Savvy Travelers Skip Customs with Global Entry

If you’ve ever returned home from an incredible international trip only to spend an hour shuffling through a long Customs line, you know how quickly travel stress can return. Global Entry is the definitive fix for that frustration. 

Global Entry is the name of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that pre-approves low-risk travelers for expedited re-entry into the United States. 

Essentially, you bypass the long lines and paper forms, proceeding directly to a dedicated kiosk or a facial recognition scanner. After verifying your identity and answering a few quick declaration questions, you’re on your way.

Global Entry is a must-have for any savvy traveler because it converts what can be a long wait into a stress-free experience that often takes less than five minutes.

More info: What’s the difference between Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and other traveler programs?

If you’re the type of traveler who prioritizes comfort, convenience, and time savings, that’s precisely what makes Global Entry a no-brainer investment. 

Although a non-refundable fee of $120 applies for the five-year membership, the perks instantly justify the cost: 

• The primary benefit is skipping the long lines at international arrivals, which is a significant win for reducing travel fatigue after a long flight.
• The next biggest advantage? Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck®. 

This means that on every domestic flight and when leaving for your international trip, you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, and your laptop and travel-size liquids stay in your carry-on. If you travel internationally only once a year, the time saved and stress avoided on both your departure (TSA PreCheck) and arrival (Global Entry) make the roughly $20 per year cost worth every penny.

Pro Tip: For those who read our last newsletter, Global Entry may offer another hidden benefit: it can significantly reduce your chance of being selected for Secondary Security Screening Selection (SSSS). It’s another layer of protection for a smoother trip!

Pro Pro Tip: Many travel credit cards reimburse up to $100 for getting Global Entry, taking your cost to $20. See a list of cards that reimburse the fee.

Use the Upcoming Holiday Break to Complete Your Application

The best part about applying now, before your 2026 travel plans are fully set, is the timing. You have the holiday break to complete the online portion of the application. 

The entire process involves three main steps:

1. Apply Online: You must create an account on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website and submit the application, which requires your passport details, address history, and travel history for the last five years. This is where you’ll pay the non-refundable $120 fee (use a travel credit card that reimburses the fee and you’ll get most of that money back).
2. Wait for Conditional Approval: Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) will review your application and conduct a background check. While 80% of applications are approved within two weeks, some can take longer.
3. Attend the Interview: Once you are conditionally approved, you will need to schedule a brief, in-person interview (these typically take 10-15 minutes, but allot 30 to account for delays). This is why the holiday timing is perfect: you can complete the online application now, and then use your break to find and schedule an interview slot for early January, avoiding the post-holiday rush.

A note on the interview: If you are planning an international trip soon, look into Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) or Enrollment on Departure. These types of appointments allow conditionally approved applicants to complete their interview when they are leaving the US or when they return from an international trip at a participating US airport, saving you a separate trip to an enrollment center.

How to Score Your Global Entry Interview Appointment

You’ve submitted the online application and received the great news: Conditional Approval! Now comes the final, and sometimes the trickiest, step: scheduling your in-person interview. 
Interview appointments at local enrollment centers can sometimes be booked months out, but don’t worry, there are three proven strategies to bypass the wait:

1. Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) or Enrollment on Departure (available at only a few airports, including IAD and MIA): This is the best option if you have any international travel planned in the next few months. How to use this option:
   1. Check if the airport you’re landing at participates in EoA. If yes, continue with the next step.
   2. Upon landing, look for signs directing you to the US CPB office.
   3. Inform the CBP officer that you are conditionally approved for Global Entry and would like to proceed with your interview.
   4. Complete your interview and pass through customs to head home. (Your Global Entry card will be mailed to your address.)
2. Monitor for Cancellations. If EoA isn’t an option, use the holiday break to check the TTP website frequently. People constantly cancel or reschedule, leaving last-minute appointments available. Even better: Book your appointment, then continue monitoring for cancellations and cancel your later appt if you get an earlier one.
3. Check for Mass Appointment Releases. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) often releases a large batch of new interview appointments at 9:00 am local time on the first Monday of every month. Set a calendar alert for the first Monday in January to log in right at 9:00 am local time for your preferred enrollment center—this is when your patience can really pay off.

Remember to bring: A valid passport (and all passports you currently hold) and one other proof of residency (like a current driver’s license, mortgage statement, or birth certificate).

How to Use Your Global Entry

Once you receive your Global Entry card in the mail, you’ll use the number as your Trusted Traveler number when you book airline tickets. This same number serves as your TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credentials. 

You can use the Global Entry card as a secondary form of identification, and be sure to carry it with you when you travel.

When you re-enter the US from a trip abroad, you’ll proceed to the Global Entry lane and use the kiosks, which will take your picture and then send you on through customs. In most cases, you won’t even see a CBP officer. It’s super quick and easy! Perfect for tired travelers.