Info on TSA pre-check and Global Entry

As I understand it they are separate programs. However, if you have Global Entry then you automatically have TSA pre-check. It doesn't work the other way around.
The problem with Global Entry - you still have to wait for your luggage.

If you get Global Entry( $100. for five years) it includes TSA PreCheck. If you get TSA PreCheck separately it costs $85 for five years.
Once you get Global Entry you don't have to do anything else except enter your TrA PreCheck and Global Entry numbers in your airline profiles or add them when booking flights.

Global Entry is a life saver. We land and are done in 10-15 minutes, immigration/passport check and customs. We always see huge lines of people snaking their way to immigration when we are finished!

You apply for Precheck or Global Entry. Upon approval GE includes Precheck.

GE application process is a two step process. Apply online. Upon conditional approval you still need to schedule an interview. Interviews are only available at certain offices. Mostly US international airports. Appointments for the interview may be hard to get or many months away. An alternative is to complete the process when you arrive back in the US at an airport with an interview office.

Last I checked GE fee is $100 vs Precheck at $85

I personally prefer not to be fingerprinted. Your need for this depends a lot on the conditions you know may exist at your primary American airport of return home. I have not really missed having either product at the NYC area airports. Don't feel that this is a must for pleasant travel. I know others have had annoying experiences.

Many travel credit cards reimburse your GE/TSA Pre purchase. I know the United explorer card and chase sapphire reserve both do.

I have two credit cards that will refund the costs of applying for TSA PreCheck and/or Global Entry.

Global Entry comes with PreCheck; however, the paperwork takes way longer to fill out for GE than PreCheck.

If you travel internationally one or more times per year, GE may be your best bet. If you travel within the US, then PreCheck is what you want.

Unlike most of the answer, let me try to actually answer your questionss. (it's amazing how people go off on tangents.)

TSA precheck and Global Entry are two different programs. You do not need to apply for them separately.

If you apply for Global Entry, and get it, you also get TSA Precheck.

If you apply for TSA Precheck, you only get TSA Precheck.

And the Global Entry card currently qualifies as "Real ID" for boarding domestic flights. PreCheck not yet.

“And the Global Entry card currently qualifies as "Real ID" for boarding domestic flights. PreCheck not yet.”

LauraB, I did not know that! Thank you.

And the Global Entry card currently qualifies as "Real ID" for boarding domestic flights. PreCheck not yet.

This needs more explanation. The Global Entry card is Real ID compliant. You can use it as ID at the TSA Precheck checkpoint. It doesn't matter if it is a domestic or international flight. The airlines should also accept it although they aren't insisting on Real ID yet. Just ID.

The TSA Precheck card is not Real ID compliant so it cannot be used.

When I checked into this in December, Global Entry was running about 6 months to get your appointment. If you're traveling soon, I would just do Pre-check as I doubt you could get Global Entry completed in time.

I'm traveling in a few weeks. How long does the TSA precheck approval take?

When I checked into this in December, Global Entry was running about 6 months to get your appointment. If you're traveling soon, I would just do Pre-check as I doubt you could get Global Entry completed in time.

The secret is you have to keep checking for openings as cancellations do occur.

And if you are traveling internationally, you could do your interview using "interview on arrival".

We just did our GE interview in Jan. You can always call the office you want to interview and ask if they take walk ins. Some do. While we were waiting, a young lady came in and said that she called the day before for a walk-in. You may have to wait a while, but it may be possible.

I have a Global Entry application in process, but I haven't been conditionally approved. They say that can take six months, and then you have to get in line for the interview.

Anybody know any tricks to speed up the process?