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Congrats to Ty, a commenter below, for being selected as the winner. He tells me he has successfully applied with my $100. I will be giving away at least one more of these prizes in the future. Keep checking MileValue.
Global Entry is amazing. If you apply and are accepted into the program, you can cut the immigration and customs lines every time you enter the United States for five years. Plus when I add the “Known Traveler ID” that Global Entry members get onto my reservations, I invariably get TSA Precheck, which allows me to save time in the security lines at American airports on domestic and international flights.
Maybe you haven’t gotten Global Entry because of the $100 fee. Well, leave a comment on this post or retweet this tweet to enter the drawing for me to pay your $100 application fee. You can enter both ways to double your chances; I’ll pick a winner Monday morning.)
Follow @MileValue and retweet this tweet for a chance to have me pay your $100 Global Entry application fee. (http://t.co/N3wkhzMgdC)
— MileValue (@MileValue) May 8, 2015
Even if you don’t win the drawing, you can use your Citi Prestige® Card to pay your application fee and get a $100 statement credit to offset your Global Entry Application fee. (If you already have Global Entry and a Citi Prestige, you can use the credit to pay someone else’s Global Entry fee.)
Process to Get Global Entry
Having Global Entry allows you to skip the immigrations and customs queues when arriving in the US. Instead of spending time in line and talking to an agent, you tap a few buttons at a kiosk and get to the curb in a few minutes. Global Entry membership is valid for 5 years, and having Global Entry also lets you skip immigration queues in Australia and New Zealand.
There are two steps involved in obtaining Global entry: an application and an interview.
Application
First, you need to fill out the online application. To do this as efficiently as possible, make sure you have on hand:
- proof of Citizenship documents (I just used my passport)
- your driver’s license, if you have one
- your addresses for the last five years
- your work history for the last five years
The online application process took me about 30 minutes to complete.
If you have never registered with GOES (the Global Online Entry System), you will be prompted to register when you click the online application link above.
Once you are registered with GOES, log in to the system. You will see that you are not a member of any programs. Click “Enroll in a New Program” to begin your Global Entry application.
Select the link that allows you to start the application for the trusted traveler program.
From here, you will have to fill out a variety of personal information. There are 16 categories of information.
Fill out all the sections and submit your application. You will be prompted to pay the $100 application fee–I’ll pay it for you if you win this drawing–otherwise pay with your Citi Prestige® Card to be rebated the $100.
Unfortunately, the GOES system doesn’t email you when your application is approved or denied. I set a reminder on my calendar to check on the status of my application in a week. Once your application is approved, you can use the GOES system to schedule your in-person interview, which will take place at any airport that participates in the Global Entry program.
Interview
The interviews start and end right on time, so they can be scheduled for a time when you know you’ll have to go to an international airport. For instance if you know you have a 2:30 PM flight out of LAX, you can schedule your interview for 12:40 PM and kill two birds with one stone.
In the interview, it seems like they are trying to assess the risk that you are a terrorist or smuggler. They asked me questions about my job, how often I travel, and where my upcoming trips were headed. I just answered honestly and concisely, and we spent most of the 20 minutes talking about poker.
At the end of the interview, they show you how to use a Global Entry kiosk. They also input your fingerprints and scan your passport. They don’t officially accept you into the program during the interview; they tell you you will receive an email saying to sign back into the computer system where the process began to see your changed status.
My email came within a week, and I was enrolled in Global Entry. Now I can skip the line and head straight to the kiosk. I don’t even have to fill out the customs form flight attendants distribute to everybody.
After you land, the kiosk takes about 30 seconds. You scan your passport, hold your fingertips on the machine, and select “No” to all the customs questions, and a receipt is printed out. You flash the receipt to an agent in the passport area and give it to the an agent in the customs area, and you are on the curb.
My record, after I landed at LAX from London, was 7 minutes 21 seconds from airplane door to curb. It would have been faster, but I beat the customs agent to his station I was so fast.
Bottom Line
Comment on this post or retweet the tweet embedded in this post to enter for me to pay your $100 application fee for Global Entry.
This is money well spent for the average traveler, but you shouldn’t have to spend it. Even if you don’t win the drawing, you can use your Citi Prestige® Card to pay the $100 fee and have it credited back to you automatically.
Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
Editorial Disclaimer: The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuers, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuers.
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thanks for the great giveaway!
This is something that I would really find beneficial.
Thanks, sign me up!
I need it send check ,
I could use that. Thanks
Very generous. Thanks!
Sounds like a great time-saver!
I’ve been putting this off for too long!
This would be great to win, thanks for the shot at it!
I’d love to win!
I would love to use this next time I fly back from an international trip!
Thank you for the opportunity!
I’d definitely put this to use. Thanks
We’ve been planning to get Global Entry and just haven’t done it yet. Great giveaway!
I would love to have Global Entry!
Would love it!
My husband and I have Global Entry, and our son always has to go through the regular line. He would really appreciate this, as he is just graduating and starting out on his own!
Global Entry, here I come!
Wow, this is such a great giveaway … hoping you pick me.
Thanks for the giveaway! I’d love to win this.
Sign me up!
This would be a great celebration gift!
This would really help me a lot! Thanks!
I could do without all the waiting at immigration
Great stuff. Going to try to link you today!
This website is my travel therapist. Thank you for your commitment to this.
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Good news, Scott. GOES now notifies you that your app status has changed, and then you can log back in to do two things: (1) see that you’ve been approved and (2) if so, schedule your appointment. The appointments for PHL, our local airport, are now being scheduled for late July. YMMV but don’t expect to set it up for next week; leave yourself 2-3 months lead time before your next intl flight.
Hope that useful info qualifies me for consideration for the rebate. We just applied because we’re sick and tired of watching those folks with GE just breeze through the process while we simmer in line. Now if Brazil or Mexico would only get with the program and do the same thing for US tourists….
What a great offer. Thanks!
Thanks for the run down on how to get Global Entry. Very thorough
What a great giveaway!
Very nice, thanks! I hope I win!
Thanks; I need to get GE since AA just told me their trusted traveler process is changing. 🙁
I can get the Citi Prestige card and if we win then my husband and I can both get the global entry.
Awesome chance, thanks!
I can really use that. Hope I win.
Perfect timing for me
I can get the Citi Prestige card and then, if we win, both my husband and i can get global entry.
Great advice!
Could you count me in too? 🙂 I applied in April and had my interview Tuesday at BWI. My experience was a little different, the only question they asked was had I ever been convicted of a felony. They also didn’t demonstrate the Global entry system, just checked my ID documents, fingerprinted and took picture. I got my acceptance letter and number before I even got home. I did get the trusted traveler clearance before I applied, so maybe that streamlined the process for me.
Would be great for my upcoming flights to Australia and New Zealand!
Count me in. I appreciate the opportunity.
So…we are traveling to Europe on June 6. Love in SLC. Think it is feasible to get approved before we go?
No. The process takes more than a few weeks.
I have Global Entry envy!, help me change that
I’ve been thinking about getting this!
I have a new Citi Prestige card, but already have GE. What is the step-by-step process to gift my $100 to a relative who needs GE?
You just have to charge their application fee to your card. Then Citi will rebate it.
Thanks, Joel
Was waiting to get the Citi Prestige before getting global entry, but would apply now if I got comped by MileValue.
Now I don’t have to wait for Citi Prestige to apply for GE.
Great giveaway. Our passports are up for renewal in 18 months. Problem is mine has FULL middle name and drivers license has middle initial. Husband’s has NO middle anything, but his driver’s license has middle initial.
How do you resolve this to renew and get Global Entry without a problem?
going to South America later this year and would love to have Global Entry!
As a frequent traveler, I Would love this! Thanks for offering this chance!
Great info, Scott! As head of household, I am the only person in my family who has to complete and submit the customs form when returning from a cruise. Does this mean I am the only one who needs GE, or would my wife and son (22-y.o. college student) also need GE to streamline arrival from an international flight?
Please pardon my ignorance, Scott! I went to the FAQ page on the Global Entry site and found my own answer, “No, only Global Entry members can use the Global Entry kiosk.”
Thanks Scott for all the information you provide each day.
As a nonprofit worker who does a lot of travel for work (and the occasionally international trip for pleasure), I’d greatly appreciate Global Entry!
Great giveaway!!
Loved global entry. Would love to get this option for my wife too
Hi Scott, been a loyal reader for years. Never entered a giveaway but this was too tempting to resist. Please pick me, I a will put the global entry to good use!
I’ve been delaying in applying of this.
Hook it up, Scott 🙂
Hi Scott, I’ve been a loyal reader for years, have spread the word as well. Never entered in a giveaway before, but this was too tempting to pass up. Please pick me, I’ll make good use of it!
Great giveaway! I haven’t gone for it yet, but this would be of great use to me
I could use this as I have several international trips planned. Hope I win. Thanks!
We travel a lot; this would be incredibly useful! Thank you!
This is incredibly useful! Thank you!
This is some great info, thanks!
I’ve never had Global Entry; I’d love to finally get it!
I would love to win this. Have been putting it off for way too long!
I would love to have this! I did my application, unfortunately did not have a cc at the time that covered the cost and had to pay..I KNOW it will be useful..Just know, openings are non-existent (at least at the airports I am flying through in the coming months) so I have to make a special trip (600 miles round trip) to interview. But I think it is worth it..
Just used my credit from my Citi AA Executive card for myself, but I’d love to get it for my husband as well!
This would be great. Going to Japan this fall.
Was going to apply for GE after getting the Citi Prestige, but if MileValue is paying for it, I’ll apply now.
Global entry would be sooooo convenient when my friend and I take our revenge trips-because our husbands are always traveling and we aren’t! She already has it so I need to catch up with her!
thank you for the chance to win
Global Entry would be awesome, thanks
A few trips coming up. This would be great.
Almost missed my connecting flight home in Miami after a delay coming back from Managua. The immigration lines in Miami are a nightmare, definitely motivation enough to apply for Global Entry.
I would love to have global entry when coming into LAX
Would love to have it!
Great idea. I would love to have this
it would be so much more convenient, I always think I am going to get around to it every time I leave the country.
This would be amazing!!! Thank you in advance… 🙂
I’d love to have Global Entry. Thanks!
I paid $80 for the Known Traveller Number. I’m loathe to throw another $100 toward this process. The KTN helps only in the US.
Great give away! Thanks!
good luck to me!!
Thanks for the run down on the process! I should have applied years ago.
I had inspass years ago and GE would be great to have.
Would love this…crossing my fingers and praying…:)
Ooh! Oooh! Please help my fiance get his Global Entry–I *just* received mine through my Citi card, and it’d be lovely to have him be able to come with me.
Every time I’m waiting in the long lines I regret not getting GE. I would really appreciate this gift from my favorite blogger!
I wish I’d known about this two years ago! I spent more time on a plane than I did in my own bed. Better late than never I guess! Thanks for the chance to win and for the information!
I already have it but would love to gift it to my brother. Pick me please!!!
I could use this soon
Thanks!
Thanx for the opportunity.
pick me please! I love flying all around the world and this would be a great benefit! 🙂
Just heard about global entry today – and I’m a 3 cities a week consultant…oh, the hours I could have saved. 🙂 Thanks for the article and giveaway opportunity!
Hey Mark! You are my hero. I would be thrilled to have the global entry fee covered. Thanks!
My parents paid for their own Global Entry and swear by it…I would love to have it, as well!
Would love to have this!
WOW….Global Entry sure beats GLOBAL EXIT!
Would love to have this. Thanks!
Would be great to have! Thx
I would love to have Global Entry, tired of all the long lines! Thanks for the opportunity to get it free!
My husband has global entry, but I don’t. What a pain! Hope I win. 😉
Would love to win this in order to speed up my return to the US each time
[…] Two weeks ago, I gave away the same thing and Ty won. Same prize this week, but you need to enter again to be considered. […]
[…] Entry is amazing. Here’s a post in which I explain how to get it and why you want it. With Global Entry, you’ll breeze through Customs and Immigrations every time you return to the […]
Thank you for this opportunity. Then, my husband can apply for the Citi Prestige.