It's about time: CBP resumes Global Entry interviews next week
Great news: You'll finally get to sit for your Global Entry interview, starting next week.
Sign up for TPG's daily newsletter
After a six-month hiatus, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin seeing conditionally approved Global Entry applicants starting Sept. 8
Most enrollment centers in the United States will reopen the day after Labor Day. Appointments must be scheduled in advance online through the Trusted Traveler Programs website. Availability will vary by location.
Related: A 2020 challenge: I just applied for my Global Entry renewal
However, the U.S. land borders between Canada and Mexico remain closed for non-essential travel at this time. As a result, sister Trusted Traveler programs NEXUS and U.S.-Canada FAST are still suspending interviews, while SENTRI and FAST-South enrollments on the southern border may also be limited, CBP said in a press release.
To minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure for both travelers and employees, all applicants entering CBP facilities must wear face masks or similar cloth coverings. CBP also warns that applicants may experience staggered or reduced appointment availability; limited seating in waiting areas; enhanced sanitation measures including service counter disinfecting, Plexiglass barriers and face shields; and social distancing protocols.
Applicants should still expect to be fingerprinted as part of the final interview process.
Related: My Global Entry application was approved overnight. Many others aren't so lucky
The past six months have been tough on everyone. The coronavirus pandemic brought normal life to a screeching halt back in March, including most domestic and international travel plans. Multiple branches of the U.S. government, including CBP, were impacted by closures designed to minimize the spread of COVID-19, and many have postponed or delayed reopening more than once.
Related: Where Americans can go
U.S. travelers have faced steep hurdles getting back on the road between border closures worldwide, a massive backlog of passport applications and a complete halt on Trusted Traveler interviews — amidst, of course, the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Unfortunately, it won't be as easy as breezing into an enrollment center for your interview. Numerous TPG readers have told us that they have been waiting on conditional approval for months now, even before the coronavirus pandemic, with one traveler calling the delay "pending review purgatory."
This $15 service can help you "skip the line" for Global Entry appointments, but scheduling an interview is still dependent on your application having been approved for final review.
And even if you do have conditional approval, CBP's schedule is still booked up for months to come.
Coming back from a trip abroad? If you've already been conditionally approved for membership or renewal, you don't have to worry about scheduling an appointment. Just stop in at a Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival office on your return to the U.S. for a quick interview.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023
Rewards Rate
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel75,000 bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended 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.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023