If you’re like me and hate standing in line, you need to know about Global Entry. Non-USA readers: several countries have similar programs, which are listed at the end of this post.
What’s Global Entry? It’s the glorious answer to a lifetime of line-loathing. It’s a pre-screened-identity program that, once you’re registered, allows you to re-enter the country with a swipe of your passport and a press of your fingerprints — all at a kiosk. You bypass entirely the lines at passport control. I just came back into the country Sunday night and do you know how long it took me to go through immigration? 30 seconds. I’m not kidding.
Goodbye, this.
But wait there’s more.
Global Entry vs. TSA Pre
You may have heard of TSA Pre, which is also a pre-screened-identity program that allows you to use the express TSA Pre security lines (at most US airports now), sparing you the time and indignity of taking off your shoes and pulling out your electronics.
But here’s the deal: with Global Entry, you get BOTH international privileges aaaand TSA Pre privileges.
With TSA Pre, you get TSA Pre privileges only.
No contest.
Furthermore, the registration process for both is equally tedious and the cost difference is negligible ($85 for TSA Pre, $100 for Global Entry). Both are valid 5 years.
Even if you only rarely travel internationally (ahem, do we need to talk?), with Global Entry, you’ll be zipping through domestic security like a pro AND returning from abroad like I did last Sunday, breezing through while pitying all the poor, un-savvy souls snaking their way up to passport control, praying their deep-vein thrombosis doesn’t fell them before their turn.
[Multiple Choice]
I love taking off my shoes for security:
a. A lot. I love a floor perfumed with the feet of a thousand strangers.
b. Meh, it’s not my favorite.
c. In no way, at any time, ever. Make it stop.
From Sucker to Winner – Next Steps
So you’re going to go here to register. Brace yourself for the worst website u/x but know that it will all be worth it. Once you’ve answered the questions, you’ll get an email within about a week prompting you to set up your “interview” at a Global Entry office. This is the ugly part: the interview offices are almost exclusively at airports (there’s one location in downtown Manhattan, but the interview calendar was booked for months so I booked at JFK). For now, there’s no way around it: you’re going to have to haul out to the airport. Just remember, the hour or three that you spend getting to and from the airport will be repaid in spades over the next five years.
A note: if the people working at JFK’s Global Entry are any sign, the officers are pretty cool about what time you show up on the day of your interview appointment. I landed early and they took me two hours ahead of schedule, no problem. The interview itself lasted less than 10 minutes and I received my membership number right then and there. This may vary by person, who knows. But it’s all worth it.
Now do it.
Essential Instruction
You’ll need to enter your Global Entry “Known Traveler Number” when you buy your airline ticket online in order to have access to the Global Entry and TSA Pre express lanes on your dates of travel. You MUST do this online, in advance of travel. You can (and should) also update your Frequent Flyer profile with all your airlines to include your Known Traveler Number, so then it will populate automatically when you're buying a ticket. When you check in, you’ll see your ticket specially marked, ready for the express life.
Thanks goes to my friend Kristin, who was appalled last fall that I hadn’t yet registered for Global Entry and inspired me (shamed me) to get on it. And apologies go to my friend West, who begged me not to post about this, but I just couldn’t not share it.
Express Programs Around the World
For my international friends, I pulled the following from various sources, including Wikipedia. If you know of, or participate in, similar programs I don’t list here, please let me know so I can add them to the list. Less line time for everyone! Joy to the world!
Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Dutch citizens, South Korean citizens, German citizens, Panamanian citizens and Mexican nationals. Canadian citizens and residents may enjoy Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS program.
Mexico also has its own program for Mexican citizens called Viajero Confiable. In theory, a US-Mexico partnership allows Global Entry members the ability to use the Viajero Confiable kiosks at Mexico’s international aiports. I say “in theory” because last week in Mexico City, the kiosks did not recognize my Global Entry number. Luckily a passport officer waved me over and I got to skip the horrendous line. Hopefully things will soon start working smoothly.
NEXUS (formerly frequent traveler program and currently part of Trusted Traveler Program) is a joint Canada – United States program designed to let pre-approved, low-risk travelers cross the Canada – U.S. border quickly.
On 29 December 2014, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced a reciprocal arrangement with Germany for each nation's trusted traveler program—the U.S. Global Entry program and the German EasyPASS.
Members of Global Entry (along with members of NEXUS and SENTRI), may use TSA PreCheck.
In May 2009, Global Entry membership was expanded to include Netherlands citizens who are also members of The Netherlands Privium trusted traveler program under the FLUX (Fast Low-Risk Universal Crossing) alliance. Present members of Global Entry are now permitted to apply to join the Privium program at Amsterdam – Schipol airport allowing entry into the Schengen area.
Similar to the NEXUS agreement between the US and Canada which coordinates their Global Entry and CANPASS Air programs, FLUX coordinates between the US Global Entry and Netherlands Privium programs.
