TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or Global Entry? How to Breeze Through Airport Security

Long security lines can put a damper on the first day of any vacation, especially when you’re traveling with kids, grandparents, and a mountain of carry-ons. The good news is that there are programs that can get your family through the airport faster. Here’s how the most popular options compare, and which one I recommend.

TSA PreCheck: my top pick for most travelers

TSA PreCheck gives you access to dedicated, faster security lanes at more than 200 U.S. airports. In the PreCheck lane you typically keep your laptop and travel-size liquids in your bag and leave your belt and light jacket on, which makes the whole process calmer and quicker.

Enrollment includes a short online application, a background check, and a quick in-person appointment for fingerprints and a photo. As of October 2026, new enrollment costs about $77 to $85 depending on the enrollment provider (IDEMIA, Telos, or CLEAR), and membership lasts five years. Renewing online costs roughly $59 to $73. That works out to only about $15 to $17 a year.

My recommendation: if you fly more than two or three times a year, TSA PreCheck is well worth it. Because it’s a five-year membership, the cost per trip quickly becomes very small.

Good news for families using PreCheck

Children 12 and under can go through the PreCheck lane with a parent or guardian who has PreCheck.
Teens 13 to 17 can also join an enrolled parent or guardian when they’re on the same reservation and the PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass.
Adults 18 and over need their own membership, so grandparents and adult children should each enroll.

CLEAR: speed for frequent flyers

CLEAR is a private company that verifies your identity with your eyes or fingerprints, then walks you to the front of the security line. It doesn’t replace security screening, it skips the ID-check line. When you pair CLEAR with TSA PreCheck, you go to the front of the PreCheck line, which is the fastest combination available.

CLEAR Plus costs more than PreCheck, about $219 per year as of October 2026, and it renews every year. You can add up to three adult family members at a reduced rate, and children under 18 can join a CLEAR member in the lane at no extra cost. CLEAR is only available at participating airports, so check whether your home airport has it.

Because of the higher yearly cost, CLEAR makes the most sense for people who fly frequently, such as business travelers or anyone flying many times a year.

Global Entry: best for international travelers

Global Entry speeds you through U.S. Customs when you return from another country, and it includes TSA PreCheck. It costs $120 for five years and requires an interview. Children under 18 can apply for free when a parent or guardian is a member or is applying at the same time, though each child still needs their own application and interview.

If your family plans to cruise internationally or travel abroad even once every few years, Global Entry is often a better value than PreCheck alone, because you get both benefits.

Options for military members and veterans

Active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members, service academy cadets and midshipmen, and Department of Defense civilian employees get TSA PreCheck at no cost. Simply enter your 10-digit DoD ID number as your Known Traveler Number when you book. Children 12 and under can come through with you.
Gold Star families are eligible to have the TSA PreCheck enrollment fee waived.
Military spouses can receive a discount on TSA PreCheck enrollment.
Veterans and military retirees generally enroll in TSA PreCheck the same way as civilians, because the free DoD ID benefit ends when you leave service.
Under the VETS Safe Travel Act, veterans with certain service-connected disabilities (for example, those who use a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic, or have paralysis or blindness) may qualify for free TSA PreCheck. Eligible veterans can get a fee waiver letter through their VA.gov account.
CLEAR offers a discounted CLEAR Plus membership for active duty military and veterans. CLEAR asks eligible members to start enrollment at one of its airport locations.
Wounded warriors and veterans who need extra help can contact TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227 at least 72 hours before their flight to arrange screening assistance.

Options for seniors

Travelers 75 and older can typically keep their shoes and a light jacket on in standard security lanes, with no enrollment required.
Travelers who can’t stand for screening will be screened another way. Let the officer know.
TSA Cares, (855) 787-2227, can arrange extra assistance for travelers with disabilities or medical conditions. Call at least 72 hours before your trip.
Request wheelchair or mobility assistance through your airline when you book. It’s free, and the attendant will help you through security and to your gate.
Even with these accommodations, many grandparents find TSA PreCheck worth it, because not unpacking liquids and laptops makes the checkpoint much easier on the body.

Before you pay: check your credit cards

Many travel credit cards reimburse the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and some premium cards include a credit for CLEAR. Check your card benefits before you enroll. You may be able to get one of these programs for free.

My quick recommendation

Fly 2 to 3 or more times a year: get TSA PreCheck.
Travel internationally at least occasionally: get Global Entry, which includes PreCheck.
Fly very frequently and want the fastest possible experience: add CLEAR on top of PreCheck.
Military, Gold Star families, and qualifying veterans: take advantage of the free and discounted options above.

When I plan your trip, I’ll make sure every traveler’s Known Traveler Number is added to their reservations, so your family can enjoy a smoother start to your vacation.

Program fees, providers, and rules change from time to time. Prices listed here are as of October 2026, so always confirm the current details with TSA, CLEAR, or U.S. Customs and Border Protection before you enroll.