Not sure if this is right place to post... We're a family of 3. Trying to decide which is better for us -- Global Entry or PreCheck.

Global Entry costs $300 (3 x $100), while PreCheck is $170 (2 x $85). PC is not required for our child.

We don't travel internationally more than 1x year. We have an upcoming trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Am I correct that the only added benefit with GE is faster immigration when we return? Is there any other reason to pay $300 instead of $170?

Thank you,
Robert

GE provides faster immigration and usually nothing but cursory Customs. It also includes everything in Pre-Check. Both are good for 5 years.

If you travel internationally 1x/year, that's $23/year extra. I'd call that a bargain to make the immigration experience less hassle and time.

Some say GE members have a higher success rate at preCheck. No data to support but seems to hold true to the people I know. I'm at 100% for 3 years on eligible flights. GE members get to use Australia smart gates in SYD/MEL/AKL too. If returning via LAX I'd be really happy to use the GE kiosks instead of dealing with CBP there...had a few overly aggressive experiences.

Are you guys close to a Canadian border? Nexus is 50$ for 5 years getting you Nexus, GE & preCheck all in one for less.

Please explain CBP?

At LAX, please walk me through the difference with GE. We come to arrivals and skip immigration and go straight to customs and agricultural? Is it a significant time savings?

If you are flying a non US carrier (except I think Air Canada) you won't get pre check. Whether you're Pre Check or GE. I'd go with Global Entry. I got Global Entry after one return when the immigration line was over an hour. I've never seen a line so long. (Of course now with the kiosks in some airports for everyone, that may be a thing of the past). Every airport I've been in has a customs line specifically for GE. That can save a lot of time.

What do you mean by higher success rate? Also, we're in L.A., though we are planning a trip to Montreal next year (via air).

Please explain the point about non-US carriers. Are you referring to outbound or return, and doesn't the location of the airport rather than the actual airline dictate?

Our upcoming flight from LAX to SYD is with United. Our return to LAX is with Air New Zealand. I'm assuming our security at LAX has nothing to do with the airline, right?

Pre-Check requires the airline to cooperate, most foreign airlines do not. It is therefore generally not available in International terminals. If your flight departs from another terminal then it will probably be available. Global Entry does not involve the airline and will be available whoever you fly with.

TSA is supposedly not giving Pre-Check to anyone who has not signed up for it or GE and thus paid. Your success rate will be high in that case. If you previously got it through the airline as an elite or from TSA as a random offer then your success rate should now be zero.

So for instance TSA in the int'l terminal at LAX will consider the airline on my boarding pass when deciding whether I get to use the PC line? No so with GE?

Being a member of GE/Nexus/preCheck doesn't guarantee you getting to use the preCheck lines each time it just makes you eligible. They still have in place randomized checks of eligible people from time to time. Since GE is a more secure program some theorize that its members have a higher success rate. I have a friend with just preCheck membership because of citizenship and has not gotten preCheck a few times when we travel together and I had to wait at the bar while she went through regular security.

Currently on US airlines (still some aren't) and 2 or 3 Canadian airlines now participate. If flying on SQ (Singapore airlines) you aren't eligible for preCheck because it isn't a participating airlines. You would be eligible for GE/Nexus though.

If you depart on a US airline you are eligible. IF you fly on VA or QF you won't be. TSA still does random preCheck on individuals traveling on nonUS airlines from time to time but that is a gamble.

No, you'll swipe your passports at a kiosk and receive a print out of the customs form. If the kiosk doesn't work or if you are bringing in food, for example, you may get flagged to go to an immigration officer, but GE travelers can jump the line. You then proceed directly to customs.

You'll be able to use Global Entry when returning from Montreal.

Nexus is the trusted traveler program that works only between Canada and the United States, but it includes PreCheck and Global Entry membership, and costs half the price of GE. However, most/all of the Nexus enrollment centers are located near the Canadian border, so it's not a viable option if you're in LA.


When you're flying out of a US airport on a non-US carrier, you will not receive PreCheck. PreCheck only works if you're flying on a US carrier and are going through security at a US airport.

There is no Pre-Check in the International terminal at LAX. If there was it would be up to the airline to print it on your BP. United will probably be departing from their domestic terminal but AA have started using the International terminal for domestic flights and Pre-Check does you no good. Most ports of entry now have GE machines which will know if you are eligible.

I've never been re-routed from the PreCheck line to normal screening with GE. I've heard claims that it's not 100%, but I've seen claims that it is. I know PC is not.

When our family returned from Ecuador this summer, we walked past the normal line and were in the country in about 3 minutes.

With GE, I've been randomly selected to have my bag swabbed when going through PC, but I've never been randomly selected/sent to the other line to take off my shoes, take out my laptop, etc., as PC members have, traveling with me.

There seems to be a lot of confusion over these programs.

Global Entry: Allows you faster access through Passport Control when arriving into the US on an international flight. You can use computer kiosk terminals, usually with no waiting, instead of the potential long lines in the arrivals hall. Also, there might be an expedited line for exiting through Customs after you get your baggage.

Pre-Check: Allows you faster access through TSA Security Screening for 12 US-based airlines. Dedicated line for Pre-Check through to screening. Pre-Check is airline-specific. Once you have been approved by TSA for Pre-Check (or if you are already a member of Global Entry, Nexus, Trusted Traveler), you enter your 'Known Traveler Number' in your airline profile. If you are selected for Pre-Check on a specific upcoming flight, it will be printed on your boarding pass, and then you can use the Pre-Check lane at security. Not guaranteed, and dependent on your flying on Pre-Check airlines.

Clear Security: Allows you faster access through TSA security screening at 13 airports. Once registered, you use the Clear lane at security for every flight, regardless of airline or destination, with the Clear computer kiosk. This skips you past TSA ID check and into security screening. I used this 2 weeks ago on a British Airways flight at IAH Terminal D security. Jumped me right ahead of everyone waiting for ID check (including Pre-Check people), but mucked in with everyone else waiting for the scanner.