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TSA PreCheck is a U.S. program that speeds up security screening at airports, primarily for domestic flights. Members can keep on their shoes, belts, and light jackets, and leave laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags. Global Entry, on the other hand, is designed for international travelers - it lets you breeze through U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon re-entering the country via airports, seaports, or land borders using automated kiosks.

Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck. That means once you're approved for Global Entry, you'll get a Known Traveler Number (KTN) and can use TSA PreCheck lanes on domestic flights - no extra application or fee needed. The reverse isn't true: TSA PreCheck does not give you any benefits when returning to the U.S. from abroad, and you won't have access to Global Entry kiosks.

TSA PreCheck costs from $76.75 to $85 for 5 years for first-timers (depending on the enrollment provider) and from $58.75 to $70 for those who renew their subscription online (in person renewal will cost from $66.75 to $79.95); Global Entry costs $120 for the same period. To get TSA PreCheck, you submit an online application, pay the fee, and visit an enrollment center to provide fingerprints - no interview required. For Global Entry, the process is more involved: after applying online and paying, you must wait for conditional approval, then schedule and attend a brief in-person interview at a Global Entry enrollment center.

If you rarely or never travel outside the U.S., TSA PreCheck is likely enough. But if you take even one international trip every few years, Global Entry is the smarter choice-it includes TSA PreCheck and saves significant time on re-entry. Plus, many premium travel credit cards reimburse the $120 Global Entry fee every four or five years, making it effectively free for cardholders.

And if you're a frequent traveler who also wants to earn valuable rewards while covering that $120 fee, consider the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. It offers a statement credit for Global Entry (or TSA PreCheck) every four years - plus bonus points on travel, dining, and everyday spending, making it a top pick for savvy globetrotters.

tags : Security Travel Travel Credit Cards

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