A classically trained journalist, Caroline Tanner covers news and travel for TPG. She is a dual-journalism graduate of Mizzou and Northwestern.
Summer Hull Director of contentSummer Hull has been covering (and using) travel tips, rewards credit cards and loyalty programs for over a decade. She has flown close to a million miles, often on points and miles and with her family in tow.
Aug. 05, 2024 9 min read
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As we hurtle through the summer travel months, it's hard to think that fall and the holidays will be here before we know it.
With flight delays and airport queues becoming something of a universal travel experience — particularly during summer and colder holiday seasons — there's no better time to arm yourself with tools to pass through the airport as quickly as possible. We're specifically talking about the Transportation Security Administration checkpoints and customs lines when returning from abroad.
Both Clear and TSA PreCheck can speed travelers through the TSA security line; Global Entry can be great if you regularly travel abroad. Each service is slightly different — and offers ways to join them for reduced costs or even free.
TSA PreCheck enables users to pass through airport security using a dedicated line. In this line, users do not have to remove their shoes, laptops, liquids, belts or light jackets like passengers in the regular TSA line.
Global Entry is useful for frequent international travelers. It gives preapproved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival in the U.S. from abroad. Global Entry users can enter the country through automated kiosks at more than 75 airports.
Like TSA PreCheck, Clear users begin the security process in a dedicated Clear-only lane. They are biometrically identified via fingerprint or iris scans, which spares them from having to show their IDs anytime during security screening. Users are then taken to the front of the line for the security screening machines (either the front of the TSA PreCheck screening line for those with Clear and TSA PreCheck or the front of the normal TSA screening line).
A five-year membership to TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85, while five years of Global Entry costs $100. However, starting in October, Global Entry will cost $120 to apply.
TSA PreCheck's fee varies by provider. It costs $78 to apply through Idemia and $85 through Telos. Online renewal costs $70 through either provider.
With a Global Entry membership comes membership in the TSA PreCheck program. Essentially, you reap the benefits of both programs for an extra $22 for applications before October or an additional $42 from October on.
Daily Newsletter Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s expertsAs for Clear, an annual membership costs $199.
There are several cobranded airline, hotel and other credit cards offering up to $100 in statement credit reimbursement for the application fees associated with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This credit is typically available every four to five years, though you should check the terms for your specific card for the exact frequency.
Some of the cards conveying free TSA PreCheck and/or Global Entry memberships are:
Visit the TSA website for a full list of credit cards that offer a discount for TSA PreCheck. As of August, Citi, Chase and American Express confirmed an increased statement credit of $120 will be issued from October on to correspond with the program's price increase.
As of April, Clear users can enroll in TSA PreCheck for a bundled rate of $199 instead of paying $78 for TSA PreCheck alone. To get that price, travelers must apply for both TSA PreCheck and a Clear Plus membership on the Clear website. Clear will issue a rebate of $77.95 after travelers complete the process and are approved.
In addition to the aforementioned cards offering credits for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, some loyalty programs allow members to use points or miles in exchange for membership fee coverage. While these are options, the return per point is less than TPG's August 2024 valuations, so they're not our top picks for ways to save on these memberships.
Still, if you wish to go this route, these are the programs that provide this option for members:
Since Clear costs $199 per year instead of $85 to $100 every five years, there aren't nearly as many credit cards that provide a free Clear Plus membership as there are with the others.
However, you do still have some options if you want your travel credit card to pay for your Clear Plus membership.
Cards that currently cover the membership fee include:
Occasionally, targeted Amex Offers covering the cost of Clear Plus membership are available for those with different American Express cards. So, keep your eyes peeled for limited-time offers.
The information for the Centurion, Green and Hilton Aspire cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you don't have a credit card that makes Clear completely free with statement credits, some additional credit cards can at least reduce your annual Clear membership cost:
United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines offer their frequent flyers free or discounted memberships to Clear.
Top-tier Delta Diamond Medallion members can get Clear for free. The airline's Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion members can pay a reduced price of $149. The same price applies to those without a Delta credit card.
All Delta SkyMiles members without elite status can get a discounted membership for $189 — a $10 discount.
Similarly, United's Premier 1K members are entitled to free memberships in Clear, while United Premier Platinum, Gold and Silver members can pay $149. Those with a United credit card receive this same discount.
United MileagePlus members without status can access Clear for $179 per year.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can enroll in Clear at a slightly discounted rate of $189 annually.
Mileage Plan members who sign up for Clear will also receive bonus miles. MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members will receive 1,500 miles, plus an additional 1,250 miles each year they renew.
For families, children under 18 can pass through Clear with an adult for free without needing to scan their eyes or fingerprints.
College students can use a discounted student Clear rate of $60 per year for up to four years.
Clear also has a family plan, and you can add up to three adults to your primary membership for $119 per additional person, per year.
TPG readers can try Clear for free for two months before deciding if it's worth keeping. Fair warning: In my experience, once you go Clear, you never go back.
Not only do TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear help travelers save time, but it's also possible to get memberships without breaking the bank. Before you sign up for one or more of the programs, see if you can get a membership for free or at a reduced cost through one of these methods.
Related reading:
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
