Global Entry gets a high-tech, 'on-the-move' upgrade at 7 US airports
Global Entry is about to get even faster at some of the nation's largest airports.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is trialing new "on-the-move" camera technology that could allow passengers to skip the signature blue kiosks and exit passport control without ever breaking a stride.
The new process, known as Seamless Border Entry (or SBE), is already in place at seven North American airports that offer Global Entry — many of them the continent's biggest international hubs.
"The goal for the trusted traveler is really to walk through and not stop at all," Diane Sabatino, CBP acting executive assistant commissioner, told me in an interview last week.
How Global Entry saves time
Global Entry is already one of the best time-savers available to frequent travelers.
The program gives members access to fast-tracked lanes at passport control, where kiosks use a quick biometric scan to verify the traveler's identity in a matter of seconds. Then, the traveler proceeds to an officer for a quick secondary verification. It's an entirely touchless process that's itself an upgrade from several years ago, when members had to take a printed ticket to an officer before clearing passport control.
Read more: 8 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear
In seven years as a Global Entry member, I've rarely waited more than a few minutes at any airport. That said, the program's fast growth (and an overall spike in international travel in recent years) can trigger backups during peak periods.
Seamless Border Entry
I experienced the new Seamless Border Entry (or "SBE") process earlier this spring at Miami International Airport (MIA), and it was demonstrably faster than even the least-crowded Global Entry experience I've ever had.
Because of the so-called "auto-capture" technology the new setup uses, I didn't have to stop at a kiosk to have my face scanned. A camera in a box right next to an officer cleared me while I was mid-stride, and I was able to proceed to baggage claim without ever stopping.
Similar technology is currently in place at a handful of other major international airports, including:
- Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), where travelers are cleared prior to returning to the U.S.
- Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD)
SBE will also debut this week at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), TPG has learned.
A program that's still evolving
The program remains in a pilot phase of sorts, with CBP still working to identify a vendor it could partner with to expand the program more broadly.
That could include an even more technologically advanced concept the agency predicts will start showing up at airports by next year.
"What we're really looking for that is to really make it seamless, on the move, so it's not really even stopping at a portal, or a place where there's a camera. To literally have cameras embedded into the infrastructure of the walkway," Matt Davies, CBP executive director for admissibility and passenger programs, explained.
For passengers with privacy concerns, note that that CBP historically has used photos taken at airport passport control centers for comparison with images already on file, like a passport or visa photo.
Whatever happened to the 'e-gates?'
The emergence of this more advanced technology is also a key reason CBP decided not to move forward with trying out new "e-gates" like those found at some major overseas airports.
Last spring, I reported the agency was preparing to trial automated gates for members passing through passport control at Dulles, outside Washington. But CBP later backtracked on those plans.
Long story short, the agency felt like it found a better, quicker option.
"I think what we see," Davies explained, "…is that there's a way for us to incorporate security into our process without having the impediment of a gate that can sometimes have a jerkiness to the [passenger] flow."
Bottom line
Whether you're visiting an airport with the new SBE technology or not, Global Entry offers enormous time-saving potential after a long international flight.
The program costs $120 for a five-year membership and comes with access to the TSA PreCheck lanes. Some credit cards will reimburse the application fee.
This technological upgrade for Global Entry comes as CBP is adding new ways for U.S. travelers to move through passport control more quickly. That includes a new biometric option for travelers who aren't a member of any Trusted Traveler Program.
Related reading:
- TPG's 2025 travel trends report
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
- The best travel credit cards
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
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- 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.
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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. |
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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.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.