It has been two years since we have enrolled into the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry Program, and it has been one of the greatest travel-related investments we have done. The $100 we paid per person to have stress-free travel for a 5-year period is priceless.
What Is Global Entry?
It is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program available at 53 U.S. airports and 15 Preclearance locations that allow low-risk international travelers, after an interview process, to pass through customs quickly upon arrival in the United States.
Enrollment centers are located at select airports and can be found here.
We love Global Entry because it allows us to skip past long security lines at the airport, which comes in handy during the times we are running late. If you hate filling out those blue custom forms, with Global Entry, that is one less thing you have to do. Plus, our enrollment into the program provides us a two for one giving us access to TSA PreCheck without paying the additional $85 fee.
On our recent trip to Montreal, Global Entry and TSA Precheck came in handy. We arrived late to the airport, barely catching our departing flight, but thanks to our enrollment we were able to bypass the long security lines. On our way back we also did not have to fill out a customs form, which meant that once the plane landed, and with no bags checked, we just hopped off and exited the airport.
Here is a list of airports with Global Entry Kiosks.
What is TSA Pre-check
TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program that allows pre-approved travelers to leave on their shoes, belts and light outerwear, keep their laptops in their bags, and go through faster/shorter security lines at participating airports.
For a complete list of participating airports in TSA Precheck or for more information, visit http://www.tsa.gov or call the TSA Contact Center at 1-866-289-9673.
If you are not enrolled in Global Entry (or TSA Precheck), do it now! The $100 spent for convenience and less stress during travel is well worth the cost, especially if you travel frequently.
Are you enrolled in Global Entry or TSA Precheck? If not, what has stopped you from enrolling?
