Is Global Entry Still Worth It In 2025?

This year, I weighed whether renewing my Global Entry membership was still worthwhile after its recent $20 fee increase.

Global Entry costs $120, is valid for 5 years, and includes TSA PreCheck. The price also includes minors under 18, meaning if you’re a Global Entry member, your kids can also be members for free, pending approval.

While everyone should evaluate their own situation, in this article, I’ll explain why, even though it’s more expensive, Global Entry continues to be worth it for me (hint: the price increase doesn’t matter, because I can easily get the cost reimbursed — and so can you) and may just be worth it for you, too.

1. My Card Benefits Include Global Entry

The recent cost increase for Global Entry didn’t matter much to me, and that’s because I’ve always gotten it thanks to my credit card perks. It’s simple to get this cost reimbursed, as several travel cards come with a Global Entry credit that’s valid every 5 years.

The first 2 times I applied, I used my Chase Sapphire Reserve^®. For my son’s application (I applied for him before minors were free), I used the Platinum Card^® from American Express. For my most recent application fee, I used my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, since I no longer hold the other 2 cards I previously used. I even gifted Global Entry to a close friend, paying her fee using my IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (an amazing deal, considering this credit card’s annual fee is just $99).

Luckily, most, if not all, of the major credit card issuers have increased their statement credits from $100 to up to $120 after the Global Entry 2024 price hike, so I was reimbursed for the full $120 during my latest renewal. I hope credit cards continue to offer this benefit, as I find it incredibly useful and love not just getting Global Entry for myself (and my son) but also gifting it to friends. The holidays are just around the corner, and Global Entry is a pretty cool present.

2. My Kid Gets Global Entry for Free

I technically “paid” for my son’s Global Entry a few years ago, before it was included for minors if their parents or legal guardians had Global Entry. Although I was reimbursed because I used a credit card that offered this perk, it’s nice that now I don’t have to worry about it, because my son, for his next renewal, will be able to join without paying since I’m a member.

Although I only have 1 child, I find this to be a useful benefit. Yes, you do have to apply for your children, and they must get approved, but this is now a complimentary perk. This makes things easier, especially if the credit card issuers ever decide to take away the fee credits. And it’s an even better deal if you happen to have many children or a large family that travels frequently — if only for the TSA PreCheck benefits, which brings me to my next point.

3. It Includes TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck costs $76.75 by itself, but I get it included with my Global Entry. TSA PreCheck security checkpoints usually have fewer lines and move faster than other TSA lanes (in most cases).

This is a time-saving benefit for me, especially when traveling with my son. When he was a toddler, it made things immensely easier not to have to take off my shoes and take out my electronics all while trying to keep track of my luggage, a stroller, and, of course, an energetic small human who doesn’t understand what standing patiently in line means.

Last summer, when flying from Madrid (MAD) to Tucson (TUS) via Dallas (DFW) on Iberia Airlines, I would have definitely missed my connecting flight if it hadn’t been for TSA PreCheck — and that’s not the first time the service has saved me huge amounts of time and hassle.

I remember wondering whether to apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck back in 2015, and I eventually settled on Global Entry because it got me both. That was definitely the right choice, and it was well worth the additional money, especially since I had a statement credit for the fee.

4. It’s Easy To Renew

Although going through the initial application process for the first time may seem tedious, renewal, especially my most recent renewal, has been a breeze.

Just a few weeks ago, U.S. Customs and Border Protection notified me by email that it was time to renew. I logged in to my account, clicked to renew, and went through the prompts, which were pretty simple, as most of my information was stored there already. My account also notified me of a grace period where, if my membership lapsed, I still had additional time to renew.

It was nice that I didn’t have to worry about reminding myself to renew my Global Entry membership. I wish they’d do this for my passport renewal, but instead, I manually create notifications in my Google Calendar for this.

After updating my address, adding the countries I’ve visited over the past few years, and confirming my driver’s license and passport information, it was time to enter my credit card and pay the fee. Approximately 2 days later, I received a notification of approval — and no interview (either virtual or in person) was necessary!

Although I’d still be renewing even if the process were lengthy and tedious, the fact that I can save hours at security and customs, especially during peak travel times, made this 5-minute renewal process well worth it.

It’s notable that when I renewed in 2020, the process took longer and I had to wait to secure a virtual interview. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, though, which could have caused delays. Still, I was happy to go through the renewal process then, especially knowing how beneficial skipping long lines and breezing through customs can be.

5. I Travel Internationally Often, and It Saves Time

I’ve already alluded to the fact that having both Global Entry and the accompanying TSA PreCheck makes travel easier and faster. But because I live abroad and I usually travel with a young child, it’s not just easier, it’s essential.

I’ve been living abroad in Madrid, Spain, for nearly 2 decades, frequently flying between the U.S. and Europe. When my son was around 2, getting off a 10-hour flight felt like relief, but if I had to wait in a 2-hour customs line (and yes, I’ve experienced lines that long before), it would have been terrible for both of us. On one especially delayed and stressful trip, I had nearly run out of diapers, but thanks to Global Entry, we just about made it through before a final blowout could take us down.

I recall an exceptionally long trip back to the U.S. even before I had a child. When I landed in Miami (MIA), there was a strike, and very few workers were staffing customs. I waited for nearly 3 hours in line to show my U.S. passport and move on to baggage claim. If I’d had Global Entry (this was before the service began), that would have made my trip significantly easier and faster.

It’s true that if you don’t live or travel abroad frequently, getting Global Entry might not make the most sense. But you never know when a trip opportunity may arise. International travel is on the rise, and while that may offer you an opportunity to travel abroad, it might also make getting through U.S. border control take longer when you come back.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, “U.S. citizens flying abroad rose 1.6% year-over-year and are up 22% from 2019, reaching 6.56 million.” This means that you aren’t the only ones coming back from international trips — and customs lines may be long.

Final Thoughts

In July 2025, my son and I landed in the U.S. after a nearly 9-hour international flight from Europe. We took the scenic route through Chicago’s O’Hare airport (ORD), taxiing for almost 40 minutes on the plane before finally parking at the gate.

We walked what seemed like an endless, carpeted hallway to reach customs. My 4-year-old had been an angel during the flight, but I could sense my luck would soon run out. People were everywhere — hundreds, maybe thousands of U.S. citizens and foreigners, all hoping to start their vacations or return home afterward. And while all those people went to wait in line, my son and I went through Global Entry in about 3 minutes flat.

And that’s why Global Entry is worth it.