• Jesse Collier tried Global Entry, CLEAR, and TSA PreCheck. 
  • She writes that with CLEAR you're escorted to the front of the security line while others glair. 
  • Collier also says that gettting through customs with Global Entry is a breeze. 

I arrived at the San Jose Airport with plenty of time to spare before my quick flight back home to LAX. I entered the roped line to go through airport security and was greeted with an enthusiastic, "Hello, welcome! How are you?" 

If you've ever gone through TSA before, you probably know most agents will hardly look at you. So, I immediately knew I was in the wrong place. The attendant asked me if I was familiar with CLEAR, to which I shook my head "no." I sat through the sales pitch and accepted their offer of a free trial. I was whisked to a futuristic machine that scanned my fingerprints, irises and took a photo of me.

My friendly encounter got me thinking. 

Which airport program is best?

The three most common options for an expedited airport visit include CLEAR, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry.

CLEAR is a privately-operated security program, unlike TSA Precheck or Global Entry, which are programs run by the U.S. government. CLEAR users have their own lane in which they stand in front of the aforementioned machine, have their irises scanned, and are escorted to the front of the security line. If you have TSA Precheck on top of CLEAR, you will cut the TSA Precheck line, but if you don't, you'll be in the regular line. Oh, and be ready for the people in the TSA lines to be glaring at you while the agent halts them so you can go through security. It's definitely a strange, hierarchical feeling — and not necessarily in a good way. 

One major advantage of CLEAR is that the approval process (which can be done at any of their checkpoints) is complete in a matter of moments. You simply walk up to an agent, follow their instructions, and provided you don't have a criminal record or red flags, you are approved instantly. 

CLEAR: For the elite ($189 Annually)

CLEAR is a privately-operated security program, unlike TSA Precheck or Global Entry, which are programs run by the U.S. government. CLEAR users have their own lane in which they stand in front of the aforementioned machine, have their irises scanned, and are escorted to the front of the security line. If you have TSA Precheck on top of CLEAR, you will cut the TSA Precheck line, but if you don't, you'll be in the regular line. Oh, and be ready for the people in the TSA lines to be glaring at you while the agent halts them so you can go through security. It's definitely a strange, hierarchical feeling — and not necessarily in a good way. 

One major advantage of CLEAR is that the approval process (which can be done at any of their checkpoints) is complete in a matter of moments. You simply walk up to an agent, follow their instructions, and provided you don't have a criminal record or red flags, you are approved instantly. 

TSA PreCheck: For the domestic traveler ($78 for 5 Years)

When people decide to purchase one of these services, they often choose this one, as it is definitely the most known and most widely used, with a whopping 32 million members.

Clocking in at a little over $15 a year, TSA Precheck is worth its weight in gold for those looking to get to their gate a little earlier. In April, 94% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited in line at the checkpoint for less than 5 minutes, which honestly seems a bit long from my experience over the last couple of years. For me, it's usually closer to 2 minutes: walk right up to the agent, show my ID, toss my bag on the belt, and I'm already on my way to grab an overpriced cappuccino. 

Global Entry: For the cosmopolitan ($100 for 5 Years)

Global Entry is a program offered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allows pre-approved travelers to expedite their entry back into the United States. Basically, after your 8-hour flight and zombie slog to the Customs and Immigration department, there's a line with a bunch of people in it, and there's a much shorter line, which is for Global Entry. 

Instead of waiting in line, you proceed straight to a Global Entry kiosk, snap a quick photo, collect a printed receipt and hand it to an officer. As someone who has stood sleepy-eyed in a Customs line for over half an hour, this service is well worth the cost.

The kicker that so many people don't realize: Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck. A lot of people disregard Global Entry because they don't leave the country often enough. For an extra $22 spread across 5 years, it's worth it.

The bottom line: Which is best?

For those who don't leave the country and want the most economical option, TSA PreCheck is the way to go. If you have plans to leave the country, or you take international trips at least every other year, the extra $22 for Global Entry is worth breezing through the Customs line.

Considering I've never waited more than a few minutes in a TSA Precheck line, I can't justify the cost of CLEAR, as only one year is almost twice the price of Global Entry's 5-year membership. Not to mention, if you don't have TSA Precheck, CLEAR puts you in the regular line, where you have to take off your shoes, take your liquids out, and so on.

However, CLEAR is available in some stadiums and venues, so if you plan on attending many games or concerts and the stadium uses CLEAR, it's an easy way to get your money's worth.

Airport travel is always going to be a stressor for many, but TSA Precheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR make things a little easier. If only there was a service that stopped people from taking their shoes off on the plane. 

Jesse Collier is the creator of The Road Jess Traveled and helps people save, plan, and book their dream vacations.