Military families traveling for a PCS could be caught in the middle of one of the busiest travel seasons. Travel experts encourage passengers to take every opportunity to get ahead of the inevitable travel backups, including free and paid pre-screened passenger programs.
Several options are available, and some overlap among the programs, so there’s room for confusion. We'll break down the most frequently used options—Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, Mobile Passport, and Clear—and if they have military family benefits.
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U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs
The U.S. has several pre-screened passenger programs that mitigate your time waiting in domestic and international travel lines. Use Homeland Security’s website to help you decide which program suits your travel needs. For this blog, we’ll focus on the Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.
- Global Entry: for entry into the U.S. from international destinations
- TSA PreCheck: for departures from U.S. airports
- Sentri: for entry into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico
- Nexus: for entry into the U.S. from Canada
- Fast: for truck drivers entering and exiting the U.S. from Canada and Mexico
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Global Entry
- Cost: $100
- Not free for military members or families
- Apply online and interview in person
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) paid program that lets pre-approved, low-risk, arriving passengers clear customs in the U.S. through automatic kiosks at participating airports. You won’t fill out paperwork or wait in processing lines if you're a GE traveler.
You’ll only scan your fingerprints, passport, or U.S. permanent resident card and fill out your customs declaration. The kiosk prints a receipt for an officer to verify before leaving baggage claim. Most of the time, GE exempts you from an interview when coming home, but not always.
Kids of all ages can apply for GE, but if they’re under 18, they must have your consent to apply, and you’ll need to attend their interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center.
After reducing wait time, the next best GE perk includes TSA PreCheck services in your $100 payment.
If you’re flying with your family, you’ll need all the tips and tricks you can get, so read Travel with Kids: Survival Tips for Parents and Fellow Passengers.
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TSA PreCheck
- Cost: From $77.95
- Free for Active Duty, National Guard, Reserves, eligible Wounded Warriors, and Service Academy Students. DoD and Coast Guard Civilians might qualify if they sign up through the milConnect
- Military members use their 10-digit DoD ID number in place of their Known Traveler Number on their flight reservations
- Other flyers, including military families, apply online and interview in person.
The Transportation Security Administration operates the popular TSA PreCheck program for departing flights. After you apply and receive a Known Traveler Number, PreCheck helps you save time through expedited screening lines separate from the general passenger screening lines.
With TSA Precheck, you don’t have to remove your shoes, laptop, liquids, belt, or light jacket. Unfortunately, you'll funnel into the general screening line if your airport or airline doesn’t participate in PreCheck or doesn’t have staff to operate the line. But you won’t have to remove your clothing items. Currently, nearly 300 airports and 85 airlines participate in TSA Precheck.
TSA has a webpage dedicated to military members and their flying benefits and requirements. It’s worth reading before making travel plans.
TSA PreCheck also helps you scoot the kids through security faster. Children aged 12 and under don’t need their own PreCheck; they can walk with a parent or guardian through the TSA PreCheck dedicated lanes. Older kids must apply for their Known Traveler Number like the adults.
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Mobile Passport Control
- Cost: Free for everyone
- Download to your phone
Another way to save time on international travel is to use the Mobile Passport Control app. The free app lets eligible travelers submit their passports and customs information through mobile devices. A quick QR code scan (a few airports have Mobile passport lines) saves time wading through immigration lines.
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Clear
- Cost: 5 years for $77.95
- Can enroll for TSA PreCheck at the same time; extra fees required
- Not free for military members or families
- Apply online or with the app, and finish at the security line
You might have seen Clear’s line parallel to other security lines at the airport. Clear is a company that helps you get through security faster by using your biometrics, either by fingerprints or iris scans.
Clear members bypass general TSA lines and move to the front of TSA PreCheck lines after scanning their biometrics. If you have Clear, you’re not required to show a driver's license or passport. You can find Clear at more than fifty U.S. airports, stadiums, and arenas. Children under 18 can go through the Clear Lane for free when accompanied by a Clear member.
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Ways to Save Money on Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and Clear
The fees for these trusted traveler programs can add up, especially if you have multiple family members who apply. One option to cut costs is to check out your credit card benefits. Many reimburse you for expedited travel services.
Many servicemembers and their families take advantage of the American Express Platinum card because it waives the annual fees for active-duty members. It also credits you and each person you add as an authorized user the application fees for GE and TSA PreCheck.
Many other credit cards reimburse the fees, but usually only once every four to five years, and only about $100. Check your wallet for one of these cards:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express
- IHG Rewards Premier Credit
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Bank of America Premium Rewards
Prepare for Long Application Process Times
Military life marches on despite travel snafus and packed airports. Consider applying for one of these programs to reduce some aggravation, but keep in mind that the application process is slow. Allow several weeks, if not a couple of months, to get your pre-screening credentials in order.
