TSA PreCheck, CLEAR or Global Entry: Which One Do You Need?

Wouldn’t it be cool if airport security felt more like a VIP event? Sure, there’s nothing glamorous about standing in a TSA line, holding all your toiletries in a clear bag, juggling a laptop and hoping some random part of your outfit doesn’t set off the scanner. But when you fly, it’s part of the deal… unless you’re in the know. And guess what? You actually can skip a lot of that mess and go through security just like a VIP.

Even if you only fly a few times a year, you’ve probably heard about CLEAR, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry — three trusted programs made to speed up your time at airport security. What comes as a surprise to many people is that these aren’t competitors, but instead three options that solve completely different parts of the airport experience.

Not sure which selection out of the bunch is right for you? Or wondering if it’s worth signing up for the whole list? We’ve got you. Here’s what each one actually does, how they’re different, and how they work together to get you from curb to gate without so much as a moment of stress.

More Helpful Tips: What Gets Flagged by TSA

All three time-saving programs essentially affect a different stage of airport security.

Here's the biggest misconception: CLEAR does not replace TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry is not simply “international PreCheck.” Each solves a different problem and works in different ways.

More questions? We’ve got the answers!

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is a U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) program designed to make airport security smooth, quick and generally just less of a hassle. It’s basically your ongoing pass to a faster screening process. When you’re approved for PreCheck, you can use dedicated security lanes that let you keep your pockets full and light outer layers on. You also don’t need to remove your laptop or liquids from your bag, meaning you can forget about deconstructing your luggage at security and devote more brainpower to thinking about where you want to grab a drink in the terminal.

Cost: $85 for five years ($17/year).
Application: Quick online form and a 10-minute appointment with fingerprinting and a background check.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, nationals, and lawful permanent residents.
Valid For: 5 Years

Pro Tip: You can enroll in TSA PreCheck or renew your benefits right at Ontario International Airport, with no appointment needed! Visit a CLEAR TSA PreCheck enrollment location in either ONT terminal. The CLEAR kiosks are located on the ground floor, near the main entrance, in either terminal. Just bring your accepted ID and enrollment fee. (You can complete an online application before you visit to expedite the process, though it’s not required.) 

Learn more about the application process on the official TSA website.

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR is a privately-run program that uses biometric data — like your eyes and fingerprints — to confirm your identity, allowing you to skip the traditional ID check entirely. Instead of pulling out your license or passport, you scan your biometrics at a CLEAR kiosk and head straight to physical screening. CLEAR is especially popular with travelers who value speed and don’t want to fumble with documents in line. If you have TSA PreCheck as well, you go straight to that lane. If not, no worries — you still skip the ID line.

Cost: $199/year (though make sure to look out for discounts via airlines or credit cards).
Application: Sign up online, finish at a CLEAR airport kiosk in just a few minutes.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens over 18 years of age with a valid government-issued photo ID.
Valid For: Requires annual membership renewal.
Bonus: CLEAR is also at some sports stadiums and concert venues.

Pro Tip: To enroll in CLEAR at ONT, visit the kiosks near the main entrance. Provide a valid government-issued ID, your boarding pass and complete a quick biometric scan to create your profile.

Get more details and sign up on the official CLEAR website.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that helps pre-approved, low-risk travelers get through U.S. Customs faster when returning from international trips. Instead of waiting in the traditional customs line, members can use expedited processing at participating airports, helping them get from the plane to baggage claim faster after arriving back in the United States.

One of the biggest perks? Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck, so you'll enjoy expedited security screening on eligible domestic flights, too. If you travel internationally even once every few years, many experts consider Global Entry the better value.

Cost: $120 for five years.
Application: Complete an online application, undergo a background check and schedule an in-person interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center.
Eligibility: Primarily available to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and citizens of certain approved partner countries.
Valid For: 5 Years
Bonus: Includes TSA PreCheck

Pro Tip: There is a Global Entry Enrollment Center right at ONT! Travelers just need to first receive pre-approval online, then they can set up an appointment to complete the process at the airport.

Learn more about the application process on the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Great News: Your Credit Card Might Already Pay for It!

Before paying out of pocket to speed up your airport security experience, check your wallet first.

Many premium travel credit cards reimburse the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four or five years. Several also provide an annual statement credit for CLEAR membership. That means one of these programs could already be included as a cardholder benefit you're not using!

Fast Track Your Trip at ONT

Ontario International Airport (ONT) gives travelers the unique opportunity to use all three speedy security options in one place. Here’s where to look:

• TSA PreCheck lanes are available in both Terminal 2 and Terminal 4.
• CLEAR enrollment kiosks and expedited screening lanes are available in both terminals.
• Global Entry applicants can complete their enrollment interview at the Global Entry Enrollment Center located in ONT's International Arrivals Terminal at 2222 International Way.

Flying once a year? Flying twice a week? Whatever your frequency, ONT gives you access to every major trusted traveler program in one convenient airport.

Love waiting and queuing? That’s a little different, but more power to you! If you're like most people, though, you’re going to want a faster way through the airport (even the smooth and speedy ones like ONT). But which time-saving program or mix is best for you?

For most travelers, TSA PreCheck offers the biggest improvement for the lowest cost. If international travel is part of your plans, Global Entry delivers even more value by including PreCheck automatically. CLEAR is the finishing touch for travelers who spend enough time in airports to appreciate every minute they save (or for those who spend a lot of time at sporting events and concert venues).

Still undecided? Think about what slows you down the most at security. The ID line? The toiletry removal routine? U.S. customs? Once you know what part of the process annoys you the most, you’ll know which program is your golden ticket.