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How to use Appointment Scanner to find a Global Entry interview

April 01, 2025
4 min read
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
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Editor's Note

This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Global Entry, which gives preapproved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival in the U.S. from abroad, is the most popular Trusted Traveler Program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with over 10 million members.

In theory, it's a straightforward process. Perhaps the biggest hurdle is the interview that first-time Global Entry applicants must schedule as the final step of the application process (some renewals may also be required).

Due to appointment availability, scheduling an interview within a reasonable time frame through U.S. Customs and Border Protection's online scheduling tool can be challenging. As such, you may want to consider an appointment finder service such as Appointment Scanner, which takes the legwork out of finding an appointment by doing it for you.

How it works

For $29, users get one month of appointment alerts (up to 25 per day) based on last-minute cancellations and newly released appointments across enrollment centers.

Appointment Scanner does not actually book the interview for you, nor does it sell appointments; it simply alerts users of appointment openings for which the user must sign up for themselves. It also notifies eligible Global Entry renewal applicants of remote interview availability — search "Remote/Zoom options" when selecting your enrollment centers at sign-up.

APPOINTMENT SCANNER

Appointment Scanner identifies appointments at users' desired enrollment centers by compiling last-minute cancellations and newly released slots as they go online.

If you find an appointment within your first month, your account will automatically expire, and you won't be charged again. Though unlikely, there may not be any appointments available during your first month — in which case, users can purchase a second month of alerts for $29. If you are unsatisfied with your first month of service, the company will refund you within 30 days.

How to sign up for Appointment Scanner

screenshot of Appointment Scanner sign up page
APPOINTMENT SCANNER

It's fairly easy to register — you provide the service with your email, phone number for texts (optional) and up to three desired Global Entry locations.

“When we find an appointment that fits your requirements, you’ll receive a text message or email (or both – your choice),” notes Appointment Scanner. “This alert has a link to the Global Entry scheduler website, where you can log in and claim the appointment.”

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To complete the sign-up, choose “express checkout” via Google Pay or input your credit card. You should then receive an order confirmation.

From there, select Global Entry enrollment centers based on your desired location.

screenshot of signing up for Appointment Scanner
APPOINTMENT SCANNER

If you have an interview scheduled but hope Appointment Scanner can find one for you sooner, the system will also ask you to share your current interview date to limit notifications to appointments that open up before that date. If you don't have one, leave it blank; Appointment Scanner will alert you for anything that crops up within a six-month window.

You can also opt in to text alerts to receive notifications for the appointment availability at your selected locations.

APPOINTMENT SCANNER

The same information is also available to users in the Appointment Scanner dashboard, which shows when your one-month access expires.

Bottom line

Appointment Scanner is incredibly simple and easy to use — and also assists in finding appointments for SENTRI and Nexus interview appointments.

Related reading:

Featured image by SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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at American Express's secure site
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • 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.