TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS And CLEAR® Plus: What You Need To Know

TSA PreCheck is a membership program run by the Transportation Security Administration  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. TSA PreCheck members have been prescreened through a background check and assessed to be low risk.

At airport security, TSA PreCheck members are allowed to keep their shoes, belt and light jackets on. They can also leave all electronics laptops and all liquids under 3.4 ounces in their suitcase or carry-on bag.

Children 12 and under may use the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling with a parent or guardian who has TSA PreCheck membership without registering. Teens 13 to 17 can also accompany their parent or guardian without enrolling so long as their boarding pass also have the check indicating TSA PreCheck (which usually happens if the flights are booked on the same reservation).

Travelers approved for TSA PreCheck through these means will be issued a Known Traveler Number, which they will then use to identify themselves as someone who has been approved for PreCheck. Generally, this means adding in your nine-digit KTN into your flight information at or after booking into the KTN/PASSID box. This is then how your boarding pass will display the TSA PreCheck icon, which determines if you’re allowed into the TSA PreCheck line or not. Though you are also issued a trusted traveler card, only the checkmark on your boarding pass will grant you access to the faster line.

Where Can I Use TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports throughout the U.S. with over 90 participating airlines. This program is for domestic use only, so there are no international airport locations.

Global Entry is a membership program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The program provides expedited screening upon entering the U.S., via air, land or sea. Travelers with Global Entry membership have been preapproved and assessed as low-risk based on a background check and in-person interview.

Global Entry membership also includes TSA PreCheck, so you can double up on benefits with just one program. Unlike TSA PreCheck, Global Entry membership is necessary for each person that wants to use Global Entry benefits, including infants and children. That means families cannot use Global Entry unless every individual is a member.

Where Can I Use Global Entry?

Members can use Global Entry kiosks at ports of entry in the U.S. and at select U.S. preclearance locations around the world. U.S. preclearance locations at international airports allow travelers to the U.S. to clear immigration and customs prior to departure instead of on arrival to the U.S. These preclearance locations include Dublin and Shannon in Ireland; Aruba; Nassau in Bahamas; Bermuda; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, Vancouver and Winnipeg in Canada.

Global Entry can also be used for expedited land and sea entry into the U.S. If traveling by road, Global Entry members may use the dedicated NEXUS and SENTRI lanes to enter the U.S. with their physical Global Entry card.

NEXUS is designed for travelers who frequently travel between the U.S. and Canada. A NEXUS membership includes expedited entry into the U.S. and Canada at land, marine and air borders.

When flying, NEXUS includes all TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits, as well as access to NEXUS kiosks when arriving in Canada. By land, NEXUS members have access to the dedicated NEXUS and SENTRI lanes at border crossings that typically have shorter lines than the regular lanes available to the general public.

NEXUS is run by both nations, which means applicants must be interviewed by border patrol officers from both Canada and the U.S. as part of the approval process. Like Global Entry, anyone who wants to use NEXUS, including infants and children, must register for NEXUS.

Where Can I Use NEXUS?

NEXUS can be used for expedited entry to the U.S. or Canada via land, air or sea. Dedicated NEXUS and SENTRI lanes are available at U.S.-Canada land border crossings, typically coinciding with the busiest crossings in New York, Michigan and Washington (with a handful of other locations). When traveling by air, NEXUS members may use NEXUS kiosks in nine Canadian airports for faster entry into Canada, in addition to the Global Entry and preclearance locations for U.S. entry.  NEXUS permits marine travelers to report their arrival to the U.S. and Canada by phone rather than in person.

CLEAR is a privately owned company that provides biometric identification services. Its program CLEAR Plus accelerates traveler identification by using biometrics instead of traditional paper identification methods. Dedicated CLEAR Plus lanes at airports have kiosks that perform iris or fingerprint scans to confirm your identity, bypassing the regular TSA document check queue. CLEAR Plus doesn’t include TSA PreCheck, so you’ll still be subject to standard screening requirements such as taking off your shoes or removing your laptop and liquids from your bags at security. If you want the benefits of TSA PreCheck’s reduced screening requirements, you’ll need to enroll in TSA PreCheck in addition to CLEAR Plus.

Many airports offer a separate CLEAR Plus checkpoint for those with TSA PreCheck or will funnel those with TSA PreCheck through to the correct security line. While CLEAR Plus registration is limited to adults 18 and older, children can use the service when traveling with a registered adult. Note that children do not have to be related to the accompanying adult to use CLEAR Plus.

Where Can I Use CLEAR Plus?

CLEAR Plus is available at airports across the U.S. If you frequently attend sporting events and concerts, CLEAR Plus may also help you skip the line there as well: A handful of major stadiums and arenas across the country offer CLEAR Plus. A free app-based version of CLEAR is available for event entry.

Features	TSA PreCheck	Global Entry	NEXUS	CLEAR Plus
Benefits	Dedicated security screening line with reduced screening requirements	Expedited air, land and sea entry into the U.S. Includes TSA PreCheck.	Expedited air, land and sea entry into the U.S. and Canada. Includes Global Entry and TSA PreCheck	Dedicated kiosks for fast biometric traveler identification, bypassing TSA document check line
Cost	$78	$100*	$50*	$189 (discounts available)
Duration	Five years	Five years	Five years	One year
Children	Free under 18** if accompanied by parent/guardian member	$100	Free	Free under 18 if accompanied by adult member
Interview Location	Airports, local government offices, Office DepotStaples	U.S. airports and preclearance centers, land border crossings	Canadian airports, U.S./Canada land border crossings	Any airport with CLEAR Plus kiosks
Time To Approve	Usually three to five days	Four to six months***	Twelve to fourteen months***	Enroll on the spot and use immediately
Administered By	Transportation Security Administration	U.S. Customs and Border Protection	U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency	Clear Secure, Inc.

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*The fees for Global Entry and NEXUS will increase starting October 1, 2024 to $120

**Children 13 to 17 will require the TSA PreCheck symbol on their boarding pass to accompany an adult and still may be subject to regular screening

***at time of writing. Get updated timelines at the Trusted Traveler website.

Other Options

The SENTRI and FAST programs are Trusted Traveler Programs that expedite entry into the U.S. from both Canada and Mexico. SENTRI is for air and land travelers, while FAST is specifically for commercial truck drivers. Like Global Entry and NEXUS, each of these programs prescreens travelers during the application process, enabling faster processing at border crossings.

Another option to speed up entry into the U.S. is the free Mobile Passport Control app offered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Apple, Android). Mobile Passport Control can be used for entry by U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors at over 30 U.S. airports, U.S. preclearance centers in a number of Canadian airports and four seaports. Mobile Passport Control isn’t a substitute for Global Entry, but since it is not widely in use by the general public, it may have shorter lines and could expedite your entry into the U.S.

Who Can Sign Up for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS or CLEAR Plus?

U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents are eligible for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry membership. In addition, citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for Global Entry:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Bahrain
• Brazil
• Canada
• Colombia
• Croatia
• Dominican Republic
• Germany
• India
• Japan
• Mexico
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Panama
• Qatar
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom

Canadian and Mexican citizens and residents can also access Global Entry benefits as members of NEXUS.

U.S. and Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for NEXUS. In addition, Mexican nationals who are members of the Viajero Confiable program may apply for NEXUS.

Note that depending on your country of origin, there may be additional requirements to apply for Global Entry. Be sure to check the CBP page on your specific country.

Some people are automatically disqualified from participating in the Trusted Traveler Programs. You may be ineligible if you:

• Provided false or incomplete information on your application
• Have been convicted of a criminal offense, have pending criminal charges or have outstanding warrants (including driving under the influence)
• Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws
• Are subject to an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency
• Have been denied for the purchase of a firearm
• Are inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration regulation
• Cannot satisfy Customs and Border Patrol with evidence of your low-risk status

CLEAR Plus is only available to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents 18 and older.

To sign up for TSA PreCheck, you can either go to the Trusted Traveler portal or directly to the TSA PreCheck application site. After completing the application form, you can select an enrollment center and schedule an appointment. The TSA PreCheck application process is administered by third-party vendors IDEMIA and Telos at many centers across the country, including airports, local government offices and office supply stores.

Generally, you should receive your Known Traveler Number within three to five days of completing the application and enrollment process, although it can take up to 60 days. You’ll be notified by email once approved, but you can check the status of your application by logging in to the Trusted Traveler website.

Global Entry

To enroll in Global Entry, visit the Trusted Traveler portal to create your Trusted Traveler account, pay your nonrefundable fee and submit your application. Each individual regardless of age must have their own account.

During the application process, you’ll provide personal information that allows the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency to background check you. Once the background check is complete and your application is conditionally approved, you’ll be notified to schedule an in-person interview. Every person applying must have their own interview appointment. You should receive an email when the status of your application has changed, but we recommend that you check the dashboard in your Trusted Traveler account in case the email notification goes AWOL.

As soon as you have conditional approval, you can set up an appointment online at the location of your choice. Global Entry enrollment centers are usually located at international airports and land border crossings.

During the interview for Global Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent will verify your information, ask you a few basic questions (“Why do you want Global Entry?” “What do you do for a living?”) take your picture and process your fingerprints.

Global Entry also offers an option called “enrollment upon arrival.” Under enrollment upon arrival, applicants who have been conditionally approved can complete their interview when they arrive into the U.S. from an international flight. Over 50 U.S. airports offer Global Entry enrollment upon arrival, plus over a dozen international locations.

To complete your enrollment on arrival at an international airport, follow the relevant signage, directing you to a Customs and Border Protection officer who can conduct the Global Entry interview.

For the in-person interview, you’ll need to bring your passport, proof of residency and a permanent resident card (if applicable). This is not required for minors.

Once you’ve been approved for Global Entry, you’ll receive your Global Entry card within two to four weeks. Your Global Entry card has RFID properties that work on the expedited NEXUS/Sentri lanes when you enter the U.S. at land border crossings. In order to access this capability, you must activate the card in your Trusted Traveler account.

NEXUS

To apply for NEXUS, set up your Trusted Traveler account at the Trusted Traveler website. Complete the NEXUS application and pay your non-refundable $50 fee. A background check will be performed by both the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Once your application is conditionally approved, you’ll be notified to schedule your in-person interview. You should be informed via email that your application status has changed, but check the dashboard in your Trusted Traveler account regularly in case the email ends up in spam. Each applicant, including children, must have their own appointment slot.

The NEXUS interview process is more involved than a Global Entry interview since you’re being interviewed and approved by two agencies rather than one.

There are three options for the NEXUS interview, all of which need to be scheduled ahead of time:

1. Joint U.S. and Canada interview at land enrollment centers in the U.S. Officers from both U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency conduct interviews together at the same location. These centers are few and far between and are located in U.S. cities along the border.
2. Split interview at a Canadian land enrollment center followed by an interview at a U.S. land enrollment center. Applicants are interviewed by Canada Border Services Agency officers at a Canadian land enrollment center, followed by an interview by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at a nearby U.S. enrollment center when you cross the border. When you make the appointment for the Canadian interview, the U.S. interview is automatically scheduled for the same date shortly afterward. This option is currently available only at three locations but further locations will be added in future.
3. Interview at a Canadian airport enrollment center followed by an interview at a U.S. preclearance location in a Canadian airport. The Canadian interview, conducted by Canada Border Services Agency officers is held at one of the Canadian airport enrollment centers. The second stage is an interview conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in the preclearance area of a Canadian airport before departure for the U.S. There is no need to schedule an appointment for the U.S. interview, but you would need to build in extra time prior to your flight for it.

Nexus cards will be mailed out after approval within ten days.. The card must be activated prior to using your NEXUS benefits.

CLEAR Plus

Signing up for CLEAR Plus is comparatively straightforward. It can be done on the spot in an airport. You also have the option to start the application process online and then finish the process by registering your biometric data at a CLEAR Plus airport checkpoint the next time you’re flying. The process only takes about five minutes and there’s no need to set up an appointment. You can use CLEAR Plus immediately after successful enrollment.

Remember that before you can register your biometric data, you’ll need to provide a valid ID, such as a passport, a driver’s license or a permanent resident card.

How Do I Use My Benefits?

Once you’ve been approved for a U.S. Trusted Traveler Program, you’ll receive that Known Traveler Number or PASSID.

For TSA PreCheck, you can look up your KTN at this TSA PreCheck website link. For Global Entry and NEXUS, you can access your PASSID by logging onto the Trusted Traveler website and checking your dashboard.

To use TSA PreCheck when you fly, your Known Traveler Number or PASSID must be attached to your ticket. You can enter your number manually when you book your airline reservation. Better still, log into your airline loyalty program accounts and update your profile with your KTN. Future flights under your airline loyalty number should automatically attach your Known Traveler Number and you’ll get your TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS benefits when available.

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If your Known Traveler Number is successfully attached to your ticket, you should see the TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass.

Look for the TSA PreCheck lane at the security checkpoint for expedited screening. Even if you have a card with your Trusted Traveler Program, the only thing that matters is having the checkmark on your boarding pass.

Global Entry members do not need to activate their Global Entry cards for use with air travel. After arrival at a U.S. airport, follow the signs for the Global Entry lane in the immigration area. The Global Entry kiosks use facial recognition to identify you. You’ll simply look into the camera on the kiosk, use the screen to declare food items or products, and proceed to the immigration officer. The kiosks can process multiple people at once if you are traveling with family who also have Global Entry.

If you want to use Global Entry to enter the U.S. at land border crossings using the NEXUS/Sentri lanes, you must activate your Global Entry card for it to be recognized. You can activate your card by signing into your Trusted Traveler account and navigating to the program membership section.

While it may seem silly to have a card if you might never use it, the card does work for a federal form of ID and is accepted at airports for domestic travel.

NEXUS members must activate their cards prior to using NEXUS kiosks at Canadian airports or at land and marine crossings. Your NEXUS card can be activated in your Trusted Traveler account.

To use NEXUS on arrival at a Canadian airport, follow the signs to the NEXUS kiosks. You’ll be asked to enter the number of travelers in your party, as the NEXUS kiosk can process up to five people at once. You’ll scan each NEXUS card and a photo of each member will be taken. Take the receipt from the kiosk and head to baggage claim if you have no items to declare.

CLEAR Plus does not count as a federally recognized Trusted Traveler Program since it isn’t government-operated or include TSA PreCheck, so you don’t get a KTN. Instead, CLEAR Plus can be used as soon as you’ve registered your biometric data. To use CLEAR Plus, go to one of the CLEAR Plus checkpoints at the airport and verify your identity by using your fingerprints or eyes. Once that’s done, you’re free to move on to the security screening line.

If you also have TSA PreCheck, either directly or through Global Entry or NEXUS, CLEAR Plus combined with TSA PreCheck can make for an even faster trip through the security checkpoint.

How Much Do Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, NEXUS and CLEAR Cost?

Currently, NEXUS is the cheapest option at $50; plus, children are free. TSA PreCheck costs $78 or $85 depending on the provider, and Global Entry is $100. Note that the Trusted Traveler Programs are valid for five years, making them relatively inexpensive on a per year basis.

Even though it’s the cheapest program, NEXUS has fewer interview centers than Global Entry which makes the process more challenging. Interview locations are at the land border so unless you live close to one or are flying soon, you may need to plan a trip to coincide with your interviews, either at the airport or at a land border location. This adds to the cost of getting NEXUS.

However, on October 1, 2024, the price for both Global Entry and NEXUS will go up to $120 for the five-year validity period.

CLEAR® Plus is by far the most expensive program of the four at $189 per year. CLEAR Plus members can add up to three family members or friends for $99 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 18 accompanied by a CLEAR Plus member. Alaska Mileage Plan, Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus members along with Delta SkyMiles and United credit cardholders are eligible for discounted rates, with free membership for top-tier elites. (Terms apply)

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

Here are some of the most popular travel cards that reimburse your application fees via statement credits:

• Aeroplan® Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®*
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Mastercard® Black Card™*
• United Club℠ Infinite Card
• United℠ Explorer Card
• United Quest℠ Card
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card*
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card*

Currently, these Chase cards offer a statement credit when you use the card to pay your NEXUS fee:

• Aeroplan® Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®*
• United Club℠ Infinite Card
• United℠ Explorer Card
• United Quest℠ Card
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Typically, you can receive one statement credit every four years of membership, which means that only one NEXUS membership can be reimbursed per credit card. Check your credit card benefits for details.

American Express Platinum Cards (personal and business) and the American Express® Green Card* will reimburse up to $189 for CLEAR® Plus membership in the form of an annual statement credit. Eligible Delta SkyMiles cards from American Express and eligible Chase United credit cards offer a discount on CLEAR Plus fees—you’ll pay $149, instead of the normal $189. Terms and conditions apply.

The child policy varies between the four programs.

Children under 18 do not need to apply for their own TSA PreCheck membership if they are traveling with an enrolled parent or guardian. That means families with children under 18 may use the TSA PreCheck lane if the parents or guardians are TSA PreCheck members, without incurring additional cost.

However, children aged 13 to 17 may be separately selected for regular screening, even if traveling with an adult TSA PreCheck member. This would be indicated by the absence of the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass. To prevent the possible separation of your family at the security checkpoint, it’s best to get teens their own TSA PreCheck membership.

Any child traveling without an accompanying adult must have their own TSA PreCheck membership to use the TSA PreCheck lane. The Global Entry program requires children of all ages to have their own valid membership to access Global Entry benefits and use its kiosks at U.S. airport entry points. A parent or guardian must be present at a Global Entry interview of a child. Once a child has Global Entry membership, they have access to all benefits, including TSA PreCheck.

For NEXUS, children under 18 must have their own membership, whether they are traveling with their parents or not. There is no application fee for children but they will be required to go through the full process including the interview. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the interview.

CLEAR Plus is only available to adults, so children are not eligible to enroll. However, anyone under 18 is allowed to accompany an adult free of charge through the CLEAR Plus lane if the adult has a membership.

If you’re an air traveler, TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS and CLEAR Plus enable you to navigate quickly through the various security checkpoints at the airport.

TSA PreCheck’s dedicated airport security lane with reduced screening requirements takes less time, hassle and effort than the regular screening. Members can keep their shoes on their feet, electronics in their carry-ons and 3-1-1 liquids in their suitcases as they go through security. Global Entry and NEXUS memberships include all these benefits, plus expedited customs screenings when returning from an international flight.

CLEAR Plus allows members to bypass the long lines for ID verification at the airport security checkpoint. The dedicated CLEAR Plus kiosks use biometric data to identify members, who are then escorted to the front of the TSA security screening line. It does not expedite security screenings in the way TSA PreCheck does, so CLEAR Plus is a perfect complement to TSA PreCheck.

Currently, application fees are $100 or less each for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and NEXUS and covers benefits for five years. CLEAR Plus membership is significantly more expensive at $189 per year, which is why it isn’t ideal for occasional travelers.

For people who mostly travel domestically, TSA PreCheck is a great choice. Enrollment centers are plentiful and conveniently located. Global Entry and NEXUS are most useful if you do a lot of international travel or, in the case of NEXUS, travel frequently between the U.S. and Canada.

When you factor in the more arduous application and interview plus the longer processing period for Global Entry and NEXUS, it might not be worth the extra time and effort for the occasional international trip. Infrequent international travelers can use the free Mobile Passport Control app for faster processing at customs when entering the U.S.

Frequent travelers at busy airports with long lines may be able to justify the higher cost of CLEAR Plus. The decision to get a CLEAR Plus membership is simpler if you hold a credit card that will reimburse you for the cost, making it free. Select American Express cards offer full reimbursement of CLEAR Plus fees every year.

Many travel credit cards cover up to $100 in application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, so cardholders can apply to either program and have the application fee reimbursed with the right card. Reimbursements for NEXUS are less common, but still included on several popular cards.

Note that reimbursements are typically limited to once every four or five years, depending on the card.

Even if you don’t have a credit card that reimburses your application fees, the cost averages out to $20 or less per year for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS, and $15 per month for CLEAR Plus. The time saved and streamlined security screening make the airport experience less stressful and for many travelers, justifies the cost.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees of Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card please visit this page.