If anyone has traveled recently and dealt with the lovely long lines in security, you have seen the signs for things like TSA PreCheck, Clear and others. I have been using TSA Precheck for years and it has been a time saver for me and an anxiety reducer (despite all my traveling I loathe flying).
Understanding TSA PreCheck
For those of you who have not been in a position to travel, TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program that pre-screens you as a "low risk" traveler. Once approved you are allowed to:
- Keep your shoes on
- Leave laptops and liquids in your bags
- Keep the belt on
- Avoid the uninitiated travelers that have to go through the scanner 10 times
Just plop your bag on the x-ray belt, empty your pockets, and walk through the scanner.
TSA PreCheck Rules for Kids
As of 2025, kids can go through the pre-check line with a parent until the age of 12-years old. Between 13 and 17 years of age they will need to have the prechekc logo on their boarding pass. This is accomplished by booking their ticket on the same reservation as their parent (generally what happens I imagine). After 17 years of age OR if they are under 17 and traveling without a parent, they will need their own TSA Pre-Check number.
The cost of TSA Pre-check varies with the provider type, but in 2025 appears to be less than $100. This will last 5 years.
Why Global Entry Is the Better Choice
Global entry is (currently) $120, and membership expires in 5 years as well. Once approved for Global entry, you automatically can utilize your Known Traveller Number (KTN) for TSA Pre-check as well. If you go onto the website it does recommend only using Global Entry if you travel internationally 4+ times per year (!!!) But honestly for the price, the fact you also have access to Pre-Check, I would apply if you plan to travel internationally 4 times in 5 years.
The Game-Changer: Free Global Entry for Kids
As of October 2024, kids under 17 are free to apply for Global Entry as long as a parent has a PASSID. There is a spot in the application where you can put the parents PASSID and it will zero out the cost.
Global Entry allows to expedited entry through US Customs lines. A blessing. Traveling home and being able to spend 15 minutes walking and answering a few computer questions was definitely worth the cost to me. I think I will appreciate it even more when we travel with the kids.
The Critical Caveat
It is important to note that kids CAN NOT use a parents Global Entry number/card. In order for a family to use Global Entry all members of the family need their own PASS ID. This includes newborns. My 2 month old will need to take their passport to an office for an interview with both parents present to receive an approval that they are a low risk traveler.
Our Experience: Making It Work
I recommend trying to get all children applying an appointment for the same day and time. You can have your interview at an airport office during a layover while traveling, but once again- multiple children, minimize your hassle.
We made a fun day and got the kids excited to ride a train to our local international airport for the appointments. All the applications are filled out online and approved within 48 hours. We were able to find an appointment for all three kids within a month. YOU WILL NEED THE PHYSICAL PASSPORTS FOR THIS APPLICATION AND APPOINTMENT. Please plan accordingly if you are trying to travel the same year you are doing paperwork. Due to various issues we and our extended family have experienced with passports etc. we started this process 12 to 18 months prior to booking international travel. Everything went much quicker than we expected.
We also planned to do the passports early in the year to increase the odds the kids passports and global entry numbers would expire in the same yers- repeating: my brain needs all the help it can get.
The Result
Voila! At the end of the day (several months later) we have 3 passports and Global Entry PASSIDs that all expire in 5 years. I will only need to renew all three kids stuff twice and we can travel anywhere and minimize standing in security lines.
The world is full of wonders waiting to be discovered, and these programs eliminate just enough obstacles to transform family travel into a genuinely enjoyable experience, rather than a grueling endurance sport.
Keep exploring!
Information sourced from U.S. Customs and Border Protection