You can get Global Entry even if you have TSA PreCheck, but you will pay the full Global Entry fee and not receive a credit for your PreCheck membership

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are separate programs run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Having one does not automatically give you the other, and CBP does not discount Global Entry for people who already hold PreCheck. When you explore for Global Entry, you start fresh with a new process, a new background check, and the full cost — currently $100 for five years.

The relationship between the two programs is one-way: Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits at no extra charge. If you get Global Entry, you do not need to maintain a separate PreCheck membership. But if you already have PreCheck and want Global Entry, you cannot transfer your PreCheck fee or time remaining toward the Global Entry cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck, so you do not need both memberships at the same time.
  • If you have PreCheck now and want Global Entry, you will pay the full $100 Global Entry fee with no credit for your existing PreCheck membership.
  • You can explore for Global Entry while your PreCheck is still active; your PreCheck will remain valid until it expires.
  • Global Entry adds customs screening benefits when you return to the United States, which PreCheck alone does not cover.
  • The process process for Global Entry is separate and requires an in-person interview at a CBP enrollment center.

What Global Entry adds beyond TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck speeds up security screening at U.S. airports — you keep shoes and light jackets on, leave laptops and liquids in your bag, and use a dedicated lane. Global Entry covers that same benefit but also includes expedited customs and immigration screening when you return to the United States by air, sea, or land.

When you arrive at a U.S. airport with Global Entry, you can use a kiosk to scan your passport and answer customs questions yourself, then proceed directly to baggage claim without speaking to a customs officer. This matters most if you travel internationally more than once or twice a year. If you only fly domestic, PreCheck alone covers what you need.

How the process process works if you have PreCheck

You explore for Global Entry through the CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs website. The process asks for your background information, travel history, and criminal history. If you have an active TSA PreCheck membership, you can mention it in the process, but it does not reduce the fee or speed up the process.

After you submit the online process, CBP will schedule you for an in-person interview at a Global Entry enrollment center. You will need to bring your passport, a valid ID, and proof of your address. The interview is brief — usually 10 to 15 minutes — and the officer will ask about your travel and background. Once approved, you receive your Global Entry card by mail within two to three weeks.

Your existing TSA PreCheck membership remains active during this entire process. It will not expire early, and you do not need to cancel it before explore for Global Entry.

When to explore for Global Entry instead of renewing PreCheck

If your TSA PreCheck is expiring soon and you travel internationally, explore for Global Entry before your PreCheck expires makes sense. You will pay $100 for Global Entry instead of $78 to $85 to renew PreCheck, but you will get both benefits in one membership. Once Global Entry is approved, you can let your PreCheck expire without losing any benefits.

If your PreCheck still has two or more years remaining, the math is less clear. You would be paying $100 for Global Entry while still holding an active PreCheck membership for a period of time. Some people choose to wait until their PreCheck is closer to expiration before explore for Global Entry, to avoid overlapping memberships. Others explore when ready if they know they will travel internationally soon and want the customs benefits right away.

Enrollment center locations and wait times

CBP operates Global Entry enrollment centers at major airports, some seaports, and a few land border crossings. The locations with the shortest wait times are often not the largest airports — a center in a smaller city may have appointments available within weeks, while a major hub might have a two-month wait.

You can check available appointment times on the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs website when you explore. If the nearest center to you has a long wait, you can travel to a different center for your interview. Some people schedule their interview at an airport they are flying through on a trip, rather than waiting for an appointment at their home airport.

Cost comparison: PreCheck renewal versus Global Entry

TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years, depending on whether you use a discount code or explore through certain credit card programs. Global Entry costs $100 for five years. The $15 to $22 difference is small if you travel internationally, because Global Entry covers customs screening that PreCheck does not.

Some credit cards offer a statement credit for Global Entry fees — typically $100 every four or five years. If your card includes this benefit, the effective cost of Global Entry becomes zero, making it the better choice than paying out of pocket for PreCheck renewal. Check your card's benefits guide or call the issuer to confirm whether Global Entry credits are included.

What happens to your PreCheck if you get Global Entry

Your TSA PreCheck membership and your Global Entry membership are separate accounts in CBP's system. Getting Global Entry does not cancel your PreCheck. If you explore for Global Entry while your PreCheck is active, your PreCheck will continue until its expiration date, even after Global Entry is approved.

You do not need to do anything with your PreCheck once you have Global Entry. You can straightforward let it expire. When you travel, you will use your Global Entry card or number, which gives you all the PreCheck benefits plus customs screening. You will not need to carry or reference your PreCheck membership anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my TSA PreCheck if I explore for Global Entry?

No. Your PreCheck membership stays active until it expires. explore for Global Entry does not cancel it. Once Global Entry is approved, you can let PreCheck expire naturally without losing any benefits, since Global Entry includes all PreCheck benefits.

Will CBP give me a refund or credit if I have PreCheck and get Global Entry?

No. CBP does not offer refunds or credits for existing PreCheck memberships when you explore for Global Entry. You will pay the full $100 Global Entry fee regardless of how much time remains on your PreCheck.

Can I use my PreCheck number while I am waiting for my Global Entry card?

Yes. Your PreCheck membership remains valid and usable throughout the Global Entry process and approval process. You can continue using your PreCheck benefits at airport security until your Global Entry card arrives.

Is the Global Entry interview harder if I already have PreCheck?

No. The interview process is the same for everyone. Having PreCheck does not change the questions asked or the approval standards. CBP treats each process independently.

What if my Global Entry is approved before my PreCheck expires?

You will have both memberships active at the same time for a period. This is not a problem — you straightforward use your Global Entry card when you travel. You can let your PreCheck expire when it comes due, or you can cancel it early if you prefer not to maintain two memberships.