Is TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or CLEAR worth it? Here’s how to decide

If you’ve ever inched through a packed security line debating whether airport wine counts as breakfast, you’ve probably wondered if TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or CLEAR are actually worth paying for.

They all promise to save time and stress at the airport, but they don’t work the same way, and choosing one that doesn’t work for your lifestyle can be an expensive mistake. Add in that Global Entry now costs $120 every five years (up from $100), CLEAR’s annual fee jumped to $219, and all three programs overlap in confusing ways, and it’s no wonder travelers are left scratching their heads.

What’s the difference between TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR?

In case you need a refresher on what’s what, here’s a quick breakdown:

• TSA PreCheck is basically a fast-pass through U.S. airport security. It’s the lane where laptops and liquids can remain in your bag, and you can generally keep your belt and light jacket on.

• Global Entry is for international travelers who want to breeze through customs when they return to the U.S. It automatically includes TSA PreCheck.

• CLEAR is a private service that uses biometric data to speed you through identity verification and get you to security screening faster.

The real question is: Which one will actually make your life easier when you travel? Since each program requires enrollment and a fee — and TSA PreCheck and Global Entry also require background checks — it’s worth figuring out which service truly works best for you and your family.

We spoke to seasoned travel advisors and frequent flyers who’ve tested every option — sometimes with kids, sometimes on business trips and sometimes just trying to make it to the gate before boarding closes. Below, we break down what each program does, its costs, how much time and money it saves, and which travelers benefit most from each.

What do TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR include?

Let’s start with what you actually get for your money, because even though these programs sound similar, they work in very different ways.

TSA PreCheck: Best for frequent domestic travelers and families

Think of this option as a way to save time at security checkpoints in U.S. airports. “Anyone who has TSA PreCheck can access a special security lane at the airport with modified rules, with the biggest time-savers being not having to take off your shoes or belt, and your liquids and laptop can stay in your bag,” says Kayla LeClerc, owner of Whimsical Wishes Travel Concierge, a travel agency in Plymouth, Massachusetts. (Note: Travelers in standard TSA security lines can now generally keep their shoes on too.)

Cost: $75-$85 to enroll for 5 years; about $59-$85 to renew

What you get: Faster, streamlined security lane in U.S. airports

Kids: Children 12 and younger can generally go with you without their own PreCheck indicator. Children ages 13–17 can also go with you as long as they’re on the same reservation, and the PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass. Parents can contact the airline to check that their Known Traveler Number is on the reservation.

Keep in mind: TSA PreCheck doesn’t apply to security screening at airports outside the U.S., but it can be used when departing from participating U.S. airports on international flights. “When you’re flying home from your European adventure, you’re going through security with everyone else,” says LeClerc, so your best bet is to leave some buffer time on your return flights.

Bottom line: If you fly domestically more than twice a year or travel with kids, PreCheck is one of the easiest travel upgrades you’ll ever make.

Global Entry: Best for international travelers

If you and your family are international jet-setters or frequently visit family in other countries, Global Entry is the hands-down option for you. Even better, it automatically includes TSA PreCheck.

Cost: $120 every five years 

What you get:

• Expedited reentry into the U.S. via kiosks, touchless portals or the Global Entry mobile app at participating airports

• Skip long customs and immigration lines

• Eligibility for full TSA PreCheck benefits when departing the U.S.

Kids: Unlike PreCheck, kids do need their own Global Entry membership, which includes an interview (even for babies!). The good news? Children under 18 can enroll for free if a parent or legal guardian is already enrolled in or applying for Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI. Still, some parents skip getting it for little ones and instead use the free Mobile Passport Control app, which can sometimes be just as fast. It allows eligible travelers to submit passport information and customs declarations electronically, with access to a typically faster processing line at participating airports.

Keep in mind:

• It requires an in-person interview with Customs and Border Protection at an enrollment center (most are located within airports; travel may be required for those living outside major hubs), though eligible applicants can also complete their interview when returning to the U.S. at participating airports

• Appointments can fill up, depending on the airport’s location

• In rare cases, applications go into manual review and can take a year or longer

• You may be denied if you have a criminal history or any customs violations

Bottom line: Global Entry can save you up to 60 minutes when you re-enter the U.S. (that’s hours of your life back over five years, which — for some — could be more than enough to justify the $120 fee).

CLEAR: Best for travelers who hate lines and fly from busy hubs

CLEAR users don’t just benefit from faster identity verification at the airport, but CLEAR also offers separate expedited-entry services at some sports stadiums and event venues around the country, which is something the other two government programs don’t offer, notes Allison Kobasky, co-owner of Over the Moon Vacations, a luxury honeymoon-planning company.

Cost: $219/year

What you get:

• Biometric identity verification using facial recognition through CLEAR’s face-first technology

• Expedited identity verification that gets you to security screening faster

• Availability at 60+ airports

Worth noting: CLEAR is not a replacement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, but rather something you should consider alongside them, says LeClerc. “It gets you to the TSA officer faster, but if you don’t also have PreCheck, you’ll still be pulling out laptops like everyone else.”

Kids: Children under 18 can use the CLEAR lane for free when accompanied by a CLEAR member. The program also offers a family plan that allows you to add up to three adults for $125 each per year.

Keep in mind:

• The price is the highest by far, and it’s not available in every airport

• CLEAR renews annually, versus every five years for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

• You still need PreCheck to keep laptops and liquids in your bag during security screening

One more thing to keep in mind: CLEAR is run by a private company that collects biometric data, which might be a privacy concern for some. 

Bottom line: CLEAR is a premium add-on for people who fly from crowded airports and value speed over cost, but for more casual travelers, it may feel like overkill, notes Kobasky.

What is TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is an additional free PreCheck benefit, though it’s not available everywhere. Essentially, Touchless ID uses facial recognition, so you generally don’t have to show a physical ID at security (though you should still have a physical ID with you, just in case). You’ll need to opt in to the service, and it’s currently only available through certain airlines and airports. Unlike regular TSA PreCheck, this program requires a valid passport on file with a participating airline.

What is TSA Gold+?

On May 14, 2026, TSA announced it was launching a new airport security initiative called TSA Gold+. And even though it may sound like a leveled-up PreCheck, it isn’t. According to the website, “TSA Gold+ is a new public-private partnership aimed at modernizing aviation security at select airports across the United States.”

In short, the program aims to expand the Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which contracts private companies to conduct security screenings in accordance with TSA guidelines. As of now, there’s no predicted impact on travelers, although airports like Charleston, Des Moines and Tampa have since signed on to the initiative.

Which one actually saves the most time?

Considering that the main reason most people pay for these programs is to save time and hassle, here’s the scoop on which one actually buys back the most minutes of your life, according to experts.

TSA PreCheck

According to an Upgraded Points survey, standard security lines take an average of 43 minutes, compared to 36 with TSA PreCheck. That’s only a difference of seven minutes, but at major hubs or during peak travel periods, the time saved can be substantially more, especially if combined with CLEAR. Perhaps more important than time, PreCheck members report significantly less stress going through security, rating it 3.3 out of 10 compared to 7.3 for non-members.

Global Entry

While the exact time saved depends on the airport and time of day, Kobasky points out that during peak international arrivals (especially at hubs like LAX or Miami), Global Entry can shave 25 to 50 minutes off the re-entry process, while LeClerc has seen time savings of up to an hour. What’s more: Unlike TSA PreCheck, which only speeds you through security, Global Entry gives you both expedited re-entry and TSA PreCheck in one membership, making it one of the highest-value programs if you travel internationally even once or twice a year.

CLEAR

CLEAR is the biggest wildcard because it works differently from both PreCheck and Global Entry. Since it uses biometric ID to verify your identity, you can get through the identity verification process faster, which can save you a lot of time at busy airports, notes Kobasky, though how much time depends on the airport and how crowded security is. As noted, pairing CLEAR with TSA PreCheck can give you the most time back.

So, which one is best for you?

If you only fly once or twice a year, chances are you don’t need any of these programs or, at the very least, could start with TSA PreCheck since it’s the most affordable and offers the biggest per-trip perk, according to LeClerc.

If you travel a few times a year domestically — especially with little kids in tow — PreCheck alone can be super helpful. Several parents told us it’s the difference between a calm security line and a full-fledged family meltdown, not to mention the added benefits of keeping liquids and tablets exactly where you packed them.

If you take even one international trip a year, every expert we talked to agreed that Global Entry is a no-brainer. “You’ll skip the long customs lines when you return to the U.S., and because TSA PreCheck is included in the price, it’s actually the best overall value,” says Kobasky. 

Last, but certainly not least, CLEAR is best as a premium add-on for travelers who fly out of high-traffic airports like LAX, Atlanta or JFK. Since it biometrically verifies you and speeds up identity verification, having it can save you considerable time during peak times. It is, however, the priciest option, so it makes sense only if you’re a very frequent flier or if you pair it with TSA PreCheck for the fastest combination possible.