For the world traveler. There are numerous ways to facilitate going through the security lines. I’ve researched into getting a TSA PreCheck, but discovered you have to be invited to obtain. However …….there are numerous ways you can circumvent it, read on it its fascinating and quite simple!

Let me know your thoughts!

Mia

Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, & the APEC Card (or, How to bypass security like Jason Bourne)

I’m always looking for ways to save time and reduce hassle while traveling. In the past few years, it’s been a bit of an uphill battle. Airlines are gleefully striking perks for both the lay traveler as well as the road warrior, introducing fees and/or unneeded complexity, and destroying (merger by merger) any faded resemblance of what exists now to the golden era of air travel.

Thus, it makes me quite happy that I’m going to tell you about a few new government programs that (…gasp!), I’m really excited about.

These programs are: Global Entry (“GOES”), which allows you to leapfrog immigration and customs lines when entering the USA from abroad; TSA PreCheck, an invitation to receive an expedited, pre-911 style, security screening when flying domestically; and the APEC card, which will allow US citizens to enter other countries quickly (using a kiosk) and without a pesky visa.

Global Entry

 

Global Entry kiosk — time-saving alternative to long customs & immigration lines!

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

Though intended for frequent international travelers, there is no minimum number of trips necessary to qualify for the program. Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at most international airports. The kiosks never have a line, and should there be an issue with the kiosks, Global Entry members may cut to the front of the regular immigration line!

Although you receive a Global Entry membership card upon acceptance to the program, your passport is all you need to present at these kiosks. By the way, you’re also allowed to make your customs declaration right there at the kiosk — no more hunting for a pen or pencil to fill out those forms on your return flights!

To enter the program, there is a small $100 application fee. However, there are ways to get this fee waived, such as signing up for American Express’ Platinum Card or being a United Premier Platinum member, for example. The up-front $100 fee is good for 5 years, and given the time and hassle it can save, I think it’s totally worth it!

So now that you’re whisking through immigrations+customs like you own the joint, let’s talk about the lesser-known benefit of joining Global Entry: backdoor access to an invite-only program called TSA Pre-check.

TSA PreCheck

TSA Pre-check includes U.S. citizens who are members of existing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs including Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI programs, as well as eligible frequent airline travelers.

Once you’re in Global Entry, you’re already eligible for TSA PreCheck!

Again, it’s worth noting that unless you come in through the Global Entry backdoor, TSA Pre-Check is not available to just anybody. You must be invited by a participating airline, and requirements are often strict or unpublished. Global Entry is a great way to circumvent these requirements.

It’s really easy to participate in TSA PreCheck once you have a Global Entry “PASSID” number. Simply enter your Global Entry “PASSID” in the “Known Traveler Number” field when booking flights or checking in. (note: This field will sometimes be labeled “Redress/Known Traveler Number.”) That’s it!

If your airport has a TSA PreCheck lane, they’ll read your boarding pass and you’ll get invited to the expedited PreCheck screening lane most (I think ~80%) of the time. They do keep things a bit unpredictable for security reasons. In the expedited screening lane, you’ll no longer have to remove the following items:

• Shoes
• 3-1-1 compliant bag from carry-on
• Laptop from bag
• Light outerwear/jacket
• Belt

You’ll notice this amounts to basically a pre-911 airport security screening.

APEC Business Traveler Card

The APEC Card though is what I’m most excited for. This card will be available to Global Entry members and offer expedited (and visa-waived) entry into other countries. Countries in the APEC region include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam.

Congress very recently authorized the issue of these cards, already offered in some other APEC countries, to Americans (read more here). These cards aren’t being issued here quite yet — But should be in the next year or so if online rumors are to be believed.

To read more about the particulars of the APEC Business Travel card, including how its issue will relate to Global Entry, check out this fact sheet.

My Global Entry Application Timeline

My application process for Global Entry was quick and painless.

July 13: Submitted online application. Provided a 5-year history of employment, living addresses and a list of all the countries I had visited.

July 20: Received conditional approval (pending an interview). This happened a lot faster than I expected! (My record was clean, btw. YMMV)

July 21: Scheduled interview online with CBP. For the interview and fingerprinting you have to swing by a Global Entry enrollment center (found in most airports that are international hubs) – the earliest date available was August 8.

August 8: Had my interview in Newark Liberty International Airport. Watched a 15-minute video about how to use the kiosk, was asked questions (in a conversational, friendly manner) to verify the information I provided, and had my fingerprints and photo taken. The agent, satisfied with my answers, told me my PASSID would be available online and to expect the actual card (should I ever want to use it for land entry from Canada or Mexico) in the mail in about a week.

Tip: If you sign up and you have a long wait for your interview (say, 5 months), I would recommend just dropping by a GOES enrollment center in person. I’ve heard from many people that you can just walk in and do your interview if they are not busy. When I was there, despite the schedule being “full” I was the only one around and they could have interviewed a few more people.