How I got Free Global Entry + TSA PreCheck

When I started traveling on a more frequent basis, I began getting frustrated with going through airport security and having to take off my shoes and take my computer out of my bag. When I began to travel abroad, coming back to the U.S. would also always be a headache since I’d have to wait in long lines to go through customs and border protection.

In order to improve my future travel experiences and ease any security or immigration processes involved with my travel, I decided to get Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. Even though Global Entry charges a $120 fee for a five-year membership, and TSA PreCheck can cost up to $85 for a five-year membership, I was able to get both for free.

Why You Should Get Global Entry

Global Entry is a program offered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows approved and screened travelers to take advantage of expedited customs clearance when arriving at select U.S. airports and airports abroad with U.S. preclearance.

Global Entry can be extremely powerful. It can easily shave off waiting times at customs by over an hour. A few months ago, my friends and I flew into Newark Liberty International Airport from Paris. I was the only person in my friend group to have Global Entry membership, so I split off from the rest of my friends to go through the expedited clearance lanes. I was in and out of customs in less than two minutes, and I proceeded to wait for my friends for over an hour as they went through the normal lines.

It is also very useful for anyone who needs to make connecting flights after landing in the U.S. from an international flight. You will need to collect your baggage and clear U.S. customs, regardless of whether you’re connecting to a domestic flight or another international flight. If the lines for clearing customs end up being extraordinarily long, this leaves little room for error, leaving you at higher risk of missing your flight.

Note: Global Entry also includes a complimentary membership for TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck allows for approved and screened travelers to enjoy faster airport screening with dedicated security lines at select airports, as well as other perks that make the security screening process easier (shoes, belts, and light jackets can stay on your body, and you don’t have to take electronics out of your bag).

How to Apply for Global Entry

To apply for a Global Entry membership, make sure that you are eligible for a membership. You need to create a Trusted Traveler Programs account, submit an application and pay the $120 fee, and schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center once you are conditionally approved for the program.

One way you can do the interview is by participating in Enrollment on Arrival, which allows you to complete the interview whenever you arrive in the U.S. from an international trip at select U.S. airports.

CBP is also beginning to offer Enrollment on Departure services, which allows you to complete the interview prior to your departing domestic or international flight from the airport. This is currently only available at Miami International Airport in Florida and Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

To get Global Entry for free, it is vital to ensure that you pay for the $120 application fee with a credit card that offers credit for Global Entry. Some examples of credit cards that offer credit for Global Entry include the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card, etc.

You must pay for the application fee upfront with an eligible card, but you will be given a $120 statement credit to offset the cost of the application. This is true, even if you’re denied Global Entry membership by CBP. Make sure that you haven’t already used your credit for a TSA PreCheck or NEXUS membership, since many credit cards that offer the $120 credit for Global Entry specifically offer the credit once every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.

Final Remarks

Getting Global Entry and TSA PreCheck completely transformed the way I travel. What used to be a stressful process, due to long customs lines and tedious security screenings, is now much more streamlined and efficient.

While there’s an upfront application fee, I was able to cover the cost entirely using a travel credit card that offers a Global Entry reimbursement benefit. If you travel internationally even once a year, applying for Global Entry is one of the best investments you can make to save time and avoid hassle. Just make sure to check if your credit card offers a statement credit before applying, and you could get it for free like I did.