Global Entry fee hike is coming: It will soon cost $120 to apply
Global Entry is about to get more expensive.
Starting Oct. 1, 2024, the application fee for a five-year membership will increase from $100 to $120, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Tuesday.
That’s a 20% jump in the cost of the program, which offers vetted travelers a fast track through passport control upon re-entry to the U.S. following an international trip, plus TSA PreCheck access.
There is a bit of good news for families, though. Children of Global Entry members or applicants will no longer have to pay an application fee.
First fee hike in 15-plus years
Although the fee hike may be a bit jarring, CBP notes it’s the first fee increase the program has seen in more than 15 years, dating back to the early days of its launch in 2008.
Global Entry membership has exploded in recent years. As of September, the program had 12 million members.
Though many federally operated programs are sustained entirely through tax dollars, Global Entry is primarily funded through application fees. However, the fees don’t cover the program’s entire costs, a top CBP official in charge of the program told TPG Monday.
"As these programs have matured and expanded, updating the fee structures is critical to the continuation and management of the programs," the agency said in a statement Tuesday.
The program has seen costs (and revenue) climb as it's fielded a record-setting number of applications in recent years. That number, along with residual effects from the coronavirus pandemic, has helped fuel application processing delays, particularly as it relates to landing an interview.
Nexus getting a fee hike, too
Global Entry isn't the only Trusted Traveler program getting a fee hike. The fee for Nexus, which expedites travelers’ crossing from Canada into the U.S., will also cost $120 as of Oct. 1. That's up from $50 currently.
SENTRI, which does the same for both Canada and Mexico, already costs $122.25.
The agency is referring to the changes as "fee harmonization," making each of those three programs virtually identical in cost going forward.
TSA PreCheck costs stay the same
Notably, no fee hike was announced Tuesday for the stand-alone TSA PreCheck program. In fact, the cost for first-time PreCheck applicants actually dropped in 2022, from $85 to $78 for a five-year membership.
The just-announced Global Entry fee hike will certainly widen the cost gap between the two programs. Still, if you’re a frequent international traveler, the $120 cost is a relatively modest investment over five years for a program that gets you both the expedited experience at customs and TSA checkpoints.
Plus, several popular travel credit cards currently reimburse the $100 Global Entry application fee. It remains to be seen whether those cards will increase their Global Entry benefits now, with the program’s cost now rising.
Global Entry has become more technologically advanced in recent years, too, deploying touchless kiosks that can verify a traveler's identity with simply a facial image — no passport or fingerprint scan necessary. The program also launched a new mobile app in 2023 that's been expanding to a growing list of U.S. airports in recent months.
One bit of good news: Kids will be free
There was a bit of good news in Tuesday's announcement. Though the cost for most members is rising, children of members will be able to apply for Global Entry for free — a positive change for families.
As of Oct. 1, applicants under the age of 18 will be exempt from application fees when a parent or legal guardian is already a member of (or is also applying for) Global Entry — as well as Nexus or SENTRI.
Bottom line
Amid inflation of recent years, costs throughout the economy have spiked; this has led to a barrage of fee increases across the travel industry, too. Air travel has been no exception: In recent months, numerous airlines have hiked checked bag fees, and JetBlue just jacked its fees up for the second time this year.
However, Global Entry's application costs had remained static for well over a decade.
Though the news will sting for travelers applying for the program, the fast track it provides at TSA checkpoints and passport control remains a major benefit. A family with multiple children enrolled (or applying) stands to reap significant cost-saving benefits thanks to children being free as part of the program updates.
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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
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- 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.
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- $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.