Trusted Traveler Program
A government-administered enrollment scheme that pre-vets travellers to enable expedited border clearance and security screening, such as Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.
Trusted traveler programs are government-run initiatives that enable pre-approved, low-risk travellers to access faster and more streamlined border crossing and security screening procedures. Applicants undergo background checks, biometric enrollment, and in some cases in-person interviews to qualify. In the United States, the most widely known programs are Global Entry (for international arrivals) and TSA PreCheck (for domestic security screening). Similar programs exist in other countries and regions. For frequent business travellers, enrollment in trusted traveler programs can substantially reduce time spent in airport queues and improve the overall efficiency and predictability of travel.
Why it matters
Trusted traveler programs deliver measurable quality-of-life improvements for frequent business travellers at the specific points in the journey where delays and uncertainty are most stressful — security queues and immigration halls. For organizations managing large populations of frequent flyers in the markets where these programs operate, supporting employee enrollment is a straightforward traveler welfare investment that pays ongoing dividends in reduced journey friction and improved traveler satisfaction scores.
How it works in practice
Enrollment involves an online application, a fee payment, a background check processing period, and an in-person appointment at an enrollment center for biometric data collection. Once approved, members carry their membership credentials — typically a card and a digital number — which they use at designated fast-track lanes and automated kiosks. Membership typically lasts five years before renewal is required. Known Traveler Numbers from North American programs interact with airline reservation systems to activate benefits on eligible flights.
The takeaway
Develop a clear policy on trusted traveler program enrollment support — specifying which programs are reimbursable, whether the company will pay fees directly, and how the KTN or equivalent is collected and stored in the booking system. Organizations that centralize this process — tracking who is enrolled, when memberships expire, and whether KTNs are correctly recorded in booking profiles — deliver consistent PreCheck and Global Entry benefits across their traveler population rather than leaving each individual to manage it independently.