If you’re a frequent international traveler, you’ve likely heard of the Global Entry program. But, what is Global Entry? Global Entry is like the Fast Pass of the customs world. It lets members use a self-serve kiosk to bypass the customs line and get through the airport faster.
But in order to qualify for the Global Entry program, Global Entry applicants must go through an extensive background check—including an interview with the Trusted Traveler Program—and need to pay a $100 fee every five years to keep their account active.
After learning all this you may be asking yourself, Is Global Entry worth it? Or, how long does global entry last?
In this article, we’ll be going over all the benefits of the Global Entry program to help you decide whether or not you should apply.
The primary benefit of Global Entry is to help people who are considered low-risk travelers skip the customs line. Depending on what airports you’re traveling through, this could save you a ton of time as customs lines tend to range between thirty to sixty minutes at busy international airport hubs.
Not only is waiting in a long line tedious after a long day of travel, but if you’ve got another flight to catch, having a Global Entry pass could mean all the difference in whether or not you’re able to make it in on time.
Global Entry members are also able to avoid all the paperwork of customs as they can take care of everything they need at the Global Entry membership kiosk.
Here’s what the process of going through this self-service kiosk is like:
Enrollment in the Global Entry program is not only a good way to save you from the headache of the customs process, but it can also give you access to other expedited travel programs.
Like Global Entry, TSA PreCheck is also one of the U.S. Customs and Border Control’s Trusted Travelers Programs, but instead of helping speed up the process once you get off the plane, it can help you get on your plane faster.
Members with TSA PreCheck are able to use a special line when going through airport security that is typically much shorter than the general security line. The TSA estimates that in January 2021, the TSA PreCheck security wait time was only 5 minutes.
Passengers with PreCheck also have a quicker time in security because they are not required to remove any of the following items:
People who qualify for a Global Entry pass are automatically enrolled in TSA Pre as a part of their membership. To access your TSA PreCheck benefits, you’ll need to do the following:
In addition to making traveling domestically easier, the Global Entry member pass can also help you qualify for expedited travel benefits abroad.
The CBP has partnered with a number of other countries to help give members access to their safe traveler programs, which allow you to skip international airport lines.
If you’re traveling to New Zealand, you can use your Global Entry pass to automatically take advantage of their safe travel program.
In most other countries, though, you’ll need to fill out a separate application form to qualify for these programs, but you’ll get special access not available to other US citizens. Countries with these programs include:
Membership in the Global Entry Program also qualifies you to apply for the US APEC Business Traveler Program. This program is designed for people who are considered a frequent traveler for business to Pacific Rim Countries to get access to a dedicated fast-track lane that will help expedite their processing time when they arrive at foreign airports.
If the short wait times and access to expedited travel programs weren’t enough to convince you that the Global Entry pass is worth the application fee, there’s also a way you can have your $100 refunded.
Many travel rewards credit cards come with the credit to cover a Global Entry fee every four years. To receive that credit all you have to do is:
After you do this, your Global Entry fee will automatically be refunded to your account.
To make applying for the Global Entry program as convenient as possible, we’ve compiled all the paperwork you’ll need for your application into one online portal. Simply fill out this form online, and we’ll do the rest for you!
Sources:
