My 5-year Global Entry membership will end in 2 months. Is there a way to renew it rather than starting an application at square one?
Great question!
You can renew your Global Entry membership online in a few minutes. And I’ll show you how to save $100 on the renewal fee with certain credit cards!
What’s Global Entry?
Link: Global Entry
Link: Apply for Global Entry
Link: Global Entry Locations
Link: How to Get a Quicker Global Entry Appointment
Global Entry is a government program that can save you time at the airport, because you can skip the long lines at US Customs and Immigration. Plus, you’ll get approved for TSA PreCheck on most flights, which gets you through US airport security faster.Appointments are backed up for months at some Global Entry locations. I’ve got tips on how you can avoid the wait!
There’s a $100 application fee for Global Entry, but your membership lasts 5 years. And I’ll show you which credit cards will refund your fee!
How to Renew Global Entry
Link: Renew Your Global Entry Membership
You’re eligible to renew your Global Entry Membership up to 1 year before it expires. When you renew, you’ll get a new card you can use for 5 more years.
Better yet, you can complete the renewal application online!
However, you may have to complete a brief follow-up interview in-person.
The US Customs and Border Patrol says:
An interview for program membership renewal may not be necessary. Once you submit your renewal application and fee, check your GOES account periodically for updates on what actions are necessary to complete the renewal process. You will receive an email when your membership status changes.
So you might have to schedule another appointment. But you could also get lucky and complete the entire renewal process online.
Which Cards Reimburse Global Entry Fees?
When you renew Global Entry, you’ll have to pay $100 to apply.
But, there are lots of cards that reimburse this fee!
Note: For the cards that renew the perk every 5 years, you’ll have to wait until your 5th cardmember year to apply for Global Entry again. And Global Entry membership always expires on your birthday 5 years in the future. So you may have to time it right to take advantage of the statement credit a 2nd time.1. AMEX Platinum Cards
Link: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Link: The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Mercedes-Benz
Link: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
All versions of the AMEX Platinum cards (the personal card, business card, and Mercedes-Benz card) feature a $100 Global Entry credit that resets every 5 years.
And, they all offer up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year on a selected airline for incidentals like baggage fees.
These cards earn AMEX Membership Rewards points, which you can transfer to airline and hotel partners, like Delta, Hilton, or Flying Blue for award flights and hotel stays!
Be sure to make the most of your AMEX perks and benefits!
2. Citi Prestige
Link: Citi Prestige Card
I’ve written about how to get Big Travel with the Citi Prestige card. You’ll get great perks like a $250 annual airline credit (including airfare!). And the 4th night free on paid hotel stays, and free rounds of golf through July 23, 2017.
And, you’ll get reimbursed Global Entry fees!
The perk resets every 5 years.
You can also transfer Citi ThankYou points to airline and hotel partners. So Citi Prestige can easily pay for itself when you factor in all the extras that come with it!
3. Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards
Link: Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards
If you like Ritz-Carlton hotels, the Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards card comes with a 10% bonus on all points you earn with the card each year, and 2 award nights at Tier 1 through 4 hotels. Some of them cost over $1,000 per night, like The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay.
You’ll also get a $300 annual travel credit to use for baggage fees, seat upgrades…or Global Entry applications!
The travel credit resets every year, so you could use it for Global Entry for yourself and a partner, spouse, or child!
What If You Already Have Global Entry?
If you already have Global Entry for yourself, you can use your statement credit for someone else!
Because it’s no fun to go through the Global Entry line at customs, then wait for someone else who doesn’t have Global Entry!
For all of the cards on the list above, the statement credit resets. So if you have more than 1, you can stay up-to-date on your membership, and let someone else renew theirs, too!
Bottom Line
Global Entry can save you time because you’ll skip long lines at US Customs and Immigration after an international flight.The simplest way to renew your Global Entry membership is to log into your account and submit the renewal application online. You can renew up to 1 year before your membership expires.
Remember, there are lots of cards that will reimburse the $100 application fee, including:
- AMEX Platinum cards (the personal card, business card, and Mercedes-Benz card)
- Citi Prestige
- Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards
If you’re already a Global Entry member, use your statement credit for a partner, spouse, or child!
And keep in mind the statement credit resets every 5 years (and every calendar year for the Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards card), so you’ll never have to be without – or pay for – Global Entry!
Join the Discussion!