As we rush through the summer travel months, it’s hard to believe that fall and the holidays will be here before we know it.
With flight delay And with airport lines becoming a common travel experience—especially during the cold summer and holiday seasons—there’s no better time to arm yourself with the tools to get through the airport as quickly as possible. We’re talking specifically about the Transportation Security Administration checkpoints and customs lines when returning from abroad.
Both Ventilated And TSA Pre-Check can help passengers quickly pass through TSA security screening lines; Global Entry can be great if you travel internationally often. Each service is a little different — and offers a variety of ways to join at a reduced cost or even for free.
What are TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear?
TSA Pre-Check
TSA PreCheck allows users to pass through airport security through a dedicated line. In this line, users do not have to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or light jackets like passengers in the regular TSA line.
Global Entry
Global Entry is useful for people who travel internationally frequently. It provides pre-approved, low-risk travelers with expedited clearance when entering the United States from abroad. Global Entry users can enter the country through automated kiosks at more than 75 airports.
Ventilated
Like TSA PreCheck, Clear users begin the security process in a dedicated Clear lane. They are biometrically identified via fingerprint or iris scan, eliminating the need to show ID at any point during the security screening process. Users are then directed to the front of the security screening line (either the front of the TSA PreCheck screening line for those with Clear and TSA PreCheck, or the front of the regular TSA screening line).
How much does TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear cost?
A five-year TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 to $85, while a five-year Global Entry membership costs $100. However, starting in October, the Global Entry enrollment fee will be $120.
TSA PreCheck fees vary by provider. The application fee is $78 through Idea and $85 through Telos. The cost of online renewal is $70 through either provider.
As a Global Entry member, you will enjoy the benefits of both programs for an additional fee of $22 for applications before October or $42 from October onwards.
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For Clear, the annual membership fee is $199.
‘Free’ TSA PreCheck and Global Entry via credit card
There are a number of airlines, hotels and other businesses that are co-branded. credit offers a statement credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. This credit typically comes every four to five years, although you should check the terms of your specific card for the exact frequency.
Some cards that offer free TSA PreCheck and/or Global Entry membership are:
Visit TSA website for a complete list of credit cards that offer discounts on TSA PreCheck. As of August, Citi, Chase and American Express confirmed An additional $120 credit will be issued from October to match the program’s price increase.
TSA PreCheck and Clear Packages
As of April, Clear users can sign up for TSA PreCheck for a flat rate $199 instead of just $78 for TSA PreCheck. To get that price, travelers must sign up for both TSA PreCheck and a Clear Plus membership on the Clear website. Clear will refund the $77.95 once the traveler completes the process and is approved.
Your miles can pay for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
In addition to the cards mentioned above that offer credits for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, some loyalty programs allow members to redeem points or miles for membership fee coverage. While these are options, the return per point is less than TPG’s August 2024 valuationSo, this isn’t our top pick for how to save on membership.
However, if you want to go this route, here are the programs that offer this option to members:
- Radisson Rewards Americas: Members can redeem 65,000 points for an $85 sign-up credit just for TSA PreCheck.
- Orbitz Rewards: Platinum members receive complimentary TSA PreCheck membership every five years.
- Marriott Bonvoy Hotel:Members can redeem 25,000 points for an $85 app credit.
- IHG One Rewards:Members can redeem 30,000 points for an $85 app credit.
- United MileagePlus:Members can redeem 11,000 miles for TSA PreCheck membership.
‘Free’ Clear Membership via credit card
Because Clear costs $199 a year instead of $85 to $100 every five years, there aren’t many credit cards that offer a free Clear Plus membership like other cards.
However, you still have a few options if you want to use a travel credit card to pay for your Clear Plus membership.
Cards currently paying membership fees include:
Occasionally, targeted Amex Offers that include the cost of a Clear Plus membership are available to those with American ExpressSo keep an eye out for limited time offers.
The information about the Centurion, Green and Hilton Aspire cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Credit Cards That Save You Money on Clear
If you don’t have a credit card that allows you to use Clear completely free with statement credits, a few additional credit cards can at least reduce the cost of your annual Clear membership:
Save on Clear with your frequent flyer membership
United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines offer their frequent flyers free or discounted memberships to Clear.
Discounts from Delta SkyMiles
Delta Diamond Medallion members, the top tier, can get Clear for free. The airline’s Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion members can pay a discounted rate of $149. The same rate applies to those without Delta Credit Card.
All Delta SkyMiles Non-elite members can get their membership discounted to $189—a $10 discount.
Discounts from United MileagePlus
Similarly, United Premier 1K members are entitled to a free membership in Clear, while United Premier Platinum, Gold, and Silver members can expect to pay $149. Those with United Credit Card get the same discount.
United MileagePlus members without status can access Clear for $179 per year.
Discounts from Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Members can sign up for Clear for a slightly more affordable price of $189 per year.
Mileage Plan members sign up for Clear will also receive bonus miles. MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K members will receive 1,500 miles, plus an additional 1,250 miles each year upon renewal.
Clear discounts for families and students
For families, children under 18 can travel with an adult through Clear for free without having to have their eyes or fingerprints scanned.
College students can take advantage of the student discount rate of $60 per year for up to four years.
Clear also has family packages.and you can add up to three adults to your prime membership for $119 per additional person per year.
Try Clear for free with referral code
TPG readers can Try Clear free for two months before deciding whether it’s worth keeping. Fair warning: In my experience, once you Clear, you never go back.
Last line
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear not only save travelers time, but they can also provide inexpensive memberships. Before signing up for one or more programs, see if you can get a free or reduced-cost membership through one of these methods.
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