Last year we applied for Global Entry online, did face-to-face
interview, was given a ‘Known Traveler Number’ and received our cards within
two weeks. The whole process took several months. Our priority was to use it on
a return from a Middle East trip with a tight layover in Philadelphia.
Re-entering the US one simply heads for immigration and the
Global Entry kiosk which usually has a shorter line. Insert your passport into
the slot, apply fingertips to the scanner, smile and answer the customs
declaration questions on the screen. Take the transaction receipt, gather your
bags and head for the Global Entry baggage line where another agent will
collect the printout.
This year I pondered if a TSA card could expedite domestic
check-in lines or would the Global Entry one be acceptable. I reviewed the cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs
website.
How It Works
Global entry members are eligible to participate in U.S.
citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents enrolled in NEXUS or SENTRI are
also eligible to participate in, as well as Canadian citizens who are members
of NEXUS.
If you are a Global Entry member or eligible NEXUS or SENTRI
member, enter your membership number (PASS ID) in the “Known Traveler Number”
field when booking reservations, or enter it into your frequent flyer profile
with the airline. The membership number enables Transportation Security
Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight System to verify that you are a legitimate
CBP Trusted Traveler and eligible to participate in.
Where You Can Find Your Membership Number
You can find your Trusted Traveler member number by logging
into your Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) account. Your membership
number is listed toward the bottom of the page. Your membership number is also
located on the back of your Trusted Traveler card in the upper-left corner.
What is TSA Pre✓®?
The program expedites traveler screening through TSA security
checkpoints. For a complete list of participating airports in or for more
information, visit www.tsa.gov or call the TSA Contact Center at
1-866-289-9673.
Our credit card(s) covered the Global Entry $100 per person fee
OR the TSA $85 per person fee. Be sure to check with your card company for a
rebate or waiver offer.
My Global Entry card expires in 4 years, and hubby’s has 5
year expiration. The same face-to-face interview day, my guess is he just had a
birthday prior to our applications.
One last point, after we received our ‘Known Traveler
Number’ or ‘Trusted Traveler’ I went into each airline frequent flier program
and updated our profiles.
Using frequent flier miles for a domestic airline
reservation, and the reason for this post, I had to re-enter the Known Traveler
Numbers again!