Travelers, take note: the cost of the popular Global Entry program is set to increase. Effective October 1, 2024, the application fee will rise from $100 to $120.
For those unfamiliar, Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that offers expedited entry back into the United States for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.
What's Behind the Increase?
Since the Chase Sapphire Reserve card exploded onto the scene, the Global Entry program (GOES) has been a prize for every premium credit card holder in the US. Unfortunately that means that the government agency that runs the program got handed quite a bit more work.
The CBP cites rising operational costs and the necessity to maintain the program’s effectiveness as justification for the price hike. While the increase may be unwelcome news for budget-conscious travelers, it’s worth looking at the value Global Entry still offers.
Is Global Entry Still Worth It?
Well, the quick and easy answer for this question is “yes”, so long as you’re already holding a credit card that offers fee reimbursement for the program. With the announcement of other global entry-type of programs to get travelers back into the US without much fuss and just using a phone app, it’s getting harder to justify spending the money on GOES.
However, I still personally think GOES does it best among all the programs available to cut down on your time in the airport:
- Time savings: Global Entry members breeze through dedicated kiosks, bypassing the usual lengthy immigration queues. This can mean the difference between making a connecting flight or waiting hours for the next one.
- Dedicated Lines: It’s not just kiosks, either. Airports will often have dedicated lines for GOES passengers to queue up for, thereby decreasing waiting time even further for connections or entry back into the US.
- Lower stress: Expedited clearance makes the return to the U.S. after international trips remarkably less stressful.
- TSA PreCheck included: Global Entry automatically grants you TSA PreCheck benefits, which means faster security screening at domestic airports.
Can I Still Sign Up for the $100 Price?
Sure can! As long as you apply for GOES prior to the October 1st deadline for the price change you’ll be able to benefit from the cheaper cost. Keep in mind, though, that there have been extremely long delays reported for GOES renewals and brand new applications alike. It’s not unheard of to have to wait months before you’re able to start using your shiny new GOES status. Plan accordingly.
The process itself is incredibly simple, but it can take some time to get complete. You’ll want to head over to the official Global Entry website to get started.
Getting to the Point
While the Global Entry price increase may sting, the program still provides significant benefits for frequent travelers. Those who value time and hassle-free airport experiences should strongly consider applying, especially before the fee goes up.
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