TSA pre-check...I'm confused.

Well most people cannot get it for free. If you can, then it doesn't make sense to pay for it.

If you start flying other airlines or traveling overseas more often or if Delta stops giving away this benefit, then you can reevaluate.

Cathy, So basically I just lucked out? Wow! Sweet. Maybe because I signed up for Delta's frequent flyer or fan club... I guess I'll buy a lottery ticket now.

TSA precheck and Global Entry are different. Getting Global Entry gives you precheck, but signing up for Precheck does not get you global entry. Then there's Nexus, which gets you both as well as expedited entry into Canada. People get global entry to help them pass through US immigration lines faster

Not everyone flies with the same airline all the time and not everyone gets offered it for free even if they do. I don't know what calculation Delta used to give you precheck all the time, but obviously not everyone will receive that. In your case you will have precheck to go through the faster security lines when you fly delta but not if you fly on another airline. You will not have global entry and will be in the general immigration line when returning to the US.

My husband and I only fly twice a year at most and we have had TSA precheck every time it's a Domestic flight. I was thinking it was because I always buy our tickets soooooo far ahead. i figured they felt we were "safe" since it didn't look like a spur of the moment plan. I love it though!!

My understanding is that they were being generous at giving pre-check status as a promotion to get more people to sign up for it. Airlines were given discretion to give it to Frequent Fliers as well. You can't count on it unless you get a Trusted Traveler Number via TSA or as an additional benefit through Global Entry. You put in the TTN when you make the flight reservation.

Global Entry is very much worth it for getting through US immigration and customs on returning to the US. But may not be worth it for you if CBP doesn't have an office near you for the interview, or you travel outside the US infrequently.

My brother and his wife got Global Entry, even though they only travel outside the US once a year. They had to travel to Dallas (300 miles from here) for the interview. Then the first time they tried to use it to reenter the States, the GE gate was closed.

We've been given Pre-Check the last few years - I have no idea why. Nice, but it doesn't help in Europe.

What I don't think you understand is that you lucked out. Those are your words and you are right!

My husband doesn't have GE and only once had he ever enjoyed TSA precheck for free when he flew Delta to LAX from JFK 3 years ago. He flies Delta and Jetblue mostly. I don't know what is different about your case but how long can your freebies last? So it's up to you. Nobody can tell you how to spend your own money! If you don't fly regularly and you don't mind waiting on line whenever your TSA freebies end, then maybe it's not worth it for you. Again, only you know.

For $100 for 5 years, it's worth it to me. I fly domestically much, more more but for the extra $15 over TSA Precheck only, why not have GE for my 1-2 trips per year overseas. That's how I look at it.

Yep - you lucked out. My husband paid for precheck so always gets it. I get it randomly about 8 times out of 10.

The nearest location for an interview as to Global Entry is 175 miles from my home. Rather than drive 350 miles for an interview, I set an appointment for a time when passing through SeaTac Airport, with an office conveniently located inside the main building. Easy. Global Entry is worth it in my opinion.

Wray, We get pre-check every time, too. We fly two airlines exclusively, are FF of both for years, and are old and gray. No guarantees, but with our closest interview 2.5 hours away by car, we let it go.

In econ class we learned that free markets depend upon all the participants having the same knowledge,
but nothing about air travel seems to operate under those ideal conditions -- dynamic pricing, schedule manipulation,
and all the other ways that sellers prevent buyers from being able to compare products/services make it a
trial for most of us ordinary consumers.

And now we have to add pre-check perks to the mix apparently: I have never been offered TSA Pre-Check for free from any airline, so I've been in the dark until now hearing from others here that they are getting it for free. United and other airlines often offer it to me in exchange for points/miles instead of for money, but no company has ever included it on a ticket.

So now I'm wondering what you winners are being fleeced of by Delta et al, since econ class also told us that there's no such thing as a free lunch. ... .. .. ..

United has given me TSA Precheck on my infrequent domestic flights and international flights -- I have been a Mileage Plus member for years -- but there's NO GUARANTEE that I will get it next time.

Have used the free Mobile Passport app to return to the U.S. several times successfully. I will get Global Entry soon because the cost is included in the fee for my Chase Reserve card -- and then compare my speed coming into SFO with my husband who will be using Mobile Passport.

I think I've only had it given to me domestically on Southwest, American and Delta.

I might see if I can get Mobile Passport to operate via Logan Wifi (probably not in immigration portion, but worth a try). I know as soon as I purchase Global Entry, others will decide to travel with me and it will be for naught as I would wait in line with my travel companion. And as I enjoy my solo trips perhaps this is a reason not to get it... ;)

The airlines don't give you Pre-Check. Your name is run through the Homeland Security computers and it decides if you get it.

I'd like to know who told you you'd get it for free from now on?

TSA has offerred many low risk passengers Pre-Check in the past but have stated they are slowly cutting back because the number of those with paid Pre-Check has risen.

Frank, I've only flown Delta domestic for years now, and I've always received the TSAprecheck(once it existed); however, I had a 2 year gap in flights so I thought it would disappear, but it didn't. I think it is probably safe to assume it will continue but who knows. The person who told me that it would continue is not from the airline, just an EXTREMELY well traveled person who seems to be in with Delta quite a bit. So could be wrong. However, until I no longer receive the precheck, I see no reason to pay for it. Delta has also upgraded me at the gate without asking me and essentially thrown snacks and things at me. I dress nicely, always say hello, thank you, wish them a good day, etc. maybe that helps. Who knows? But I'll take it!

Global Entry also gives you expedited treatment when you re-enter through Canada.

Global Entry also gives you expedited treatment when you re-enter through Canada.

Supposedly, TSA cut back on the number of non-enrolled travelers selected for pre-check as of last February.

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/tsa-precheck.aspx

I read that too, but I've still gotten it every time. I've had eight flights since then.
Of course just writing this will jinx me, and I'll have to come back here hat-in-hand to say how wrong I was.

Well, my view is maybe a bit different, and I guess first it is based on my travel situation.

For business and personal, I fly out of regional airport, so not too big, but I then fly through a hub. A few years ago my business asked if they could share my info with TSA, this was not a PreCheck application, but between my business, my age (55 plus) and my frequent flier status, I always get TSA Precheck if it is offered at the airport, plus if I book my wife's ticket, she gets it also.

Is it great? well not great. At my airport, the lines are not long, sure I can leave stuff in my bag, I do not have to take off my shoes, but honestly, sometimes the precheck line is slower and longer than the regular line. So I might be able to save a few minutes, but I would not go to the expense and cost of the "official" precheck application for that. If my departure airport was much larger and I traveled 4+ times a year, then maybe.

As for Global Entry, again, if you travel 1 or 2 times a year internationally, I really do not see the advantage, especially the more they deploy the entry kiosks for everyone, saving even 10 minutes really is not worth the expense and effort. Some of my co-workers that travel internationally 20 times a year...then it makes sense

I have had TSA Precheck most of the times I have flown in the past several years. I am not a member of any frequent flyer groups and I have not paid for any of the enhanced security things. I just figured it was a perk of being over 50.

My husband kept getting free TSA precheck and we never figured out why. When we all traveled together (husband, wife, 2 kids) we all had TSA precheck as well. About a year ago he got a free TSA precheck membership through his AA Citi credit card--if you bought it $85, they would reimburse you.

Lots of half-truths and misinformation in this thread.

Not all airlines participate in TSA Precheck. Precheck is not available at all airports even on airlines that participate in it. It's a domestic US program, not available outside the US.

Pre-check is also "randomized" - intentionally. That means, if you qualify for precheck (that is, you paid for it or otherwise obtained it, went through the background check, interview, etc., and it's available at your airport for your flight and the security area you are going through), that's still no guarantee you will get it: they randomly deny precheck to enrolled members every day (supposedly it's random). Likewise, if you are NOT enrolled in precheck, they randomly give it to otherwise non-qualified travelers every day, too.

So, there's a good amount of randomness involved, plus lots of more predictable reasons one will/won't get it.

IME, it's a nice convenience, and it often will you some time (and hassles). But you can't rely on it 100% of the time.

Pre-check is also "randomized" - intentionally. That means, if you
qualify for precheck (that is, you paid for it or otherwise obtained
it, went through the background check, interview, etc., and it's
available at your airport for your flight and the security area you
are going through), that's still no guarantee you will get it: they
randomly deny precheck to enrolled members every day (supposedly it's
random).

I travel weekly out of LGA or JFK between cities all across the US on either Delta or Jetblue. I have never ever been denied access to TSA Precheck.

Global Entry is worth every penny it costs! We re -enter USA at several different cities, all with huge lines for passport control. We are through immigration and customs in ten minutes. We travel internationally once or twice a year. Best investment you could make. Lady's for five years, a bargain.
Having TSA Pre Check is a nice bonus.

TSA precheck is hardly worth it at my small departure airport except that I can keep my shoes on. There is only one line which empties in to one waiting room where there are 2 gates - actually just doors leading to 2 different aircraft arrival zones, lol. I have always gotten TSA Pre-check which I thought was a combination of Delta FF status and me likely being the lowest possible security threat.

I did spring for GE in June 2016 as I had had a flight change and they tried to stick me with a 1H25M International to domestic transit time thru MSP and I was not sure that would work without a speeded up process. I changed that flight (came back on a different day) so in the end didn't have a rush but had already signed up for GE and went for it. I did have to drive 300 miles to Boise, the nearest Customs and Border Patrol office to me. (Bonus was meeting another RS forum member and having a wonderful afternoon and dinner!)

Now I've re-entered the US 3 times thru SLC and had great experiences. The first time it took forever for me to get my fingerprints to read so this last time I went to a kiosk right beside the exit guard and mentioned I had difficulties last time. He came right over, gave me some tips on how to get my prints to read and was extremely nice and helpful. I'm not suggesting staff are all that amenable but it was an excellent personal experience.

I do understand what you are saying about traveling with others and having to wait. My experience is that I'd rather wait on the other end than in line. I'm traveling next spring with my brother and SIL who do not have it. I figure I'll just wait at baggage claim, collect their bags if they come off the belt before they make it thru the line and stage everything for us to head thru customs.

Your situation is also different from mine in that you usually enter the US in Boston and then you're home, right? I always have at least one more flight from an international arrival hub and sometimes 2 flights so getting thru Immigration and on to my next leg is always a concern for me.

"I always have at least one more flight from an international arrival hub...so getting thru Immigration and on to my next leg is always a concern for me." Same situation for me. Hey Pam...wasn't there a Lumberjack Restaurtant in town?

Yeah, we probably kill time in the same places in SLC, lol!

And my sources tell me (SIL!) that yes, there was a Lumberjack but it burned down in the 70's. She said it was very elegant - 7 courses (starting with peanuts, lol, then shrimp cocktail, etc). New building on the site (along with a gas station) but the current restaurant isn't doing too well. My brother wants to know if you did the Bovill Run, lol!!

Global Entry also gives you expedited treatment when you re-enter through Canada.

If that's true, it's only when you fly. I believe you need NEXUS if you drive.

The CBP literature does say that holders of TSA PreCheck status might still be randomly selected for additional screening,
so I'm glad to hear at least one commenter's report that they have never been selected at JFK or LGA --
so implying that it might not be perfectly random if it never happens to some people,

and I have the opposite experience to report: Montreal is one of the airports where the US customs people do their shtick before you take your flight into the US instead of when you land, and I once came through that airport and was taken aside for
~enhanced interrogation (ha) by the Canadian officials, put my clothes back on and proceeded to the US section of the airport to get on my flight, and was pulled out of line again by the US officials to be given the once-over as well --
So I got the once-over twice in the same airport, and while the US staffer was pawing through my bag with a couple of beefy colleagues standing off to the side (but within tackling range), I told him this, and he gave a quick glance to his buddies, then chuckled and replied to me, "Total coincidence" and continued squeezing my bottles and tubes, but with a bit more of a smile on his cheeks.

This is part of why I now try to get my i's dotted and my t's crossed as best I can before the day of travel.

Global Entry also gives you expedited treatment when you re-enter through Canada.

If that's true, it's only when you fly. I believe you need NEXUS if you drive.

Global Entry also includes getting a NEXUS card.

“The CBP literature does say that holders of TSA PreCheck status might still be randomly selected for additional screening,” Yes, that happened to me almost one year ago that despite Global Entry and the tied PreCheck, I was selected for enhanced screening. I was patted down carefully, my bag turned inside out and answered a few questions with a smile on my face. The employees seemed to appreciate an unconcerned response by me as they completed their duties. No big issue and it’s happened to me just once.

Pam, Yes, I arrive into Boston and am home in 15 minutes...after immigration.

I was right when I said as soon as I got GE someone would decide to go with me. I had just decided to do get GE anyway as a result of this post, was going to fill out the application this weekend. I had lunch with one of my friends who has decided to join me, in spite of my insistance "this is what I plan to do"...and she's one with whom I would wait in line. My Brother and SIL would be abandoned in the line and baggage all together!

The only reason I'm thinking of this is I believe it was about a 45 minute wait on my last entry (at my 4:00 AM, and I was impatient with the customs man...but boy was he annoying). Others haven't been that bad so this could have been a fluke, or not. I will try mobile entry if there is any wifi this next trip.

Yes, Pam, I've done the Bovill Run, but more business was directed to Mort's, Spruce, Corner Club and similar.

Global Entry also includes getting a NEXUS card.

This isn't true. You do get a Global Entry card when you apply to Global Entry card, but that's not the same as a Nexus card. Nexus requires you to be approved by both the Canadian and American authorities and permits expedited entry into Canada as well as into the US. Global Entry only permits expedited entry into the US and not the other way around.

It's true that many privileges (e.g., access to the "trusted traveler" line at major Canadian airports) are extended to both Nexus and Global Entry members. But it's a falsehood to say that Global Entry members receive Nexus cards.

I have gotten TSA Pre Check every flight since I got my Global Entry and Trusted Traveler number (which United paid 100% for costing me nothing but the time it took for the in person interview). Even though United told me I had TSA Pre prior to that, the TSA people at the airports told me no.

I do often get "randomly" picked for extra screening when going through the Pre lanes. So far it has amounted to not much more than swabbing for explosive residue.

If you are receiving TSA Pre for free, enjoy it while you can.

Nexus gets you the same benefits as Global Entry (including PreCheck) but at $50 (for five years) it's cheaper than either GE or PreCheck.

If you live or travel near an enrollment center it might be worth investigating.

Add my wife and me to the list of people who vseem to get PreCheck without any effort on our part. I'd say 80%+ success over the past few years.

I'd like to add that I'm glad I didn't get Global Entry in the end. I have two trips to Europe planned, and it appears both are likely not to be solo. As I would have to stand with my travel companion in the slow line, I saved money...this year. I think if the free TSAprecheck gets taken away, I'll then apply.

No, you don't "have" to go through the slow lines with your companion if they don't have GE. :-)

Mark, Courtesy and respect for my husband and my best friend(s) would have me waiting in the slow line with them, rather than acting like they are not worth the trouble.

Wray,

I was only joking.

Sometimes I just have no sense of humor... :(

Personally I just leave them in the slow line. I just forge ahead, get good seats in the waiting area, get the coffee and have it waiting for them when they arrive.

Ha! Frank, The benefit of living on the east coast means we are home after Immigration/re-entry. No more waiting.

There is now talk of merging TSA Pre Check and Global Entry into one program.

Trusted Traveler Merger