How to Fly through Security at SEA Airport

Everyone seems to be traveling now and has an opinion about the best travel program. You want to spend more time on vacation and less time in line at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). And you want to decide for yourself, but the information out there is overwhelming and hard to find.

Help is on the way in this overview of benefits, uses, and eligibility requirements for all the programs that will help you speed through security at SEA. There are several options, including federal Trusted Traveler programs, private programs that will take you to the front of the line, and even a free program just for SEA travelers. They're all great options to make your visit to SEA Airport easier and more predictable regardless of your destination.

How do all these programs stack up and what's the difference? There's more nuance in the longer version below, but here's the gist of it.

Global Entry

Includes TSA PreCheck with membership.

Expedited security lines and screening for domestic and international flights + expedited international arrivals by air, land, and sea

Best for people who make frequent international trips (4 a year)

TSA PreCheck checkpoints for departures.

Global Entry expedited screening for International Arrivals.

Expedited security lines and screening for domestic and international departures

Best for people who make occasional international trips (1 a year)

1 person per membership; all people traveling together must have a membership. Children under 17 can travel with parents.

Not available in other countries; limited to participating U.S. airports

NEXUS

Includes Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

Expedited travel between the U.S. and Canada by air, land, and sea.

TSA PreCheck checkpoints for departures.

Global Entry expedited screening for International Arrivals

With a paid membership, you can add up to 3 people for $60 each

Timing note: The Federal Government advises that they are receiving many applications and processing may take longer than usual:

Expedited process for international travelers leaving and entering the United States by air, land, and sea

One of the most popular programs with more than 10 million members, it provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the U.S. Also includes TSA PreCheck for outbound air travel with expedited security lines and screening. Provides expedited lines, passports, and customs screening when entering the U.S. by air, land, and sea

Best for people who make frequent international trips 4 times a year including cruises and driving across international borders

Provider: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Cost: $100 for five years

Eligible: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and select foreign nationals

Benefits:

Important: To travel with a group, every adult must have a PreCheck membership. Children 12 and under can join a parent or guardian with TSA PreCheck in the dedicated lanes.

How to use it:

Timeframe:

Up to 90 days for a decision; most people will receive conditional approval within a few weeks. After that, you must schedule your interview within 24 months and have it completed within 730 days.

Application process:

Expedited security screening for flights departing from U.S. Airports. Not valid for land and sea border crossings.

Provider: Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

One of the most popular programs with more than 10 million members, it provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the U.S. In March 2023, 89% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes. (Source: TSA)

Best for people who make infrequent international travel by air around once a year. Not valid for border crossings by land and sea.

Cost: $78 for five years

Eligible: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and select foreign nationals

Benefits:

Application processing time: Four to six months

Important: To travel with a group, every adult traveling must have a PreCheck membership. Children 17 and under can join a parent or guardian with TSA PreCheck in the dedicated lanes if they are on the same reservation and have PreCheck on their boarding pass.

How to use it:

After enrolling, include your known traveler number in the appropriate field of your airline reservation, and the TSA PreCheck indicator must be visible on your boarding pass. You cannot access the TSA PreCheck lane by presenting a trusted traveler card or other documentation.

There are more than 85 participating airlines and 200 participating airports

Expedited entry to the United States from Canada by air, land, and sea. Dedicated and expedited lanes when driving from Canada into the U.S. Also includes Global Entry and TSA PreCheck for expedited departure and arrival by air.

Provider: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Best for people who travel to Canada frequently and Northwest boaters

Cost: $50 for 5 years

Eligible: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals

Benefits:

Important: Every member of your traveling party will need a NEXUS membership to use the designated entry lanes.

Application process:

Skip the TSA Security Line from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with FREE timed entry to TSA security checkpoints at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Reserve your entry time online and bring up to 10 people in your party. SEA Spot Saver is available at TSA Checkpoints 3 and 5 (closest to the C, D, and N Gates) or at TSA Checkpoints 2 (closest to the A, B, and S Gates).

Provider: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. See if your destination airport has a similar option!

Best for leisure travelers who don't travel frequently and does not want to wait in the security line at SEA Airport or pay for expedited entry for TSA Pre-Check or CLEAR; families and groups who want to travel together

Cost: Free

Eligible: All travelers flying out of SEA Airport; departing passengers only; not needed for connecting passengers.

Benefits:

Important: Does not provide expedited screening – you will have to remove your shoes, electronics, and liquids

Application process:

How you use it:

CLEAR Plus is a paid membership that helps you move faster through airport security lines nationwide in designated CLEAR lanes at TSA checkpoints.

Provider: managed by private company CLEAR

Best for frequent travelers and sports fans

Cost: $189 per year, plus $60 per additional family member; discounted rates for Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus members

Eligible: U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents age 18 and older with valid government ID.

Benefits:

Application process:

How you use it:

Important: CLEAR takes you to the front of the general screening line but does not provide access to PreCheck or expedited screening; bundling CLEAR and TSA PreCheck will get you the fastest path through security

Download a free app to streamline passport and customs entry into the U.S. by air and sea

Download this app to streamline your entry process into the U.S. with shorter wait times, less congestion, and more efficient processing for your whole family. Eligible travelers can submit their passport and customs declaration information online with no paperwork.

Provider: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Best for last-minute travel without sufficient advance notice to apply for trusted traveler programs; people traveling by air and cruise ship; groups who want to travel together

Cost: Free to download and use the app and the services; does not require pre-approval

Eligible: U.S. citizens and Canadian B1/B2 citizens. Legal Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) effective June 5, 2023

Important: Available at 47 sites, including 33 U.S. International Airports, 10 Preclearance locations, and 4 seaports of entry. SEA Airport is one of these sites.

This app is used only for the first entry into the U.S. after international travel and does not provide expedited departure processes when you are leaving the U.S.

Benefits:

Application process:

None and no pre-approvals required. Just download the app before traveling and go!

How you use it:

With the completion of the new International Arrivals Facility at SEA Airport, travelers arriving in the U.S. from an international destination will now find touchless kiosks in the International Arrivals Facility that allow you to complete the inspection process in under 15 seconds. There is no paperwork or receipts needed. Facial recognition speeds you through passport control and questions.

Learn more about the new international arrivals process at SEA Airport: