Revenge travel has been raging since last summer and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. With passport wait times continuing to stretch out longer and airport overcrowding becoming the norm, it might be time to apply for Global Entry.
Read also: The credit card that will reimburse your Global Entry application fee
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry allows travelers to get through customs more quickly upon their arrival. Typically, travelers must complete the online application, pay a $100 application fee, undergo a background check, and then complete an in-person interview, all of which can take over 6 months. In fact, Global Entry applications are so delayed that Homeland Security has been encouraging people to apply for TSA PreCheck instead.
How can you skip the line?
With the spike in international travel, wait times are getting even longer but there may be a way to get Global Entry while avoiding all the chaos: Enrollment on Arrival. With this option, travelers who have completed the first part of the application can skip scheduling the in-person interview and complete that part when they land, all without an appointment.
Travelers are still required to bring along a valid passport and a document that proves residency, like a driver’s license or utility bill. Click here to see if your airport is one of the 65 that offers Enrollment on Arrival.
Another pro tip is checking to see if any of your credit cards offer credits back on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees. Pay for the service with cards like the Capital One Venture X, American Express Platinum, and Chase Sapphire to get the credit back on your statement.