Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck for Families
How to choose the right program—and potentially get the application fee reimbursed
Airport days with kids can be a lot. You’re keeping track of bags, snacks, boarding passes, bathroom stops, and whether everyone still has the shoes they started with. If I can remove even one stressful part of that process, I’m interested.
That’s why I’ve loved having TSA PreCheck. I’ve used it for several years, and for our family it has made getting through airport security noticeably easier. Now that we’re planning more international travel, I’m also looking at Global Entry.
The good news is that you may not have to pay the full application fee yourself. A number of travel credit cards reimburse the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and Global Entry has become especially family-friendly because eligible children under 18 can have their application fee waived.
So which program actually makes sense for your family? And if you already have the right credit card, how do you use the benefit without accidentally leaving money on the table? Here’s the simple version.
TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: the family version
Fees and rules verified September 9, 2026. Program fees and credit-card benefits can change.
| TSA PreCheck | Global Entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Mostly U.S. air travel | International travel + U.S. air travel |
| Main benefit | Expedited airport security at participating U.S. airports | Expedited U.S. entry after international travel |
| TSA PreCheck benefit | Yes | Yes—members are eligible for TSA PreCheck |
| Current application fee | $76.75–$85 depending on enrollment provider | $120 |
| Membership length | 5 years | 5 years |
| Kids traveling with parent | Many children 17 and under can use the PreCheck lane with an eligible parent, subject to age/reservation rules | Each child needs their own Global Entry membership |
| Child application fee | Varies if the child enrolls separately | Eligible children under 18 can have the $120 fee waived |
| Application effort | Usually simpler; many enrollment locations | More involved; application, background review and interview |
What TSA PreCheck actually does
TSA PreCheck is designed to make the security checkpoint easier when you’re departing from participating U.S. airports. When you receive TSA PreCheck on your boarding pass, you can use the dedicated lane and generally keep on your shoes, belt and light jacket while leaving approved liquids and laptops in your bag.
For parents, that matters because the security line is often where a smooth airport day starts to unravel. Fewer things to remove, repack and put back on can make a real difference when you’re also helping children through the checkpoint.
The current new-enrollment price depends on the TSA-approved enrollment provider. As of September 2026, the official providers I checked charge between $76.75 and $85 for a five-year enrollment.
How TSA PreCheck works with kids
- Children 12 and under: They can accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lane. The child does not need the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass.
- Children ages 13–17: They can join an enrolled parent or guardian when they are on the same reservation and the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass.
- Children traveling alone or separately: If they regularly travel without a TSA PreCheck-eligible adult, enrolling them separately may make more sense.
This is one reason TSA PreCheck can be such an easy choice for a family that mostly travels domestically: you may not need to purchase a separate membership for every child just to use the expedited security lane together.
What Global Entry actually does
Global Entry is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is designed to speed up your entry into the United States after international travel. The application fee is currently $120, the membership lasts five years, and Global Entry members are eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits.
That combination is what makes Global Entry so appealing. Instead of paying for TSA PreCheck now and then deciding later that you also want faster processing when you return from an international trip, Global Entry can cover both needs with one membership.
The tradeoff is that the Global Entry application is more involved. Each person needs their own Trusted Traveler Programs account and application. After the background review, applicants who receive conditional approval complete an interview. The $120 adult application fee is nonrefundable, even if the application is denied.
Global Entry for kids: the rule families need to know
This is the part that makes Global Entry much more interesting for families than it used to be: eligible children under 18 can have the Global Entry application fee waived when their parent or legal guardian is already enrolled in—or has a qualifying application for—Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS.
The fee waiver does not mean the child simply gets to tag along through Global Entry. Every child still needs their own account, application, approval and membership. A parent or legal guardian must also provide consent and be present for a minor’s interview.
Which one should your family choose?
For my family, TSA PreCheck was the right place to start because most of our travel was domestic. I’ve been very happy with it. But now that international travel is becoming a bigger part of our plans, I’m ready to add Global Entry.
That’s the lens I’d use for your family too: don’t choose the program because it sounds more impressive. Choose the one that solves the airport problem you actually have.
| Your travel situation | What I’d consider |
|---|---|
| Mostly domestic flights | TSA PreCheck |
| One international trip, but probably not more | Either—compare cost, timing and how much you value easier U.S. reentry |
| International travel is becoming a regular part of family trips | Global Entry |
| You have an eligible card that reimburses the $120 Global Entry fee | Global Entry becomes much easier to justify |
| You have children under 18 and qualify for the Global Entry child fee waiver | Global Entry can be especially good value for the whole family |
| You need expedited security soon and don’t have time for the Global Entry process | TSA PreCheck may be the more practical first step |
How to get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursed by a credit card
This benefit sounds more complicated than it is. In most cases, the reimbursement is a statement credit triggered after you pay an eligible application fee with the card that offers the benefit.
- 1
Check the cards you already have
Before you apply for anything, look through the benefits on the travel cards already in your wallet. Don’t open a new card just for this one benefit without considering the card’s full cost and value.
- 2
Read the current benefit terms
Confirm which programs qualify, the maximum credit, how often you can use it and whether there are restrictions on the enrollment provider.
- 3
Apply through the official program
Use the official TSA enrollment process for TSA PreCheck or the federal Trusted Traveler Programs system for Global Entry.
- 4
Pay with the eligible card
This is the step you do not want to miss. If the benefit is tied to a specific card, use that card for the qualifying application fee.
- 5
Watch your statement
The eligible cards I verified generally say the credit posts automatically after the charge; timing varies by issuer and benefit terms.
- 6
Save the date
Many cards provide the benefit once every four years, so record when you used it.
Examples of credit cards that currently offer the benefit
| Credit card | Current benefit verified Sept. 2026 |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | One statement credit up to $120 every 4 years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | One statement credit up to $120 every 4 years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS |
| Capital One Venture® | Up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck; one statement credit per account every 4 years |
| Capital One Venture X® | Up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck; one statement credit per account every 4 years |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck; current benefit states every 4 years |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | $120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck; every 4 years |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | $120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck; every 4 years |
A practical family strategy before you apply
Here’s the order I would use if I were helping a friend figure this out:
- 1
Start with your travel plans
Are your next few trips mostly domestic, or are international trips becoming normal for your family?
- 2
Check the adults’ credit-card benefits
You may already have one or more application-fee credits available.
- 3
Check the kids’ eligibility for the fee waiver
If you’re considering Global Entry, don’t assume you need to pay $120 for every person in the family.
- 4
Think about timing
TSA PreCheck enrollment is often easier to complete quickly. Global Entry can take longer because of the additional review and interview process.
- 5
Apply only through official channels
Avoid third-party application services that charge extra fees or may not qualify for your credit-card reimbursement.
- 6
Add your Known Traveler Number correctly
Once approved, make sure the correct number and matching name are in your airline profile and reservations so you can receive the TSA PreCheck benefit when eligible.
Is the benefit actually worth it for families?
For me, the value is not only about dollars. It’s about making the airport day easier.
Traveling with kids means you’re already managing more people, more bags and more opportunities for something to go sideways. A shorter, simpler security process can remove one of the friction points at the beginning of the trip. And after a long international flight, getting through the U.S. arrival process faster can be just as valuable.
That doesn’t mean every family needs Global Entry. If you rarely travel internationally, TSA PreCheck may solve the problem perfectly well. But if international travel is part of your plans—and especially if your card can reimburse the Global Entry fee—the math becomes much more compelling.
I’m a big believer in using the travel benefits you already have instead of paying twice for something your credit card may already cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
My takeaway
If your family is already paying for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, take two minutes to check your credit-card benefits before you pay the application fee. You may already have a statement-credit benefit sitting there unused.
For mostly domestic travel, TSA PreCheck is simple and genuinely useful. For families traveling internationally, Global Entry can be an even stronger value because it helps when you return to the U.S., gives members TSA PreCheck eligibility, and may waive the application fee for eligible children under 18.
For us, TSA PreCheck has already made family airport days easier. Now I’m applying for Global Entry as our international travel grows, and I’m excited to see how much smoother the return home can be too.
I’m Abby, and I love finding practical ways to make family travel easier, more affordable and a little less stressful—without turning travel planning into a second job.