My wife and I are going to be traveling to Europe to visit her family and up till now have been avoiding flying because we're not comfortable going through the scanners or getting invasive pat downs, my wife is pregnant. So we've only flown when we could use the standard metal detectors. We're both citizens, she has dual citizenship.

My question is, which pre-approve travel programs should we be looking into? Will pre-check still help when traveling to Europe, or do we need global entry? Or is global entry just when we are returning for customs? It's all a bit confusing.

I also saw there are alternatives to the fingerprinting? I don't mind all the background checks but do they really need fingerprints, what is the alternative?

Thanks

My question is, which pre-approve travel programs should we be looking into? Will pre-check still help when traveling to Europe, Maybe, anecdotally some people get pre when travelling internationally some don't I have receive pre for most of my int. trips on United or do we need global entry? GE gets you into the pre club more consistently but as noted above, YMMV Or is global entry just when we are returning for customs? Go read the global entry page if you unsure about the purpose of GE . It streamlines immigration and customs, but as usual you might get the big X at any time.It's all a bit confusing.

I also saw there are alternatives to the fingerprinting? I don't mind all the background checks but do they really need fingerprints, what is the alternative? I don't think you will be able to avoid the FP. It's how they establish identity both for initial background checks and then every time you come into the country. The alternative is not to join GE. It's their games and their rules

Thanks

The best program for both of you is Global Entry. It'll allow you to enter the US using the Global Entry kiosks and make you Precheck-eligible. It's $100 each and its good for 5 years.

Yes, they need fingerprints. One, to check your criminal history and two, to identify you when you use the Global Entry kiosk.

+1. Unfortunately for your situation, PreCheck is only for flights departing from the United States (and often only those on US carriers).

GE has nothing to do with security screening, but is definitely worth the additional $15 for when you return at the end of your trip.