How To Get Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or CLEAR Plus For Free

TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR Plus are great options for making your airline travel faster and smoother. These programs help you skip the long security and customs lines so you spend less time waiting around. Less time waiting in lines means more time to hang out in the airport lounge for free. Even better, you can get these expedited security programs for free with the right credit card. Let’s go over exactly how to do it.

What Are TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR Plus?

All three of these are programs that expedite your time in airport lines.

TSA PreCheck is used when departing from airports within the U.S. It lets you skip the regular security line and instead join a dedicated PreCheck line. Not only do you get to access a shorter liner, but you also get to keep your shoes on and leave laptops and liquids in your bag.

CLEAR Plus is also used when departing from airports within the U.S. It can be used by itself or in combination with TSA PreCheck. CLEAR Plus uses biometric scans, like your eyes or fingerprints, to identify you. After presenting your boarding pass and having your biometrics scanned, a CLEAR agent will walk you to the front of the security line.

Global Entry helps you get through customs faster when you return to the U.S. from international trips. TSA PreCheck is included with Global Entry, so if you travel internationally a few times a year, Global Entry may be the better option between the two.

How to Enroll in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR Plus

All of these programs require you to enroll ahead of time and go through an approval process.

The TSA PreCheck approval process is fairly simple. Just enroll online then find an available appointment at an enrollement center. Check here for the nearest locations.

For CLEAR Plus, you will enroll online ahead of time, then go through the approval process the next time you fly. Once at the airport, you will have a headshot taken and have your eyes and fingerprints scanned to complete your enrollment.

The Global Entry process is a bit more involved and requires an in-person interview. These appointments can be hard to come by, especially for families. There are a few options for getting approved for Global Entry.

• Go to an official enrollment center for an interview. It can be helpful to check for new appointment availability on the first Monday of the month.
• Do an Enrollment on Arrival.
• Use AppointmentScanner to notify you of last-minute available appointments.

Who Needs These Programs?

For TSA PreCheck, all people 18 years old and up will need their own TSA PreCheck membership. Children 17 and under do not need their own membership as long as they are traveling with an adult who has TSA PreCheck and is on the same reservation. For children ages 13-17, the TSA PreCheck logo must appear on their boarding pass, which should happen automatically when booked on the same reservation as an adult with TSA PreCheck.

For CLEAR Plus, all people 18 years old and up will need their own CLEAR Plus membership. Children under 18 do not need a membership as long as they are traveling with an adult who has an active membership.

For Global Entry, all people – even babies – need their own membership.

How to Get These Benefits for Free with Credit Cards

Many credit cards offer statement credits that will cover the cost of the application fees for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. There are just a few that offer CLEAR Plus credit. To get the reimbursement for any of these programs, simply use your eligible card to pay the application fee. A statement credit will be applied to your card within 1-2 billing cycles.

TSA PRECHECK OR GLOBAL ENTRY

Here are some of the most popular cards that offer TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• The Platinum Card® from American Express*
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express*
• Marriot Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card*
• United℠ Explorer Card
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Business
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Each of these cards offers the credit once every four years. Additionally, this list is not exhaustive, so be sure to check the benefits on the cards in your wallet.

*Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.

CLEAR

There are only a few cards that offer CLEAR Plus credit, and they are all from Amex. They are:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• American Express® Green Card*
• Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card*

Other Programs

There are a few other expedited security programs that you may want to be aware of. NEXUS is a program available for travel between the U.S. and Canada. SENTRI is a program available for land travel from Mexico into the U.S. Be sure to check your credit card benefits to see if any reimbursement for these programs applies.

Finally, Mobile Passport Control is a free app from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. It works similarly to Global Entry when returning to the U.S., however, it’s free and doesn’t require an approval process. Simply download the app and upload all traveler information before your trip. Upon landing, start a new submission and go through the prompts. You will be given a QR code that can be be scanned at a dedicated MPC customs line. MPC is available at 33 airports, 11 pre-clearance locations, and four seaports.

Wrapping Up

Using your credit card perks to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and/or CLEAR is a smart, simple way to make your travels easier. If you can speed your way through the airport and get to the lounge faster, why not do it?

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*All information about the American Express® Green Card and Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card has been collected independently by The Traveling Hansens. The American Express® Green Card and Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card are no longer available through The Traveling Hansens.