
CLEAR (private company)
Approval time
Usually 3–5 days
Often months
Enroll in minutes
Interview
Short in-person appointment
Interview required
Airport kiosk sign-up
Best for
Domestic flyers
Anyone who travels abroad
Frequent flyers at busy hubs

Fees from tsa.gov and cbp.gov; CLEAR Plus price from CLEAR, checked Nov 2026.

How to decide in 30 seconds

1
Do you travel internationally?
If yes, get Global Entry. It includes PreCheck, so you don’t need both. Apply early, since approval can take months.
2
Only domestic? Get PreCheck
Pick whichever enrollment provider is cheapest or closest. The membership is the same.
3
Still waiting in line? Consider CLEAR Plus
Worth it mainly for frequent flyers at airports where the ID check line is the bottleneck, or if your credit card covers it.
Ready to enroll? Compare PreCheck providers and Global Entry side by side.
Compare options

FAQs

Can I have PreCheck and CLEAR at the same time?

Yes, and they work together. CLEAR verifies your identity, then you continue to the PreCheck lane.

Do kids need their own PreCheck?

Under TSA’s rules, children 17 and under can usually go through the PreCheck lane with an enrolled parent when the indicator is on their boarding pass. Check tsa.gov for the current policy.

Is Global Entry worth it if I travel abroad once a year?

Usually, yes. For about $35 more than PreCheck over five years, you also skip most of the customs line coming home.