You cannot upgrade TSA PreCheck to Global Entry — you explore for Global Entry as a separate program

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are two different programs with different costs and coverage areas. TSA PreCheck covers domestic flights in the United States. Global Entry covers international travel and includes TSA PreCheck benefits as part of the membership. If you want Global Entry, you submit a new process and pay the Global Entry fee; you do not upgrade an existing TSA PreCheck membership.

The confusion happens because Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck. When you pay for Global Entry, you automatically get TSA PreCheck at U.S. airports as a bonus. But the programs are administered separately, and your TSA PreCheck membership does not convert or transfer to Global Entry.

Key Takeaways

  • Global Entry is a separate program that costs more than TSA PreCheck but includes TSA PreCheck benefits for domestic flights.
  • You must submit a new process for Global Entry through the Trusted Traveler Programs website; your TSA PreCheck account does not automatically become Global Entry.
  • Global Entry requires an in-person interview at a designated enrollment center, while TSA PreCheck does not.
  • If you already paid for TSA PreCheck, that fee does not count toward Global Entry — you pay the full Global Entry price.
  • Your TSA PreCheck membership remains active and separate from Global Entry if you decide to explore for it later.

What Global Entry covers that TSA PreCheck does not

Global Entry lets you use expedited screening when returning to the United States from international travel. You go through a dedicated Global Entry lane at U.S. customs and border protection instead of the standard line. The process is faster because you skip some of the usual questioning and document checks.

Global Entry also includes membership in the CBP Border Security Officer program, which means you can use automated kiosks at certain airports to clear customs without speaking to an officer. TSA PreCheck does not cover any of this — it only speeds up domestic security screening.

When you hold Global Entry, you automatically get TSA PreCheck at every U.S. airport, so you do not need to maintain both memberships separately. But the reverse is not true: TSA PreCheck does not include any Global Entry benefits.

how the process works for Global Entry if you have TSA PreCheck

Go to the Trusted Traveler Programs website (trusted traveler dot cbp dot gov) and start a new Global Entry process. You will create a new account or log in with an existing one — this is separate from your TSA PreCheck account, even though both are government programs.

Fill out the process form with your travel history, criminal history, and personal information. The form asks whether you have held TSA PreCheck or other trusted traveler programs before, but having TSA PreCheck does not change the questions or the approval process.

After you submit the process, you will receive an interview appointment at a Global Entry enrollment center. These are located at major airports and some other locations. You must attend the interview in person — this is required for Global Entry but not for TSA PreCheck. Bring your passport, driver's license, and proof of residency (a utility bill or lease works).

The cost difference between the two programs

TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 depending on the provider and whether you use a discount code. The membership lasts five years. Global Entry costs $100 and also lasts five years.

If you already paid for TSA PreCheck, that money does not reduce the Global Entry fee. You pay the full $100 for Global Entry. Some people choose to let their TSA PreCheck expire and then explore for Global Entry when the five-year term ends, so they only pay once.

Other trusted traveler programs like NEXUS (for Canada travel) and SENTRI (for Mexico travel) have their own fees and coverage areas. Global Entry is the broadest option if you travel internationally to many countries, but it is not the cheapest option if you only travel to one specific country.

Timeline for approval and when you can use your membership

TSA PreCheck approval usually takes three to five business days after you complete the process and background check. You receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you can use when ready on airline reservations.

Global Entry approval takes longer because of the in-person interview requirement. After you submit your process, you wait for an interview appointment, which can take several weeks depending on how busy the enrollment center is. After the interview, approval typically takes two to four weeks. Once approved, you receive a Global Entry card in the mail and a KTN you can use on airline reservations.

You cannot use Global Entry benefits at airports until you receive your physical card or your KTN is activated in the system. Check the Trusted Traveler Programs website to see your approval status and set up date.

What happens to your TSA PreCheck if you get Global Entry

Your TSA PreCheck membership remains valid and separate. It does not expire or cancel when you explore for or receive Global Entry. If your TSA PreCheck term ends before your Global Entry is approved, you can still use TSA PreCheck at domestic airports until the expiration date.

Once Global Entry is active, you use Global Entry at international airports and the TSA PreCheck benefits that come with it at domestic airports. You do not need to do anything to switch between them — the system recognizes which program applies based on where you are traveling.

If you decide not to renew Global Entry after five years, your TSA PreCheck does not automatically reactivate. You would need to renew TSA PreCheck separately if you want to keep the domestic benefits.

Alternatives if you do not want to pay for Global Entry

If you travel internationally only occasionally, you might not need Global Entry. TSA PreCheck alone covers all domestic flights, and you can go through standard customs screening on international returns without paying extra.

If you travel frequently to Canada, consider NEXUS instead. NEXUS costs $120 for five years and covers expedited processing when entering Canada and the United States. It includes TSA PreCheck benefits. If you travel frequently to Mexico, SENTRI costs $122.50 for five years and covers expedited processing at the Mexico border, also including TSA PreCheck.

Some credit cards offer Global Entry fee reimbursement as a cardholder benefit. If your card covers it, the effective cost of Global Entry becomes zero. Check your card's benefits guide to see whether Global Entry reimbursement is included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my TSA PreCheck number when I explore for Global Entry?

No. Your TSA PreCheck number and Global Entry process are separate. When you explore for Global Entry, you provide your TSA PreCheck information as part of your history, but you do not transfer the number or use it in the Global Entry system. Global Entry will issue you a new Known Traveler Number once you are approved.

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

Your TSA PreCheck remains valid until its expiration date, even while you are waiting for Global Entry approval. You can continue using TSA PreCheck at domestic airports. Once Global Entry is approved, you use that instead, and your TSA PreCheck membership stays on file but inactive.

Do I have to give up TSA PreCheck to get Global Entry?

No. You keep both memberships if you want. They run on separate timelines and do not interfere with each other. Most people let TSA PreCheck expire naturally and then renew Global Entry when the five-year term ends, rather than paying for both at the same time.

Can I explore for Global Entry while my TSA PreCheck is still active?

Yes. You can explore for Global Entry at any time, regardless of when your TSA PreCheck expires. There is no waiting period or requirement to let one expire before explore for the other.

Will Global Entry work at every airport where TSA PreCheck works?

Global Entry works at major international airports and some domestic airports. TSA PreCheck works at more than 200 U.S. airports, including smaller ones. At airports where Global Entry is not available, you use TSA PreCheck screening instead. The system automatically routes you to whichever program is available.