You’ve booked the flights, made the dinner reservations, packed the noise-canceling headphones… but there’s one thing left on your travel to-do list: deciding if TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR is actually worth the money.

Especially now that the TSA just made a major change: as of July 8, 2025, no more shoe removal at security checkpoints for anyone. That’s right—shoes stay on, whether or not you’re a PreCheck member.

So what does that mean for your travel perks? Let’s dive in.

First, Let’s Talk About the Big Change

Back in the day (okay, two weeks ago), PreCheck travelers got to skip the shoes-off shuffle. But starting this summer, everyone—PreCheck or not—gets to keep their shoes on at TSA checkpoints. It’s part of a tech upgrade that helps screen shoes without you having to do the awkward hop-skip-slide maneuver at the belt.

So… does this make PreCheck pointless?

Not quite.

Which Program Does What?

Here’s a breakdown to help you choose what’s worth it for your kind of travel.

TSA PreCheck – $78–85 for 5 Years

Best for: Frequent domestic travelers who want to breeze through security with kids or carry-ons.

✅ Keep your laptop and liquids in your bag
✅ Shorter lines at ~200 airports
✅ Great for solo travelers and families alike
🚫 Doesn’t include international customs clearance
💡 Now that shoes stay on for everyone, the other perks—like keeping your electronics in your bag—still make PreCheck a time-saver.

Global Entry – $120 for 5 Years

Best for: Travelers who take at least one international trip a year

✅ Includes all the benefits of TSA PreCheck
✅ Zip through customs when you return to the U.S.
✅ Kiosks mean less time in line with sleepy kids post-red-eye
🚫 Application can take a bit longer (background check + in-person interview)

💡 If you might go abroad next year, this is the upgrade that pays for itself in peace of mind. (Especially after a 9-hour flight with a toddler.)

CLEAR Plus – $199/year

Best for: Travelers who love skipping every line and don’t mind the price tag

✅ Uses biometrics (eyes/fingerprint) to verify your ID
✅ Lets you skip to the front of the TSA ID check line
🚫 Does not include TSA screening perks (like keeping liquids/laptops packed)
🚫 Not available at every airport—though you’ll find it at most major hubs
💡 CLEAR works best when combined with TSA PreCheck. Alone, it doesn’t help you get through security faster—it just skips the ID part.

So… Which One’s Right for You?

If you’re like most of our travelers—juggling kid drop-offs, board meetings, and dreaming about your next girls’ getaway—here’s our take:

✨ The Occasional Jetsetter

Traveling a few times a year, mostly domestic, maybe one international trip?
👉 Go with TSA PreCheck. It’s affordable, lasts 5 years, and still saves real time.

✨ The Globetrotter (with or without the little ones)

Flying to Europe or the Caribbean once or twice a year?
👉 Upgrade to Global Entry. You’ll skip the customs line and still get PreCheck perks.

✨ The Airport Power Player

Flying monthly? Hustling coast to coast for work?
👉 Consider CLEAR + PreCheck. Especially at busy airports like JFK, LAX, or O’Hare, CLEAR can get you through faster—just be sure your airport has it (and check if your credit card offers a discount!).

A Note for Families

• Kids under 12 can go through TSA PreCheck with a parent—no separate application needed.
• Global Entry requires every traveler, even kids, to be approved individually. (Pro tip: If you travel internationally as a family, do Global Entry all at once so no one’s stuck in the long line.)

Final Verdict: What We Recommend

If you're…

• Planning 3+ domestic trips in the next 12 months: Get TSA PreCheck
• Booking a passport-required adventure: Spring for Global Entry
• Always rushing to your gate with 14 minutes to spare: CLEAR (only if paired with PreCheck)

And now that you can skip the shoe shuffle? All these options feel a little less about the feet… and a little more about the freedom.

Ready to Roll?

We love helping our clients stress less at the airport and enjoy more of the journey. Need help deciding what works for your next adventure—or want us to handle the planning from A to Z? Let’s chat.