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.

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.

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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