paying for PRE TSA select

[Dznypal]

I know at one time there was a great post on the pros and cons and how to get the pre tsa select

so I have to apoligize for asking again also I cant seem to find the search button

so now that we usually fly at least twice a year were thinking of getting this--its just for the 2 of us

so if someone could please either point me in the direction of this post or please tell me how this all works

thanks so much

 

[Jimsig]

1. It's $85 per person
2. It's good for 5 years
3. Apply online at https://www.tsa.gov/precheck more info there as well
4. Go to interview location for follow up and fingerprinting
5. Wait for confirmation
6. Add your KTN to any existing airline reservation or add it to new reservation or add it to any frequent flier/airline profile

According to the TSA in May it was less then a 5 min wait for 97% of pre-check passengers. We have used it twice now and love it. So much easier at the airport, especially MCO

Before you apply for pre check, check out Global Entry and see if it fits your needs. It's only $100 and includes pre check and allows you to stop at a kiosk and avoid lines when re-entering the US from overseas. Unfortunately you cannot pay to upgrade pre-check to Global Entry after the fact, you would have to pay the full amount. Not sure how the waits are but they have been known to be quite long for an appointment at certain locations.

Hope that helps

 

[bumbershoot]

Before you apply for pre check, check out Global Entry and see if it fits your needs. It's only $100 and includes pre check and allows you to stop at a kiosk and avoid lines when re-entering the US from overseas. Unfortunately you cannot pay to upgrade pre-check to Global Entry after the fact, you would have to pay the full amount. Not sure how the waits are but they have been known to be quite long for an appointment at certain locations.

And before you do GE, check out NEXUS! It gives easier access to Canada, plus Global Entry, PLUS Precheck. And it's cheaper than GE or Pre.

But it's more of a process than GE, it takes longer.

 

[emmabelle]

just have to say we scored a random free precheck through Jetblue, Memorial Day weekend. The line at MCO for regular security was terrible, the precheck line had two people in front of us. I'd say it's worth it if you travel a lot.

 

[Jimsig]

And before you do GE, check out NEXUS! It gives easier access to Canada, plus Global Entry, PLUS Precheck. And it's cheaper than GE or Pre.

But it's more of a process than GE, it takes longer.

Also NEXUS is free for children under 18 unlike GE and pre-check. I think the child has to apply at the same time to get this benefit. With pre-check only kids 12 and under get it free. NEXUS is great if you live close enough to an interview location in the northern states.

 

[bumbershoot]

NEXUS is great if you live close enough to an interview location in the northern states.

Or can finagle a trip to an area with one. We are indeed close to facilities, but our local one only had interview openings in June (we applied in January-ish). So I went with the Blaine,WA facility and we made a day trip out of it. The OP is in WI so they'll need to check out the facilities to see what's feasible for them IF they wish to check it out.

When DH was getting GE (because he didn't believe me that NEXUS would cost his company less and get him more benefits) he nearly scheduled an interview in an airport he was flying through on a work trip. Thankfully an interview time locally came up but otherwise I think Amsterdam was going to be his interview location.

 

[nacho113]

Personally, we see Nexus to be a better value but all of the programs have their strengths and weaknesses and will expedite your trip through security.

FYI: You need to be aware that you are submitting to a Criminal Background check, Abuse Registry check and several other checks into your past.
If it's squeaky clean everything will be OK and you will most likely be approved. If not....?!?!

 

[Jimsig]

Or can finagle a trip to an area with one. We are indeed close to facilities, but our local one only had interview openings in June (we applied in January-ish). So I went with the Blaine,WA facility and we made a day trip out of it. The OP is in WI so they'll need to check out the facilities to see what's feasible for them IF they wish to check it out.

When DH was getting GE (because he didn't believe me that NEXUS would cost his company less and get him more benefits) he nearly scheduled an interview in an airport he was flying through on a work trip. Thankfully an interview time locally came up but otherwise I think Amsterdam was going to be his interview location.

I have some friends here in Boston who have booked NEXUS and/or GE while on trips. One was in Seattle to see family and went to Vancouver as it was a quicker appt. Others who go to NYC frequently will do it there as it can be much quicker to get an appointment as there a few interview locations. Last Jan a friend got a reminder his was to expire in June. Earliest appt he could get in Boston was Sept and he had 2 trips planned overseas between the expiration and when he could renew. He made an appt to go to VT to get it but a Boston appt opened up sooner.

 

[MIChessGuy]

As a resident of SE Michigan, I considered Nexus a few years ago as the interview location near the Ambassador Bridge was only about an hour away. But ultimately I went with PreCheck; the price break did not outweigh the likely interview rigmarole I'd have to deal with in Detroit. That could have just been misperception on my part, of course. In any event, I can report that I have used PreCheck at Orlando, Detroit and Flint and it has gone very smoothly every time.

 

[DisneynBison]

I bought it for my wife for convenience for her work travel. It is great, best thing just about all the time we travel I get it also and even if I didn't the kids can go through with her. Money well spent.

 

[Westcoastwild]

So what is the difference between GE and the others?

I know that Nexus is, roughly, and pre check, but I don't understand how GE is different.

 

[bumbershoot]

So what is the difference between GE and the others?

I know that Nexus is, roughly, and pre check, but I don't understand how GE is different.

Nexus gives it all to you. GE gives you global entry and precheck. Precheck gives you precheck.

GE has special lines coming back into the country. Nexus has special lanes driving into Canada (as long as everyone has nexus in the car...though DH swears that since his GE is rfid or something like that that the us and Canada interviewers told him he could use it if driving with me and ds who have nexus).


MIchessguy, DH says that our nexus interview (which he was there for) was different in that he was in a private room and it was just one person. We were in a big DMV-like room and we started with the US border guy then scooted over to be interebirws by the Canadian border guy. The questioning was similar. Making sure you didn't lie was similar. I don't know what a precheck interview is like.

Oh and then they wanted a copy of my BC since they didn't have it in their system (it's a CA vs hubby and son's WA ones), so later I went to the facility at King County airport. No appt for that, super easy, and they told me that the Blaine facility keeps doing that, but it's not something King County normally does. I still want to do the retinal scan thing so we can enter those lines returning to the US but that's in Vancouver so we have to travel to do that.


Overall I didn't think it was bad. Or any worse than crossing a border can be. I don't like being eyed with suspicion at any time. Makes me nervous!

 

[DebbieB]

I bought it last November, the process is pretty simple. I filled out the application online, made an appointment at a center (a couple days later), went to the center and they took copies of my passport and fingerprints and I paid. Had my number in 5 days by email.

 

[AngiTN]

Love PreCheck too. Best thing I've spent money on in a long time. We don't travel out of the country ever so no need for anything but PreCheck here. PreCheck doesn't do much for us in our local airport as we only have 5 gates and we don't have a separate line. We do get to keep our shoes on, so there's that. But it's more than paid for itself flying out of MCO, 5 times over. Just in 1 year. Helps from Atlanta too, if we are forced to fly from there instead of home.

 

[Crazyhorse]

We purchased Pre check and I'd say it was a good investment. However, we are early morning flight people, the first Non Stop plane out of Midway, wherever we're going. That usually means prior to 7am and Pre check hasn't been available that early. Coming back is a different story, it's been well worth it to not have to take shoes off and line has always been way shorter.