February 27, 2014

Why Global Entry is Awesome

Global Entry is one of the US Government's "Trusted Traveler Programs."  And it is one badass program.   If you are going to travel out of the country even once per year, you should sign up for Global Entry.  Here's why:

  • You will save time.  A lot of time.  Perhaps 30 - 60 minutes per trip upon entering the country
  • You will have a better shot of getting TSA Pre-Check during your travels leaving from the US. Typically (at DEN) this saves 15 minutes per departure.
  • You can even use Global Entry to save time upon arriving in Australia!

DHS could use some marketing/branding assistance


How this works:
  • Arrive in the US from somewhere else (another country)
  • Instead of waiting in line to go through immigration, head straight to the Global Entry Kiosk
  • Scan your passport
  • Confirm your information
  • Get your picture taken (I always look so good after a 15 hour international flight)
  • Grab your receipt with your awesome looking selfie
  • Blow past everyone else waiting in line to talk to CBP agent and go grab your bags or head off to your next flight (or home)

How you get signed up:
  • Global Entry costs $100 for 5 years.  If you have to pay for it, I think it's well worth it even for one trip per year.  That's $20 a year to save 30 - 60 minutes plus all the time you'll save with TSA Pre-Check.  And you'll be way better off if you have a tight connection.
  • But there are a couple of ways to get it for free.  Platinum and 1K United elites get it for free.  American Express (this was our method) will reimburse your $100 fee if you are a Platinum cardholder.
  • In terms of getting approved, you first fill out an application online which takes 15-20 minutes.
  • Next, you will have to schedule an in-person interview at an airport.  There are a couple of non-airport locations (Houston and DC) but generally you have to go (or do this during a layover) to an airport.
  • We did our interview at DEN and it took about 15 minutes.  They take your picture and fingerprints and you're all set.
  • In a few weeks, you'll receive your official card (complete with RFID protection sleeve) for entry back into the US from Canada and Mexico (although I always carry mine in my travel wallet regardless of where I'm going).

During our return trip from London earlier in the year, our original flight was cancelled and we were rebooked on a later one.  The connection ended up being super tight and Global Entry saved the day.  We made it from an international arrival to a domestic departure with checked bags in 30 minutes.  A process that would normally take at least an hour.  

So if you are in the midst of planning a few international trips over the next few years, I would definitely recommend signing up for Global Entry.  It is awesome!

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