Global Entry vs CLEAR vs TSA PreCheck 2026: Which to pay for, which is free with cards
- Amex Platinum personal: $189/year statement credit (essentially full coverage).
- Amex Business Platinum: $189/year statement credit.
- Amex Green ($150): $99/year credit toward CLEAR.
- United Quest: $100/year toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, NOT CLEAR.
Three different "skip the line" programs operate at US airports: TSA PreCheck (cuts security wait), CLEAR (cuts security ID-check wait), and Global Entry (cuts customs/immigration wait when arriving from international). They overlap in some ways and complement in others. Premium credit cards reimburse most or all of the fees. Here is what each one does, what they cost, and which to apply for first.
What each program does
| Program | What it does | Where it works | 5-year fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSA PreCheck | Faster security line; keep shoes on, laptop in bag | 200+ US airports | $78-$85 (interview required) |
| Global Entry | Skip immigration line returning to US; includes TSA PreCheck | US Customs, plus PreCheck at 200+ US airports | $120 (interview required) |
| CLEAR Plus | Faster ID-check via biometric kiosks; jumps to security line | ~50 US airports | $199/year (after intro) |
The decision: Global Entry first, CLEAR second
For 95% of US-based travelers, the order is:
- Global Entry first. $120 for 5 years. Includes TSA PreCheck. Skips immigration on returning international flights.
- CLEAR Plus second if you fly out of CLEAR-enabled airports frequently. The combination of CLEAR + PreCheck (via Global Entry) is the fastest possible path through US security.
Don't apply for TSA PreCheck alone. Global Entry costs $42 more and includes everything PreCheck does, plus international arrivals. The only exception: if your spouse or family travels frequently within the US but rarely internationally, TSA PreCheck for them is fine.
Which credit cards reimburse the fees
| Card | Fee reimbursement |
|---|---|
| Amex Platinum (personal, $895) | Up to $100 every 4-5 years for Global Entry, OR $85 every 4-5 years for TSA PreCheck |
| Amex Business Platinum ($895) | Same as personal Platinum |
| Amex Centurion ($5,000+ initiation, $10,000/year) | Global Entry + CLEAR Plus reimbursement |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550) | Up to $100 every 4-5 years for Global Entry or PreCheck |
| Capital One Venture X ($395) | Up to $100 every 4-5 years for Global Entry or PreCheck |
| Capital One Venture ($95) | Up to $100 every 4-5 years for Global Entry or PreCheck |
| Citi Strata Premier ($95) | Up to $100 every 4-5 years for Global Entry or PreCheck |
| Bilt Mastercard ($0) | No reimbursement |
| Most no-fee cards | No reimbursement |
CLEAR Plus reimbursement
CLEAR Plus is the most expensive of the three at $199/year. Cards that reimburse it:
- Amex Platinum personal: $189/year statement credit (essentially full coverage).
- Amex Business Platinum: $189/year statement credit.
- Amex Green ($150): $99/year credit toward CLEAR.
- United Quest: $100/year toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, NOT CLEAR.
- United Club Infinite ($595): $100/year toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
- Most other cards: No CLEAR coverage.
The Global Entry application process
- Apply online at
ttp.cbp.dhs.gov($120 fee). - Conditional approval typically arrives within 1-3 weeks.
- Schedule an in-person interview at an enrollment center. Wait times have averaged 2-6 months in 2024-2026 — plan well in advance.
- Some airports offer "Enrollment on Arrival" — your interview happens at customs as you re-enter the US from an international trip. This skips the booking wait.
- Once approved, your Global Entry membership lasts 5 years. PreCheck is automatic.
The renewal trap
Both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck require renewal every 5 years. The renewal fee is the same as the new application fee. Most premium credit cards reimburse the renewal once (every 4-5 years), but if you apply for Global Entry on a card that doesn't reimburse, then renew on the same card, you pay the full $120 renewal fee yourself.
The strategy: apply for Global Entry while holding a card that reimburses (Amex Platinum, Sapphire Reserve, Venture X). Renew while holding the same card or a different one that reimburses. Do not let the membership lapse — re-applying after expiration is more involved than renewing.
The CLEAR partnership programs
CLEAR Plus offers reduced rates through several partnerships:
- Delta SkyMiles members: Discounted CLEAR Plus, free for some elite tiers.
- United MileagePlus members: Discounted rates.
- American AAdvantage members: Discounted rates.
- Marriott Bonvoy members: Promotional discount periodically.
If you're a frequent flyer with a major airline, check the partnership rate before paying $199 retail.
Bottom line
Apply for Global Entry first ($120, 5 years, includes TSA PreCheck). Use a credit card that reimburses (Amex Platinum, Sapphire Reserve, Venture X, etc.) — most premium cards cover the full fee. CLEAR Plus is worth it only if you frequently fly out of CLEAR-enabled airports and have an Amex Platinum or Centurion that reimburses the $199/year. For most travelers, Global Entry alone is sufficient.
How does this redemption fit a typical points stack?
For most points travelers, the optimal approach is to identify a target redemption first, then wait for the relevant transfer bonus before moving points. Most flexible-points programs (Amex MR, Chase UR, Citi ThankYou, Capital One Miles, Bilt) run periodic transfer bonuses to specific partners — 20-40% typical for Amex, 1-2 per month. Pointify's transfer-bonus tracker monitors active promotions across all major issuers and alerts when relevant bonuses go live. The strategic move: don't transfer speculatively; wait for confirmed award space + active transfer bonus.
Compare premium card benefits on Pointify →
Last verified by the Pointify research team on May 1, 2026, against current Trusted Traveler Programs (TSA PreCheck, Global Entry) fee schedules and CLEAR Plus pricing. Reimbursement amounts and frequencies on credit cards may change; verify current benefits with the issuer before applying.
Written by Pointify Research Team
Published
The Pointify team analyzes loyalty programs, fare data, and booking strategies across 300+ airlines and 25 award programs. Our goal: help you get maximum value from every point and mile.
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