Travelers looking for a fast trip through customs and immigration (plus TSA PreCheck benefits, too) have just two weeks remaining to apply for Global Entry before the fee increases. Yet despite that looming price hike, families with international travel plans would actually be wise to wait. 

As of Oct. 1, 2024, the price of a five-year membership in Global Entry will increase from $100 to $120. That price hike has been in the works for years but was finally confirmed and set in motion in April. It's a 20% increase and the first since Global Entry was launched all the way back in 2008.

But it's not all bad news. 

A growing number of travel credit cards already cover the entire cost of signing up for Global Entry. And from American Express to Chase to Capital One, all the big banks have confirmed that they'll raise that credit to $120 come October. That means travelers with cards like the *chase sapphire reserve*, *venture x*, or the *delta skymiles platinum card* can continue getting Global Entry without paying a dime out of pocket.

And there's a genuine upside to this change for families with children: As of Oct. 1, children under 18 will be able to use Global Entry free if their parent or guardian has Global Entry, the release said. That's a big, positive change – previously, you needed to enroll each child in the program individually and pay the $100 membership fee, even for newborns. 

However, federal officials have confirmed that minors will still have to apply and be approved separately for Global Entry – so long as their parent or guardian is already part of Global Entry (or applies at the same time), the fee will be waived. That means travelers with children will be better off waiting to apply 

For the rest of you paying out of pocket, you've got just under two weeks to apply before it'll cost you $20 more. 

 

global entry problems

 

Between long application processing times and struggles finding in-person interview availability to wrap it up, enrolling in Global Entry can be a bit of a slog. But so long as you apply by Sept. 30, you'll pay $100 before the price increase kicks in.

Already have Global Entry but hoping to renew at the lower price? Since Global Entry allows existing members to renew a full year before their account expires, anyone whose Global Entry expires before Oct. 1, 2025 should be able to renew for another five-year stint at the current, lower rate.

Global Entry is one of the most powerful services in any travelers' tool belt and practically a must-have for international travelers. For starters, it can save you some serious time when returning to the U.S. with access to a faster, designated lane to clear customs and immigration. Better yet, it comes with TSA PreCheck benefits to speed through airport security in the U.S., too.

Two other CBP trusted traveler programs will see similar fee increases. SENTRI, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering the United States using dedicated primary lanes at the checkpoints along the southern border, will soon cost a flat $120. Meanwhile, NEXUS, a joint program managed by CBP and its Canadian counterpart that's essentially the Canadian version of Global Entry, will increase from $50 to $120.

Parents or guardians enrolled in either program will be able to pass down those membership benefits to their children for free, too.

 

Bottom Line

In just under two weeks, the cost of a five-year Global Entry membership will jump from $100 to $120.

Travelers who rely on a statement credit from a premium travel credit card won't need to worry, as those are going up to match the higher price. And families would be wise to wait: Come Oct. 1, you'll be able to sign up your children with you for free. 

But for the rest of you, sign up for Global Entry now before it'll cost you more.