Do you have an international trip planned for your family?
If so, you’re likely concerned about the wait times at customs as you move in and out of the country. And, if you’re not accustomed to international travel with kids, you may also be a little nervous about handling the process with children.
Global Entry is a popular way to expedite your international travel experience. This product requires some prework before you travel, but it will speed up both your departure (via the included TSA PreCheck®) and your re-entry into the country by allowing you to skip the regular customs lines.
And many people don’t realize that they may be able to gain membership for the entire family for free (or very cheap!) if they have the right credit card in their wallet.
In this article, I’ll explain what Global Entry is and how it can save you time with both international and domestic travel. Then, I’ll show the path to getting it for the entire family for cheap.
Table of Contents
What Is Global Entry?
How Can I Get Global Entry for My Family for Cheap?
What Is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a five-year membership offered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.
It costs $120 and is designed for international travel, but that price also includes a TSA PreCheck® subscription for domestic travel.
All applicants must undergo a background check.
More than 75 airports have Global Entry kiosks, and more than 200 have TSA PreCheck capabilities.
How It Works
You’ll get expedited clearance through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon arrival in the United States, whether you’ve arrived by air, land, or sea, as long as your arrival point participates in the program.
The CBP uses enhanced biometric technology to expedite approved Global Entry members during entry and exit of checkpoints for international travel. You can read more about the biometrics, which include facial recognition and retinal scanning, in the CBP’s summary of the process.
Note that you’ll still need to meet the border clearance requirements of other countries for flights departing the United States. Global Entry expedites only your return to the U.S.
How Can I Get Global Entry for My Family for Cheap?
At this point, you’re probably weighing whether the cost of a Global Entry membership is worth it.
But what if I told you the cost may actually be … almost nothing?
If you have the right rewards credit card in your wallet, you may have access to a statement credit to cover most, if not all, of the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership.
This is a fairly standard benefit on expensive travel credit cards, but you can also find this perk on a few cards with no annual fee.
In fact, one of Team Clark’s favorite no-annual-fee cash back credit cards offers it as a complimentary perk for cardholders.
Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature®
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Annual Fee:
$0.00
Rewards Program Details:
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on everyday spending when redeemed as deposit into Fidelity investment accounts.
You can spend your rewards or deposit them into any eligible Fidelity account, giving your money more chances to grow.
Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Review
Earn up to $100 in Reward Points when you apply for either Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck®.You must complete either the Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck® application and pay the application(s) fee with your Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card.
Likewise, a popular U.S. Bank rewards card offers a similar opportunity with no annual fee.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
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Annual Fee:
$0
Rewards Program Details:
5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
4x points on all other travel.
4x points at gas stations/EV charging stations on your first $1,000 each quarter.
2x points on dining, streaming services and at grocery stores.
1x point on all other purchases.
TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® Statement Credit — Receive up to $100 in statement credits towards your application fee once every four years.
Both of these examples would either completely cover the cost of TSA PreCheck® or leave you within $20 of having your full Global Entry fee covered. (Remember, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck® for domestic travel.)
So, for your personal membership paid with one of these no-annual-fee credit cards, you’re looking at an effective cost of $4 per year for the 5-year membership.
Nice, but it gets even better!
What About The Cost For My Children?
Ok, so let’s assume you’re out $20 for your personal Global Entry membership. You’re probably wondering how this credit card benefit helps with your children.
Each individual person, whether they’re an adult or child, must enter into the Trusted Traveler Program to go through the Global Entry lines. That sounds potentially expensive, but I have good news:
Minors are now FREE with a parent already in or applying for Global Entry.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the following regarding dependents:
“Minor Children 18 years or younger are free if their parent or legal guardian is an enrolled member or have submitted a Trusted Traveler Program application. The application of the parent or legal guardian must be in pending risk or conditionally approved status.”
Bottom Line: This creates a scenario in which savvy adult travelers can pay for their own Global Entry membership with a credit card that covers their cost via statement credit and then add their minor children to the Trusted Travelers Program for free.
Do you have Global Entry? Do you use it for your children as well? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the Clark.com community.
The post How Savvy Travelers Are Getting Global Entry for Their Kids for Free appeared first on Clark Howard.