If you travel even a few times a year, you’ve probably wondered whether TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR, or some combination of the three is actually worth paying for.
We get this question all the time, and the biggest thing to understand is that these programs don’t all do the same thing. TSA PreCheck helps with airport security. Global Entry helps when you return to the U.S. from another country and also includes TSA PreCheck benefits for eligible members. CLEAR+ is another tool that can help you move through the identity verification part of airport security faster.
So which one should you get? Let’s break it down.
TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is probably the simplest place to start if you mostly travel within the United States.
Once approved, you receive a Known Traveler Number, or KTN, that you add to your airline reservations. When TSA PreCheck appears on your boarding pass, you can use the designated PreCheck security lane at participating airports.
The biggest benefit isn’t just a potentially shorter line. The screening process itself is easier.
In most cases, TSA PreCheck passengers can leave their shoes, belts, and light jackets on and keep approved electronics and liquids inside their bags.
That might not sound life changing until you’ve stood in a packed security line trying to pull a laptop out of your carry-on while taking your shoes off.
TSA PreCheck membership lasts for five years, and enrollment is available through several TSA-approved providers. Pricing can vary slightly depending on which enrollment provider you use.
For someone who takes several domestic flights each year, we think this is one of the easiest travel conveniences to justify.
Global Entry
If you travel internationally, this is where things get more interesting.
Global Entry is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is designed to speed up the process of entering the United States for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.
The current application fee is $120, and membership lasts for five years.
Here’s the important part: most eligible Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits.
That means you can get the expedited security benefits of TSA PreCheck when departing from U.S. airports AND expedited processing when returning to the United States after an international trip.
For that reason, we generally think Global Entry makes more sense than applying for TSA PreCheck alone if you travel internationally with any regularity.
There is a little more work involved.
You’ll complete an application, undergo a background check, receive conditional approval, and then complete an interview. Interview appointments can sometimes be the annoying part of the process.
However, conditionally approved applicants may also be able to complete their interview through Enrollment on Arrival when returning to the United States from an international trip at participating locations.
If international travel is a regular part of your life, the added effort can absolutely be worth it.
What About CLEAR?
CLEAR+ is where people tend to get confused.
CLEAR does not replace TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
Instead, CLEAR uses identity verification technology to help members move through the identity check portion of airport security at participating airports. Once your identity is verified, you continue to physical security screening.
And yes, you can use CLEAR+ and TSA PreCheck together.
That combination can be especially useful at a busy airport when both services are available. CLEAR can help you through identity verification, while TSA PreCheck gives you access to the expedited screening process.
The downside is the price.
As of 2026, a standard CLEAR+ membership is $219 per year. It is also not available at every airport or every terminal, so its value depends heavily on where you normally fly.
Before paying for CLEAR, we would look at two things.
First, check whether your home airport and the airports you frequently visit have CLEAR lanes.
Second, check your credit cards and airline status.
Some premium travel credit cards offer statement credits that can cover some or all of a CLEAR+ membership. CLEAR also offers discounted rates through certain airline loyalty programs.
If your credit card is paying for it anyway, the value calculation becomes much easier.
Which Should You Get?
If we were choosing between the three, we’d think about it this way.
If you mostly fly domestically, start with TSA PreCheck.
If you travel internationally, we’d look at Global Entry because you can receive Global Entry benefits plus TSA PreCheck eligibility through one program.
If you travel frequently through airports where CLEAR is available, especially if a credit card covers your membership, adding CLEAR can make sense too.
For a frequent traveler, the strongest setup may actually be Global Entry plus CLEAR.
Global Entry handles your return to the United States and gives eligible members access to TSA PreCheck benefits for departures. CLEAR can then provide another option for moving through identity verification at participating airports.
Just remember that CLEAR is more of an add-on. We wouldn’t choose it instead of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry if the goal is to make the entire airport experience easier.
Check Your Cards
Before paying for any of these programs, check the benefits on the credit cards already in your wallet.
This is one of those travel perks people forget about.
Many premium travel cards offer statement credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees. Some cards also provide CLEAR+ credits.
If you already pay an annual fee for a travel card, using these benefits is an easy way to get more value from it.
Just make sure you understand how the credit works before applying. Some benefits are available once every few years, while others renew annually. You may also need to pay the application or membership fee with that specific card to trigger the credit.
We always recommend checking your current card benefits before spending money out of pocket.
Is It Worth It?
Airport convenience is one of those things that’s hard to appreciate until you’ve experienced the alternative.
If you fly once every three years, you probably don’t need every expedited travel program available.
But if you’re regularly flying for vacations, work, cruises, or international trips, reducing friction at the airport can make a noticeable difference.
For domestic travelers, TSA PreCheck is a great starting point.
For international travelers, we’d usually go straight to Global Entry.
And for frequent flyers who have access to CLEAR at their regular airports, especially those who can get the membership covered or discounted, CLEAR can be a nice addition.
You don’t need every travel membership just because it exists. Choose the ones that actually match how you travel.
That’s how we look at most travel perks. The goal isn’t to collect every benefit possible. It’s to spend money, points, and annual fees on the things that genuinely make your trips better.
And if you’re planning a bigger trip and aren’t sure which travel tools, credit card perks, or airport programs could make the experience easier, we’re always happy to help point you in the right direction.
