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One of the biggest stress factors in air travel is the time it takes to get through airport security. If you travel regularly, the hours stuck in security screening lines can really add up. Luckily, there are several ways to get expedited airport security.
All the options for expedited airport security and immigration — TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR® Plus, NEXUS, and SENTRI — carry a fee. But there are ways to unlock free or discounted rates for these programs with select airline elite statuses and premium travel rewards cards. Here's what you need to know.
Page Contents
What Is Expedited Airport Security?
An expedited airport security service is the fastest way through the identity and security screening processes. Think of it as a “skip-the-line” pass to fast-track your way through the ever-increasing TSA screening and immigration lines via a streamlined identity verification process. The programs range in price and benefits, and can have overlapping benefits.
What does it cost to enroll in expedited security programs?
There are currently five expedited security screening programs operating in the U.S:
- TSA PreCheck: Allows eligible, low-risk travelers to make use of expedited security screening when flying on an eligible airline from select U.S. airports. TSA PreCheck members aren’t required to remove belts, shoes, or jackets and can leave liquids and laptops in carry-on luggage. Costs vary depending on how you sign up. For first-time enrollees, a five-year TSA PreCheck membership costs $76.75 via Idemia, $77.95 via CLEAR, or $85 via Telos.
- Global Entry: Provides Global Entry lanes at select airports offering expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. A $120 fee is required with your Global Entry application. Membership is valid for five years and requires an interview at an approved center. Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck benefits.
- NEXUS: Offers pre-screened travelers expedited processing when entering the United States (via Global Entry lanes) and Canada (via NEXUS kiosks). NEXUS costs $120 for a five-year membership. NEXUS membership also includes TSA PreCheck benefits.
- SENTRI: Similar to the NEXUS program, but for the U.S.-Mexico border and only applies to land border entry locations. SENTRI is not a bilateral program and only applies to travelers re-entering the U.S., not those entering from Mexico. SENTRI costs $120 per person, but membership also includes TSA PreCheck benefits.
- CLEAR Plus: The only privately operated program, CLEAR Plus doesn’t have quite the same footprint as the government programs. Where it’s available, however, it takes expedited security a step further using biometric identification to speed up the process. CLEAR Plus members are then bumped to the front of the TSA line. CLEAR Plus is the most expensive program at $199 per year. However, there are several ways to get it for cheaper or free — as we will explain below.
Get Expedited Airport Security for Free
There are a few different options for getting expedited security screening and having the application cost reimbursed, or even getting it for free.
Expedited airport security using frequent flyer elite status
Many frequent flyer programs offer complimentary expedited security for flyers with mid- to top-tier airline elite status. This perk allows select elite members to access priority security lines, along with their first-class counterparts, even when traveling on a lower-class fare.
These priority security lanes are separate from TSA PreCheck or CLEAR Plus, so if you qualify to use them, you will still need to show identification and remove your shoes, liquids, laptop, belt, and jacket.
The following airline elite members can access express security lines when available at the airport:
- Alaska Mileage Plan: MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K
- American AAdvantage®: Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum
- Delta SkyMiles: Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion
- Free Spirit: Silver and Gold elites
- JetBlue TrueBlue: Mosaic 1–4
- Southwest Rapid Rewards: A-List and A-List Preferred
- United MileagePlus: Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Premier 1K
You can get CLEAR Plus without paying the annual fee if you are a Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion. Top-tier elite members with Delta receive a free annual CLEAR Plus membership, which gives you the fastest possible path through airport identity verification and security screening.
United MileagePlus Premier 1K members can also get a discounted CLEAR Plus membership for $129. Other Delta and United loyalty program members and cardholders can also get CLEAR Plus at a discounted rate that varies based on your status level.
Expedited airport security as a credit card benefit
Up to $120 in statement credits for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are included as a benefit of many credit cards. Some of your options include:
| Card | Credit Frequency | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 4 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 Express | 4 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® Card | 4 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 Card | 4 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 Card | 4 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 Card | 4 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 Card | 4 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 Card | 4 years (Global Entry application only) | $450 |
| Aeroplan® Credit Card | 4 years | $95 (Rates & Fees) |
| The New United Club℠ Card | 4 years | $695 (Rates & Fees) |
| The New United℠ Explorer Card | 4 years | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 (Rates & Fees) |
| The New United Quest℠ Card | 4 years | $350 (Rates & Fees) |
| Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card | 4 years | $199 (Rates & Fees) |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | 4 years | $99 |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card | 4 years | $99 (Rates & Fees) |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 4 years | $95 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 4 years | $395 |
| Capital One Venture X Business | 4 years | $395 |
| Capital One Spark Miles for Business | 4 years | $0 introductory fee for the first year; $95 after that |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | 4 years | $595 |
| Citi Prestige® Card | 4 years | $495 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card | 4 years | $400 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card | 4 years (Up to $100 statement credit only) | $0 |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | 4 years (Up to $100 statement credit only) | $95 |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card | 4 years | $550 |
| PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® | 4 years | $95 (waived for existing PenFed Honors Advantage Members) |
| HSBC Premier World Mastercard® credit card | 4.5 years (Up to $85 statement credit only) | $95 |
| HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard® credit card | 4.5 years | $495 |
| Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® | 4 years | $95 (Rates & Fees) |
| One Key+™ Card | 4 years | $99 (Rates & Fees) |
| USAA Eagle Navigator® Credit Card | 4 years | $95 (Rates & Fees) |
| Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard® | 4 years | $499 |
| JetBlue Premier Card | 4 years | $499 |
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
A standard CLEAR Plus membership usually costs $199 per year. If you don't have top-tier elite status with United or Delta, you might be eligible for a free CLEAR Plus membership in the form of a $199 statement credit if you hold one of these cards:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Green Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Simply enroll and use the card to pay for a CLEAR Plus membership. You should be reimbursed in the form of a statement credit. Make sure to enroll first, as it's required.
Some credit cards also offer statement credits for NEXUS as a benefit, should you want to sign up for that program instead of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. The NEXUS application fee is $120.
| Card | Credit Frequency | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan® Credit Card | 4 years | $95 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 4 years | $550 |
| Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card | 4 years | $199 |
| The New United℠ Explorer Card | 4 years | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 |
| The New United Quest℠ Card | 4 years | $350 |
| The New United Club℠ Card | 4 years | $695 |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | 4 years | $99 |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card | 4 years | $99 |
| HSBC Premier World Mastercard® credit card | 4.5 years (Up to $85 statement credit only) | $95 |
| HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard® credit card | 4.5 years | $495 |
U.S. passengers can also take advantage of the Mobile Passport Control app, which is a fantastic free app offered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Simply download the Mobile Passport Control app via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, set up your profile, answer CBP's questions, and you can move straight to the Mobile Passport Control express lane. Mobile Passport is available at 35 airports, 14 pre-clearance locations, and four seaports.
Related: Credit Card Benefits Every Traveler Should Know About
How Is CLEAR Plus Different From TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Plus are separate programs that run in parallel, with CLEAR Plus providing the fastest possible way through the identification phase, while TSA PreCheck offers expedited identity verification and a fast track through the physical security screening process.
CLEAR is a private company that offers biometric identity verification and priority screening at 50+ airports and select sporting venues in the U.S.
On the other hand, TSA PreCheck is a program offered by the Transportation Security Administration, and rather than biometric identification via a kiosk, travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck enter the TSA priority queue for expedited screening. TSA PreCheck is currently available at more than 200 airports nationwide, with 90-plus participating airlines.
It's possible to have both CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck to give yourself options for whichever line is moving fastest at the security checkpoint.
Final Thoughts
If the majority of your travel is domestic, and you have no plans to travel overseas in the next five years, then registering for TSA PreCheck will be sufficient. However, if there’s any chance you’ll be traveling internationally, it makes sense to register for Global Entry. It includes registration in TSA PreCheck. Plus, it also covers passengers flying back into the U.S. via Global Entry kiosks at most major international airports.
And while Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are both big time-savers for travelers needing to pass through TSA security, if you travel regularly and CLEAR Plus is available at your home airport, then the priority service is well worth the few extra dollars to register. It can make your travel experience much more enjoyable.
Do you have a preference between TSA PreCheck or CLEAR Plus? Which tends to have the shortest waiting time at your airport?
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), 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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