And now for a small break into a post that has nothing to do with Coronavirus, just a reminder that there was a world before, and a hopefulness that there will still be the same old world after.
Is Global Entry Worth It?
I have flown a lot over the last year. Definitely more than the last several years combined. In 2019, I did 15 international flights for work– I know for some business travelers that seems like nothing, but for me, that’s a lot of airport time.
When I my last job on an international tour and foresaw a lot of time standing in immigration lines in my future, I decided to spring for Global Entry.
So far, here are the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Literally walked right past a 90 minute immigration line last month and went through the Global Entry kiosk in 5 minutes.
- Global Entry officers just seem nicer.
- TSA Precheck
- It even works in Canada
Cons:
- Since I don’t book most of my own tickets, syncing my ticket with Global Entry to get the TSA Precheck and check in took me a while to figure out.
- If you’re traveling with people who don’t have Global Entry, you still have to wait for them.
Personally, the first time I walked past the insanely long immigration line, I felt that Global Entry had earned it’s worth, though technically I don’t make $100 an hour to make that literally true.
It took a bit of a learning curve, but I finally figured out how to sync my known traveller number with my frequent flyer number on some of the airline websites and how to make sure it’s on my boarding passes at the check in kiosks at Newark airport.
Honestly, if you travel internationally for work, I have found it to be totally worth it.
I have taken at least 4 flights that appeared to have an hour+ US citizen immigration line upon landing – after who even knows how many hours of travel, that I walked right past, right up to a kiosk and was through the whole process in 5 minutes or less.
Without a doubt, one of my best travel splurges.
If you are interested in Global Entry, you can apply here. The current cost (March 2020) is $100.
If you do have or are interested in travel rewards credit cards, you should check to see if you qualify for a full or partial reimbursement for Global Entry if you use your card to purchase it
Some rewards cards with a low annual fee (or one that is even waived the first year) that waive or reimburse the fee for Global Entry include:
- IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card (annual fee: $89)
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (annual fee: waived first year, then $95)
- United Explorer Card (annual fee: waived first year, then $95)
- Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card (annual fee: $95)
