TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry: Which One Is Worth It in 2026
Small things that make either program easier
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Keeps passport, Global Entry card and boarding pass together for the kiosk and the gate.
See options on AmazonPreCheck lets you keep liquids in your bag, but the 3-1-1 size limits still apply.
See options on AmazonHoliday travel is the season people finally sign up for a trusted traveler program. The choice usually comes down to two: TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. Here is the comparison, using what TSA and CBP publish.
The comparison
| TSA PreCheck | Global Entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | Varies by enrollment provider, about $77 to $85 for a new 5-year enrollment; online renewal costs less | $120 (CBP, effective Oct 1, 2024) |
| Membership | 5 years | 5 years |
| Includes PreCheck | Yes | Yes, Global Entry members also get TSA PreCheck benefits |
| Kids | 12 and under use the lane with an eligible parent; 13 to 17 can on the same reservation (may be randomly excluded) | Under 18 pay no fee when applying with, or after, a parent or guardian in the program |
| Approval | Most in 3 to 5 days, some up to 60 | Requires an interview |
The deciding question
If you will leave the United States even once in the next five years, Global Entry covers PreCheck too, and the difference is usually about $35 to $43 over five years, depending on which PreCheck provider you would otherwise use. If you never fly internationally, PreCheck is the simpler, cheaper choice.
The family math
Global Entry's minor rule changes the numbers for families. Under the 2024 rule, minors are exempt from the fee when they apply at the same time as a parent or legal guardian, or when a parent or guardian is already a member. PreCheck works differently: children 12 and under ride along with an eligible parent, but a child 17 or under traveling alone or without an eligible parent needs their own membership (TSA FAQ).
Don't skip the KTN step
Whichever you choose, the benefit only shows up if your Known Traveler Number is in the "KTN" field of every airline reservation and matches your name and date of birth exactly as enrolled, and the PreCheck indicator is printed on your boarding pass (TSA FAQ). Add it to your airline profiles the day you are approved.
One short email with a gear call, a packing system, or a policy change that affects frequent flyers.
Sources
How we write: we research manufacturer documentation, extension-service and agency guidance, and owner discussions, then summarize what matters before you buy. We do not claim hands-on testing unless a pick is marked "We own and use this one." Spot an error? Tell us.