Stop Wasting Money on Airport Passes 💸 (Best Travel Hack You Need to Know!) 2026

Stop Wasting Money on Airport Passes 💸 (Best Travel Hack You Need to Know!) 2026

Airports can be absolute chaos. Long lines, random 
bag checks, overpriced snacks, and nowhere to sit. But what if I told you that with the right airport 
pass, you could skip the lines, breeze through customs, and relax in a private lounge before 
your flight? Sounds too good to be true? Well, today we’re breaking down the real truth about 
every major airport pass out there. from Global Entry to TSA Pre-Check, Clear, Nexus, Priority 
Pass, and those exclusive VIP FastTrack services that celebrities use. By the end of this video, 
you’ll know exactly which one fits your travel style and which ones to avoid wasting your money 
on. Let’s jump straight into it, starting with one of the most popular government programs out there, 
Global Entry. Global Entry, Skip Customs like a pro. If you’re an international traveler, you 
know the feeling. You’ve just endured a longhaul flight and the only thing standing between you and 
home is a massive slowmoving line for immigration. This is where Global Entry comes in. Run by US 
Customs and Border Protection or CBP. It’s a trusted traveler program designed specifically 
for preapproved low-risk travelers who want to get through US customs as quickly as humanly 
possible. Once you’re a member, the process is incredibly simple. Instead of joining the main 
queue, you head straight for a designated Global Entry kiosk. There, you’ll scan your passport or 
US permanent resident card. The kiosk then uses advanced facial recognition technology to verify 
your identity against the photo in your passport. You’ll answer a few customs declaration questions 
on the screen, and if everything checks out, the machine prints a receipt. You take that 
receipt, bypass the lines, and head straight to the CBP officer at the exit. In most cases, 
you’re done and on your way to baggage claim in under a minute. It’s a gamecher. Let’s break down 
the biggest advantages. First, and most obviously, you get to skip those notoriously long customs 
and immigration lines. After a 10-hour flight, the difference between a one minute kiosk stop 
and a 90 minute wait can feel like a lifesaver. Second, Global Entry automatically includes a 
full membership to TSA PreCheck. This means you also get expedited security screening on domestic 
flights within the US. It’s a fantastic two for one value. Third, it’s a completely paperless 
process at the airport. No more fumbling for a pen to fill out that blue and white customs 
declaration form on the plane. Everything is handled digitally at the kiosk. Fourth, its 
reach is extensive. Global entry is available at over 75 US and international airports, including 
pre-clarance locations in countries like Ireland, the UAE, and Canada, allowing you to clear US 
customs before you even board your flight back to the States. And fifth, your membership is valid 
for 5 years. Once you’re approved, you’re set for half a decade of stress-free arrivals. Now, for 
the downsides, because it’s not a perfect system. First, the approval process can be incredibly 
long. After submitting your application, the background check and conditional approval 
can take many months, sometimes even over a year in periods of high demand. Second, remember that 
Global Entry only works when you are entering the United States. It offers no benefits for skipping 
immigration lines when you arrive in Europe, Asia, or any other international destination. Third, 
the application fee is non-refundable. If your application is denied for any reason, that $100 
is gone for good. Fourth, you must complete an in-person interview at an enrollment center to 
finalize your membership. These appointments are notoriously difficult to get with slots 
often booked up months in advance. And fifth, Global Entry is strictly for expedited screening. 
It does not include any luxury perks like airport lounge access or other VIP benefits. So, how do 
you apply? The process starts on the official US Customs and Border Protections Trusted Traveler 
Programs website. First, you’ll create an account. Then you’ll begin the detailed application, which 
costs $100. Be prepared to provide extensive personal information, including your address 
and employment history for the past 5 years, as well as a list of all the countries you’ve 
visited in the same period. Accuracy is critical here. Double check every entry before you 
submit as even small mistakes can lead to delays or denial. After submitting, you 
wait. This is the pending review phase, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a 
year. Once you receive your conditional approval, you must schedule that in-person interview. 
But here’s a crucial tip. Consider enrollment on arrival. This allows conditionally approved 
applicants to complete their interview during their customs inspection when returning from an 
international trip. No appointment is needed. Just follow the signs to the enrollment on arrival 
desk. It’s by far the easiest way to get it done. For the interview itself, whether at an enrollment 
center or on arrival, be sure to bring your valid passport and proof of residency, like a driver’s 
license or utility bill. The officer will verify your information, take your photo, and scan 
your fingerprints. They’ll ask you a few simple questions about your application and travel 
habits. Just be honest and straightforward. Common reasons for denial include having a 
criminal record, past customs or immigration violations, or providing false or incomplete 
information on your application. If all goes well, you’ll be approved on the spot, and your official 
Global Entry card will arrive in the mail a few weeks later, solidifying your 5-year membership. 
TSA PreCheck, the shortcut through security. If you mostly travel within the US, this one’s 
a must-have. TSA PreCheck gives you access to special lanes where you keep your shoes, belt, and 
laptop on while going through security. Here are the five biggest pros. You skip long lines. 
You don’t remove shoes or electronics. It’s available in over 200 airports. Your kids under 
12 can join for free and it lasts 5 years. Now, the cons. It’s only for US airports. It doesn’t 
help with customs. It still requires a background check. Sometimes you’ll be randomly screened 
anyway. and it doesn’t work with every airline. It costs $78 for five years and you apply at TSA gov. 
Clear, the biometric line jumper. Now, this one’s a private program not run by the government. Clear 
uses your eyes or fingerprints to verify your identity and skip straight to the front of 
the TSA line. Advantages: It’s insanely fast, especially when you combine it with TSA Pre-Check. 
You don’t need to show ID. Biometrics do the work. It’s available at over 50 major US airports. 
You can add family members for less and you’re approved instantly. No government background 
check. Disadvantages: It’s pricey, about $189 a year. It only works in the US. It doesn’t replace 
TSA screening. It just skips the ID check. There’s no customs benefit. And it offers zero perks 
internationally. You can sign up at clearme.com or directly at an airport kiosk. Nexus, the hidden 
gem for US and Canada travelers. Nexus is the best deal out there for people who travel between the 
US and Canada. It speeds up customs, immigration, and security for both countries and includes 
global entry and TSA pre-check for US flights. It works at airports, land borders, and even 
sea crossings. It’s incredibly cheap, just $50 for 5 years. You get all the benefits of Global 
Entry and PreCheck. It’s valid for half a decade and it’s accepted at most major US and Canadian 
airports. You need approval from both governments. Interviews can take months to schedule. Enrollment 
centers are limited. It only helps for US Canada travel. And again, no comfort or lounge 
perks. You apply through the trusted traveler programs website. And honestly, it’s a steal. 
Priority pass, the key to airport lounges. Now, let’s shift gears from speed to serenity. While 
the other passes we’ve discussed are designed to get you through the airport faster, this one 
is all about improving your experience while you wait. Imagine escaping the noisy, crowded 
terminal gate with its uncomfortable seating and overpriced snacks. Instead, you step into a quiet 
oasis. This is the promise of Priority Pass. It’s not about skipping lines. It’s about relaxing in 
style. Priority Pass is a membership program that grants you access to a massive global network of 
over 1,400 airport lounges and experiences, no matter which airline you’re flying or what class 
your ticket is. Think of it as a universal key to a more civilized travel day. So, what exactly do 
you get inside? Let’s break down the advantages. The core benefit is a comfortable space to relax, 
work, or recharge before your flight. But the perks go much further. You get complimentary food 
and drinks. The offering varies widely from simple snacks like pretzels and cookies to extensive hot 
and cold buffets that can easily substitute for a full meal. You’ll find everything from breakfast 
pastries and coffee in the morning to salads, soups, and hot entre later in the day. The same 
goes for drinks. Expect unlimited soft drinks, juices, coffee, and tea, plus complimentary beer, 
wine, and basic spirits at most locations. You’ll also find reliable high-speed Wi-Fi, which is a 
lifesaver compared to spotty and unsecured airport networks. Many lounges also offer dedicated 
business centers with printers, clean and spacious restrooms, and sometimes luxurious extras 
like shower facilities to freshen up during a long layover or even private nap pods. With a presence 
in over 600 cities worldwide, you’re likely to find a participating lounge wherever your travels 
take you. Perhaps the biggest advantage for frequent travelers is that a priority pass select 
membership is a common perk included with many premium travel credit cards, effectively making it 
free. It truly adds a touch of luxury and comfort, turning a stressful travel day with a budget 
airline into a far more pleasant experience. However, it’s not always a perfect paradise. There 
are some significant disadvantages to consider. First, overcrowding is a real issue. As 
these memberships have become more popular, some lounges can get extremely crowded during peak 
travel times, defeating the purpose of a quiet escape. Some lounges even restrict access for 
Priority Pass members when they are at capacity, prioritizing their own airlines premium 
passengers. Second, the quality and amenities vary dramatically from one lounge to another. 
One airport might have a spectacular lounge with a full bar and hot buffet, while another might 
offer little more than a small room with packaged snacks and a coffee machine. It’s inconsistent. 
Third, guest access usually costs extra. While your membership gets you in, bringing a friend 
or family member will typically incur a fee, usually around $35 per guest, which can add 
up. Fourth, and this is a crucial reminder, Priority Pass does absolutely nothing to help you 
with security or customs. It is purely for your time in the terminal postsecurity. Finally, the 
direct membership pricing tiers can be confusing, and choosing the right one depends heavily on your 
travel habits. If you buy directly from Priority Pass, you’ll find three main tiers. The standard 
plan costs about $99 per year, but you still have to pay a fee for every lounge visit for yourself 
and for any guests. The standard plus plan is around $329 a year and includes 10 free visits 
for yourself after which you pay the fee. Finally, the prestige plan costs about $469 annually and 
provides unlimited free visits for the member. With all plans, guest visits cost extra. However, 
the most popular way to get this perk is through a high-end credit card. Cards like the American 
Express Platinum card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer a complimentary priority pass select 
membership. This version is most similar to the Prestige plan, offering unlimited visits for the 
card holder. Guest policies vary by card. Some allow you to bring in two guests for free on every 
visit, which provides tremendous value for couples or families. Before you fly, it’s always a good 
idea to use the Priority Pass app to check which lounges are available in your departure terminal, 
their operating hours, and any specific access restrictions to avoid disappointment. VIP terminal 
and FastTrack services, the Celebrity Experience, now for the ultimate travel flex. VIP and 
FastTrack services are premium airport experiences that let you skip the terminal altogether. You 
get a private assistant, your own security line, sometimes your own immigration officer, and even 
a chauffeur to take you straight to your plane. Advantages: total privacy, no crowds, no waiting, 
personal staff handle check-in and baggage, luxury lounges with high-end food and drinks, 
direct rides to the aircraft, and it’s available at major airports around the world. Disadvantages. 
It’s expensive. Anywhere from $300 to $2,000 per trip. You usually need to book in advance. Not 
every airport offers it. It doesn’t connect with government security programs. And let’s be real, 
it’s overkill for most travelers. You can book it through airport websites or companies like Marhaba 
in Dubai, PS at LAX, or Heathrow VIP in London. All right, we’ve journeyed through the landscape 
of airport passes, from government-run trusted traveler programs to private luxury services. 
But the big question remains, after all that, which one is actually worth your money and 
time? The answer, as you’ve probably guessed, isn’t a one-sizefits-all solution. It depends 
entirely on you, your travel habits, your budget, and what you value most when you’re at the 
airport. So, let’s break it down with a final decision matrix to help you find your perfect 
match. First, let’s talk about the purely domestic traveler. If your flights are almost exclusively 
within the United States, your main battle is with the security line. Here, your two primary 
contenders are TSA Pre-Check and Clear. TSA PreCheck is the workhorse of expedited security. 
For a very reasonable price, you get access to a shorter, faster line where you can keep your 
shoes on, your liquids and laptops in your bag, and your dignity intact. It’s available at over 
200 airports, and with more than 90 airlines, making it incredibly reliable. If you fly even 
just a few times a year, the time and stress saved make it a fantastic value. On the other hand, you 
have Clear. Clear isn’t a government program. It’s a private service that uses biometrics, your 
eyes and fingerprints to verify your identity, allowing you to skip the ID check with the 
TSA agent entirely. You get escorted to the front of the pre-check or standard lane. It’s 
significantly more expensive than pre-check, and it’s not at as many airports. So, who is it 
for? It’s for the frequent flyer who values every single second and wants the absolute fastest path 
through security, especially at airports that get notoriously long pre-check lines. The ultimate 
power move for a domestic road warrior. Combining clear with TSA pre-check. You use clear to bypass 
the ID check line, then sail through the pre-check physical screening. It’s the fastest combination 
possible for domestic travel. Now, what if you have international adventures on your horizon? 
If you plan to leave the US even once in the next 5 years, the answer is simple. Get Global Entry. 
This is the undisputed champion for international travelers. Why? Because for just a small amount 
more than TSA PreCheck, it gives you all the benefits of Precheck for your domestic flights, 
plus expedited processing through US customs when you return from abroad. Instead of snaking through 
a painfully long line after a long haul flight, you head to a kiosk, scan your passport and 
fingerprints, and you’re on your way in minutes. It can literally save you hours of waiting. Given 
that it includes pre-check, it’s a twofor one deal that makes it the most logical choice for anyone 
who mixes domestic and international trips. And for our neighbors to the north or anyone who 
frequently travels between the US and Canada, there’s an even better option. Nexus. Think of 
Nexus as the secret all access pass. It gives you all the benefits of global entry and by extension 
all the benefits of TSA PreCheck, but it also adds expedited processing at land border crossings 
and airports between the US and Canada. And the most incredible part, it’s the cheapest of all 
the trusted traveler programs. The only catch is that the application process requires an interview 
at a joint US Canada enrollment center which are primarily located along the northern border. But 
if you can get an appointment, Nexus is without a doubt the best value in the entire travel world. 
But what if your main airport enemy isn’t the line, but the chaos of the terminal itself? What 
if you crave comfort, not just speed? This is where Priority Pass shines. This program isn’t 
about getting you through the airport faster. It’s about making your time the airport better. 
It grants you access to a network of over 1,500 airport lounges and experiences worldwide. Inside, 
you can escape the crowded gate areas and find complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and comfortable 
seating. It transforms a stressful layover into a moment of relaxation or productivity. It’s the 
perfect pass for travelers with long layovers, those who arrive at the airport early, or anyone 
who just wants a more civilized travel experience. And finally, for the traveler for whom money 
is no object or for that once-in-a-lifetime special occasion, there’s the VIP terminal. 
This isn’t a pass. It’s a completely separate luxurious reality. You bypass the main terminal 
entirely. You get a private suite, gourmet food, and your own dedicated security screening. When 
it’s time to board, you’re driven directly to the aircraft in a luxury vehicle. It’s the ultimate 
red carpet moment, offering unparalleled privacy, comfort, and efficiency. It’s the definition 
of traveling in style. Now, let’s address a couple of frequently asked questions. First, what 
about traveling with children? For TSA PreCheck, children 12 and under can accompany an eligible 
parent or guardian through the pre-check lane. For Clear, kids under 18 are free when accompanied 
by a member. For Global Entry and Nexus, however, every single person, regardless of age, needs 
their own membership. That means even infants need to go through the full application and 
interview process to use the global entry kiosks. Another common issue is name mismatches. Your 
name on your airline ticket must be an exact match to the name you used for your trusted traveler 
program application. If your ticket says Mike, but your global entry is registered under Michael, 
the system won’t recognize you and you won’t get pre-check on your boarding pass. Always double 
check that your known traveler number is entered correctly and that your name in your airline 
loyalty profile matches your government ID and trusted traveler membership perfectly. It’s a 
small detail that can make all the difference. The truth is, as we’ve seen, no single pass does it 
all. The real magic happens when you strategically combine them to build your own seamless airport 
journey. Imagine this ultimate travel day. You use your clear membership to skip the ID line, your 
included TSA pre-check from Global Entry to breeze through security screening, and then you use your 
priority pass to relax in a lounge with a free meal before your flight. Upon returning from your 
international trip, you use Global Entry to bypass the customs line in minutes. That’s the ultimate 
smooth airport experience, and it’s entirely achievable. If this video helped you finally 
understand the confusing world of airport passes, do me a favor and hit that like button. It really 
helps the channel. Make sure you’re subscribed and have notifications turned on so you don’t miss our 
next deep dive. And I want to hear from you in the comments below based on your travel style. Which 
airport pass or combination would you choose for your next trip? And speaking of value, many of 
these passes don’t even have to cost you a dime. A huge number of premium travel credit cards 
offer statement credits that will reimburse you for the application fees for Global Entry, TSA 
PreCheck, and even provide complimentary priority pass memberships. If you want a follow-up video 
where we break down the best credit cards that give you these passes for free, drop a comment 
saying airport perks, and I’ll make that my very next video. Because at the end of the day, 
traveling should be about the destination, not the hassle of getting there. Travel smart, 
skip the stress, and I’ll see you in the lounge.

Airports can drain your wallet fast — but not if you know this trick! 😤
In this video, we break down which airport passes actually save you money and which ones you can skip.
We compare Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, NEXUS, Priority Pass, and VIP Fast Track — showing which combo gives you the best value for time, comfort, and convenience in 2026

✈️ You’ll Learn:

The #1 airport pass combo most frequent flyers use

How to get free memberships through credit cards

Which passes are overhyped or redundant

Perfect for travelers who want to skip long lines, relax in lounges, and travel smarter every time.

💬 Comment “airport perks” if you want a video on credit cards that include these passes!
👍 Like & subscribe for weekly travel tips and hacks that save you money and time.

🖥Watch the full video:

🕒 Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro
00:00:48 – Global Entry
00:06:06 – TSA PreCheck
00:06:51 – CLEAR
00:07:41 – NEXUS
00:08:34 – Priority Pass
00:13:29 – VIP Terminal/Fast Track
00:14:32 – Conclusion

#TravelHacks #TravelTips #AirportPerks #ExploreTheWorldTravelSmart