The Lowdown on Airport Programs [A Guide for Traveling Families]

Navigating airport security during a vacation can be one of the most stressful parts of any trip, especially when traveling with kids in tow. To help lessen this stress, travelers can enroll in CLEAR, Global Entry, and TSA PreCheck programs, which expedite the process. But which one should you choose?

To help you out, we have examined all options so you can understand which one suits your family’s travel needs.

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR: Which one should you choose?

Before getting to the details, let us briefly compare TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR to see which is best for families who love to travel.

The benefits may vary, so checking the official websites for the most up-to-date information is always best.

The Lowdown

Global Entry stands out as the top choice overall. Frequent travelers swear by it; you will understand why once you have used it. Global Entry includes all the benefits of TSA PreCheck — quicker, less intrusive security screenings.

Plus, it has a fast track through customs and immigration when returning to the US from abroad. If your family has passports, this is the one to consider.

TSA PreCheck is ideal for those without a passport. TSA PreCheck can make your flying experience considerably less stressful if your family only travels within the US. However, suppose there’s a chance of an international trip in the next five years. There, you might regret not spending the extra bucks for Global Entry.

Meanwhile, CLEAR may not be the best choice at its current price point. Unless you are a regular flier, especially with Delta or United, the annual fee for Clear seems steep compared to Global Entry’s fees.

CLEAR memberships do not include the expedited TSA PreCheck security check, so you might still need Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. CLEAR may be a worthy investment for most families planning many trips per year.

CLEAR Sports could benefit sports fans and concertgoers in certain cities. Although unrelated to travel, CLEAR Sports, a free tier of CLEAR, offers quick Entry into 19 stadiums nationwide.

This could be a big time-saver for families who regularly attend events. Ensure you’re comfortable with Clear having access to your biometric data. CLEAR also offers a free service called Health Pass that acts as a vaccine passport, allowing Entry into venues requiring proof of vaccination.

If you value privacy a lot, you might think twice before signing up for these services. Need more details? Keep reading.

TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck, managed by the Transportation Security Administration, is the most popular program that makes airport security checks quicker and easier.

If you have a TSA PreCheck membership, you can use TSA PreCheck lines at the airport. This benefit means you won’t have to wait in long lines with everyone else. You will not have to remove your shoes, laptop, and other items at a TSA PreCheck checkpoint.

Who should use TSA PreCheck?

Anyone who flies regularly within the US can use TSA PreCheck. You must be a US citizen or have legal permanent residency to join. If you are a TSA PreCheck member and have children under 12, they can use the TSA PreCheck line with you.

Teens aged 13 to 17 traveling on the same flight as a parent or guardian with a TSA PreCheck may also use the lanes. Note that their boarding passes must show they have TSA PreCheck status. Although sometimes, they may need to go through the regular security check.

Those under 18 traveling alone or with an adult without TSA PreCheck would need to apply for TSA PreCheck to access the expedited screening lines.

What are the benefits of TSA PreCheck?

The TSA PreCheck line is usually shorter than the regular security line at the airport. You will also move through it faster because you won’t have to remove your shoes, belt, light jacket, laptop, or liquids.

You can use it at over 200 airports and 80 US airlines participating in the program.

How does TSA PreCheck work?

To access the benefits of TSA PreCheck, you must first sign up for it by following these steps:

Step 1: Complete the online TSA PreCheck application and set up an appointment for a background check. There are over 380 centers where you can have this interview.

Step 2: Go to the interview to answer questions for the background check and get fingerprinted. It takes about 5 minutes to complete the online application and 10 minutes for the in-person appointment.

After you’re approved and have paid the fee, you will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN).

Global Entry

If you like TSA PreCheck benefits and you travel internationally, then Global Entry could be perfect. This program, run by US Customs and Border Protection, already includes TSA PreCheck, and lets you clear customs more quickly when you return to the US from overseas.

Global Entry’s membership is good for five years, and its renewal fees are the same as the original application. However, like TSA PreCheck, many credit cards reimburse these costs. Also, you may undergo an interview as part of the renewal process, but it is not always necessary.

The grace period for renewing Global Entry has been extended from six months to a full two years, that is, if you submit the renewal application before the current membership’s expiry. During this extended grace period, individuals returning to the US can continue using Global Entry, presenting no more paperwork.

Who should use Global Entry?

Frequent international travelers should use Global Entry. To join, you need to be a US citizen, have legal permanent residency, or be a citizen of certain countries. Children will need their own Global Entry membership, which costs the same as adults.

What are the benefits of Global Entry?

With a Global Entry membership, you can bypass the long customs line and the paperwork when you return to the US. Instead of the traditional process, Global Entry members can swiftly pass through customs using a self-service kiosk. When exiting the US, this program also includes TSA PreCheck, speeding up your journey through airport security.

You can take advantage of Global Entry at many airports in the US, including Guam, Saipan, and Puerto Rico.

It is also available at some prominent Canadian airports (like Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Winnipeg) and a few other international airports (Aruba, Abu Dhabi, Bermuda, Dublin, Grand Bahamas, Nassau). It also has full TSA Pre benefits at over 200 domestic US airports.

How does Global Entry work?

To reap the benefits of Global Entry, you must first apply for membership. Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1: Head to the Trusted Traveler Programs website and select ‘Get Started’ under Global Entry.

Step 2: Create a Trusted Traveler Programs account and log in to complete the online application. This step ends with conditional acceptance.

Step 3: Schedule an in-person appointment at an enrollment center and pass a background check. Remember to bring a valid passport and another form of identification, like a driver’s license or ID card, to the interview.

Once approved, there is no extra paperwork needed besides your US passport. Membership comes with a Global Entry ID, which you can activate via your TTP online account. However, you only need it for land and seaport entry from Canada or Mexico.

Step 4: Use your Global Entry membership at participating airports. You can head to the dedicated Global Entry kiosks when entering the US at customs.

Answer a few questions on the kiosk’s touchscreen and hand the printed receipt to an immigration officer as they check your passport. You could head to the luggage carousels in as little as two minutes!

CLEAR

Another option that will make for more convenient family travel is CLEAR. Note, however, that it is a private company and not from the government.

CLEAR lets you skip to the front of the airport’s security line or the TSA PreCheck line. However, you must still remove your shoes, belt, laptops, and liquids when going through security unless you also have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Who should use CLEAR?

CLEAR is ideal for air travelers who dislike waiting in long lines and are comfortable scanning their eyes and fingers. Eligibility requires you to be at least 18 years old and have a specific type of photo ID.

If a CLEAR member is with kids under 18, they can use the CLEAR lane for free, so there’s no need to add them to your account. Since these kids do not need IDs at the TSA checkpoint, they are allowed by CLEAR to go through.

What are the benefits of CLEAR?

CLEAR lets you skip the airport security line, but you will still undergo the regular security screening. It saves you from presenting your boarding pass and ID to a TSA agent after standing in line. Instead, you will scan your iris and fingerprints at a CLEAR kiosk, and an employee will escort you directly to the front of the line for security screening.

This service is available in some airports and several stadiums to expedite Entry. CLEAR has annual membership fees. You can add up to three family members for an additional cost. Also, kids under 18 can use the CLEAR kiosk when traveling with a CLEAR family member.

While CLEAR is the most expensive option out of all the airport programs, it is the only one offering a free trial (for two months).

How does CLEAR work?

As with the other programs, you must complete an online application form for a CLEAR membership. To complete the process, you must head to either an airport or a stadium with a CLEAR Lane.

When you register, CLEAR scans your iris and fingerprints and ties them to your account. These biometrics are then used for quick access through the Clear lane at airports or stadiums, bypassing the usual security lines. With the Health Pass feature, you can also include a digital vaccination card to verify your vaccination status.

The upside to CLEAR is that you will not need to visit an enrolment center as you can use it the same day you sign up.

To use CLEAR at the airport, follow these steps:

Step 1: Find a CLEAR Lane, which is usually near the TSA security line.

Step 2: Allow a CLEAR employee to help you to a kiosk where you will verify your identity through biometrics and scanning your boarding pass.

Step 3: A CLEAR employee will escort you to the front of the line, where you will undergo physical screening. There is no need to show your identification or boarding pass to a TSA agent.

Step 4: Head to the TSA PreCheck screening area if you have membership. Otherwise, you must go to the traditional screening area, where you must remove your belt, shoes, liquids, bag, jacket, and laptop to go through it.

What are CLEAR Sports, and how can you join?

Becoming a member of CLEAR Sports follows a similar process to that of the CLEAR standard version. You begin by visiting the specific enrollment page for Sports and filling out your personal information.

Since CLEAR Sports costs nothing, you will move forward by clicking the Continue button in the Sports Membership section. After finishing the online enrollment, you must finalize the process in person at one of CLEAR’s stadium locations.

Choosing between TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR can seem daunting. However, it comes down to your family’s travel needs and habits.

Global Entry might be the best option if you often travel internationally with your family. If domestic travel is more common for you, then TSA PreCheck could be a great fit. However, if speed and convenience at stadiums and airports across the country are your top priorities, CLEAR could be worth considering.

Remember, the best choice maximizes comfort and efficiency for your family’s travel experiences.

Choose Kidmoto for Your Travels

In addition to the array of airport programs designed to streamline your family’s travel experience, you can elevate your journey to a new level of convenience with Kidmoto Technologies.

Kidmoto provides a specialized car service with pre-installed child safety seats, letting you select vehicles that can accommodate up to four car seats! With Kidmoto, you will have fewer items to worry about, making your family’s airport experience much more relaxed and manageable.

Arranging a ride with Kidmoto is easy, too. With the user-friendly Kidmoto app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you can effortlessly book your transportation from home or your hotel to the airport and vice versa. To reserve a ride, simply download the app, create an account, provide the details, review the quote provided, and confirm your booking.

Once you have a reservation, your designated driver will pick you up on your chosen date and pickup point. The app provides real-time updates and notifications regarding your driver’s expected arrival time, keeping you informed every step of the way.

Include Kidmoto in your travel plans and book a ride today because traveling with your loved ones can be a stress-free and enjoyable experience!