The TSA announced today that they will start requiring passengers to remove all electronics larger than a cell phone from their bag and have it screened in a bin with nothing above or below.
That includes cameras & lenses, laptops, tablets, video game consoles, noise-cancelling headphones, and more.
This is being phased in over the coming weeks and will likely cause delays as well.
Pre-Check lanes will continue to allow you to keep all of your electronics in your bag. You will continue to be able to leave your shoes on and use a metal detector for less invasive screening.
Several credit cards include free Pre-Check membership, an $85 value. They also give free Global Entry membership, a $100 value, which includes Pre-Check and the ability to skip the immigration lines when you return from abroad.
Global Entry is pretty much the best thing since sliced bread. It makes traveling so much easier.
A Nexus membership is just $50 and includes everything that Global Entry comes with, but also allows for expedited entry into Canada. Unfortunately credit cards generally won’t cover Nexus.
Global Entry/Pre-Check/Nexus membership lasts for 5 years.
You can bring children 12 or younger with you in Pre-Check lines, but kids need their own Global Entry membership to skip the immigration lines.
Eligible cards that give free Pre-Check/Global Entry include the AMEX Platinum, AMEX Business Platinum. Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Ritz-Carlton, Citi AA Executive, Citi Prestige, USBank Altitude Reserve, and USBank FlexPerks Gold.
The AMEX Platinum and AMEX Business Platinum cards even give free Pre-Check or Global Entry to secondary Green/Gold cardholders which can be added for no additional annual fee! You can read about the differences between these 2 cards here.
You can view credit card offers by hovering over the “Credit Cards” tab. You can then click on “Credit Cards From All Banks“ to find card offers via the logo of the bank you’re looking for.
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50 Comments On "TSA Announces Yet Another Reason To Have Pre-Check"
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So I can add my wife and kids as green card holders on my Amex BP and they get free global entry too?
Correct.
My spouse did have precheck on her pass, and I was the only one on the itinerary with precheck. Look into it, if you are on the same itinerary she may be included.
do they ask for ages on the green card? can I get an employee card for my 3 year old?
Can a spouse come along?
Not unless they’re 12 or under 😉
Thanks for tip.
LOL
Thank you for information.
Truth is, this was a good idea even before. I used to often travel with a small George Foreman grill, and it got me pulled aside almost every time. I once missed a flight because I had a Shabbos Lamp which earned me a bag check. I’m certain very glad I have my Global Entry interview in a few weeks.
If I apply today, when will the process be completed?
(I’m flying August 2).
Here in Boston, the first open appt is in December! You can always walk in (some locations) and they will take you if it isn’t busy…
Once your applicatipn goes through the preapproved status, there is a new program to get your interview to complete your application at the airport upon arrival of an international flight. Available at some airports. No appointment needed.
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-launches-global-entry-enrollment-arrival-5-international
Check Miami (MIA) for an appointment. They always have open appointments within the week.
It started in a few airports already for a while. I flew out of ft. Lauderdale and got stopped 3 times for having electronics.
My 6 inch Kindle is a problem, but my 5.5 inch phone is OK.
The logic on this from TSA is the lines will be longer until the scanner, but they can scan bags faster with less stuff on them. However, it will be many months till it happens that people learn to take things out of their bags.
If you get pulled over, you will have to wait for the agent to check your bag which will be at least 5 – 15 minutes. Oh, and they also want you to take out books.
Just do yourself a favor and get pre-approved check.
Is Global Entry available to green card holders?
But it’s pretty stupid that they still only partner with 30 or so airlines that participate in this program.
It’s that they get subsidized by the airlines (pre check costs a ton of money for TSA)
I want to get this for myself and my family but the closest airport that offers it is 2 hours away. Makes stopping in for a walk in appointment very difficult.
I have pre check and they always make me take out my laptop. Not having to take off shoes and shorter lines is good though
Then you’re not going in the right lines.
I’ve used Pre-Check hundreds of times and never take out my laptop.
Hi is there a truth to this rumor that Once your on the global entry list your more bound Ronnie screened ? By the IRS let’s says ? Ty
English please?
As usual, the TSA has no idea what to screen and how to screen. All their stories about why they need to scan this but not that and why some items are OK and some aren’t are all a bunch of hogwash. They never made sense because the TSA is a beaurocratic agency rather than an actual security force.
Having the TSA handle security makes me feel LESS safe than ever.
Wait, preflight is $85 a year? Multiply that by how many people will now rush to do it, and here’s a nice incentive for the TSA to make us grunts crazy…
They should get trained by Israelis…
$85 per 5 year term.
If you are a green card holder you are eligible for Global Entry however if you are a green card holder that is a Canadian Citizen and one who frequently goes to Canada you may want to consider getting a Nexus instead. It’s half the price, it includes Global Entry and pre-check benefits as well it can be used to enter Canada by air’s Nexus custom kiosks which are similar to Global Entry.
True, though cards won’t cover that.
Yea ISRAEL has an airport the size of terminal 4 in JFK
You think that’s the reason it’s not scalable?
It’s not scalable because we can’t racially profile here.
Now the lines at the TSA precheck will be getting longer than the non TSA. Thanks
US citizens can also get Nexus.
Can I sign up for global entry while passport has expired? If expired passport if fine, do you need at all a passport can I send it to be renewed?
Thanks
You need a valid passport. We sent my wife’s to be renewed and it still had not yet returned by the time the appointment came. We gave them a copy and they would not take it. In the end we got a walk in in a different closer center and did not have to wait, but that was just mazel.
They already do this. At least when I flew through IAD they made me do it
@Dan
If i get Global Entry, do I automatically get enrolled in TSA Pre Check or do I have to sign up separately for each?
Automatic.
In NY/NJ it looks like the only place to register is in Manhattan or an Airport. Does that make sense?
I had this flying out of Edinburgh on United. I had to take out my iPad but could leave my cell phone in my purse
If I signed up for pre-check but missed my interview, will they allow me to schedule another one?
Call and ask?
If we have the Chase Sapphire card and bought tickets through it, how do we apply for the Pre-check?
Signup for it online. Google is your friend.
I’m recently unemployed and thought of taking advantage of the “free time” to apply for Global Entry. Do they care about employment status?
Doubt it.
If I’m a us citizin, and I don’t have a credit card that offers tsa pre check for free
(In other words I’m paying full price for a program)
Why would one not go for the $50 nexus program if that includes evreything global entry does but at half the price?
No reason except that Nexus application locations are more limited than Global Entry or Pre-Check.
Doesn’t Nexus also require an iris scan? If you think that any biometrics beyond fingerprints are a violation of your privacy then I’d prefer Global Entry.
@dan I’m surprised you don’t have mobile pass it’s faster than global entry and is free
And pre-check is definitely the way to go now with all the restrictions (I still think more need to be put in place)
I used GE in ORD last week. Took 15 seconds.
Impressive if you can beat that.
do i need to schedule appt and THEN do a walkin or can i just show up?