I got Global Entry and it was one of the best travel decisions I ever made - here's what the process was like

1. Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler Program website and create a Login.gov account

Before starting your Global Entry application, you must create a Login.gov account here.

2. Complete your Global Entry application

The application takes about 20 minutes to complete. You’ll need several documents, including your valid passport or U.S. permanent resident card and driver’s license or other ID. You’ll have to fill out a comprehensive history, including your current and previous addresses for the past five years, employment history for the past five years, and international travel history for the past five years.

The travel history part is time-consuming, especially for those who travel internationally often. But trust me, the time you spend here will be well worth the time you save in security lines and at customs!

Once you complete your application and are “conditionally approved,” you will be asked to schedule your in-person interview.

3. Pay the $100 Fee

The fee for applying for Global Entry is $100. When you consider the time you save going through security with TSA Precheck and going through US customs after traveling internationally, it’s well worth the money. You also don’t have to fill out those pesky paper customs declaration forms when you travel home to the U.S.

The application fee for TSA Precheck alone is $85, so considering it’s only $15 more to get the benefits of Global Entry, it’s an obvious choice. Global Entry, like TSA Precheck, is valid for five years for this one-time fee. You can pay by credit card or through an electronic bank transfer.

Some credit cards even offer reimbursement for the Global Entry fee. I was reimbursed from my American Express Platinum Card. You can find a list of cards that reimburse for TSA Precheck (and often also reimburse for Global Entry) on the TSA website.

4. Schedule and attend your in-person interview

The interview scheduling process has gotten infinitely better since I applied years ago. You can also now check the interview availability for your closest Global Entry Enrollment Center location (most are at airports) before applying.

Alternatively, you can complete your Global Entry interview on a return flight from an international trip, which you don’t need to make an appointment in advance for.

You will need to bring your valid passport and driver’s license or other ID to your interview. If applicable, permanent residents must present their machine-readable permanent resident card. They will also take a copy of your fingerprints.

Once you’ve completed your interview, you will be approved to begin using Global Entry. You will receive your Global Entry card in the mail 7-10 business days after approval, but don’t have to wait for it to arrive to have the benefits.

5. How to travel with Global Entry

Once you are approved, you will receive a Trusted Traveler Number, also known as PASSID, which you can find on your Global Entry card or on the Trusted Traveler website. You can add this number to the “Known Traveler Number” field when booking flights.

This will allow you to be confirmed as a CBP Trusted Traveler by the TSA. You must do this with every airline and should make sure when booking each reservation that the number is included in the “Known Traveler Number” field.

You will need your passport or permanent resident card for international air travel. The Global Entry card is only valid for use through land or sea travel and won’t be accepted at customs for air travel.

Once you arrive at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, you can proceed to the Global Entry kiosks. You’ll need to present your machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, scan your fingertips for verification, and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk will then issue you a transaction receipt and you’ll be out to baggage claim.

The streamlined travel benefits of Global Entry made the application an easy decision for me. Even though the application process took some time and is somewhat of a hassle, it’s well worth the effort.

It might include a random trip to the airport when you’re not flying for an in-person interview, but consider that a compromise worth making. If you dislike getting to the airport far in advance of a flight or hate a long line, just know that $100 can make that line a lot shorter.