TSA Precheck and Global Entry: Which one is best?

Airports are where vacations begin, right? But, arriving super early to make your way through security and find your way through the airport can be a little stressful. No one wants to start their vacation off with stress. This blog will tell you all about the Global Entry and TSA Precheck that will answer your dying questions: How to skip airport security? and Which one is best?

The hustle and bustle of entering an airport always gives me anxiety. No matter how many flights I take in my life, I don’t think that will ever go away. Anyone else? One of the greatest airport obstacles we all have come to know and love is security. Going through TSA can be quite the experience – shoes off, empty pockets, take out liquids and technology that you just managed to squeeze in your luggage right before arriving, then rushing through a line to shove everything back in your suitcase with more pressure than someone waiting behind you while checking out at the grocery store. We’ve all been there. That’s why this blog is for you!

Save time by being able to arrive at the airport later and skip long, dreadful lines. Save the stress and hassle of having to take off layers and unpack your suitcase. That’s where TSA Precheck and Global Entry come in! Make sure you read to the end for my special tip on how to get it all for free!

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Welcome to the fast pass of airports!

First things first is deciding which one is right for you. Determine which is better suited for your travels: Global Entry or TSA Precheck.

What is Global Entry?

If you are constantly putting stamps in your passport then Global Entry may be for you. It is intended for international travelers. Global Entry allows expedited processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at select airports instead of the long lines to talk with an agent about your travels to make sure you’re safe and good to go.

For new Global Entry applicants, the processing time for an application can exceed 90 days. A full background check will be completed to ensure potential members qualify for expedited processing into the United States and you must already have a passport when you apply!

The best thing about Global Entry is that it includes the TSA Precheck benefits that I explain below. Global Entry also includes not only air travel, but by land and sea as well.

What is TSA Precheck?

Next is TSA Precheck. This is for you if you are mainly traveling within the United States. With TSA Precheck you are able to go into that VIP line you are always eyeing down while waiting to go through security. And by line, I mean that empty aisle with no people in it…that one. With this clearance you are able to bypass those long and intensive security checks because you are deemed a low-risk traveler. You don’t have to remove any liquids or technology from your bags, don’t have to take shoes off or any second layers of clothing. Just put your bag on the conveyor and you are good to go.

How do you get Global Entry or TSA Precheck?

Application Process

First visit the Official Trusted Traveler Program website and make an account. From there build your profile and add your personal information when prompted.

After you build your profile, you will select which program you are applying for. For my travel needs I chose the Global Entry program since you get the domestic travel TSA perks plus the international benefits.

Next, you’ll have to fill out some more basic information and prove your US citizenship by entering your passport information, driver’s license information, proof of residence, and finally your past 5 years of employment history and travel.

Lastly it is time for payment. Global Entry is $100 while TSA Precheck is $85.

After a few days once your information is processed, I got an email saying to log onto the site for a change in status on my application. I was then instructed to choose a location and time for my appointment. Depending where you are, the availability will differ. But, for reference, in Louisiana the only location is at the airport located in Kenner. The earliest availability was about 2 months out just to book an appointment.

After your appointment is set you arrive with your ID, passport, and a copy of your conditional approval letter from the website. I’m sure everyone’s experiences are different, but I arrived, provided my documents, answered a couple of questions, and did my fingerprints.

The agent said later that day or within the next few days I’d be getting an email about the status whether it was approved or not. Once approved, you will then wait a couple of days for your Global Entry card to come in the mail.

5 days later I received my card in the mail and wow, can I say how horrible the picture is? I couldn’t even tell you if it’s just a bad picture of me because the quality is terrible. Anyways… also in the envelope are instructions on how to activate your card in order to use it. It also comes with a protective sleeve that you put the card in while you are not using it that will protect your information from being picked up by unauthorized readers, pretty cool.

How to get it for free?

Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for – how to do all of this for free!

There can be so many benefits to having a credit card like free points, travel insurance, but one of my favorite is with my Capital One Venture card. Every 4 years I get up to a $100 credit for the purchase of TSA Precheck and/or Global Entry.

Now that I finally have the Global Entry and TSA Precheck myself, I am so ready to travel again and be able to enjoy the privilege of skipping those long security lines and taking out liquids, electronics, etc. Ask a question? Leave it in the comments below!