Passports and Precheck

With summer here now is the time I hope you have some of the travel essentials. The two most important items to have is your Passport and/or Global Entry. Applying for a passport and enrolling in Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are essential steps for frequent and occasional travelers alike: a passport is your primary form of international identification and entry into other countries, while Global Entry expedites re-entry into the United States through automated kiosks, reducing lengthy immigration lines; TSA PreCheck speeds up security screening for domestic and many international flights, letting you keep shoes and a light jacket on and avoid removing laptops and liquids, which saves time and reduces travel stress. Together these documents streamline airport procedures, provide greater travel flexibility in case of last-minute trips or emergencies, and often yield cost savings through reduced wait times and missed connections, making travel more predictable, efficient, and enjoyable.

Global Entry: Costs and Benefits

What Global Entry is

• A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that provides expedited processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers arriving in the United States.

• Includes TSA PreCheck benefits for domestic departures for most approved applicants.

Costs

1. Application fee

• $100 nonrefundable fee per applicant.

• Valid for five years after approval.

• Some credit cards or travel programs reimburse the fee; check your card benefits.

2. Time cost

• Online application and background information typically take 30–60 minutes.

• Conditional approval can take days to months depending on applicant background and CBP workload.

• In-person interview required at an enrollment center; wait times vary. Enrollment on Arrival and Enrollment on Arrival makes some waits shorter for return travelers.

3. Potential indirect costs

• Travel to an enrollment center for the interview (transportation, parking).

• If an interview slot is hard to get, may need to schedule around work or travel plans. Coming from LAX wait times are up to 6 months, but a weekend getaway in Las Vegas I was able to snag an appointment within of a month at McCarran Airport and had my TSA Precheck number before flying back out.

• Possible additional time if application is denied and you appeal or reapply.

Benefits

1. Faster re-entry to the U.S.

• Use Global Entry kiosks at many U.S. airports to complete customs declaration and biometric verification, bypassing regular passport-control lines.

• Typical processing time at kiosks is a few minutes versus longer waits in regular queues, especially during busy periods.

2. Included TSA PreCheck

• Most Global Entry approvals include TSA PreCheck, which speeds domestic security screening: shorter lines, keep on shoes, laptops often stay in bag, limited liquids rules easier to manage.

• TSA PreCheck is normally a separate program (currently $85 for five years) — Global Entry essentially bundles that benefit.

3. Predictability and convenience

• Shorter, more predictable wait times reduce travel stress and missed connections.

• Enrollment on Arrival allows conditionally approved applicants returning from international travel to complete interviews at some airports without an extra trip.

4. Good for frequent international travelers

• Significant time savings for people who travel internationally several times a year.

• Business travelers save work time and reduce scheduling friction.

5. Trusted Traveler network advantages

• Global Entry is recognized by some foreign governments’ expedited entry programs and can sometimes simplify entry to partner countries (varies by country and program).

Who benefits most

• Frequent international travelers, business travelers with tight schedules, families who want smoother re-entry, and anyone whose time is highly valued.

• Travelers who already pay for credit cards that reimburse the fee effectively lower the net cost.

Limitations and considerations

1. Not a guaranteed shortcut

• Global Entry speeds processing for low-risk travelers but does not guarantee immediate entry; officers can still perform additional checks or secondary inspection.

2. Not universal

• Kiosks are available at many but not all U.S. airports. If arriving at a smaller or not-yet-equipped airport, benefits may be limited.

3. Eligibility and background checks

• Certain criminal convictions, immigration violations, or customs violations can disqualify applicants. A thorough background check is required.

• Conditional approval can be revoked if new disqualifying information arises.

4. Privacy concerns

• Membership requires sharing personal data and biometric information (fingerprints) with CBP. Consider privacy preferences before applying.

5. Renewal and maintenance

• Five-year membership requires renewal and potentially another interview in some cases. Keep passport and personal information up to date in your account.

Cost-benefit summary

• If you travel internationally multiple times per year, the $100 fee (often offset by credit card reimbursement) and time investment tend to pay off in saved time, reduced stress, and more reliable scheduling.

• For infrequent international travelers, the fee and effort may not justify the benefit, unless you value the included TSA PreCheck and occasional expedited re-entry.

• Consider your travel frequency, whether a credit card reimburses the fee, and how much you value time savings and convenience.

Practical tips

• Check if your credit card reimburses Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees before applying.

• Apply well in advance of planned travel to allow for processing and interview scheduling.

• Use Enrollment on Arrival if you’re conditionally approved and returning from an international trip that lands at a participating airport.

• Keep your Global Entry information current (passports, address) to avoid issues at the kiosk.