TSA & Traveler Programs
Global Entry is a US program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment. Global Entry members will have TSA PreCheck applied automatically.
Global Entry costs $100 and is valid for up to five (5) years. There is currently a longer-than-average wait time to get approved for Global Entry interviews, which can be 6+ months.
If you have a travel credit card, you may qualify for a 100% cash back when you sign up!
The TSA PreCheck program expedites traveler screening through participating TSA security checkpoints. No need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, or light jackets.
TSA PreCheck costs $78 and is valid for up to five (5) years. It can take about 2-6 weeks to have your membership processed, but I've seen TSA PreCheck be completed within a week of sign up. This option is great for those who don't have time to wait for Global Entry sign-up times.
If you have a travel credit card, you may qualify for a 100% cash back when you sign up!
Note that the 100% cash back is either or Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.
U.S. Citizens who are a member of the Global Entry program and who are above the age of 18 can apply to the Viajero Confiable Mexico program. This program is similar to Global Entry and allows members to use specially marked kiosks in participating Mexico airport customs to enter into Mexico.
This program has been "wishy washy" in Cancun and likely is still not set up yet while the Airport is under construction.
CLEAR is a private biometric travel document verification system at major United States airports and stadiums. Once approved to participate in the program, it allows travelers to pass through an expedited security screening at U.S. airports nationwide with no need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets. This allows travelers to enjoy a more convenient and efficient experience at airport security.
In essence, this is similar to TSA PreCheck however some airports will still put you through the non-TSA PreCheck security (unless you have TSA PreCheck). Hey, you still get to skip the line though!
Clear membership costs $189 per year, with $60 per person as added family members. If you have American Express Platinum, you'll get 100% cash back annually for your membership up to $189!
This isn't really a make-or-break membership, but still nice to have in your time-saving journey.
Priority Pass is a program that provides members with access to airport lounges around the world, including allowing holders to visit lounges with economy class or premium economy class tickets. The company was founded in 1992 and claims to be the largest network of airport lounges in the world.
Priority Pass has three classes of memberships directly from its website, including Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige, which each provide different levels of access.
A fourth class of membership, Select, is included with certain credit cards, such as AMEX Platinum.
Joining Priority Pass via Plancun will also provide a 10-25% discount at any given time.
ALL INTERNATIONAL passengers MUST HAVE a VALID passport to visit Mexico by air (flying into Mexico). Green cards, student visas, work permits, etc. ARE NOT PASSPORTS.
If your passport expires BEFORE or DURING your stay in Mexico then you MUST renew your passport BEFORE your trip to Mexico. If your passport will expire SHORTLY AFTER your trip to Mexico, then please contact your airline and find out if they will allow you to fly to Mexico with your passport. Each airline has their own INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL policies and they may not allow you to fly to Mexico with your expiring passport.
If your passport is from a country that requires a VISA to visit Mexico, please contact your nearest Mexican Consulate. Below is a link to Mexican Consulates around the world.
If you have a very special situation, for example, you have been convicted of a crime, have some sort of special immigration status in your country of origin, etc. then please contact the Immigration Office at Cancun Airport. Please be aware that the Immigration Office DOES NOT respond to messages regarding visas, expired passports, passengers in transit, etc., and may not respond to your message/call, in this situation, we recommend you contact your nearest Mexican Consulate at the link above. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU GET TO MEXICO to find out if you are allowed to visit. YOU MUST find out about your situation BEFORE you arrive in Mexico.