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Unpacking the Differences Among Global Entry,

Mobile Passport, and More

We’re often asked if it’s better to get Global Entry, Mobile Passport, or Known Traveler. The answer is “yes.” Still confused? Allow us to unpack it for you.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry primarily helps you when you’re returning to the U.S. According to U.S. Customs & Border Protection, it “allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.” In short, it allows travelers to bypass the lines at customs and immigration by checking in at a kiosk and scanning their passport and fingerprints. The kiosk then spits out a receipt, and travelers can proceed to baggage claim, customs, and the exit. Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck eligibility in participating airports. (More on TSA PreCheck in a minute.)*

What is Mobile Passport?

Mobile Passport is the growing, free alternative to Global Entry and is one of the fastest ways to get through U.S. customs and immigration, mostly because fewer people have signed up for it than for Global Entry. Here’s how it works: download the Mobile Passport app before you get on your flight back to the U.S. and save some of your basic information, like passport number, expiration date, and a photo. Once you’ve landed and are hurriedly making your way towards customs, switch off airplane mode, open the app, and answer the same few basic customs questions that are on the blue paper customs form, like “Are you bringing back fruits and vegetables?” Once you’ve submitted your answers, the app will provide a QR code “receipt” that you’ll show the customs and immigrations agent instead of that traditional paper form or the Global Entry printed receipt.

Aside from being free, the app’s biggest asset is the designated Mobile Passport lanes, where an agent will check your passport, scan your receipt, and send you onward to customs, where you can once again take the special Mobile Passport lane, usually shared with Global Entry, to skip any lines.

The cons? At the present time, Mobile Passport is only accepted at 26 airports, far fewer than Global Entry. Plus, it’s limited to U.S. and Canadian citizens.

What is a known traveler number?

The nine-digit number usually begins with 15, 98 or 99 serves on the back of your Global Entry card or by logging on to the Trusted Traveler Program website.

Which do we recommend?

That depends on where, and how much, you’re traveling. Make it easy on yourself and use the Department of Homeland Security’s interactive Trusted Traveler tool, which only requires that you answer a few questions about your travel habits before generating the best program for you.

While we’re at it, a word on TSA PreCheck.

TSA PreCheck is a government-sponsored program that grants approved passengers on domestic—and some international—flights expedited screening. PreCheck passengers don’t need to remove their shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets, which means less time in line. In all, 65 airlines offer PreCheck lane access, which is used when transiting within or exiting the country. But unless your boarding pass clearly shows the TSA PreCheck logo, you'll need to have your number with you when you check in or saved in your frequent flyer profile—telling a TSA agent that you have Global Entry won’t make a difference.

What’s the difference between Global Entry vs. TSA Precheck?

More people are eligible for Global Entry than TSA PreCheck. For TSA PreCheck, only U.S. citizens, nationals, and residents are eligible. There is no age restriction to apply for TSA PreCheck. For Global Entry, U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and citizens of Colombia, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and Mexico can apply.

Where you can use Global Entry and TSA PreCheck depends on the airport and your airline. TSA PreCheck has expanded a lot in recent years. Now, 65 airlines work in cooperation with PreCheck, and the service can be found in more than 180 airports across the U.S. This means that they meet the standardized system and checkpoint requirements, and you’ll be able to go through the PreCheck security lane—as long as you’ve provided your information upon check-in and your boarding pass has the PreCheck logo.What airline you fly doesn’t affect whether or not you can use Global Entry, but your first port of entry into the U.S.—your first airport—does. More than 70 airports around the world have Global Entry kiosks.

Young travel companions can go through PreCheck lanes, but not Global Entry. Use of the Global Entry kiosks is limited to program members and does not extend to family members or travel partners. However, family members ages 12 and under traveling with an eligible PreCheck-approved parent or guardian are also able to participate in expedited screening.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry cost different amounts. TSA PreCheck is cheaper ($85 for five years), and Global Entry is $100 for five years. Consider, however, that Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, and that extra $15 seems well worth it.

*Last week the Trump administration announced that it would bar New Yorkers from joining Global Entry and similar programs, citing security concerns over a new state law.

Source: Conde Nast Traveler and tsa.gov