Trusted Traveler Program
What is a Trusted Traveler Program?
CBP currently operates Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST (Free and Secure Trade). Each targets a specific travel pattern, but all share the same foundation: a background check, a non-refundable application fee, and an in-person interview at an enrollment center. Approved members receive a PASS ID that doubles as a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which airlines use to confirm expedited screening eligibility [1].
For business travelers, the value proposition is concrete. A traveler making 30 domestic trips per year saves roughly 8 hours annually in security lines with TSA PreCheck alone, based on TSA data showing 97% of PreCheck passengers clear screening in under five minutes [2].
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Make business travel work for everyone.Available Trusted Traveler Programs
Each program serves a distinct traveler profile. Choosing the right one depends on where and how frequently you cross borders.
Program | Cost | Duration | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TSA PreCheck | $78 | 5 years | Expedited airport security screening | Domestic-only travelers |
Global Entry | $120 | 5 years | Expedited customs + TSA PreCheck | International air travelers |
NEXUS | $120 | 5 years | U.S.-Canada border + Global Entry + TSA PreCheck | Frequent U.S.-Canada travelers |
SENTRI | $120 | 5 years | U.S.-Mexico border + Global Entry + TSA PreCheck | Frequent U.S.-Mexico travelers |
FAST | $120 | 5 years | Commercial cargo expedited clearance | Commercial truck drivers |
Global Entry adds expedited customs and immigration processing for international returns and includes TSA PreCheck at just $42 more than PreCheck alone. For employees who travel internationally, Global Entry is typically the better investment.
NEXUS is the standout value for anyone traveling to Canada. At the same $120 price as Global Entry, NEXUS includes both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck benefits while adding dedicated border lanes for land, sea, and air crossings between the U.S. and Canada [1].
How Does the Enrollment Process Work?
The application process follows four steps across all programs [1]:
After approval, members receive a PASS ID (Known Traveler Number) valid for five years. Adding this number to airline profiles or booking platforms activates expedited screening automatically on every future reservation.
Why Trusted Traveler Programs Matter for Business Travel
The ROI for corporate trusted traveler enrollment is straightforward. At a loaded hourly cost of $100-150 for a typical corporate professional, the productivity value of saved screening time ranges from $400 to $1,200 per employee per year against a program cost of $15.60 annually for PreCheck or $24 annually for Global Entry [2].
Beyond individual time savings, trusted traveler programs strengthen a company's duty of care posture. Employees with expedited screening spend less time in crowded public areas and face lower risk of missed connections that strand them at unfamiliar airports.
Many corporate travel policies now reimburse enrollment fees for employees who travel more than six times annually. The $78-120 cost pays for itself in reduced delay risk within the first two trips. Several premium corporate credit cards also provide automatic statement credits for these fees, making enrollment cost-neutral for cardholding employees [3].
For organizations managing large traveler populations, the operational benefit compounds. When every business traveler's KTN is stored centrally in the booking platform, the company helps ensure TSA PreCheck eligibility applies automatically on every reservation. Navan stores Known Traveler Numbers in traveler profiles, applying the benefit to every booking without manual entry.
How to Choose the Right Trusted Traveler Program
The decision depends on travel patterns:
- Domestic only, no border crossings: TSA PreCheck ($78/5 years) is sufficient.
- Any international air travel: Global Entry ($120/5 years) includes TSA PreCheck and adds customs expediting, making the $42 premium worthwhile after a single international trip.
- Regular U.S.-Canada travel: NEXUS ($120/5 years) offers the most comprehensive package: Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and dedicated Canadian border lanes.
- Regular U.S.-Mexico land crossings: SENTRI ($120/5 years) provides dedicated lanes at southwest border ports plus Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.
Travel managers should default to Global Entry for all employees who travel internationally even once per year. The incremental cost over TSA PreCheck is minimal, and it eliminates the need to upgrade later when an employee's travel pattern changes.
Sources
[1] U.S. Customs and Border Protection, "Trusted Traveler Programs — Global Entry," 2025, https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry
[2] TSA, "TSA PreCheck," 2026, https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
[3] IRS, "Publication 15-B: Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits," 2025, https://www.irs.gov/publications/p15b
Related Terms
- Known Traveler Number (KTN): The unique identification code issued upon trusted traveler program approval, entered into airline profiles or booking platforms to activate expedited screening on every reservation.
- CLEAR: A private biometric identity verification service that expedites the ID check step at airport security. Unlike government trusted traveler programs, CLEAR requires annual renewal at approximately $189/year and does not replace TSA screening.
- FAST (Free and Secure Trade): The trusted traveler program designed for commercial truck drivers and supply-chain workers crossing U.S. land borders, providing expedited customs processing for cargo.