100 Ways to Slightly Improve Your Travel Experience: #26 Global Entry

In the United States the trusted international travel program is called Global Entry. There are similar programs in Europe. 

For these programs you apply, a more detailed background check is conducted. And in person interview is done. You submit photos and fingerprints are taken at the interview.  If you are approved, you can use the express lane at Customs and Immigration when entering the USA. The entry process varies from time to time, and from airport to airport. You go to a self serve machine, sometimes you scan your passport, sometimes you don't, a photo is taken, sometimes you answer a few simple questions, sometimes you don't. The last time I used it, there was a brief interaction with a customs officer, by the time I got to the front of the line he looked at me, looked at the computer and said, "Welcome home David, have a nice evening" and waived me by.  The entire process usually takes less than 5 minutes. 

Global Entry includes TSA Pre-Check.  Two out of Three times I have been able to use it to enter the express lane in Canada. 

There is an application fee, and the approval has to be renewed every five years. I think it currently costs me about $100 every five years.