9 Things to Know Before Getting Global Entry

Global Entry can be one of the more useful U.S. travel programs for international travelers: approved members receive expedited processing when entering the United States and are also eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits.

But there are several things worth knowing before you submit the application.

The current application fee is $120, the fee is non-refundable, approval requires government vetting and an interview, and many credit cards can reimburse the application charge.

Families should pay special attention because qualifying applicants under 18 can currently have the Global Entry application fee waived under CBP’s parent/legal-guardian rules.

Global Entry can include TSA PreCheck benefits, but approval takes more than simply paying an application fee.

1. Global Entry Is Mainly for Entering the U.S.---and TSA PreCheck Is an Added Benefit

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler Program for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.

Its primary travel benefit is expedited processing when entering the United States after international travel.

Approved Global Entry members are also eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits.

That distinction matters because travelers sometimes buy TSA PreCheck first and only later realize Global Entry would have covered both needs.

What to do

If you rarely or never travel internationally, read our separate Things to Know Before Getting TSA PreCheck guide.

If international travel is part of your plans, continue comparing Global Entry’s extra benefit against its more involved application process.

2. The Global Entry Application Fee Is $120 and It Is Non-Refundable

Global Entry currently costs $120 for a five-year membership.

The fee is paid when you submit the application and is non-refundable.

Paying the fee does not mean you will be approved.

CBP evaluates eligibility and whether an applicant meets the program’s low-risk requirements.

The $120 fee pays for the application process; it does not purchase guaranteed approval.

What to do

Review CBP’s official eligibility information before paying, particularly if you have circumstances that could affect eligibility.

Avoid third parties that imply they can guarantee approval.

3. Global Entry Requires Conditional Approval and an Interview

Global Entry involves more steps than simply completing an online form.

Applicants use the official Trusted Traveler Programs system to create an account and submit an application.

CBP then reviews the application. If conditionally approved, the applicant can move to the interview step.

The interview is part of finalizing enrollment.

Processing times can vary, so an upcoming international trip does not guarantee your membership will be approved in time.

What to do

Apply well before you actually need the benefit and monitor your Trusted Traveler Programs account for status updates.

4. Enrollment on Arrival Can Make the Interview Much Easier

A conditionally approved Global Entry applicant does not always need to schedule a traditional interview appointment before the next international trip.

CBP’s Enrollment on Arrival program allows eligible, conditionally approved applicants to complete the Global Entry interview when arriving in the United States at participating locations.

That can solve one of the most frustrating parts of Global Entry enrollment: finding a convenient interview appointment.

However, Enrollment on Arrival is not a shortcut around conditional approval. You must first reach the required application status.

Enrollment on Arrival can turn an international return trip into an opportunity to complete the interview.

What to do

If you become conditionally approved and have an international trip coming up:

• check CBP’s current Enrollment on Arrival locations
• confirm operating details for your arrival airport
• bring the documents CBP requires
• allow extra time after your international arrival

5. Children Need Their Own Global Entry Membership, but the Fee May Be Waived

A parent’s Global Entry membership does not automatically give a child Global Entry.

Each traveler needs their own membership.

However, current CBP rules are much more family-friendly than they used to be.

Since the October 1, 2024 fee change, applicants under 18 can have the Global Entry application fee waived when their application is connected to a parent or legal guardian who is already enrolled in an eligible Trusted Traveler Program or has a pending application, subject to CBP requirements.

CBP says there is no minimum age for Global Entry, but a parent or legal guardian must consent and be present at the interview for an applicant under 18.

What to do

When applying for children, follow CBP’s current instructions for linking the minor application to the qualifying parent or legal guardian.

6. Check Your Credit Cards Before Paying the $120 Fee

Global Entry reimbursement is now a common premium travel-card benefit---and it is not limited to ultra-premium cards.

These are verified examples as of September 1, 2026, not an exhaustive list:

---

Issuer Card examples Current Global Entry benefit

---

Chase Sapphire Preferred, Up to $120 under Sapphire Reserve, current eligible Global Aeroplan Card Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS terms

Capital One Venture, Venture X, Up to $120 for an Venture Business, eligible Global Entry Venture X Business, or TSA PreCheck Spark Miles application, subject to account terms

American Express Platinum, Business $120 Global Entry Platinum, Delta credit under applicable SkyMiles Platinum, account terms Delta SkyMiles Reserve, eligible Delta business cards, Marriott Bonvoy
Brilliant, certain
Corporate/Centurion
cards

Citi Strata Elite, Up to $120 every 4 AAdvantage Executive, years for Global Entry AAdvantage Globe or TSA PreCheck

Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Up to $120 per account every 4 years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Up to $100 toward an eligible Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee

PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa $120 Global Entry credit every 4 years

Navy Federal Visa Signature Flagship Up to $120 under Rewards current Global Entry/TSA PreCheck terms

The standout change for many consumers is Chase Sapphire Preferred. Chase’s current benefits include up to a $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit every four years, despite the card sitting below many premium travel cards in annual fee.

What to do

For every travel card in your wallet, search the issuer’s official benefit page for:

• Global Entry
• TSA PreCheck
• NEXUS
• Trusted Traveler

Then check the reimbursement amount, reset period, and account rules immediately before paying.

7. One Card Credit Often Does Not Mean Free Global Entry for the Whole Family

A card may advertise a Global Entry credit without providing one reimbursement for every person who carries an authorized-user card.

The details vary substantially.

American Express, for example, currently says applicable Delta Platinum/Reserve and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant accounts receive no more than one Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit per card account during the stated four-year period, even though an Additional Card Member can make the qualifying charge.

Other eligible Amex Platinum/Centurion additional-card structures can work differently.

Navy Federal currently describes its Flagship reimbursement as up to $120 per eligible card number every four years.

The important point is that account structure matters.

Inventory the family’s eligible card accounts before charging several Global Entry applications.

What to do

Before paying multiple adult application fees, create a simple list:

Traveler Eligible card Credit available? Last used

---

Adult 1
Adult 2
Child Check minor waiver first

Do not assume an authorized-user card automatically creates another reimbursement.

8. Using a Shared Card Credit on TSA PreCheck First Can Cost You the Global Entry Reimbursement

Many cards bundle Global Entry and TSA PreCheck into a single application-fee benefit.

American Express currently states that applicable cards receive the credit for the first eligible program charged, subject to the account’s benefit period. Its eligible cards generally offer $120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for an eligible five-year TSA PreCheck fee.

That means someone who uses the credit for TSA PreCheck and then decides to apply for Global Entry may have already consumed that card’s benefit.

The same basic decision issue exists with other issuers that provide one periodic Global Entry-or-TSA PreCheck reimbursement.

What to do

If your card covers both programs, decide which program you want before making either charge.

International travelers should pay particular attention because Global Entry already includes TSA PreCheck eligibility for approved members.

9. The Card Credit Does Not Make a Denied Application Harmless

A card reimbursement can remove the cash cost of an application, but it does not remove every consequence of applying.

The government application fee remains non-refundable.

And using a credit on an unsuccessful application can still consume the card benefit for the applicable period.

American Express explicitly says eligible Card Members can receive the statement credit regardless of the government’s approval decision, but a subsequent application within the restricted period will not generate another credit under the applicable terms.

Most importantly, the card issuer has no influence over CBP’s approval decision.

What to do

Review CBP eligibility first, apply through the official Trusted Traveler Programs system, and consider the card credit a reimbursement---not an approval guarantee.

Before You Get Global Entry Checklist

• Decide whether international travel makes Global Entry useful for you.
• Remember that approved Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck eligibility.
• Review CBP’s current eligibility requirements.
• Confirm the current $120 application fee.
• Understand that the application fee is non-refundable.
• Apply through the official Trusted Traveler Programs system.
• Allow time for conditional approval.
• Plan for the required interview.
• Check Enrollment on Arrival if you have an international trip after conditional approval.
• For children under 18, check the current application-fee waiver rules before paying.
• Search every credit card you already have for a Global Entry credit.
• Check whether the benefit is shared with TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.
• Check how often the card credit resets.
• Check whether reimbursement is per account, card number, or eligible cardholder.
• Match family members to available credits before paying multiple fees.
• Do not open an expensive card solely for a $120 reimbursement without evaluating the whole card.
• After approval, use your PASS ID as the Known Traveler Number for TSA PreCheck purposes.
• Recheck government and card terms before renewal because benefits can change.

FAQ

How much does Global Entry cost?

The current application fee is $120 for a five-year membership.

Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?

Yes. Approved Global Entry members are eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits without a separate TSA PreCheck application fee.

Is the Global Entry fee refundable if I am denied?

No. CBP states that the application fee is non-refundable.

Do I need an interview for Global Entry?

Yes. Applicants must be conditionally approved before completing the enrollment interview.

What is Enrollment on Arrival?

Enrollment on Arrival lets eligible, conditionally approved applicants complete their Global Entry interview when arriving in the United States from an international trip at a participating location.

Do children need Global Entry?

Each traveler needs their own Global Entry membership. Qualifying applicants under 18 can currently have the application fee waived when CBP’s parent/legal-guardian requirements are satisfied.

Which credit cards reimburse Global Entry?

Verified current examples include select cards from Chase, Capital One, American Express, Citi, Bank of America, U.S. Bank, PenFed, and Navy Federal. Benefits can change, so verify the specific card before paying.

Should I get TSA PreCheck instead?

If you primarily want expedited U.S. departure security and rarely travel internationally, TSA PreCheck may be sufficient. If international travel matters, Global Entry’s inclusion of TSA PreCheck eligibility can make it the more comprehensive option.

The Bottom Line

Global Entry can provide excellent value for international travelers because one membership combines expedited U.S. entry with TSA PreCheck eligibility for approved members.

But do not start by pulling out a credit card.

First make sure Global Entry is the right program and review CBP’s eligibility requirements. Then check whether children in your family qualify for the current minor application-fee waiver.

Only after that should you decide how to pay.

Many travel cards now reimburse all or most of the $120 application fee, but the fine print matters: the credit may be shared with TSA PreCheck, limited by account, and unavailable again for several years after it is used.

A few minutes of checking before you apply can prevent paying a fee you did not need to pay---or using a valuable card credit on the wrong trusted-traveler program.

Sources

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection --- Global Entry
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection --- Global Entry Frequently Asked Questions
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection --- Enrollment on Arrival
• Transportation Security Administration --- TSA PreCheck
• American Express --- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Credit
• Citi --- Strata Elite Benefits
• Citi --- AAdvantage Executive
• Citi --- AAdvantage Globe
• Bank of America --- Premium Rewards Elite
• U.S. Bank --- Altitude Connect
• PenFed --- Pathfinder Rewards Visa
• Navy Federal --- Flagship Rewards