You’ve probably seen the signs for shorter lines and wait times through security and customs. While you can’t go through the first/business class lines without purchasing a ticket in one of those classes, you can pay a much smaller fee (or sometimes no fee at all!) to be expedited through security and customs regardless of what kind of ticket is in your hand. Some of the services have additional benefits that go beyond just getting through the line quickly.
This post is a follow up to my last blog post, where I provided tips and tricks for getting through airport security quickly and efficiently. I recommend reading that post before this one so you can see what sort of fun things you might get to avoid by purchasing a service that will expedite your way through security and customs.
It should be noted that these services generally only apply to US citizens flying within the US or returning home through US Customs. In addition, ALL members of your travel party will need to purchase the following services for you to be able to take advantage of them together on trips – otherwise you’ll have to wait for them on the other side! I’m going to provide a review of the following services in the coming paragraphs and let you know whether I think they’re worth the investment or not.
- TSA Precheck
- Global Entry
- CLEAR
- NEXUS & SENTRI
- Mobile Passport
TSA Precheck
Cost: $85 for a 5 year membership.
How it works: First, you apply online here. Then, you will need to travel to a TSA Precheck office for an approximately 10 minute in-person interview (locations can be found here) and submit a variety of information and documents for a deep dive background check.
What you get: A dedicated security line with less intrusive screening procedures. TSA Claims that 93% of Precheck customers make it through security in under 5 minutes. As a comparison, the average wait time is 21 minutes in Atlanta, 25 minutes at Chicago O’Hare, at 40 minutes in Los Angeles (pro tip – you can always check TSA wait times in realtime using their app). The reason the wait time is shorter is twofold. First, only those who have purchased TSA Precheck are allowed to go through the Precheck lines (although occasionally TSA will send others through the Precheck lines), so there are fewer people trying to utilize limited screening resources. Second, and perhaps more importantly, the restrictions on clothing and baggage are much more relaxed for TSA Precheck passengers. Here is a short list of the things you won’t need to worry about if you purchase TSA Precheck:
- You don’t need to remove your shoes
- You can leave your laptop in your bag
- You can leave your liquids in your bag
- You can wear your belt and light jacket through the checkpoint
Recommendation: BUY – but only if you are not a frequent international traveler. I’ll explain why later. As a TSA Precheck customer myself, I can certainly say that it reduces my stress level a significant amount if I’m running late for a flight. Although sometimes the regular checkpoints don’t have much of a line anyways, knowing that I’ll ALWAYS get through security quickly and efficiently gives me significant piece of mind, especially when traveling as a family. In my opinion, simply not having to remove my shoes going through security is enough to warrant the $85 for a 5 year membership.
Global Entry
Cost: $100 for a 5 year membership
How it works: First, you apply online here. Then, just like TSA Precheck, you’ll have to travel to a Global Entry office for an approximately 10 minute in-person interview (locations can be found here) and submit a variety of information and documents for a deep dive background check.
What you get: Global Entry is a program that expedites travelers’ arrival into the United States across 53 of ports of entry into the United States (see a list of them here). For the average traveler, the process for entering the United States usually involves stopping at a kiosk, filling out all of your information, getting your picture taken, printing out all that information you just entered, and then waiting in line to give that print out to a customs and border patrol agent. If that sounds like a time consuming process, thats because it is – especially if you arrive at a large airport with multiple international flights landing at the same time. Usually the longest part of that process is waiting in line to give your information to the agent and get your passport stamped. That is where Global Entry speeds things up – if you are a Global Entry member, all you need to do is go through a kiosk (which is separate from the kiosks everyone else is using and generally has no line), enter your information and that is it. One of the other cool features is that you are automatically registered for TSA Precheck when you are screened for Global Entry, so you get those two services for only $15 more than if you only got TSA Precheck.
Recommendation: BUY – Especially if you are a frequent international traveler. Added bonus that you get TSA Precheck if you frequently travel domestically as well!
CLEAR
Cost: $15/month ($900 for a 5 year period)
How it works: You’ll need to fill out an online form here and then visit a CLEAR pod in one of the 35 participating locations to complete your registration.
What you get: CLEAR is a program run by a private company (All of the other programs reviewed here are coordinated by the US Department of Homeland Security) that uses biometrics including your eyes or fingerprint to expedite your way through security. The major benefit of this service is that it is very fast. That is partly because far fewer people have CLEAR than TSA Precheck and partly because CLEAR employs ambassadors at participating airports that physically escort you through security like a VIP. There are 35 airports and stadiums that use CLEAR, a full list can be found here.
Recommendation: Don’t buy…unless money is no object for you. The benefit does not outweigh the cost in this instance.
NEXUS/SENTRI
Cost: NEXUS – $50, SENTRI – $122.50, both for a 5 year membership
How it works: First apply online here, then you’ll have to go in person to a location either on the US/Canada (For NEXUS) or US/Mexico border (For SENTRI).
What you get: NEXUS and SENTRI are programs specifically aimed at travelers crossing land borders between the US and Canada or Mexico. NEXUS is all about Canada, while SENTRI is all about Mexico. These two programs allow you to travel through special expedited pedestrian/vehicle entry between the US/Canada or US/Mexico. Added bonus, when you enroll in either of these programs you also have access to TSA Precheck lines AND you may also be able to access Global Entry lines when entering the US as well.
Recommendation: BUY NEXUS, DON’T BUY SENTRI. At $50, NEXUS is a no brainer as you get the benefits of quick land access to and from Canada AND the benefits of TSA Precheck and Global Entry – the only catch is you have to apply in person at the US/Canada border. SENTRI is less appealing due to the $122.50 price tag, but if you travel between US and Mexico Frequently it still might be worth it for you.
Mobile Passport
Cost: Free!
How it works: Mobile passport is a mobile app available for Apple and Android devices, and is free to download here or through the App Store or Google Play.
What you get: With the mobile passport app, you basically do the ‘kiosk’ portion of US Customs and Border patrol on your phone at 3 cruise ports and 26 airports in the US (list available here) – you enter your travel and passport information, take photos of yourself and your travel party, and your phone holds that information for you to provide to the agent upon arrival. This means you get to skip the kiosk and head straight for a special ‘Mobile Passport Only’ line for people smart enough to download and use the app. I’ve used this multiple times and can verify that it got me through much quicker than those who went through the traditional route.
Recommendation: If you’re traveling on a budget, this is the option for you. It won’t get you through airport security any quicker, but if you’re traveling internationally this app is a no-brainer.
Bonus Travel Hack
Some travel credit cards will pay for these services as part of your annual membership cost. Check out this site for a list of them, and while you’re at it, check out my guide to using travel cards to get miles and take free trips!