Why Having Expedited Security Clearance At The Airport Is More Important Than Ever Why Having Expedited Security Clearance At The Airport Is More Important Than Ever

Why Having Expedited Security Clearance At The Airport Is More Important Than Ever

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Airport lines seemingly get longer as each day passes. TSA has been setting records throughout 2024, and is on pace to see the most travelers in a year — ever. The downfall is horror stories of hours-long security lines continue to plague airports across the country.

There's only so much travelers can do to curtail this issue. After all, you must go through TSA. Arriving early is always suggested, but when TSA lines run extremely long, it may not be enough to get you to your flight on time. To avoid long lines, it's advised to enroll in a security clearance program like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR. Yes, this is an extra task on your to-do list, but it can save you hours in security lines over the years and avoid potential headaches.

Here's what you need to know about airport security gridlocks in American airports, and how you can skirt around it.

American Travel Surges, Headaches Persist

Americans have fully embraced their inner traveler as pandemic-related restrictions have gone with the wind. Passport applications are at an all-time high, airlines are reporting record revenue levels, and there's no sign of slowing down.

According to a Deloitte survey, the travel season is extending into fall, with 17% of Americans planning post-Labor Day vacation trips, up from 12% in 2022.

This type of airport foot traffic presents challenges for the TSA, an already neglected and severely understaffed government agency, causing some to avoid flying altogether. According to the U.S. Travel Association, one-quarter of recent air travelers (24%) are less likely to book air travel over the next year due to “airport process inefficiencies.”

What's more, one state is looking to strip expedited options away from consumers. In California, a bill was recently introduced to eliminate CLEAR from airports in the Golden State.

The cherry on top is that while other countries implement new scanning technology to speed up the process, biometrics won't likely appear in U.S. airports until 2049.

So, with all of these factors at hand, what should flyers do to make the security process as easy as possible? As someone who travels regularly, the best solution I've found is enrolling in Global Entry.

How Global Entry works

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon their arrival in the United States. Members enter the U.S. through automatic kiosks, potentially saving hours of waiting in line when you arrive home.

To qualify, you must apply online and then go to an in-person interview before being enrolled in the program. Once you're approved, you'll be able to also use TSA PreCheck lines when traveling domestically.

sign pointing to a TSA PreCheck lane at airport security

I've had Global Entry since 2017, and it has personally saved me dozens of hours of waiting in lines, and hassle.

It currently costs $100 for a five-year enrollment, but the price of Global Entry will be going up to $120 starting October 1. However, there is a simple way you can dodge this fee by using the right credit card when you apply.

Credit Cards With Expedited Security Credits

Many travel credit cards come with expedited security credits, which means they will cover your enrollment fee for several different security programs. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® covers up to $120 every four years to enroll in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS.

What's more, if you're already enrolled, you can give your credit away to anyone of your choice. I typically do this with friends and family. To do this, give them your credit card info to input at checkout during the application process. Just be sure it's someone you trust.

Here's a list of credit cards that offer expedited security credits and how often the credit renews.

CardCredit FrequencyAnnual Fee
The Platinum Card® from American Express4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first$695 (Rates & Fees)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first$695 (Rates & Fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first$650 (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first$350 (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first$350 (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first$650 (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first$650 (Rates & Fees)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®4 years$550 (Rates & Fees)
The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card4 years (Global Entry application only)$450
Aeroplan® Credit Card4 years$95 (Rates & Fees)
The New United Club℠ Card4 years$695 (Rates & Fees)
The New United℠ Explorer Card4 years$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 (Rates & Fees)
The New United Quest℠ Card4 years$350 (Rates & Fees)
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card4 years$199 (Rates & Fees)
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card4 years$99 (Rates & Fees)
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card4 years$99 (Rates & Fees)
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card4 years$95
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card4 years$395
Capital One Venture X Business4 years$395
Capital One Spark Miles for Business4 years$0 introductory fee for the first year; $95 after that
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®4 years$595
Citi Prestige® Card4 years$495
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card4 years$400
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card4 years (Up to $100 statement credit only)$0
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card4 years (Up to $100 statement credit only)$95
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card4 years$550
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature®4 years$95 (waived for existing PenFed Honors Advantage Members)
HSBC Premier World Mastercard® credit card4.5 years (Up to $85 statement credit only)$95
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard® credit card4.5 years$495
Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®4 years$95 (Rates & Fees)
One Key+™ Card4 years$99 (Rates & Fees)
USAA Eagle Navigator® Credit Card4 years$95 (Rates & Fees)
Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard®4 years$499
JetBlue Premier Card4 years$499

Final Thoughts

When I talk about TSA PreCheck and/or Global Entry with friends, the common rejection is that they may not fly enough. Even for someone who only flies once or twice per year, enrolling in Global Entry can save you enough time and hassle to make it worth it.

If you can earn a credit card welcome bonus and grab your Global Entry membership for the next five years, you can set yourself up for a solid vacation soon.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: USAA Eagle Navigator® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees), IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees), The New United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), The New United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), The New United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees), Aeroplan® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)

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