TSA pre-check vs. Global Entry
 

Can Global Entry be used on flights within the U.S. as well as those returning from abroad? Global Entry is cheaper; so is there a reason to use TSA Pre-Check instead?

Global entry allows one to use the kiosks to complete entry formalities when you re-enter the US after a foreign trip. If you have Global Entry you are also approved for TSA pre-check. Global entry costs more, so I'm not sure why you think it is cheaper. If you don't do any international travel, get TSA price-check as it costs lead.

Note that for both Global Entry and TSA pre-check, you re not guaranteed to get TSA pre-check every time. there is an randomized element so periodically you will have to go through regular security.

You do not need both. GE is $100 for 5 years; TSA precheck is $85 for 5 years.


And Kathie is spot on re: which card does what. IMHO, for the extra $15 [$3 a year seem a pittance], get the GE unless you know for certain you won't travel outside the US in the next 5 years.

Good point, as we might go back to France.

I have to say that in NYC airports at least, Global Entry is not nearly as important as precheck these days. Now there are kiosks somewhat similar to Global Entry at JFK for everyone, and I did immigration in 10 minutes on my most recent return from Frankfurt in December. Customs took another 10 minutes. That's now where a line forms for some reason. The Global Entry members didn't save much time at all.

Precheck at JFK, however, saves you considerably and can be used when taking both domestic and international flights. To me, it's a much more important investment now that Immigration is introducing kiosks more widely.

I suppose for an additional $15 it doesn't really matter.

I mentioned in my first reply to this post that even with Global entry or TSA Recheck, you won't get recheck every time.

We recently returned from three weeks on Kauai, and Cheryl's boarding pass had pre-check on it, mine diid not (even though we both have global entry). Believe me, leaving Hawaii is a time when you want pre-check. Going though the regular line look me half an hour longer than it took Cheryl. There are lots of families with small children, many of whom melt down just as they get to the conveyer belt. And all of them are carrying multiple bags and packs... it's a mess.

I just noticed that auto-correct changed precheck to recheck.

Isn't pre-check a part of Global Entry? Anyway, I will do one or the other--probably pre-check as there's a nearby office now. I really didn't want to go to San Francisco for the interview.

Global Entry participants are eligible for Pre-check.

Yes, you get TSA pre-check as a part of Global entry. My point is that even if you are approved for Global Entry or TSA Pre-check you won't get it every time you fly. There is a randomized element to it.

Got that. I'll just hope for the best.

I noticed too that the customs is now where the line formed when I was coming back into the States through MIA last autumn from Cuba. Global Entry people had their own set of kiosks and then there were a bunch for the rest of regular folks. The immigration was quick using those kiosks, but the line for customs was terribly long--about an hour or so. I just recently signed up for Global Entry so I hope I can avoid the longer customs lines as well.

MSP also had the many kiosks when I was coming through from Europe one afternoon. Even with the kiosks were was a little bit of line formed, but customs was quite quick. I did end up running to get to my connecting flight that time. I hope Global Entry will help to minimize these problems in the future.

Global Entry is for immigration, not customs. But I've never seen a Customs line that was an hour long ... ever. Global Entry does not mean you get to skip the Customs check-out line, just passport control.

Actually, GE does let you get through Customs a lot faster via a separate line for GE only. In the past couple of months I've done that in ATL and MCO for two. The actual customs check was also significantly abbreviated.

When we return from France we always expect a delay at Customs because of declaring food products. That triggers putting all the luggage through the special x-ray machines.

>>But I've never seen a Customs line that was an hour long ... ever.<<

That long and longer - Not for customs which was only about 10 mins but the bag drop line was ENORMOUS the last two times I've returned through LAX.