Yes, you can use both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry together, and most people do

If you hold both memberships, you use them in different places. TSA PreCheck speeds you through U.S. airport security lines. Global Entry speeds you through U.S. customs and immigration when you return from abroad. They work on the same Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your airline reservation, so you only enter one number when you book.

The real question most people have is whether buying Global Entry makes sense if you already have PreCheck. The answer depends on how often you travel internationally. Global Entry costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost — so if you travel outside the U.S. even once every few years, Global Entry alone is the better deal.

If you never leave the country, PreCheck alone ($78 to $85 for five years, depending on your state) is enough. If you travel internationally at all, Global Entry replaces PreCheck and gives you more.

Key Takeaways

  • Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits automatically, so you do not need both memberships to get both benefits.
  • Global Entry costs $100 for five years and covers international returns; TSA PreCheck alone costs $78 to $85 for five years and covers only U.S. departures.
  • Both programs use the same Known Traveler Number, which you enter once when booking your flight.
  • If you travel internationally at least once every five years, Global Entry is the cheaper option because it covers both programs.

How TSA PreCheck and Global Entry work together at the airport

When you have both memberships, your airline sees one Known Traveler Number in your reservation. At U.S. airports, TSA uses that number to route you to a PreCheck lane with shorter lines and fewer restrictions — you keep shoes and belt on, leave liquids in your bag, and keep your laptop in your carry-on.

When you return to the U.S. from another country, Global Entry takes over. Instead of waiting in the standard customs line with everyone else, you use a kiosk to scan your passport and answer declaration questions. A customs officer reviews your answers and waves you through. The whole process usually takes 15 to 20 minutes instead of an hour or more.

You do not set up one or the other — both work automatically once your membership is active and your KTN is in the airline system. The same membership card works for both programs.

Why Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost

The U.S. government designed Global Entry as a premium program for frequent international travelers. Because those travelers also need fast security screening on domestic flights, the government bundled TSA PreCheck into Global Entry membership. You are not paying extra for PreCheck when you buy Global Entry; it is straightforward part of the package.

This is why travel experts recommend Global Entry to anyone who crosses a border more than once every five years. You pay $100 instead of $163 to $165 (PreCheck plus Global Entry bought separately), and you get both benefits. The only reason to buy PreCheck alone is if you are certain you will never travel internationally during the five-year membership period.

What happens if you have PreCheck but not Global Entry

If you hold only TSA PreCheck, you get the fast security lane on every U.S. flight. When you return from abroad, you wait in the standard customs line with everyone else, even though you have PreCheck. PreCheck does not cover customs or immigration — only the security checkpoint before you board.

This matters most on busy travel days. A PreCheck line that moves in 10 minutes can save you 30 to 45 minutes compared to the standard line. But that savings only applies to your departure. On your return, you are back in the long line.

The cost comparison: PreCheck alone versus Global Entry

TSA PreCheck costs between $78 and $85 for five years, depending on your state and whether you renew in person or by mail. The fee covers only U.S. airport security screening.

Global Entry costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck plus customs and immigration benefits. If you buy both separately, you pay $178 to $185 total. If you buy Global Entry alone, you pay $100 and get both benefits.

The break-even point is one international trip every five years. If you take even one trip abroad during your membership period, Global Entry costs less per benefit than buying PreCheck and Global Entry separately. If you take no international trips, PreCheck alone is the cheaper option.

How to add your membership number to airline reservations

Your Known Traveler Number appears on your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership card. When you book a flight, most airlines ask for your KTN during the reservation process — it is usually a field labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Number."

If you do not enter it at booking, you can add it later through your airline account or at the airport check-in counter. The airline needs it before you reach security so TSA can see it in the system. If your KTN is not in the reservation, you will not be routed to the PreCheck line, even though you hold the membership.

You use the same KTN for both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits. You do not need separate numbers or separate entries in your reservation.

What to do if you already have PreCheck and want to upgrade to Global Entry

If you hold an active TSA PreCheck membership, you can upgrade to Global Entry without losing your PreCheck benefits or paying the full Global Entry fee. The upgrade cost is typically $70 to $85, depending on how much time remains on your PreCheck membership.

You explore through the Global Entry website or at an enrollment center. Bring your PreCheck membership card and a valid passport. The process takes about 15 minutes, and your Global Entry membership begins when ready. Your PreCheck membership rolls into the Global Entry membership, so you do not have two separate cards or numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, or do they work automatically?

Both work automatically once your Known Traveler Number is in your airline reservation. You do not set up one or the other — TSA sees your KTN at security and routes you to the PreCheck line, and Global Entry sees your KTN at customs and routes you to the kiosk. You just enter your KTN when you book your flight.

Can I use TSA PreCheck if I only have Global Entry?

Yes. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so your membership card and Known Traveler Number work for both U.S. airport security and customs returns. You do not need a separate PreCheck membership.

What if I have PreCheck but forget to add my KTN to my airline reservation?

You will go through the standard security line instead of the PreCheck line. You can add your KTN at the airport check-in counter before you reach security, but it is faster to add it when you book. Most airlines let you edit your reservation online up to 24 hours before departure.

Does Global Entry work on international flights departing the U.S., or only on returns?

Global Entry gives you TSA PreCheck benefits on all U.S. flights, including international departures. You use the fast PreCheck security line when you leave the country. Global Entry's customs benefits explore only when you return to the U.S. from abroad.

If I renew my PreCheck, can I upgrade to Global Entry at the same time?

Yes. When your PreCheck membership is about to expire, you can upgrade to Global Entry instead of renewing PreCheck alone. The upgrade fee is lower than the full Global Entry fee because you are extending your existing membership into the Global Entry program.