We wrote about TSA PreCheck vs Clear vs Global Entry before but a LOT has changed in 2026. Pricing updates, Clear's ownership change, new enrollment options for Global Entry, and PreCheck expanding to more airports. Time for a fresh look at which programs are actually worth your money this year.
The Big Changes in 2026
First, the price updates: - TSA PreCheck: \$78 for 5 years (unchanged, still the best deal in travel) - Global Entry: \$120 for 5 years (went up from \$100 in late 2025) - Clear Plus: \$199/year (up from \$189, new ownership jacked it up)
Second, Clear got acquired and rebranded slightly. The product is the same: biometric identity verification that lets you skip the ID check line. But they've been pushing a "Clear Plus" tier with airport benefits and a basic "Clear" tier that's just digital ID verification for non-airport uses.
PreCheck: Still Essential (Now Even Better)
PreCheck expanded to 25 more airports in 2026 bringing the total to 200+. Every Florida and Texas airport has it. The dedicated PreCheck lanes are faster than ever because TSA added more staffing to these lanes, average wait time is 3-5 minutes at most airports we tested.
New in 2026: you can now renew PreCheck online without an in-person visit. The original enrollment still requires fingerprinting at an enrollment center but renewal is fully digital. Small change, big convenience.
Global Entry: Price Went Up, Still Worth It
The \$20 increase to \$120 stings a little but here's the math: that's \$24/year for PreCheck PLUS customs line skipping. If you take even one international trip per year, the time saved clearing customs (often 30-45 minutes) is easily worth \$24.
The biggest improvement: interview wait times. Global Entry interviews used to have 3-6 month waits. Now most airports offer "Enrollment on Arrival": you complete your interview when you land from an international flight. No separate appointment needed. We had a member get approved and enrolled in 12 minutes after landing at MIA last month.
Clear: Harder to Justify at \$199
At \$189 it was borderline. At \$199 it's a tougher sell for most leisure travelers. Clear saves you maybe 10-15 minutes over PreCheck alone at busy airports (MIA during morning international push, DFW during holidays). But \$199 per year for 10 minutes of savings on the 6-8 times you fly annually? That's \$25-33 per time-save. Meh.
The exception: if you fly weekly for work from consistently congested airports, Clear still makes sense. Also, some credit cards (Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X) offer Clear credits. If you have one of those cards check your benefits before paying out of pocket.
Our 2026 Ranking
1. Global Entry (\$120/5 years) . get this if you travel internationally at all 2. TSA PreCheck (\$78/5 years) . get this if you only fly domestic 3. Clear Plus (\$199/year) . only for frequent business travelers or if your credit card covers it
Pro tip
: Check your credit card benefits. Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X, and several others reimburse Global Entry or PreCheck fees. Free money if you already have the card.
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