HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Travel season is around the corner, and many will be taking to the sky, but the airport experience doesn't have to be stressful. "So, with TSA PreCheck and with Global Entry, where you limit stress is when you see those shorter lines as you're entering TSA," Talyn Walton, public relations specialist with Huntsville International Airport shares." Some TSA lines across the United States can get up to 4 hours long that you're waiting and trying to get through your gate."
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are two ways to help save some time, but which option is right for you?
TSA Precheck:
- No need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets.
- Expedited security screening. Most travelers get through security in 5 minutes or less.
- Enjoy benefits at more than 290 airports on over 85+ participating airlines.
- Children 17 and under can join an adult with TSA PreCheck® when TSA PreCheck appears on the child’s boarding pass.
- Cost: $78 for 5 years
But there is one catch. "TSA precheck is only for within the United States," Walton shares. "So, if you're in an airport within the United States the TSA precheck is typically offered. So, when you are flying from a different airport internationally, tsa precheck is not going to be there."
Global Entry:
- Reduced wait times with Global Entry processing technology
- No paperwork to be filled out by passengers upon entry
- Includes TSA PreCheck®
- Cost: $100 for 5 years
- Requires an interview
Both services are recommended if you intend to fly frequently throughout the year. "I do think that TSA precheck is definitely worth some money," Walton shares. "It is only around $78 and that last year for five years. So, if you do that $78 up front, that's five years that you get to skip the line and you don't have to renew it and you just get to continue to fly."
For all those traveling this season, there are a few things to remember. "We ask that you be here 90 minutes before your scheduled departure time," Walton explains. "We also want to remind our passengers that as you you're going through TSA, check the prohibited items list. You can find that on our website. We want to remind our passengers that firearms must be checked and declared with your checked bag."
