Tips On Why Moms Should Enroll in CLEAR and TSA PreCheck(Is Global Entry Worth It?) When Traveling with Kids
Traveling with kids under 10? Whew. Deep breath, mama; you're not alone if the thought of getting through TSA with kids makes your palms sweaty. Between diaper bags, strollers, car seats, and the inevitable "Mom, I have to go potty" just as you're about to unload at the scanner... it's a lot.
Airport security with toddlers or preschoolers often feels like a race against time (and tantrums).
But here's the good news: it doesn't have to be that way. If you've ever Googled how to get through TSA faster with kids, this post is for you.
Thanks to programs like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, moms now have two of the best travel companions they didn't know they needed. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are moms' best travel aids for saving time, reducing stress, and keeping those little humans (mostly) meltdown-free. We'll also look at whether Global Entry is worth it for international family trips.
In this post, I'll explain why enrolling in TSA PreCheck and CLEAR makes traveling with kids easier. How they work specifically for families, and how you can get started. Whether you're a once-a-year flyer or planning multiple trips to visit family.
Having one or both of these tools will help you streamline airport security and can make all the difference in setting the vibe for the day. Let's get you through security with less stress and more snacks.
What Airport Security Looks Like Without CLEAR or TSA PreCheck
If you're not enrolled in TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, the TSA screening process can be rough when traveling with young kids. It's a lot between baby food, sippy cups, ice packs, and a toddler yelling, "I have to pee!” at the worst possible moment.
The TSA screening process can feel intimidating if you're flying with young or small children. The Transportation Security Administration has special security procedures for families to help ease the process.
For starters, baby food, baby bottles, breast milk, toddler drinks, and even liquid formula are all considered medically necessary liquids and allowed in reasonable quantities. You don't have to squeeze these into a quart-sized bag, but be ready for a physical inspection at the security checkpoint.
Keep these items in plastic bags or translucent bottles so they're easy to show the TSA officer.
At the beginning of the screening process, place your baby items, freezer packs (ice packs must be frozen; no liquid), and any liquid medications in a bin on the x-ray belt. Your carry-on baggage (baby carriers or booster seats) will also go through the x-ray machine.
If you're lucky, your airport may offer family lanes, which give you extra time to get through without feeling rushed. Don't forget to pull out your cell phone, electronic devices, and boarding passes ahead of time to avoid delays in the security line.
Traveling solo with your kids? The TSA care program can help support moms with medical conditions or those who need more help getting through the TSA checkpoint calmly.
When traveling for an international flight, make sure you have all the necessary documents, like a valid passport or your child's birth certificate, ready. The same rules apply for screening necessary liquids and baby milk for domestic flights.
Always double-check current TSA rules, security regulations, and allowed carry-on luggage items by visiting the TSA or gov websites before your air travel day.
And Mama, give yourself a lot of time. Especially on long travel days, so that you and your little ones can cruise through like pros (and maybe even have time for a coffee at the gate).
What Is TSA PreCheck? Time-Saving Benefits for Moms Traveling with Kids
One of the best-kept secrets for moms who fly is TSA PreCheck.
TSA PreCheck is a government program designed to speed up the airport security process for low-risk travelers. That means shorter lines, less unpacking, and fewer moments where you're trying to juggle a toddler on your hip while putting your shoes back on.
Here's why TSA PreCheck is worth it for families:
Keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on: No more undressing at the checkpoint while juggling your toddler's belongings.
Laptops, Tablets, and TSA-compliant liquids stay in your bag: Fewer bins to manage means less time spent unpacking and repacking.
Shorter, faster-moving security lines: Spend less time waiting with impatient kids and more time relaxing before your flight.
Affordable, long-lasting membership: For just about $78.00, you get five years of smoother, stress-free security experiences. It's a small investment with a big-time payoff, especially when managing tiny humans in a crowded airport.
Potential cost coverage through travel credit cards: Certain cards will reimburse your membership fee, making it even more cost-effective.
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How Moms Can Apply for TSA PreCheck Online in 3 Simple Steps
The process is surprisingly easy:
Schedule a quick in-person appointment at your airports.
Or lookup if Staples locations offer it.
If approved, you'll get your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in a few weeks.
Who Qualifies for TSA PreCheck When Traveling with Kids?
If you're wondering, "Does TSA PreCheck work for kids?" the answer is yes, but with a few important details depending on their age and how they're traveling.
Here’s how TSA PreCheck works for families:
Traveling with a baby: You can carry your infant through the line, and you’ll still get to keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on. Making it so much easier when your hands are full.
Kids 12 and under: You're golden. They can tag along with you through the TSA PreCheck lane without needing their own membership. Just one more reason to breathe easy when you're already juggling toddler friendly snacks, stuffies, and possibly a mini rolling suitcase shaped like a dinosaur.
Ages 13 to 17: This group's a little trickier. They can use the TSA PreCheck lane only if they're on the same reservation as you and the words "TSA PreCheck" appear on their boarding pass. No PreCheck? They'll be shuffled into the standard-line teen attitude and all. If your older kiddos are flying often, it may be worth enrolling them separately to avoid surprises.
Kids flying solo (or with a non-PreCheck adult): If your child travels alone or not with a TSA PreCheck-eligible adult, they'll need their own TSA PreCheck membership to skip the long lines.
Gate pass rule alert: Planning to escort your child to the gate with a gate pass? If you have TSA PreCheck, the gate pass doesn't qualify, and you'll both be routed through the standard line.
Is TSA PreCheck worth it for families?
As a mom who has experience traveling with a young child, my answer is YES here's why:
It trims down your time in line (aka fewer chances for potty emergencies or meltdown meltdowns).
You avoid awkward boarding pass hiccups at the checkpoint.
The whole process is smoother, which is everything when traveling with kids under 10.
What Is CLEAR? Faster Airport Security for Moms with Kids
It's the week of your family vacation, and the to-do list keeps getting longer. All you can think about is those long lines because you have CLEAR it might be the easiest thing you do all week.
If you're wondering, how can CLEAR speed up the process going through the airport security line?" CLEAR, it’s a paid membership program that uses biometric technology (think fingerprint or eye scan) to verify your identity and get you to the ID check faster.
Can Your Children Use CLEAR for Free?
The best part? Your children can use CLEAR for free, with no separate enrollment, no extra fees, and no added stress (at least not from security lines).
After you're enrolled in CLEAR, any child under 18 can go through the CLEAR lane with you at no additional cost.
How CLEAR Works for Families
Here's how CLEAR works when traveling with kids:
You walk up to a CLEAR pod where a friendly agent is waiting. In just a few minutes, they'll verify your identity using your fingerprint or an eye scan and boarding pass. Then they will verify your kids boarding pass as in name and having actual pass. No fumbling for your ID while balancing a toddler, a diaper bag, a car seat, or a stroller.
Once cleared, the agent walks you straight to the dedicated TSA CLEAR lane, which is always shorter than the regular TSA line.
Here's where it gets even better:
If you also have TSA PreCheck, you get the ultimate mom win. You'll be directed to the CLEAR + PreCheck lane, which puts you ahead of both standard CLEAR users and regular PreCheck travelers. It's like having a backstage pass to Into the Millennium Tour Back Street Boys concert.
This combo of CLEAR + PreCheck is exactly what I use when I travel with my toddler.
Even in busy airports like Houston, we usually go through security in under 10 minutes, no kidding. That means fewer meltdowns, no potty emergencies (at least in the first hour 😅), and a much calmer start to our journey.
How much does CLEAR Cost?
CLEAR is pricier than TSA PreCheck, coming in at about $189 per year. But don't let that number scare you off. Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus members may receive discounts.
How to enroll in CLEAR?
Compared to TSA Pre-check, enrolling for CLEAR is super simple because no appointments are needed. You can start online in just a few minutes and then complete your enrollment at a CLEAR location at your airport. The enrollment can be done on the day of your flight.
You just walk up, say you're enrolling, and they'll snap your photo, scan your fingerprints, and get you on your way. Just take a few extra minutes to complete it. Check online to verify if your airport has CLEAR and what terminal they are located at.
For busy moms, CLEAR is like the VIP pass through the part of the airport no one actually enjoys. It doesn't replace TSA PreCheck, but together, they're the dream team of travel convenience.
What's the actual difference between CLEAR and TSA PreCheck?
CLEAR handles the identity check part. You skip the line where people are digging for their driver's licenses or passports.
TSA PreCheck gives you access to expedited physical screening. You keep your shoes, belt, and dignity intact while going through security with your kids.
Why TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Together Are a Game-Changer for Moms
TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are like peanut butter and jelly; they are great on their own but the best thing on earth together.
When used together, these two programs complement each other perfectly. With CLEAR, you get to skip the ID line entirely, and with TSA PreCheck, you breeze through the actual screening with fewer bins, fewer rules, and a lot less chaos. It's the ultimate parenting travel hack—a serious upgrade for your airport experience.
If you travel more than once or twice a year, the time—and sanity—you'll save is totally worth it. You'll avoid long lines, minimize kid chaos, and get to the gate faster (and maybe even grab a coffee before boarding).
Global Entry Explained – Do Families Really Need It for International Trips?
If you've got an international trip with kids on the horizon, Global Entry might just become your post-flight lifesaver.
After hours in the air, the last thing you want is to wait in a long customs line with tired, hangry kids. That's where Global Entry steps in offering expedited customs screening when re-entering the U.S.
Is Global Entry Worth It For Families Traveling Internationally?
The answer is a solid yes if you occasionally travel internationally with kids in tow. The time savings, predictability, and shorter customs lines are worth their weight in travel gold.
Bonus and money saving hack:
Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck, so you're covered on both ends of your trip. Faster security on the way out and faster customs on the way back in.
How does Global Entry work for families:
There's no age limit, and babies are required to be enrolled (yes, your infant needs their own passport and their own Global Entry membership).
No tagging along. This is a solo rider lane. Every traveler must be a member to use the Global Entry lane. That means if you have it, but your kids don't, they'll have to go through the standard line.
Good news: As of October 1, 2024, the application fee is waived for kids under 18. If they're applying with a parent or legal guardian, who is either already enrolled or has an application pending.
Kids must still create their own accounts. The parent ( Mom) fills out the application. Attend an in-person interview. A parent or guardian must be present at the interview for anyone under 18.
Interviews can often be scheduled at your arrival airport after an international trip (known as "Enrollment on Arrival"), which can be super convenient if you don't live near an enrollment center.
TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Benefits for Moms Traveling with Kids
✅ TSA PreCheck lets you skip the shoe, snack, meds, tablets removal and move through security like a pro.
✅ CLEAR speeds up identity verification, saving valuable time in the dreaded ID-check line.
✅ Together, they’re a power duo that transforms the dreaded security check into a smooth, streamlined experience.
If you're traveling solo with your littles or managing a full-blown family vacation, enrolling in one (or ideally both) of these programs helps reduce stress, save time, and give you more control over a process that often feels anything but controlled.
Tips for Moms Using TSA PreCheck and CLEAR with Kids
Children under 12 can tag along with your TSA PreCheck membership.
Kids under 18 can go through CLEAR lanes for free with an enrolled parent.
Teens and solo kid travelers? Worth enrolling separately.
Most premium credit cards will cover the cost of TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or even Global Entry—so check your benefits before paying out of pocket.
The best part of TSA PreCheck? Once your family is enrolled, it’s good for years. Saving you time and sanity on every trip, whether it's a quick weekend getaway or a long-haul flight to Grandma’s.
Global Entry is a great addition that includes TSA PreCheck if you are planning international travels.
FAQs About TSA PreCheck for Moms Traveling with Kids
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