Is TSA Pre✓® for Domestic and Global Entry only for International Returns?

Last year we applied for Global Entry online, did face-to-face interview, was given a ‘Known Traveler Number’ and received our cards within two weeks. The whole process took several months. Our priority was to use it on a return from a Middle East trip with a tight layover in Philadelphia.

Re-entering the US one simply heads for immigration and the Global Entry kiosk which usually has a shorter line. Insert your passport into the slot, apply fingertips to the scanner, smile and answer the customs declaration questions on the screen. Take the transaction receipt, gather your bags and head for the Global Entry baggage line where another agent will collect the printout.

This year I pondered if a TSA card could expedite domestic check-in lines or would the Global Entry one be acceptable. I reviewed the cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs website.

How It Works

Global entry members are eligible to participate in U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents enrolled in NEXUS or SENTRI are also eligible to participate in, as well as Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS.

If you are a Global Entry member or eligible NEXUS or SENTRI member, enter your membership number (PASS ID) in the “Known Traveler Number” field when booking reservations, or enter it into your frequent flyer profile with the airline. The membership number enables Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight System to verify that you are a legitimate CBP Trusted Traveler and eligible to participate in.

Where You Can Find Your Membership Number

You can find your Trusted Traveler member number by logging into your Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) account. Your membership number is listed toward the bottom of the page. Your membership number is also located on the back of your Trusted Traveler card in the upper-left corner.

What is TSA Pre✓®?

The program expedites traveler screening through TSA security checkpoints. For a complete list of participating airports in or for more information, visit www.tsa.gov or call the TSA Contact Center at 1-866-289-9673.

Our credit card(s) covered the Global Entry $100 per person fee OR the TSA $85 per person fee. Be sure to check with your card company for a rebate or waiver offer.

My Global Entry card expires in 4 years, and hubby’s has 5 year expiration. The same face-to-face interview day, my guess is he just had a birthday prior to our applications.  

One last point, after we received our ‘Known Traveler Number’ or ‘Trusted Traveler’ I went into each airline frequent flier program and updated our profiles.

Using frequent flier miles for a domestic airline reservation, and the reason for this post, I had to re-enter the Known Traveler Numbers again!