Global Entry vs. CLEAR Payback Calculator

Determine which trusted traveler program pays off faster. Enter how many trips you take, the value of your time, and the typical minutes saved to compare CLEAR's annual membership to Global Entry's five-year enrollment. The calculator annualizes Global Entry's fee and shows payback periods for both programs.

Count departures or arrivals where you plan to use CLEAR or Global Entry.
Opportunity cost of time saved—use salary, billable rate, or personal value.
Defaults to 20 minutes of combined security and immigration savings.
Defaults to $189 for the standard CLEAR membership.
Defaults to $100 for the five-year Global Entry fee.
Defaults to 5 years of coverage per application.

Airport processing times vary widely. Validate time savings at your frequent airports before relying on these payback periods for financial decisions.

Examples

  • 10 trips, $75/hour, 20-minute savings, default fees ⇒ Annual value of time saved: $250.00 USD • CLEAR payback period: 0.76 years • Global Entry annualized cost: $20.00 USD • Global Entry payback period: 0.08 years • Minutes saved per trip assumed: 20 minutes
  • 18 trips, $45/hour, 12-minute savings, CLEAR cost $189, Global Entry $100, 5-year validity ⇒ Annual value of time saved: $162.00 USD • CLEAR payback period: 1.17 years • Global Entry annualized cost: $20.00 USD • Global Entry payback period: 0.12 years • Minutes saved per trip assumed: 12 minutes

FAQ

How do I handle family plans?

Sum the total membership cost for everyone covered and keep the trip count at the household level so the payback reflects combined usage.

What if I already have TSA PreCheck?

Reduce the minutes saved to reflect the incremental benefit beyond PreCheck, such as biometric CLEAR lanes or expedited immigration on international returns.

Can I model partial reimbursements?

Yes. Enter the out-of-pocket amount after credits or corporate stipends so the payback calculation reflects what you actually spend.

Does the tool consider renewal interviews?

Global Entry renewals may require additional time. Adjust the minutes saved or hourly value to reflect any extra effort required when renewal windows open.

Additional Information

  • Global Entry fees are spread across the validity period to deliver an annualized cost that can be compared with CLEAR's yearly membership.
  • Minutes saved include TSA PreCheck-style security speedups plus Global Entry kiosks on return—adjust based on airport congestion.
  • If a credit card reimburses either program, set the relevant cost to $0 to see the payback when the fee is waived.

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