Credit cards: A focal part of my Global Entry interview
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
I've enjoyed having Global Entry for the last five years, since it allows me to reenter the U.S. quickly and also provides TSA PreCheck benefits. So, as my membership expiration date approached, I reapplied for Global Entry on July 15.
I used my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to pay the application fee, since it is one of many credit cards that will reimburse that cost (up to $100). I saw the credit for the fee post to my statement on July 18.
Related: 13 key things to know about Global Entry
But then I waited. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been processing most applications and renewals slowly, so my application stayed in the pending state for months. Luckily, CBP had announced that travelers who applied to renew their membership before it expired would continue to have access to Global Entry and TSA PreCheck for up to an additional year after expiration, so I continued using these programs as usual.
Related: Still waiting for your Global Entry renewal? You’re not alone, and here’s why
I was thrilled when I finally received an "application status change" email on Nov. 17. I logged in to my account, and saw I'd been conditionally approved but still needed to complete an interview. Luckily, I didn't need to schedule an interview since I happened to be in Abu Dhabi with a flight to New York JFK the next day. You can do Global Entry interviews on arrival at some airports, and the U.S. pre-clearance facility in Abu Dhabi happens to be one of these locations.
Related: How to enroll in Global Entry on arrival
When I reached the U.S. pre-clearance facility before my flight, I didn't see any signs noting where to go for a Global Entry interview. I asked a ground agent who was directing passengers and he said I should wait in the normal U.S. citizens line to speak to an agent.
The wait was about five minutes, but then my interview took about 20 minutes. The agent contacted a supervisor to get approval to do my interview, inserted my current Global Entry card into his computer and then asked me initial questions about:
- My employer
- What my job entails
- Why I was in Abu Dhabi
- What I saw in Abu Dhabi
- Where I was before Abu Dhabi
- Why I had a second U.S. passport
- My home address
- All the countries I've visited since I applied for Global Entry five years ago
Answers to most of these questions were quick and straightforward. But, just as my original Global Entry five years earlier in McAllen, Texas, had focused on one topic in detail (the robot soccer competitions that I'd travel abroad for each year) and my U.S. pre-clearance immigration screening during the electronics ban had focused on another topic in detail (Texas geography), this time my interviewer went deep on a different topic: credit cards.
After all, writing about credit cards and their benefits is my job. It's unclear whether the agent's system was prompting him with topics and questions or whether he just wanted to talk about credit cards, but he vaguely described two cards he said he had that I identified as the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
He said he was struggling to see the value in his American Airlines card after moving from the U.S. to Abu Dhabi. In hindsight, I realize he left the floor open here for me discuss the card. I was easily up for the task, as I talked about how he wouldn't be benefiting from many of the card's benefits, like a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights, now that he wasn't traveling within the U.S. frequently. I also talked about the Sapphire Reserve, but this discussion was shorter and mainly focused on the card's travel and dining bonus categories.
Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which card is right for you?
After all the questions were complete, the agent took new fingerprints and photos before notifying me that I was approved. I checked my phone as I left the immigration area and noticed that I'd just received an "application status change" email. When I logged in to my account later, I confirmed that I was approved.
So, what's the takeaway if you've been conditionally approved for Global Entry and have an upcoming interview or international flight for which you can do an interview on arrival? Here are my tips:
- If you have a second passport, from the U.S. or another country, bring it and declare it during your interview
- Prepare a list of all countries you've visited, both since your last Global Entry application and in your lifetime
- Bring documents providing evidence of residency, like a driver's license or mortgage statement — I didn't need to show this, but the CBP website says to bring this documentation
- Bring your Global Entry card — the CBP website doesn't say this is required, but the agent I spoke with wanted my card
- Bring your permanent resident card, if you have one
- Allow extra time to clear immigration, since you may need to wait to speak with an agent and the interview may take some time
And, if you haven't applied for Global Entry yet, be sure to pay for the application fee using one of the many cards that provides a statement credit for a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee every four or five years (up to $100).
Here are some additional resources on Global Entry:
- Tips for when and how to renew your Global Entry membership
- Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck: Which is better?
- 13 key things to know about Global Entry
- 3 lessons from saving $400 on Global Entry renewals
- Can I bring my young child with me through Global Entry?
- Can someone else use my Global Entry application credit?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.