Travel Security Programs Ranked
go see the world
I travel.
A lot.
For work and for pleasure—sometimes both in the same week. Airports are the toll you pay to see the world, and after enough reps you learn the choreography: how to flow through security, where the lines snag, and the fine art of people-watching.
To spare you some turbulence, here’s how I rank the top travel security programs.
5. CLEAR
CLEAR is a private membership service using biometrics (eye scans or fingerprints) to verify identity and escort members to the front of security lines.
I put CLEAR last primarily because my home airport is Atlanta’s Hartsfield/Jackson (aka the world’s busiest airport). Here, CLEAR doesn’t buy you much. The CLEAR queue often snakes longer than TSA PreCheck. At smaller airports, it’s… fine. Not a magic carpet, more like a decent moving walkway.
Cost:$189 per year. Which is a lot without the screening perks of PreCheck.
Website: https://www.clearme.com/
Pros:
Quickly bypasses the ID verification line at security checkpoints using touchless biometrics.
Can be used standalone or with other programs (i.e. TSA PreCheck).
Enrollment is straightforward and can be done at the airport.
Cons:
Limited to select airports and doesn't help with the actual security screening process (e.g., still remove items unless combined with PreCheck).
Some users find it unnecessary if PreCheck lines are short.
4. TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is a Transportation Security Administration program offering expedited security screening for approved travelers on domestic flights.
Cost: Affordable at $70-$78 for 5 years and available at over 200 airports.
Website: https://tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/programs/precheck
Pros:
Allows you to keep on shoes, belts, and light jackets, and leave laptops and liquids in your bag, speeding up the process.
Shorter lines and faster screening for domestic travel, with high approval rates.
Cons:
Doesn't expedite customs for international arrivals or skip crowded ID check lines if they're long.
Requires an application, background check, and in-person interview, which can delay enrollment.
3. CLEAR with TSA PreCheck
This is a combination of CLEAR (a private biometric service) bundled with TSA PreCheck, often available through CLEAR's enrollment for an enhanced experience.
Cost: CLEAR is $189 annually, plus TSA PreCheck's separate $78 for 5 years (though bundles may discount)
Website: https://www.clearme.com/tsa-precheck
Pros:
Combines biometric ID verification to skip the standard ID check line with PreCheck's expedited screening, potentially the fastest overall airport security process.
Ideal for frequent travelers at supported airports, reducing wait times dramatically in busy terminals.
CLEAR handles enrollment for both, and many users report it as the ultimate time-saver when paired.
Cons:
Most expensive option: CLEAR is $189 annually, plus TSA PreCheck's separate $78 for 5 years (though bundles may discount).
CLEAR is only available at about 50+ U.S. airports, limiting its utility compared to more widespread programs.
Annual renewal for CLEAR can add up over time, unlike the 5-year terms of government programs.
2. Digital ID
Digital ID refers to mobile driver's licenses (mDL) or state-issued digital identities stored in apps like Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, accepted by TSA at participating airports for identity verification. Contactless facial comparison utilized.
I only put Digital ID here at the 2 spot because my home airport is Atlanta’s Hartsfield/Jackson, main hub for my primary airline Delta. Delta’s utilization of the Digital ID makes it exponentially faster for me to check luggage if needed as well as clear through security lines quicker than TSA PreCheck or Clear.
Cost: Free
Website: https://www.tsa.gov/digital-id
Pros:
Convenient and contactless; no need to carry a physical ID, reducing loss risk and enabling faster scans at checkpoints.
Enhanced security features, as digital IDs are harder to counterfeit and can include real-time verification.
Free if your state offers it (e.g., via DMV app), and integrates with your phone.
Cons:
Limited availability: Only accepted in about 14 states and 27+ airports, with expansion ongoing but not universal.
Privacy and security concerns, including potential tracking by issuers or tech issues like dead batteries or glitches.
Reliability varies (e.g., facial scanner failures).
1. Global Entry
The Global Entry program is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival in the United States. Global Entry members can bypass traditional passport control lines and use automated kiosks at participating airports to complete the entry process.
Given that I do travel internationally 4+ times a year, Global Entry has easily saved me hours of time letting me bypass the normal customs lines for re-entry into the country.
Costs: $100-$122 for 5 years, making it cost-effective for frequent international travelers. Even if you only travel international 1 or 2 times a year I personally think it is worth it.
website : https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry
Pros:
Includes TSA PreCheck benefits for domestic flights, allowing you to keep shoes, laptops, and liquids in your bag during security screening.
Expedited customs processing, which can save significant time on international returns.
Available at many major airports and includes access to SENTRI and NEXUS for border crossings. Nexus is the US/Canada specific program but Global Entry also allows expedited entry between the countries.
Cons:
Requires a more rigorous background check and in-person interview at a customs facility, which can take months to schedule.
No real help if you only travel domestic
No program is a universal solve. Your home airport, airline, and travel rhythm matter. But if you’re chasing minutes the way some people chase status miles: PreCheck is the baseline, CLEAR is situational, Digital ID is the sneakily fast future, and Global Entry is the one that makes coming home feel civilized.
Safe Travels!
-Ed