The content is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change.
Global Entry application fee is $120, and membership lasts for five years
Global Entry Review: Everything You Need To Know
Posted on Oct 27, 2025
Updated on Oct 27, 2025
If you are a frequent traveler who flies internationally a lot, you might be sick and tired of all those lines at immigration when coming home. Luckily, there is a way to save your valuable travel time - Global Entry. This program is designed to expedite the clearance upon arrival in the U.S. from abroad. This review covers what Global Entry is, how to apply, and whether it is worth signing up for.
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler Program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Being a member, you can go through separate lines at immigration within a variety of U.S. airports and even some overseas locations.
This means that when you get off the plane, you'll head for the Global Entry line where you will use kiosks to rapidly identify who you are and then go on your way. At kiosks you will either need to scan your passport and fingerprints and answer some questions or use facial recognition for your identification.
our choice
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
Receive a statement credit, up to $120 every four years, as reimbursement for your application fee for Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck®µ
Lounge Access
Priority Pass™ Select membershipµ
4 Admirals Club® Lounge Access Passesµ
4 Admirals Club® Lounge Access Passesµ
Annual Fee
$595
Intro APR on Purchases
N/A
Regular APR
20.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
- For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
- Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
our choice
our choice
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
Receive up to $120 reimbursment credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application for each Mastercard Gold Card Primary Cardmember and Authorized Users.
Lounge Access
With your Luxury Card, enjoy complimentary access to over 1,700 airport lounges and travel experiences in more than 600 cities across 145 countries with Priority Pass™ Select. Access includes unlimited visits for yourself as well as your guests.
Annual Fee
$1,199 ($349 for each Authorized User added to the account)
Intro APR on Purchases
N/A
Regular APR
19.99% to 27.99% Variable, based on your creditworthiness and other factors
- Redeem at 2% value for airfare and 2% for cash back. Just 50,000 points will get you a $1,000 ticket on any airline or $1000 cash back, issued as a direct deposit statement credit.
- Earn 2X points on Airfare and Hotel reservations booked through LuxuryCardTravel.com. One point for every one dollar you spend for all other categories, earning points every time you spend.
- $300 Annual Airline Credit: Receive up to $300 in annual air travel credits toward flight-related purchases, including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more.
- $200 Annual Dining Credit: Get up to $200 in annual statement credits when you use your Luxury Card at qualifying restaurants.
- $200 Ship&Play Credit: Send your belongings ahead of time with Ship&Play and receive up to $200 in credits annually.
- Receive up to $120 reimbursment credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application for each Mastercard Gold Card Primary Cardmember and Authorized Users.
- 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®: Exclusive to Cardmembers. Your busy life never stops, and neither do our Luxury Card Concierge agents. Enjoy around-the-clock lifestyle management and planning support tailored to your specific needs—and designed to save you time. Our personalized one-on-one service delivers solutions, suggestions and even surprises to make every day exceptional. Book the trip. Get the reservations. Score the tickets.
- With your Luxury Card, enjoy complimentary access to over 1,700 airport lounges and travel experiences in more than 600 cities across 145 countries with Priority Pass™ Select. Access includes unlimited visits for yourself as well as your guests.
- Made with 24K Gold®: Beautifully crafted and exceptionally premium, Luxury Card is a statement piece designed to stand out in the most refined way. Weighing in at an impressive 22 grams, its contactless patented card design and metal construction raises the standard. Carry a card with distinction.
- Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
- Annual Fee: $1,199 ($349 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
our choice
our choice
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
Lounge Access
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
Intro APR on Purchases
N/A
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.74% Variable
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Earn a $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases with your United℠ Explorer Card within a calendar year
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- Member FDIC
our choice
our choice
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
Receive up to $120 reimbursment credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee. Global Entry includes access to TSA PreCheck® with no additional application or fee required.
Lounge Access
With your Luxury Card, enjoy complimentary access to over 1,700 airport lounges and travel experiences in more than 600 cities across 145 countries with Priority Pass™ Select. Access includes unlimited visits for yourself as well as your guests.
Annual Fee
$699 ($249 for each Authorized User added to the account)
Intro APR on Purchases
N/A
Regular APR
19.99% to 27.99% Variable, based on your creditworthiness and other factors
- Redeem at 2% value for airfare and 1.5% for cash back. Just 50,000 points will get you a $1,000 ticket on any airline or $750 cash back, issued as a direct deposit statement credit.
- Earn 2X points on Airfare and Hotel reservations booked through LuxuryCardTravel.com. One point for every one dollar you spend for all other categories, earning points every time you spend.
- $200 Annual Airline Credit: Receive up to $200 in annual air travel credits toward flight-related purchases, including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more.
- $100 Annual Dining Credit: Get up to $100 in annual statement credits when you use your Luxury Card at qualifying restaurants.
- Receive up to $120 reimbursment credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee. Global Entry includes access to TSA PreCheck® with no additional application or fee required.
- 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®: Exclusive to Cardmembers. Your busy life never stops, and neither do our Luxury Card Concierge agents. Enjoy around-the-clock lifestyle management and planning support tailored to your specific needs—and designed to save you time. Our personalized one-on-one service delivers solutions, suggestions and even surprises to make every day exceptional. Book the trip. Get the reservations. Score the tickets.
- With your Luxury Card, enjoy complimentary access to over 1,700 airport lounges and travel experiences in more than 600 cities across 145 countries with Priority Pass™ Select. Access includes unlimited visits for yourself as well as your guests.
- Black-PVD-Coated Metal Card and Made of Stainless Steel®: Beautifully crafted and exceptionally premium, Luxury Card is a statement piece designed to stand out in the most refined way. Weighing in at an impressive 22 grams, its stainless steel, contactless patented card design and metal construction raises the standard. Carry a card with distinction.
- Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
- Annual Fee: $699 ($249 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
our choice
our choice
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit.µ
Lounge Access
Annual Fee
$350
Intro APR on Purchases
N/A
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.74% Variable
- Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 1,000 PQP
- 3x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
- Earn a 10,000-mile eligible award flight discount after spending $20,000 each calendar year
- Earn 2 global Economy Plus® seat upgrades after spending $40,000 on purchases each calendar year
- Get a jump start on earning Premier status with 1,000 Card Bonus PQP each year, awarded within 6 to 8 weeks after February 1 each year, starting in 2026.
- Member FDIC
our choice
Global Entry benefits and features
Global Entry offers many valuable benefits that can make your travel experience smoother, whether you are just an occasional domestic traveler or travel frequently abroad. When you sign up for Global Entry, you can save the most precious thing in the world - time. Here are other benefits you get as a Global Entry member:
- No processing lines: you can skip long lines by using Global Entry kiosks instead.
- No paperwork: you can skip paperwork by scanning your passport or using facial recognition at Global Entry kiosks.
- Access to expedited entry benefits in other countries: you can already use Global Entry at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Bermuda International Airport, Dublin Airport, and some others.
- Available at major U.S. airports.
- Reduced wait times: Global Entry kiosks at participating airports result in shorter wait times at immigration and customs.
- TSA PreCheck: this program allows you to speed through security at airports with no need to remove shoes, belts, liquids, laptops, or light jackets.
- SENTRI: this program allows you to pass from Mexico into the U.S. through land borders at dedicated, expedited lanes. If you register your vehicle with SENTRI during your Global Entry application, there is no fee.
- NEXUS: it's the joint Canadian-American Trusted Traveler program. Global Entry allows you to use NEXUS lanes when re-entering the U.S. through the land border.
How to apply for Global Entry
Before you apply for Global Entry, you should make sure you are eligible to enroll in the program. The eligibility requirements are simple: you must be 18 years of age or older (minors require a parent or legal guardian's consent) and be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States or be a citizen of one of the eligible countries.
Once you know you are eligible, you can then apply in four steps:
1. Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account. No matter how old you are, you should have your own TTP account.
2. Log in to your TTP account and complete the application. You will need to pay a $120 non-refundable fee with your completed application. You can pay by credit card, and if your credit card has a free Global Entry benefit , you can reimburse this fee.
3. Schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Once your application is conditionally approved, your TTP account will instruct you to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Please note that most applications are approved within 2 weeks, while some applications can take up to 12 months or longer to be processed.
4. Complete the application process. On the day of your interview, bring your valid passport and one other form of identification, such as your driver's license or ID card, to the interview. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must present your machine-readable permanent resident card.
A convenient way to complete your interview is to do so at the airport via either Enrollment on Arrival or Enrollment on Departure. It is fast and does not require you to appoint and wait for the interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center.
What is Enrollment on Arrival?
Enrollment on Arrival allows conditionally approved applicants to finalize their applications and interviews at the airport instead of a formal interview at an enrollment center. The service is currently available at 16 airports abroad and 50 airports in the U.S. You will usually need your U.S. passport to enroll on arrival, but we would recommend you verify if any other documents are necessary.
Enrollment on Arrival allows you to complete your Global Entry interview when arriving at the airport after an international trip. Just follow the signs in the airport for the "Enrollment on Arrival" lanes (just make sure your flight arrives during hours when interviews are offered).
What is Enrollment on Departure?
Enrollment on Departure is similar to Enrollment on Arrival. The service is currently available at Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Miami International Airport (MIA) for travelers departing the U.S. on international flights.
Conditionally approved for Global Entry travelers can complete their interviews using the service during hours when interviews are offered. When you are at an Enrollment on Departure-eligible airport, follow the signs to the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) designated Global Entry Enrollment on Departure area. A CBP officer will assist you in completing your Global Entry interview.
To complete the interview via Enrollment on Departure, you will need to bring your passport, documents providing evidence of residency (driver's license, mortgage statement, utility bill, etc.), and a permanent resident card (if applicable).
What is Global Entry card?
Once you are fully approved for Global Entry, you will receive a Global Entry card. It can take two to four weeks to receive your card. Once you receive your Global Entry card, you will need to activate it in your TTP account. After you log in, click on the "Activate Membership Card" button under the Program Memberships section.
You may use your Global Entry card for expedited entry into the United States via the SENTRI and NEXUS lanes. The card is not valid for entry into Canada via the NEXUS lanes. And the Global Entry card cannot be used at Global Entry kiosks. Only your passport and/or lawful permanent resident card are accepted at Global Entry kiosks.
Your Global Entry card has a Global Entry PASS ID, which is the same as your Known Traveler Number (KTN). It appears on the back of the card. You can add your PASS ID to flight reservations and airline loyalty programs to access Global Entry when traveling.
How much is Global Entry?
Global Entry isn't free. The application fee is $120, and membership lasts for five years. This fee also includes TSA PreCheck, so you won't need to apply separately for TSA PreCheck and pay another $76.75-$85 for enrollment. When you get Global Entry, you get access to the benefits of the two programs for just $120.
When you are renewing your Global Entry benefit, the fee will be the same as for the first-timers - $120.
Though this $120 fee is non-refundable, many credit cards will reimburse you for these fees by issuing a credit.
Here are some premium credit cards with free Global Entry:
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: low $95 annual fee.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: $95 annual fee.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: $395 annual fee.
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card: $595 annual fee.
- The New United℠ Explorer Card: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
- The New United Quest℠ Card: $350 annual fee.
Is Global Entry worth it?
Global Entry is worth the cost and hassle of applying even if you travel internationally only occasionally. You can benefit from expedited immigration queues and TSA PreCheck access. Whether you are a frequent or occasional traveler, Global Entry can save you a tremendous amount of time, especially during peak travel times.
With Global Entry, the fee is minimal. Since the cost difference between Global Entry and TSA PreCheck isn't much, it might be worth getting Global Entry. Plus, you can reimburse it with the right credit card. Many travel credit cards offer Global Entry credit as a benefit. You might even have one already.
