Ahh… Airport Security – It’s the Worst!

We all know one of the absolute worst things about flying is the long lines at airport security. They wind back and forth in a maze of misery that takes forever! It’s like we’re all waiting in line for an amusement park ride except when we finally get to the front there’s actually no ride at all, unless you consider sending your bag on the x-ray conveyor belt a ride.

And waiting in these security lines is probably the number one contributor to travel stress.

It can be summed up well by Jim Gaffigan in his comedy special Cinco where he says…

“I’m always behind that person that’s never left their house before.”

Perfect PreCheck: The FASTEST way through Security

So let’s fix this today! I’ll guide you through my proven system to combine multiple PreCheck programs in a way to ensure you get through security as fast as possible. I’ll also share with you a program that is even BETTER than TSA PreCheck.

Free Perfect PreCheck BUYERS GUIDE!

The problem is that there are SO MANY programs out there. With TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry and so many more it’s easy to get confused and not know which one is the best for you. That’s why I’ve created this easy one page guide to select the best pre-screening program for you. I’ve spent days gathering all the programs, requirements, fees and links so you don’t have to. And you can download it here!

 

 

Program 1: Global Entry (Includes TSA Pre-Check)

Most travelers don’t sign up for any pre-screening programs and if they do it’s almost always with the TSA PreCheck program. This program is $85 for 5 years and you get access to the TSA PreCheck line at all airports.

TSA Precheck Program

• Price: $85
• Expiration: 5 years
• Benefit: Access to TSA PreCheck line on all flights departing in US
• Signup Online

It is a great program, but there is something MUCH better!

There is another program called Global Entry and it includes the TSA PreCheck program and benefits but also gives you priority kiosk access at border crossings when returning to the US. It’s $100 for 5 years and also includes access so some international priority lines as well that we’ll talk about in Program 3.

Another benefit of this program is that even if you’re not a US citizen you still may be eligible to participate. That means if you’re from the UK and travel often to the US this will give you TSA PreCheck access every time you travel in the US. This is great, because non US citizens aren’t eligible for the normal TSA PreCheck program.

If you signup for any precheck program, this is THE program I recommend signing up for.

Global Entry Program

• Price: $100
• Expiration: 5 years
• Benefit: Access to TSA PreCheck line on all flights departing in US plus kiosk entry back into the US from abroad
• Signup Online

Why Every MUST Sign up for Global Entry (Including TSA PreCheck)

If you’re still wondering if a precheck program is worth it, let’s review why it’s now an absolute MUST for any serious traveler.

1 It’s Faster

First, you get access to the faster security line and shorter lines means that you save time. Hours in some cases. This allows you to arrive to the airport later and can even be the difference between you catching your flight or missing it and waiting around for the next one. And best of all, if you’re at the ticketing counter trying to get on that flight that leaves in 15 minutes, telling the ticketing agent that you have PreCheck and only carry-on bags can make the difference of you actually getting on that flight.

2 It’s Easier

Not only is the line faster, but it’s the security procedures in this line are also much less of a hassle. You can leave your shoes on and you don’t have to take out the liquids or a laptops from your bag. You’re also allowed to bring your kids 12 years and younger with you. So even if on the rare occasion the PreCheck line is longer, it’s still a better than messing with the regular line.

3 It’s Worth It!

This is like the deal of the century. Global Entry is $100 for 5 years! That’s $20 a year! And that goes a long way every time you’re at the airport. There’s really no reason not to sign up for at least one of these programs as soon as possible.

And some credit card and loyalty programs will even pay for it!

How to Signup for Global Entry

Now that we know that Global Entry is a better option that TSA PreCheck, let’s review how to actually signup for it.

1 Make sure you’re Eligible 

Global Entry is open to:

• U.S. citizens
• U.S. lawful permanent residents
• Citizens of Argentina, India, Colombia, United Kingdom, Germany, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Mexican nationals

You can check the full list of requirements here.

2 Create a Trusted Traveler Program Account

Simply signup for the program online here.

3 Complete the Application

Next complete the online application and pay the $100 registration fee.

4 Schedule an Interview

US Customs and Border Protection will then review your application and ask you to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. It may take up to 10 days for the review process but can also be as fast as 24 hours.

When scheduling your appointment, enrollment centers can be found across the US at most major airports. While some centers have a long wait list, others will have openings immediately. I’d recommend checking multiple airports in your area when scheduling as well as look at airports you know you might be flying to in the coming weeks and signup for the first available.

5 Attend the Interview

Be sure to bring with you the following to your interview:

• US Passport
• One other form of identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card
• Proof of residency: something that shows your current address

The interview usually takes less than 30 minutes with general questions about where you travel and why.

6 Wait for Approval & ID Card in the Mail

After you leave the interview, it usually takes 1-2 weeks to get your Global Entry ID card in the mail.

7 Activate your Card

The last step is to make sure you activate your card on the Trusted Traveler Program site.

 

How to Get TSA PreCheck on All Boarding Passes

This last part confused me at first. I knew I had been approved for Global Entry, but how do you get TSA PreCheck on your boarding passes?

As part of your Global Entry program, you get a PASSID number or Known Traveler Number. You can add this number to each profile in every frequent flier account and the TSA PreCheck logo will start showing up on your next few flights.

Now you can start using the TSA PreCheck lines every time you fly!!!

 

Program 2: Clear (Front of the Line Access)

Okay, now that you’ve got Global Entry including TSA PreCheck and you’re enjoying the faster lines let’s take it a step faster! Let’s add the Clear Program.

Clear is a service that brings you to the front of the security line every time you’re at the airport.

What?! I know, it’s AWESOME!

For $179 a year, you just show up at the airport, check in at a Clear kiosk and a dedicated Clear staff member will personally escort you to the front of the security line. It’s kind of like Disney’s FastPass where you get priority access to the front of the line. They are available at around 30 airports in the US.

So why not just signup for Clear and skip Global Entry?

Clear will only bring you to the front of the line where you have security clearance. So if you don’t have TSA PreCheck, then they will simply take you to the front of the regular line. You’ll still have to take off your shoes and take out your liquids and laptop but at least you’re at front of the line.

But if you do have TSA PreCheck then they’ll take you to the front of that line! This is a game changer!

As TSA PreCheck lines are starting to get longer and longer, this is a great way to ensure the fastest way through security.

 

Clear Program

• Price: $179
• Expiration: Expires in 1 year
• Benefit: Agent brings you to front of the security line
• Signup Online

[clickToTweet tweet=”As TSA PreCheck lines get longer and longer, the CLEAR program gets you to the front of the line faster!” quote=”As TSA PreCheck lines get longer and longer, the CLEAR program gets you to the front of the line faster!”]

Special Discount

Adding this element to your screening stack makes a huge difference! Here’s a discount code that will save you around $30 for the first year.

Instead of $179 a year, you can now get it for $150 a year using this link.

 

Program 3: International Programs (Countries You Travel to Most Often)

Alright, if you’ve already taken action on steps 1 & 2, I am extremely impressed and you are already on you are well ahead of most other travelers. But there’s one more thing we can do to take it a step farther and that is to sign up for the international programs in the countries that you regularly travel to.

Most countries outside the US also have their own pre-screening programs either for airport security or for border crossings. So for example if you travel to Germany quite regularly, you’re likely tired of the extended wait times every time you have to enter the country. So why not sign up for their Easy PASS program? It’s free and you can signup at most airports in Germany and it will make your security lines even shorter!

The only issue here is that there are so many programs out there it can be confusing.

This is where the Free PERFECT PRECHECK BUYERS GUIDE will really come in handy. I’ve outlined all the major pre-screening programs for Australia, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and more.

Don’t worry about signing up for all of them, just consider where you travel to at least a few times a year and sign up for those programs.

With these programs added to Global Entry and Clear, you’ll be breezing through security as fast as possible!

International Programs

• Price: Free to around $100
• Benefit: Allows expedited border crossings and security abroad in certain countries
• How to Signup: Downnload the Free PERFECT PRECHECK BUYERS GUIDE

Time to take Action!

Alright, now that you know the proven 3 steps strategy to Stacking Security Screening programs, it’s time to put it into action!

Step 1: Signup for Global Entry (Includes TSA PreCheck)

Step 2: Add Clear (Front of the Line Access)

Step 3: Download the Free PERFECT PRECHECK BUYERS GUIDE to Add International Programs (Countries You Travel to Most Often)

Now you’re all set! And with this kind of VIP access, we can now be like Vince Vaughn in Swingers when they walk up to a club, see a long line and he says…

“We don’t gotta wait, come on.”