How to Get Global Entry and TSA PreCheck: Step-by-Step Application Guide

Why Global Entry and TSA PreCheck Are Worth Every Dollar

If you travel by air more than twice a year, spending $78 to $100 on a Trusted Traveler Program will save you dozens of hours standing in security and customs lines over the next five years. TSA PreCheck lets you breeze through domestic security without removing your shoes, laptop, or liquids. Global Entry gives you everything PreCheck offers plus automated customs clearance when returning from international trips.

This guide walks you through both programs from application to approval, including the exact steps, costs, credit cards that reimburse the fee, interview strategies, and what to do if your application is denied.

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which One Should You Get?

Before you apply, understand the difference between these two programs so you pick the right one.

TSA PreCheck at a Glance

• Cost: $78 for five years ($15.60 per year)
• What it does: Expedited domestic security screening at 200+ airports
• Benefits: Keep shoes, belt, and light jacket on; leave laptops and liquids in your bag; shorter dedicated lines
• Who should get it: Domestic-only travelers who rarely leave the United States
• Application: Online application plus in-person appointment at an enrollment center (no full interview required)

Global Entry at a Glance

• Cost: $100 for five years ($20 per year)
• What it does: Everything TSA PreCheck does, plus automated customs and immigration clearance when entering the US
• Benefits: Skip the customs line entirely using automated kiosks; TSA PreCheck included at no extra cost
• Who should get it: Anyone who takes at least one international trip during the five-year membership period
• Application: Online application, background check, and in-person interview with a CBP officer

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	TSA PreCheck	Global Entry
Cost	$78 / 5 years	$100 / 5 years
Domestic security benefits	Yes	Yes
International customs expediting	No	Yes
Application process	Online + enrollment	Online + CBP interview
Processing time	2-3 weeks typical	4-6 months typical
Age requirement	12+ (children under 12 get PreCheck when traveling with approved adult)	All ages
Citizenship requirement	US citizens, nationals, LPRs	US citizens, nationals, LPRs, citizens of select countries

The bottom line: For just $22 more, Global Entry gives you everything PreCheck offers plus international customs clearance. Unless you are certain you will never leave the country in the next five years, Global Entry is the better value.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Global Entry

Step 1: Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) Account

Go to ttp.cbp.dhs.gov and click "Create an Account." You will need to create a login.gov account if you do not already have one. This requires an email address and multi-factor authentication setup.

Once logged in, select Global Entry as your program. If you only want PreCheck, select that instead. The application is nearly identical.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application

The application takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes and asks for the following information:

• Personal details: Full legal name (exactly as it appears on your passport), date of birth, gender, citizenship, Social Security number
• Contact information: Address, phone, email
• Employment history: Current and previous employers for the past five years
• Travel history: Countries visited in the last five years
• Background questions: Criminal history, customs violations, immigration issues, and other disqualifying factors
• Vehicle information: Optional, for SENTRI lane access at land border crossings

Critical tip: Your name must match your passport exactly. If your passport says "William" but you go by "Bill," enter "William." Mismatches cause delays and denials.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

The fee is $100 for Global Entry or $78 for TSA PreCheck, payable by credit or debit card. This fee is non-refundable even if your application is denied.

Step 4: Wait for Conditional Approval

After submitting, CBP conducts a background check that typically takes anywhere from two weeks to four months. During peak travel seasons (January through March), processing times can stretch to six months. You can check your application status by logging into your TTP account at any time.

You will receive one of three results:

• Conditionally approved: You are cleared to schedule an interview
• Pending review: Additional time needed; no action required from you
• Denied: See the denial section below

Step 5: Schedule and Attend Your Interview

Once conditionally approved, log into your TTP account and schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. There are over 50 locations across the United States, typically at major international airports.

Popular enrollment centers and typical wait times:

• JFK Airport, New York: 2-4 weeks for an appointment
• LAX Airport, Los Angeles: 3-6 weeks
• O'Hare Airport, Chicago: 2-3 weeks
• Miami International Airport: 1-3 weeks
• SFO Airport, San Francisco: 2-4 weeks

Enrollment on Arrival: If appointment wait times are long, you can complete your interview when arriving on an international flight without scheduling ahead. After landing, follow signs to the Global Entry enrollment office near customs. This option is available at most major international airports and can save months of waiting.

Step 6: Attend the Interview

Bring the following documents to your interview:

• Valid passport
• Permanent resident card (if applicable)
• One additional form of ID such as a driver's license
• Proof of residency (utility bill, bank statement, or similar; not always requested but good to have)

The interview typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes. The CBP officer will:

1. Verify your identity and documents
2. Take your fingerprints
3. Take your photograph
4. Ask about your travel patterns, employment, and criminal history
5. Explain the program rules

Interview tips for success:

• Answer questions directly and honestly. Inconsistencies between your application and interview answers are red flags.
• Dress neatly. You do not need formal attire, but avoid looking disheveled.
• Be on time. Late arrivals may be turned away and required to reschedule.
• If you have a past customs violation (even minor), disclose it upfront. Omission is worse than the violation itself.

Step 7: Get Your Known Traveler Number

If approved on the spot (most applicants are), you will receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) immediately. Add this number to your airline profiles on every carrier you fly:

• American Airlines: aa.com > Your Account > Secure Traveler
• United Airlines: united.com > My Profile > Personal Information
• Delta Air Lines: delta.com > My Delta > My Profile
• Southwest Airlines: southwest.com > My Account > My Preferences

Also add it to your profiles on booking platforms like Google Flights, Expedia, and Kayak so it is automatically included on future bookings.

Credit Cards That Reimburse Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

Many travel credit cards will reimburse the $100 Global Entry fee or $78 PreCheck fee as a statement credit. Here are the most popular options:

Credit Card	Reimbursement	Annual Fee	Frequency
Chase Sapphire Reserve	$100 GE or PreCheck	$550	Every 4 years
American Express Platinum	$100 GE or PreCheck	$695	Every 4 years
Capital One Venture X	$100 GE or PreCheck	$395	Every 4 years
Citi Prestige	$100 GE or PreCheck	$495	Every 5 years
US Bank Altitude Reserve	$100 GE or PreCheck	$400	Every 4 years
Chase Sapphire Preferred	$100 GE or PreCheck	$95	Every 4 years

Strategy: If you hold any of these cards, pay for Global Entry with that specific card. The reimbursement typically posts as a statement credit within one to two billing cycles.

Some cards also reimburse for authorized users, effectively making Global Entry free for your entire family.

CLEAR: Is It Worth Adding?

CLEAR is a private biometric screening service that costs $189 per year (compared to Global Entry's $100 for five years). It uses fingerprint and iris scans to verify your identity, allowing you to skip to the front of the ID verification line.

CLEAR vs. TSA PreCheck

Feature	CLEAR	TSA PreCheck
Cost	$189/year	$78/5 years
What it skips	ID verification line	Full security screening
Remove shoes/laptop	Yes (unless you also have PreCheck)	No
Available airports	50+	200+

Recommendation: CLEAR and PreCheck solve different problems. CLEAR skips the ID check line; PreCheck streamlines the actual screening process. If you can only choose one, PreCheck is the better value. If you fly weekly from a CLEAR-equipped airport (JFK, LAX, SFO, DFW, ATL, ORD), combining CLEAR with PreCheck offers the fastest possible experience.

Delta SkyMiles members get discounted CLEAR pricing at $149/year, and United MileagePlus members at certain status levels receive complimentary CLEAR memberships.

NEXUS and SENTRI: Alternatives Worth Considering

NEXUS

• Cost: $50 for five years
• What it does: Expedited border crossing between the US and Canada, plus includes Global Entry and TSA PreCheck benefits
• Catch: Interviews must be conducted at a Canadian border location, and the program requires approval from both US CBP and Canada Border Services Agency
• Best for: Anyone who crosses the US-Canada border regularly. At $50, it is the cheapest way to get Global Entry benefits.

SENTRI

• Cost: $122.25 for five years
• What it does: Expedited entry at US-Mexico land border crossings, plus includes Global Entry and TSA PreCheck benefits
• Best for: Anyone living near or frequently crossing the US-Mexico border

Common Reasons for Global Entry Denial

Applications can be denied for any of the following:

• Criminal convictions: Any felony or certain misdemeanors, including DUI
• Pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants
• Previous customs or immigration violations: Including bringing prohibited agricultural items through customs
• Incomplete or inaccurate application information
• Previous denial or revocation of a Trusted Traveler Program membership
• Providing false statements during the application or interview

What to Do If Denied

1. Review the denial letter for the specific reason
2. File a redress inquiry through the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) at dhs.gov/dhs-trip if you believe the denial was in error
3. Reapply after resolving the issue. There is no mandatory waiting period, but you will need to pay the $100 fee again
4. Consider TSA PreCheck instead. Its background check criteria are somewhat less stringent than Global Entry

Applying for Your Family

Children Under 18

Children of any age can apply for Global Entry. The process is the same, but a parent or legal guardian must:

• Consent to the application
• Attend the interview with the child
• Provide the child's birth certificate or passport

Children under 12 traveling with a PreCheck-approved parent automatically receive PreCheck screening on the same boarding pass, but this does not work for Global Entry customs benefits. For customs expediting, each child needs their own Global Entry membership.

Cost for a Family of Four

Without credit card reimbursement: 4 x $100 = $400 for five years ($80 per year for the whole family)

With credit card reimbursement: Many premium cards reimburse for authorized users. A couple with two premium travel cards could potentially get all four family members reimbursed.

Renewal Process

Global Entry memberships last five years. You can begin the renewal process up to one year before your expiration date.

How to Renew

1. Log into your TTP account at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov
2. Click "Renew" on your membership
3. Update any changed information
4. Pay the $100 fee
5. Most renewals are approved without a new interview

Important: Your benefits continue while your renewal is being processed, even if your membership technically expires during that time, as long as you submitted the renewal before the expiration date.

If it has been more than one year since your membership expired, you will need to submit a new application and complete a new interview.

Timeline: From Application to Approval

Here is a realistic timeline for a typical Global Entry application:

Step	Timeframe
Complete online application	Day 1 (20-30 minutes)
Background check processing	2 weeks to 4 months
Schedule interview	Appointment typically 2-6 weeks out
Attend interview	10-15 minutes
Receive KTN	Immediately upon approval
Add KTN to airline profiles	5 minutes
Total time from application to first use	1 to 6 months

Pro tip: Apply at least six months before a major international trip to ensure you have your membership active in time.

Plan Your Next Trip With TripGenie

Now that your Trusted Traveler status is sorted, it is time to plan the trip itself. TripGenie helps you build complete itineraries for international destinations, factoring in flight times, local transportation, and day-by-day schedules. Whether you are heading to Tokyo, Barcelona, or Buenos Aires, TripGenie takes the guesswork out of trip planning so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.

Final Checklist

Before you close this guide, make sure you have completed the following:

• Decided between Global Entry and TSA PreCheck (Global Entry recommended for most travelers)
• Checked your credit cards for fee reimbursement benefits
• Created your login.gov and TTP accounts
• Gathered your passport, SSN, and employment history
• Submitted your application and paid the fee
• Set a calendar reminder to check your application status in two weeks
• Planned to add your KTN to all airline and booking profiles once approved

The $100 investment and few hours of effort will pay for themselves the very first time you walk past a 45-minute customs line and step up to an automated kiosk instead. Safe travels.