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Having TSA PreCheck & Global Entry Means Shoes and Coats Stay On

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With all the news about long lines at the airport, now more than ever is the time to consider getting yourself "PreChecked". The one most commonly used by travelers is TSA PreCheck. It costs $85 for 5 years. This option is perfect for travelers who are flying within the United States. You'll skip the long lines, keep your shoes on and not even half to pull out your laptop.

The other, broader option is called Global Entry. It costs $100 and it's a great option if you plan to travel internationally. Global Entry allows users to expedite the customs procedures in addition to speeding up the typical airport screening process.

I personally recommend Global Entry. I originally signed up for TSA PreCheck but ran into an issue. Some of the discount airline carriers I use do not use TSA PreCheck. There is no Known Traveler ID printed on the boarding pass. Thus I was not able to skip the security lines at the airport when flying with these carriers.

Global Entry, however, gives you a separate ID card and is not airline-dependent. Thus even if flying discount carriers, you can skip lines going through security. Plus, for anyone who has traveled internationally knows lines in customs can be quite long, making Global Entry even more valuable.

Do you need it? Well, that's up to you. But wouldn't it be great to make the hassle of airport security a little easier, for as little as $17 a year.
 

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