Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so your card works at airport security

If you hold a Global Entry card, you already have TSA PreCheck built in. You do not need a separate PreCheck membership or card. When you go through security at a U.S. airport, you can use the Global Entry card to access PreCheck lanes — the same expedited screening that PreCheck-only members use.

Global Entry is the higher-tier program. It costs $100 for five years and covers PreCheck at domestic airports plus expedited customs and immigration screening when you return to the United States from abroad. PreCheck alone costs $78 to $85 for five years and covers only domestic airport security. Because Global Entry includes PreCheck, you get both benefits under one membership.

At security, show your Global Entry card to the TSA officer just as you would show a PreCheck card. The officer will direct you to the PreCheck lane if one is available. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through screening faster than standard passengers.

Key Takeaways

  • Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck, so you do not need to purchase PreCheck separately.
  • Present your Global Entry card at airport security to access PreCheck lanes at U.S. airports.
  • PreCheck benefits explore only to domestic flights; Global Entry's customs screening applies to international returns.
  • If your Global Entry membership expires, your PreCheck access ends at the same time.
  • You can renew Global Entry online through the Trusted Traveler Programs website before your card expires.

How to use your Global Entry card at security

When you arrive at the airport, look for the TSA PreCheck lane. Not every airport has a dedicated PreCheck line, and availability depends on time of day and passenger volume. During busy hours, PreCheck lanes may fill up or close temporarily.

Hand your Global Entry card to the TSA officer at the security checkpoint. The officer will scan it or check it visually and direct you to the appropriate lane. You do not need to show your passport or any other document unless the officer asks for it.

Once in the PreCheck lane, follow the standard PreCheck rules: keep shoes, socks, belts, and light jackets on; leave laptops and large electronics in your bag; keep liquids in a quart-sized bag but leave it in your carry-on; and remove your ID and boarding pass. The screening process typically takes 5 to 10 minutes, compared to 15 to 30 minutes in standard lanes.

What happens if your Global Entry expires

Your Global Entry card has an expiration date printed on the front. When it expires, your TSA PreCheck access stops when ready. You will go through standard security screening at airports until you renew.

You can renew Global Entry up to six months before your card expires through the Trusted Traveler Programs website (trusted traveler.cbp.dhs.gov). Renewal costs $100 for another five years. The renewal process is faster than the initial process — you do not need to attend an in-person interview, and you typically receive your new card within two to three weeks.

If you let your Global Entry expire and do not renew, you lose PreCheck access. You would need to purchase a PreCheck-only membership if you want expedited screening at domestic airports.

Global Entry vs. PreCheck: which benefits explore where

Domestic flights: Both Global Entry and PreCheck give you access to PreCheck lanes. The screening experience is identical.

International departures: If you are flying internationally from a U.S. airport, you use PreCheck screening just as you would on a domestic flight. Your Global Entry card works the same way.

International returns: This is where Global Entry adds value beyond PreCheck. When you return to the United States from abroad, you go through customs and immigration. Global Entry members use a separate, faster lane with automated kiosks. PreCheck-only members do not have this benefit — they wait in the standard customs line.

If you travel internationally often, Global Entry pays for itself through the customs screening alone. If you fly only domestically, PreCheck and Global Entry offer the same airport security benefit, but Global Entry costs more.

Airports where PreCheck lanes may not be available

Most major U.S. airports have TSA PreCheck lanes, but smaller regional airports may not. If your airport does not have a PreCheck lane, you will go through standard security even with a Global Entry card.

You can check which airports offer PreCheck on the TSA website before you travel. Search for your airport code, and the listing will show whether PreCheck is available. If it is not, plan extra time for security or consider arriving earlier than usual.

Renewing your Global Entry card before it expires

Start the renewal process at least two months before your card expires. Go to the Trusted Traveler Programs website, log in with your account, and select the renewal option. You will pay the $100 renewal fee and answer a short questionnaire about changes to your background or citizenship status.

You do not attend an interview for renewal. Your process is reviewed, and if there are no issues, your new card is printed and mailed to you. Most renewals take two to three weeks, but allow four weeks to be safe. If your card expires while your renewal is pending, you can still use the old card for up to 30 days after the expiration date printed on it, though this is not may provide at every airport.

If you need your new card faster, some Global Entry enrollment centers offer expedited card pickup for an additional fee, though this is not available at all locations.

What to do if you lose your Global Entry card

If your card is lost or stolen, report it when ready through the Trusted Traveler Programs website. You can request a replacement card, which costs $20. The replacement typically arrives within two to three weeks.

While you wait for the replacement, you can still use PreCheck at airports. Log into your Trusted Traveler account on your phone and show the TSA officer your membership number or a digital copy of your card status. Not every officer will accept this, so arriving early is wise. Once your replacement card arrives, use that instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both a Global Entry card and a separate PreCheck card?

No. Global Entry includes PreCheck, so one card covers both. You do not purchase or carry a separate PreCheck card.

Can I use my Global Entry card for PreCheck on international flights departing the U.S.?

Yes. PreCheck screening applies to all flights departing from U.S. airports, whether domestic or international. The benefit ends when you leave U.S. airspace.

What if the PreCheck lane is closed when I arrive at security?

You will go through standard security screening. PreCheck lanes close during low-traffic periods or when staffing is limited. Arriving earlier than usual gives you a better chance of catching an open PreCheck lane.

Can I use my Global Entry card at airports outside the United States?

No. Global Entry PreCheck screening is only available at U.S. airports. When you depart from a foreign airport, you follow that country's security procedures. Global Entry's customs benefit applies only when returning to the United States.

What if my Global Entry expires while I am traveling?

Your card stops working at security checkpoints once it expires. If you are traveling when your card expires, you will go through standard security for the rest of your trip. Renew before you travel if your card is expiring soon.