We’ve had Global Entry for about a dozen years at this point. It continues to make travel easy for practically any international return.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) that provides expedited entry into the United States for its members. This includes entry via both airports and land borders. It involves an application process, an interview with an officer, a background check, and collection of biometric information. Enrollment in the program is valid for five years.

On top of expedited entry into the United States, program members also can use the Smartgate system when entering Australia or New Zealand without registration. Members can also apply for the following programs from other countries:

• Dutch Privium program
• Korean SES program
• Panama’s Global Pass
• Taiwan’s e-Gate
• Germany’s EasyPASS
• Mexican Viajero Confiable

If you are approved for Global Entry, you are also enrolled in TSA PreCheck. If you’re looking to get Precheck, it’s worth it to pay for this.

The cost to enroll is $120/adult. Children are now free, which is great for families. You don’t need to have the kids apply/renew at the same time as adults to have them count as free. When we renewed one of our children, there was no problem submitting the application and it correctly mentioned a $0 fee.

What credit cards reimburse Global Entry?

There are thankfully some popular travel credit cards that offer a full reimbursement of the $120 fee. Most major banks have at least one card that offers the credit. Here’s a list of cards that provide reimbursement:

• American Express cards
  • Delta Reserve (both personal and business)
  • Delta Platinum (both personal and business)
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
  • The Platinum Card (both personal and business)
• Bank of America cards
  • BOA Premium Rewards
• Capital One cards
  • Spark Miles for Business
  • Venture X (both personal and business)
  • Venture Rewards
• Chase cards
  • Aeroplan card
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • IHG One Rewards Premier (both personal and business)
  • Southwest Performance Business card
  • United Club card
  • United Quest card
  • United Explorer card
• Citi cards
  • AA Executive card
  • Citi Prestige card (not open to new applicants)

What is the application process like?

At its simplest, you just need to fill out the online app and pay. It’s a straightforward application without any questions that we found difficult or confusing. After that point, the system will then request a background check to identify if there are any major concerns.

If it’s your first submission, expect to need to get an interview with an officer. When our kids did it, there weren’t many questions asked–not like a baby has much to say. In our experience, the officers just asked us briefly what our plans are and then asked to confirm some information we gave in the application. The officer then had us provide fingerprints (except for the kids).

Having trouble finding a time for your interview? You can just walk up for an unscheduled interview on return to the US. Lines can be lengthy or they can be short, and it’s hard to give guidance on when exactly to show up.

How do you use Global Entry?

It’s thankfully a simple process.

On arrival at the airport, just walk to the facial recognition machine. It will take a picture and then inform you if you’re good to proceed or if you need to see an officer. If you’re good to proceed, that’s it. You’re done with the immigration portion of the visit. For as inefficient as people claim the government can be, this is about as efficient as humanly possible.

The machines do recognize our children’s faces. I find that interesting–the photo on file for our kids is rather dated. That’s especially true for five-year-old Char, whose picture is from when she was 1. Somehow the machine recognizes who she is based on her photo. Perhaps they’re supplementing their records based on other metrics (like her passport), but there’s nothing different that needs to happen for kids.

There’s also no need to bring your Global Entry card at an airport for re-entry to the US. However, it is a valid form of ID that meets the current requirements for enhanced ID. If you don’t want to flash your address to everyone when using your driver license, consider bringing along your Global Entry card. It does not show your home address.

Nuances when using the program

Some airports have a preclearance facility, where you can clear immigration in another country before returning to the United States. As an example, major airports in Canada have these facilities. There are dedicated Global Entry lines there that members can use. You might see Canada’s NEXUS program listed more prominently at these checkpoints, but Global Entry members can also use them.

If you plan on entering the United States via car, there are entry lines specific to Global Entry members. But be aware that everyone in the car must be enrolled as a member or no one gets benefits. It’s an all-or-nothing approach. You’ll also want to make sure you activate your Global Entry cards (yeah, that got us before). And if you’re coming over the border from Mexico, your car needs to be registered prior to border crossing.

Coming back to the US after a cruise? You’re not going to be able to skip a line with Global Entry. On our Carnival cruise, anyone with a passport could leave without speaking to an officer. Meanwhile, there was a long line for those with just a birth certificate. So sometimes just having a passport puts you in the fast lane.

What about the MPC app?

You’ll see some people swear by the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. It’s a phone app you can use that will allow you to also cut lines for return to the United States. The big difference is that the MPC app is free and doesn’t require any interview, fingerprinting, or background check. Let’s count some of the considerations:

• If you get Global Entry for free from any credit card listed above, then cost really isn’t a consideration. However, it can be a consideration if you don’t have one of those cards and cannot get one.
• Using the MPC app doesn’t come with any benefits with TSA PreCheck. It should be obvious, but is worth stating. That’s because Global Entry does come with benefits, and if you want a shorter queue, it might be the choice for you.
• You might not qualify for Global Entry because of the background check. That could mean the MPC app is more up your alley.
• Don’t want to give away your biometrics? The fingerprinting to get Global Entry could be a turn-off for some.
• On the flip side, using the MPC app requires talking to officers and can result in you scanning a QR code on your mobile device. Those worried about officers reviewing phone records might hesitate to use the MPC app. There is no need to show anything on your phone for Global Entry and talking to officers isn’t always required.

In general, I think it’s most helpful to sign up for Global Entry if you have access to the program and are comfortable with the cost (assuming you don’t get it for free). But the MPC app is a great fallback option for entry into the United States.

Do you use Global Entry for your international travels?

Suggested reading: