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Complete Global Entry Interview Upon Arrival From an International Trip

July 08, 2017
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3 min read
U.S. Customs Allows Pre-Approved Travelers To Bypass Passport Lines
Complete Global Entry Interview Upon Arrival From an International Trip
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Scheduling a Global Entry interview just got a little easier as the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency announced it has launched an "Enrollment on Arrival" service at five airports in the US, allowing travelers to complete their Global Entry enrollment interview as part of the immigration process when arriving from an international trip.

The new program, which is now available at both Houston airports (IAH and HOU), Austin (AUS), San Francisco (SFO) and Vancouver (YVR), is open to those who have already submitted the online Global Entry application and been conditionally approved for membership — but still must complete the in-person interview. Rather than scheduling an appointment at a local Global Entry location, passengers can interview while simultaneously clearing customs from an international trip if they are returning to the United States through one of the five airports.

With "Enrollment on Arrival," a US customs officer will collect your fingerprints and conduct the interview as you arrive in the US. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Eligible travelers who wish to take advantage of the service will be directed to an "Enrollment on Arrival" booth where a customs officer will conduct the standard inspection procedures and the Global Entry interview at the same time — while also collecting the traveler's fingerprints for Global Entry kiosk access. Once the process is successfully completed, the traveler is a Global Entry member during the five-year membership period.

Global Entry is a popular immigration program for regular international travelers, allowing expedited screening for passengers arriving back into the United States from travel abroad. Often the most frustrating part of getting Global Entry is scheduling the interview, as high demand at many locations results in long wait times of weeks or even months. CBP intends to expand Enrollment on Arrival to other airports in the coming months, and expects the service to reduce interview wait times and lessen demand at other interview locations.

The Points Guy highly recommends Global Entry for those who travel outside of the US — even on a semi-regular basis. Travelers can even get the $100 application fee refunded if you pay for it using a credit card that offers a Global Entry fee waiver or rebate. If you're approved for Global Entry, you'll also receive TSA PreCheck membership for expedited processing at TSA security checkpoints within the States as well.

Featured image by Getty Images

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.