I am up for renewal on my Global Entry membership, so I decided to look up on the trusted traveler program to see what might have changed since I last applied about 5 years ago.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website has a good comparison chart on the four trusted traveler programs: TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, Nexus, and SENTRI. I won’t talk about the latter two since I don’t have any personal experience with them. Instead, I’ll just focus on TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry.
Screenshot of comparison chart on DHS website: https://www.dhs.gov/trusted-traveler-comparison-chart
Which is Better: TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry?
I’ll just come right out and say it. Hands down, I think that Global Entry is the better program of the two since it includes “the TSA Pre-Check experience”. For $15 USD more (over 5 years), you’d also get “expedited processing through CBP at airports and land borders upon arrival in the US”.
If you travel internationally, the Global Entry membership is well worth the investment. Global Entry makes things fast and simple when returning home. You scan your passport and your fingerprints at the Global Entry kiosk, answer a few questions on-screen, and you’re done.
TSA Pre-Check makes more sense if you have no plans to travel internationally over the next 5 years.
Up for Renewal
Looking through the comparison chart, the decision is simple for me:
I will be renewing my Global Entry membership.
Since I am renewing, I hope I don’t need to go back in for another interview.
FAQ from CBP: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/frequently-asked-questions
I guess I will find out soon.
Are you weighing between the two trusted traveler program? Which ones are you getting and why?
Mine is due to renew in the Spring of 2018, so I’m interested in finding out if you need to go in for another interview.
You bet. I’ll update once I find out!
I detailed the renewal process here: https://travelupdate.com/renewing-global-entry/
Got the result. In my case, no need to go in for another interview —sweet!
Nexus includes both Global Entry and TSA Pre-check…for $50. It also includes expedited Canadian customs at Canadian airports if you get the iris scan after the interview, even some time down the road.
Couple this with no waiting time for an appointment after the application has been approved, I could have gone the next day. If you’re anywhere near the border it’s a no brainier, I coupled my appointment with a weekend in Montreal.
I just came back to USA via MIA. I used my app. mobile passport. went through immigration much faster than global entry because there was nobody in line for the mobile passport and there were several in the line for global entry. Mobile passport is free.
Hmm, interesting. Expedited CBP at one cruise port and 24 airport locations. First I heard of it. Thanks!
It’s hard to beat free, but I suppose one could pair TSA Pre-Check with this mobile passport (if s/he does not have global entry.)
I was denied GE due to some customs issue years ago. Got TSA Pre without issue. While I agree, GE is excellent, the true advantage is crossing the border without language. If you have checked in baggage, automatic kiosks and other things like the Passport App truly speed up the border crossing enough not to notice too much difference.
Overall, speeding through the security is way more important, as it comes in handy more often.
Even though I live in Texas, I opted for the Nexus program. It’s only $50 (compared to $100 for GE, $85 for TSA Pre), and you get all the benefits of Global Entry, TSA Pre and Nexus (easy entry into and out of Canada) all wrapped up in one. The caveat, is that you have to go to a northern border station to interview. Fortunately, I travel quite a bit for work, and had a trip to the Seattle area scheduled not long after I was accepted for my interview. There are several northern border stations you can schedule an… Read more »
Thanks for your excellent comment. I had looked at the benefits of NEXUS prior to writing this article. As you astutely noted, I also noticed that NEXUS includes all the benefits of TSA Pre and Global Entry which makes it an appealing option. However, the interview locations are nowhere near me.
i don’t want to write about a program I have little or no experience, so thanks for sharing your wonderful insight on the program!