Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck®: Which is better?

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck® are federal programs that can help make travel to and from U.S. airports easier. But the programs aren’t exactly the same, and one may be better suited to you depending on how and where you typically travel. 

Learn about the differences between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. Plus, find out how you can use your eligible Capital One Venture, Venture X, Venture X Business or Spark Miles card to get reimbursed for the application fee of either program.

What you’ll learn:

• TSA PreCheck is for travelers on flights departing from U.S. airports. 

• Global Entry is for travelers arriving at U.S. airports after traveling abroad.

• Global Entry members receive TSA PreCheck benefits as part of their membership.

• Venture, Venture X, Venture X Business and Spark Miles cardholders can get reimbursed for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees up to $120 every four years.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are both Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) run by government agencies. But they differ in important ways. 

TSA PreCheck grants expedited security screening for passengers departing from U.S. airports. Global Entry includes the benefits of TSA PreCheck and offers expedited customs screening when you reenter the U.S. after traveling internationally. 

This table provides a more comprehensive comparison of Global Entry versus TSA PreCheck. The information is accurate as of November 10, 2025.

Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck membership. That means if you have Global Entry, you can use TSA PreCheck for your domestic flights. 

But you may have to add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in the KTN field of your airline reservation. Then, make sure the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on your boarding pass. Showing your Global Entry, SENTRI card or TSA PreCheck approval notification won’t let you access TSA PreCheck, according to the TSA.

Applying for a five-year Global Entry membership costs $120. Applying for a five-year renewal also costs $120. 

For TSA PreCheck, the cost for a five-year membership varies, depending on which TSA partner you enroll through. The same is true for a five-year renewal, with costs varying further depending on whether you renew online or in person. IDEMIA offers the least-expensive option for both application and renewal. You can find a more detailed cost breakdown in the table above.

One way to get reimbursed for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is by using an eligible travel rewards credit card to pay the application fee. Some credit cards offer reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, including these Capital One cards: 

• Venture

• Venture X

• Venture X Business

• Spark Miles

Eligible cardholders can get up to a $120 statement credit when they use their eligible travel card to pay for their TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. Capital One will reimburse you for the application fee within two billing cycles. Both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are valid for five years, and you’re eligible for one statement credit per account every four years.

The application processes for TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry have a few key differences. Here are details about how to apply for each program:

The first step in applying for Global Entry is to create a TTP account and complete the application through the TTP portal. 

Once your application is conditionally approved, schedule an in-person interview at a Global Entry enrollment center. Or you can use the Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival program, which lets you conduct your interview at an eligible airport when you reenter the U.S. after international travel.

To apply for TSA PreCheck, first complete the application online or at an enrollment center. You’ll need to visit an enrollment center for fingerprinting, document verification and payment. There are three different partner companies you can choose from to enroll. Visit the TSA website for more information about those options.

If you’re trying to decide whether Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is best for you, it may help to break down the pros and cons of each.

Here are a few benefits of Global Entry membership: 

• Includes TSA PreCheck

• Expedited customs clearance when reentering the U.S.

• Cost can be reimbursed through some credit cards

Some potential drawbacks of Global Entry include: 

• More-involved enrollment process than TSA PreCheck, including background checks

• Fewer enrollment locations than TSA PreCheck

• Longer time to get approved than TSA PreCheck

• Higher cost than TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck has some advantages, including: 

• Expedited security screening for domestic flights

• Easier and faster enrollment process than Global Entry

• More enrollment locations than Global Entry

• Lower cost than Global Entry

• Cost can be reimbursed through some credit cards

TSA PreCheck only applies to flights departing from U.S. airports. So if you’re flying out of an international airport, you won’t be able to take advantage of your TSA PreCheck benefits. And when you get back to the U.S., you won’t get the expedited customs processing that Global Entry membership offers.

The TSA recommends Global Entry for people who travel abroad about four or more times a year. But TSA PreCheck might be a better choice if you travel mostly within the U.S.

Keep in mind that Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits. So if there’s a chance you’ll be traveling internationally within the next five years, you might consider Global Entry over TSA PreCheck. Just remember that the processing time for getting Global Entry approval could, in some cases, take up to a year.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are two common TTPs. Here are a few others:

• NEXUS: Similar to Global Entry, NEXUS gives travelers expedited entry into Canada and the U.S. NEXUS costs $120 for a five-year membership and may include TSA PreCheck.

• SENTRI: SENTRI is a TTP for travelers moving between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. Members get expedited vehicle and pedestrian access to Mexico and Canada. Membership may include TSA PreCheck at U.S. and Canadian airports. SENTRI costs $120 for a five-year membership.

• CLEAR+: Unlike TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, which are federal programs, CLEAR+ is administered by CLEAR, a private company. CLEAR+ membership allows travelers to have their identity verified with the use of biometrics, which can speed up the airport security process. CLEAR+ costs $209 yearly. CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck can be used together. You can also combine CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck enrollment at any participating CLEAR enrollment airport location.

TSA PreCheck gives travelers expedited security screening for domestic flights. Global Entry helps speed up the customs process for those reentering the U.S. after traveling abroad. And Global Entry members automatically get TSA PreCheck membership. 

Eligible Capital One Venture, Venture X, Venture X Business and Spark Miles cardholders can get up to a $120 statement credit every four years when they use an eligible travel card to pay for their TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. Find out more about how a Capital One travel rewards credit card can help make your travel experience more enjoyable with exclusive benefits and elevated rewards:

• Explore travel rewards cards with unlimited miles you can actually use. 

• Elevate your next adventure with the Venture X card, which offers premium travel benefits and more.

• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day, and earn a one-time 75,000-mile bonus with the Venture card. 

• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day, with no annual fee with the VentureOne card. View important rates and disclosures.