Global Entry Guide 2026: Cost, Application, and Benefits
This Global Entry guide explains what the program does, how much it costs, how to apply, what happens during the interview, and when it beats TSA PreCheck alone.
Global Entry is usually the better choice if you travel internationally even once during the 5-year membership period. If you only fly within the United States, TSA PreCheck may be the simpler fit.
Is Global Entry worth it?
Global Entry costs $120 for 5 years, includes TSA PreCheck, and is worth it if you take even one international trip. The best move is to apply with a card that reimburses the fee, then use Enrollment on Arrival if interview slots are hard to find.
What changed with Global Entry?
Global Entry now costs $120 for a 5-year membership, and that number matters because older guides still mention the old $100 fee. The other important family rule is that applicants under 18 can be free when tied to a parent or legal guardian who is enrolled or applying.
- Global Entry fee: $120 for 5 years.
- TSA PreCheck included: Global Entry members receive TSA PreCheck benefits when using their Known Traveler Number with participating airlines.
- Minor applicants: children under 18 can avoid the application fee when connected to a parent or legal guardian who is enrolled or applying.
- Card credits: several premium travel cards now advertise up to $120 toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or related Trusted Traveler fees.
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. It helps you clear U.S. customs faster after an international trip and includes TSA PreCheck benefits for airport security before departure.
You apply online through the Trusted Traveler Programs portal, pay the non-refundable $120 fee, wait for conditional approval, and complete an interview with CBP. Once approved, you use your PASSID or Known Traveler Number on airline reservations.
Our call: get Global Entry if international travel is possible
Choose Global Entry over TSA PreCheck alone if you might leave the country during the next 5 years. The extra value is customs clearance after international trips, while TSA PreCheck only helps with security before departure.
If you never travel internationally, TSA PreCheck is simpler. If you have Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, or another eligible card, Global Entry becomes the cleaner default because the card may cover the fee.
What does Global Entry actually do?
Global Entry helps when you return to the United States from an international trip. At participating airports, you use Global Entry processing instead of the regular customs line, then continue to baggage claim or the exit after CBP review.
Customs shortcut
Global Entry is mainly about returning to the United States faster after international travel. That is the benefit TSA PreCheck alone does not provide.
TSA PreCheck included
Your Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck benefits when your Known Traveler Number is attached to an eligible airline reservation.
Card credits available
Several travel cards reimburse eligible Global Entry fees. This is why you should check your card before paying out of pocket.
How much does Global Entry cost?
Global Entry costs $120 for a 5-year membership. The fee is paid when you submit the online application, and it is non-refundable if CBP denies the application or you decide not to complete the interview.
| Program | Cost | Term | Best For | Main Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Entry | $120 | 5 years | International travelers returning to the U.S. | Requires conditional approval and a CBP interview. |
| TSA PreCheck | Provider pricing varies | 5 years | Domestic-only travelers | Does not help you at customs. |
| NEXUS | $120 | 5 years | U.S.-Canada travelers | Interview logistics can be less convenient for many travelers. |
| CLEAR+ | Annual membership pricing | 1 year | Faster identity verification at participating airports | Does not replace TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. |
For everyone else, the $120 Global Entry fee is easier to justify because it covers both the customs benefit and TSA PreCheck benefits in one membership.
Use this quick rule before applying
Global Entry is likely worth it if at least two are true:
- You expect one international trip during the next 5 years.
- You already have a card that reimburses the fee.
- You fly through major international airports such as JFK, LAX, MIA, SFO, ORD, ATL, or IAH.
- You would rather complete one application that includes TSA PreCheck.
Which cards cover Global Entry?
Several premium cards reimburse Global Entry as a statement credit when you pay the application fee with the eligible card. The strongest reason to check this first is simple: the right card can turn the $120 application fee into a reimbursed charge.
For the full list and current issuer language, use our credit cards that cover Global Entry guide before you apply.
| Card | Credit | Cadence | CTA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | Up to $120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck | Every 4 years for Global Entry | Check Current Bonus → |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS | Every 4 years | Check Current Bonus → |
| Capital One Venture X | Up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck | Every 4 years | Check Current Bonus → |
Always pay the application fee with the eligible card. If you use the wrong card, the credit will not trigger.
What matters on the real airport day
I am treating this page as an official-source guide because Global Entry rules, fees, eligibility, and interview requirements come from CBP, not traveler opinion. The real airport pain point is not understanding the benefit. It is getting conditional approval, finding an interview slot, and remembering to add your Known Traveler Number before you fly.
The airport moment is easy to picture: after a long overnight return, you are standing in arrivals with a carry-on, a tired family, and a customs hall ahead of you. That is when Global Entry stops feeling like a membership and starts feeling like time back.
What do real travelers need to know before applying?
The most important planning issue is official, not anecdotal: approval is not guaranteed, and the application fee is non-refundable. The second issue is practical: you still need an interview, although Enrollment on Arrival can remove the need to schedule one in advance after conditional approval.
- CBP requires each applicant to complete an application, background check, and interview before approval.
- Enrollment on Arrival lets conditionally approved travelers complete the interview when returning from an international trip at participating airports.
- Children under 18 can receive a free application when connected to a parent or legal guardian who is enrolled or applying.
The cheapest path is not always TSA PreCheck alone. If you might travel internationally and one of your cards reimburses Global Entry, the better value is usually Global Entry because it includes TSA PreCheck and adds customs clearance.
This is why JetKonnect recommends Global Entry first for international travelers and TSA PreCheck alone only for domestic-only flyers who want the simpler process.
How do you apply for Global Entry?
You apply through the Trusted Traveler Programs portal, pay the $120 fee, wait for conditional approval, and complete a CBP interview. The most important step is using the right card before you pay.
Create your TTP account
Start through the official Trusted Traveler Programs portal. Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your passport.
Complete the application
Enter your personal information, address history, employment history, travel history, citizenship details, and eligibility answers.
Pay with the right card
If you have an eligible card, charge the $120 fee to that card so the statement credit can process according to issuer terms.
Finish the interview
After conditional approval, schedule an Enrollment Center interview or use Enrollment on Arrival after an eligible international return.
How long does Global Entry take?
Global Entry timing depends on two separate steps: conditional approval and interview availability. Some applicants move quickly, while others wait longer because nearby enrollment centers have limited interview slots.
Do not apply a week before an international trip and expect everything to be active. Apply early, check multiple enrollment centers, and consider Enrollment on Arrival if you already have an international return scheduled.
| Step | What Happens | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|
| Application | You submit personal, travel, and eligibility details. | Set aside time and check your passport details carefully. |
| Conditional approval | CBP reviews your application before allowing the interview step. | Timing varies, so apply early. |
| Interview | You meet with CBP at an Enrollment Center or through Enrollment on Arrival. | Bring your passport and any required residency documents. |
| Approval | You receive access to Global Entry benefits and your PASSID. | Add the number to future airline reservations. |
- You will take at least one international trip during the next 5 years.
- You want TSA PreCheck included with the same membership.
- You have a card that covers the $120 application fee.
- You dislike customs lines after long international flights.
- You only fly within the United States.
- You want the simpler application path.
- You do not want to wait for a CBP interview.
- You only care about faster security before departure.
How does Global Entry compare with TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, and CLEAR?
Global Entry is the best all-around pick for most international travelers. TSA PreCheck is simpler for domestic-only flyers, NEXUS is worth considering for U.S.-Canada travelers, and CLEAR is a paid identity-check add-on rather than a customs or PreCheck replacement.
| Program | Best For | Includes TSA PreCheck | Helps With Customs | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Entry | International travelers | Yes | Yes, when returning to the U.S. | Apply if you might travel abroad. |
| TSA PreCheck | Domestic-only flyers | It is the program | No | Choose it if you never travel internationally. |
| NEXUS | U.S.-Canada travelers | Yes, when eligible | Yes, with Canada-focused benefits | Consider it if Canada travel is frequent. |
| CLEAR+ | Faster identity verification | No | No | Use as an add-on, not a replacement. |
For a direct side-by-side decision, read Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck.
Do children need their own Global Entry membership?
Yes, children need their own Global Entry membership to use Global Entry processing. The important family exception is the application fee: applicants under 18 can be free when a parent or legal guardian is enrolled in or applying for a Trusted Traveler Program.
Do not assume your child can use Global Entry just because you have it. Each person needs their own approval. For family travel, apply together and keep the parent or guardian membership information handy during the minor application.
What should you do if you cannot get a Global Entry interview?
If you cannot find a Global Entry interview slot, use Enrollment on Arrival after an eligible international return or apply for TSA PreCheck first so you still get faster domestic security. Do not let interview availability stop you from getting any trusted traveler benefit.
Also check smaller enrollment centers near your region instead of only the major airport closest to you. If you are already conditionally approved, Enrollment on Arrival can be the easiest path because it happens during the return airport process.
Global Entry FAQs
How much does Global Entry cost?
Global Entry costs $120 for a 5-year membership. The fee is paid when you submit your online application and is non-refundable, even if CBP denies your application. Several premium travel cards reimburse the fee when you charge it to the eligible card.
Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?
Yes. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits for eligible travelers. After approval, you receive a PASSID or Known Traveler Number, which you add to airline reservations. That number can trigger TSA PreCheck at participating U.S. airports and airlines.
How long does Global Entry take to get?
Global Entry timing varies because CBP must review your application before you can complete the interview. The slowest step for many applicants is interview availability. Apply early, check multiple enrollment centers, and use Enrollment on Arrival when eligible.
Can children use Global Entry?
Children need their own Global Entry approval to use the program. Applicants under 18 can avoid the application fee when a parent or legal guardian is already enrolled or is applying. Parents should not assume their own membership covers children automatically.
Can a credit card cover Global Entry for someone else?
Many cards reimburse the eligible application fee charged to the card, but issuer terms control how the credit works. Before paying for a spouse, child, or family member, check your card’s current fee-credit language and confirm the eligible program and timing.
Is Global Entry better than TSA PreCheck?
Global Entry is better if you might travel internationally because it includes TSA PreCheck and adds faster customs processing when you return to the United States. TSA PreCheck alone is better if you only fly domestically and want a simpler application process.
What happens during the Global Entry interview?
A CBP officer reviews your application, confirms your identity, asks about your travel history, and collects required biometric information. Bring your passport and any required residency documents. The interview is usually straightforward, but approval is never guaranteed.
Official sources checked for this guide
| Source | Used For | Last Checked |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Customs and Border Protection | Global Entry fee, 5-year membership, eligibility, application, interview, Enrollment on Arrival | Last reviewed: |
| U.S. Customs and Border Protection help center | Children and minor application fee exception | Last reviewed: |
| Transportation Security Administration | TSA PreCheck inclusion context and family lane guidance | Last reviewed: |
| American Express | Amex Platinum Global Entry and TSA PreCheck statement credit language | Last reviewed: |
| Chase | Chase Sapphire Reserve Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and NEXUS statement credit language | Last reviewed: |
| Capital One | Venture and Venture X Global Entry and TSA PreCheck statement credit language | Last reviewed: |
Program rules, government fees, and card statement credits can change. Re-check the official program or issuer page before applying or paying a fee.
This guide is for airport planning and comparison only. It is not financial, legal, or immigration advice. Card terms, Trusted Traveler program rules, fee credits, enrollment pricing, and interview availability can change. Always verify current terms with the respective issuer, airport, program, or government source before applying, paying, or traveling.
How JetKonnect reviews this topic: Official sources are used for fees, rules, eligibility, card credits, and program terms. Traveler experience is used only for planning context when enough recent, independent reports are available.
Keep planning your airport day
Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck
Compare the two programs side by side and see which one fits your travel pattern.
Read the guide →Credit Cards That Cover Global Entry
See which travel cards reimburse Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fees.
Read the guide →TSA PreCheck Guide
Learn when TSA PreCheck alone is enough for domestic travelers.
Read the guide →Written for practical airport planning
Built around practical travel decisions, official rules, cited traveler reports, and airport-specific context.
Hank Cai is the founder of JetKonnect, based in Las Vegas, Nevada. With over 75 flights since 1999 and firsthand experience at 85+ lounges across 50 airports, Hank writes JetKonnect guides around real airport decisions, official rules, and practical traveler experience. For how we research and review airport content, read our methodology. For affiliate relationships, see our affiliate disclosure.
Do not pay the Global Entry fee with the wrong card.
Before you apply, check whether one of your travel cards reimburses the $120 application fee.