Is a Credit Card with Global Entry Benefit Right for You?

Global Entry is a program managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for people who have proved to CBP that they are low-risk travelers. Introduced in 2008, Global Entry lets members place their machine-readable passports on a reader at a kiosk and use biometric scanners to confirm their identity via facial recognition or fingerprints.¹ They can then proceed through the secure passport control area to baggage claim and exit the airport, cutting down the time spent waiting in line.

 
According to CBP, as of March 2022 Global Entry was available at 61 U.S. international airports plus 15 Preclearance airports – where CBP agents screen passengers before they board planes for the U.S. There were around eight million members directly enrolled in the program, which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. lawful permanent residents, along with foreigners from 13 partner countries.²

  
Global Entry members who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents also receive a membership in the TSA PreCheck^® screening program, which streamlines security checks for flights in more than 200 airports.³ Travelers usually don’t have to remove their shoes and articles from carry-on bags. In March 2023, 89% of TSA PreCheck^® passengers waited less than five minutes.⁴

You begin the Global Entry application process by filling out an online form and paying a nonrefundable application fee that covers a five-year membership.⁵ If you meet the CBP criteria and pass a background check, you’re notified and asked to schedule an in-person interview where you must show two forms of identification.

That meeting usually takes about 15 minutes. It can be done by appointment at a U.S. airport or without an appointment when you re-enter the U.S. from abroad at an international airport with a CBP Enrollment on Arrival office.⁶ Once approved, you’ll receive a Global Entry card and a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that can be used for both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck^®. The entire Global Entry application process may take anywhere from four to six months to complete, according to CBP.⁷

If you decide that a credit card with Global Entry reimbursement is right for you, here are a few things to know about the Global Entry application process:

• The application process is simple, but it can be slow. Although it takes only a few minutes to apply for the program, it may take CBP four to six months to process applications.⁸ You will be informed of acceptance or rejection by email or letter.
• There are ways to speed the process. It’s wise to schedule an interview at your local airport enrollment office but then, if possible, use the Enrollment on Arrival program if you travel internationally prior to your scheduled interview. The interview backlog at local offices sometimes extends for months.
• Approach a Global Entry renewal strategically. It’s a good idea to start the renewal process early, as it can take four to six months. And if you decide to obtain a credit card with Global Entry reimbursement, you can do this first and then apply for the renewal.

If you believe Global Entry fits your needs – and even if you travel internationally only a few times a year, there’s a good chance it does – you can consider a credit card with a Global Entry benefit. These are generally travel rewards credit cards that include a statement credit that reimburses your application fee automatically when it appears in your account statement.

 
A Global Entry fee reimbursement can be a worthwhile extension to a regular credit card. But cards that offer Global Entry benefits may charge higher annual fees, so it’s a good idea to evaluate whether the overall perks of the card are suited well-enough to your lifestyle and spending habits to make that feel worthwhile. Many credit cards that offer a Global Entry reimbursement credit may also offer perks like:

• Welcome offers.
• Travel and airline rewards points or miles.
• Trip insurance.
• Discounts on vacations, hotels, and rental cars.
• Airport lounge entry.
• Preferred ticket sales and seating for sporting events and concerts.