Have you ever returned from an international trip to be met with a huge immigration line? Ugh, that used to be the worst for me! But then I got Global Entry. I can now breeze through immigration no matter what U.S. city I land in. Once, upon returning from Turks and Caicos, our port of entry was Chicago O’Hare and the immigration line was long and slow. Our flight connection was only about an hour.  I had Global Entry and got through immigration quickly and headed off to our connecting flight in another terminal. Meanwhile, my husband, who doesn’t have Global Entry barely—I mean barely—made our connecting flight.  I wished I had taught him all about Global Entry before that trip!  

 

How to Get Global Entry

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. You apply online.  Additionally, you have to pay $120, but if you pay with the right credit card, that amount will be credited back to you. The CBP will schedule an interview for you after your application is accepted and conditionally approved. This interview occurs at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. The calendar for these appointments can be booked up for quite a bit, so don’t plan on getting Global Entry too close in time to an international trip you want to use it for.

At the interview, they will:

• ask you questions,
• take your photo, and
• collect biometric information (e.g., scan your face, take fingerprints)

You will need to bring your valid passport(s) and one other form of identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card, to the interview.

There is another way to get your interview, and I did it this way. My interview at Denver was scheduled several months after a trip I was already making. I decided to do Enrollment on Arrival, which is when you can complete your interview at an airport upon arriving back in the United States from an international destination. So I did that at San Francisco International Airport when I returned home from London.

 

 

Cost of Global Entry

Global Entry costs $120 and lasts for five years. Instead of waiting in long immigration lines, you go to a kiosk, answer a few questions, have an immigration officer verify your passport, and you are on your way. At most airports, you now don’t even have to answer questions—you just have your face scanned at a kiosk and you’re on your way.  I love Global Entry!

Credit cards that provide a credit for that $120 fee include the same cards that give you TSA PreCheck® credit. Traveling internationally, get Global Entry because it also includes TSA PreCheck®. You do not need to get both. However, you do need a passport to get Global Entry, and it takes more time to get the interview than just getting TSA PreCheck®.

 

Credit Cards with Global Entry Benefits

The following credit cards come with a credit that covers the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Remember that Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck®, so I would use the credit for Global Entry so you get both.

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• The Platinum Card® from American Express
  
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

These cards give a credit every four years, so you will never have to pay for this great benefit if you keep at least one of these cards. Additionally, if you have more than one of these cards with a Global Entry credit, you can use credit for a family member. Putting the CBP Global Entry fee on your card is what triggers the statement credit; whose Global Entry application it’s being used for doesn’t matter.

All information about The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Travel Mom Squad. The Platinum Card® from American Express is no longer available through Travel Mom Squad.

All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Travel Mom Squad. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is no longer available through Travel Mom Squad.

 

Bottom Line

We love to travel. But we don’t love standing in immigration lines!  This makes Global Entry a great benefit to have if you plan to travel internationally!  Now that you know all about Global Entry, which card are you going to use to cover your application fee?

 

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