Global Courant 2023-05-27 20:18:19
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The 2023 summer travel season is expected to be busy, allowing federal programs such as TSA pre-check especially useful for flyers, according to experts.
Such programs come at a cost, but generally save travelers time at the airport. However, relatively long processing times, such as with recent passport applications, mean that it may be difficult for some new applicants to take advantage of this before traveling this summer.
“There are so many people who want to travel now, especially after the pandemic,” says Sofia Markovich, travel consultant and founder of Sofia’s Travel. “It’s like passport renewal, where there have been huge delays.”
That said, programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are “well worth it” for frequent flyers, she added.
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“They make sense year-round, but especially in the busy season,” Markovich said.
TSA PreCheck aims to reduce airport screening time. Travelers wait in a different – and often shorter – queue than the standard security line. In April, 94% of PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes at security Transport security administration.
The agency aims for wait times of 10 minutes or less with PreCheck and 30 minutes for typical lanes.
TSA PreCheck — available for departures from certain US airports – costs $78 for new enrollees. A membership lasts for five years and renewal costs $70.
The upfront membership fee for new members is $15.60 per year. Multiple credit cards cover the compensation as a customer benefit.
Aside from a potentially shorter security line, there’s also a convenience factor, experts said.
Since the request means a passenger risk assessment – including fingerprints for a background check – members are not required to remove their shoes, belts or light jackets when going through airport security. They can also include electronics and “3-1-1″ compatible fluids in hand luggage. (The 3-1-1 rule allows each passenger to carry a quart bag of bottled liquids weighing no more than 3.4 ounces each in their carry-on luggage.)
“It’s pretty hard for most people to argue with that,” Sally French, a travel expert at NerdWallet, said of the fee. “It will relieve so much stress on the road.”
PreCheck is one of the few programs for “trusted travelers”. provided by the United States Department of Homeland Security in conjunction with other federal agencies.
One of the other programs is Global Entry, which offers expedited U.S. customs clearance when returning from a trip abroad. A five-year membership has a $100 non-refundable fee and includes TSA PreCheck.
When the programs may not make sense
There are some instances where the programs — and their costs — may not make sense to travelers, experts said.
For example, the programs are most beneficial for people who travel a lot. The TSA recommends Global Entry for people who travel internationally four or more times a year.
TSA PreCheck also doesn’t guarantee travelers will save time, experts said. The standard security line may be shorter depending on the airport and departure time.
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry applications for first-timers can also be a bit cumbersome, experts say. This is largely due to the need for a personal assessment. Appointments – especially those before Global Imports – are not always easy to get and may require a remote visit (perhaps to an airport) to complete.
There are so many people who want to travel now, especially after the pandemic.
Sophia Markovich
founder of Sofia’s Travel
The processing time of Global Entry applications can also take four to six months, according to to the DHS. In 2022, the average time to enroll in Global Entry was 93 days, the department said.
According to DHS, longer waiting times are due to record enrollments for membership in the Trusted Traveler programs. Google search traffic for “TSA Precheck” is full top level In five years.
Most TSA PreCheck applicants must have a online appand is approved within three to five days of their personal registration appointment on average. However, it can take 60 days or more, the TSA says said. (As of Feb. 1, U.S. Customs and Border Protection began releasing interview appointment slots to enrollment centers on the first Monday of each month at 9 a.m. local time, according to DHS.)
TSA PreCheck is also not available at all airports or airlines. It is currently available for over 200 airports and through more than 85 participating airlinesthe TSA said.
If a traveler’s home airport doesn’t have it — most likely it’s in a small regional facility — it may not be worth the time and expense, French said.
Travelers have called another program option Clearly if they’re worried about not getting approved for TSA PreCheck in time for a trip, French said.
Clear, run by a private company and not a government-affiliated program, speeds up the identity verification portion of security screening by using a retina or fingerprint scan. (This differs from TSA PreCheck. Clear members are still required to remove shoes, belts, and electronics during the physical screening process unless they also have TSA PreCheck.)
A membership is more expensive – $189 per year, although discounts are available for certain travelers. Travelers can to enrol at the airport, usually within a few minutes.
