All About Global Entry: The Application, the Interview, the Approval

We recently were approved for Global Entry, so I thought I'd do a little info post & FAQ on what the heck that means, and who should get it!

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

We have 3 international trips coming up this year, and the idea of a breezy customs experience is one I covet. While it's not available at all airports, it will always expedite our re-entry to the US. After a 3 hour customs experience at LAX last year, I think I'd pay 5x the fee to have customs expedited.

How Long Does It Last?

5 long, wonderful years

How Much Does it Cost?

$100 total for the application. Yes, that's for the whole 5 years.

What Do You Get?

Expedited customs experience at select airports (but at all US airports that accept international flights) PLUS a bonus of TSA Pre-Check at all participating airports (no matter if you're flying domestic or international). TSA Pre-Check ALONE is $89, so Global Entry is the steal of the century.

Should I Get It?

If you go out of the country even once a year, I believe this is worth it. If you fly often, the fact that you get TSA Pre-Check included, and have Global Entry there when you need it, seems worth it to me too.

First Step: Pre-Application Checklist

1. You must have a valid passport
2. Make sure you're eligible (you must have a passport from a participating country)

How to Apply For Global Entry

1. Create a Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) account. Regardless of your age, you must have your own GOES account.
2. Log in to your GOES account and complete the application. A $100 non-refundable fee is required with each completed application.
3. After accepting your completed application and fee, CBP will review your application. If your application is conditionally approved, then your GOES account will instruct you to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Each applicant must schedule a separate interview.
4. You will need to bring your valid passport(s) and one other form of identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card to the interview. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must present your permanent resident card.

OUR EXPERIENCE:
All in all, the application took me about 20 minutes. They will ask you a lot of questions about the last 5 years - where you worked, where you lived, countries you've visited - so be prepared to remember which apartment you were living in in 2013. Once completed, we were pre-approved in about 3 days and booked our interviews. Matt and I booked back to back interviews at 2:45pm & 3pm in Memphis (more on that in a minute). After reading online reviews, I also brought other forms that linked my name to my address (above and beyond my license & passport)- W9's, pay stubs, etc. We did not need these, but it never hurts to have a back up!

The interview was easy - they asked me if I'd ever been arrested, they asked me what we did in Costa Rica - very conversational and was over in about 3 minutes. Then, they take your fingerprints & tell you an email will come in 24 hours or less. Ours arrived in our inboxes before we got to the car 5 minutes later. We quite literally could have taken a flight at 4pm and had all the benefits of Global Entry.

The experience could not have been more simple. 

A FEW TIPS

Apply in Advance

While our process was a swift one (less than 2 weeks), sometimes it can take longer. The online pre-approval is typically less than a 1 week turn around, however - getting an in-person interview is what can take so long. We checked Nashville for interviews (keep in mind, this was 2 weeks ago, around January 15) and there weren't any available until JUNE. Nearly 6 months away. With a trip in March and one in May, this felt hopeless and I was so bummed we hadn't taken care of this sooner! 

It Might Be Worth the Drive

We checked surrounding cities - Louisville, Atlanta, and Memphis - and while the first two were also booked out, Memphis had appointments literally the next DAY. We booked our appointments for the following Saturday (about 10 days in advance) so we could go over the weekend, but if we had the time, we could have driven there the next morning. 

Be Honest On Your Application

There's no need to lie - if you lie, they will most likely catch you. If you're truthful, it may not even be an issue. Also, if you've had any legal issues in the past, bring any documentation that might clear it up. There's no hard and fast guideline to what is/isn't acceptable in this program, but I'm guessing shoplifiting when you were 16 probably won't stop you from getting Global Entry. Just be prepared with paperwork. 

I am SO EXCITED that we have Global Entry now - I have a few friends with it and they can't say enough about it! Do you already have Global Entry? Do you think you'll apply?

xo

10 Things You Should Know About Your Cruise

Cruises are a really simple way to go on vacation. They require almost no thought to plan and book - it's awesome.

Here are 10 things you should know about cruises that will help you pack well and save money. Who doesn't love that? 

Packing

• Leave Your Towel at Home
• There will be beach towels in your stateroom (make sure you bring them back, you'll be charged otherwise) and additional towels on the pool deck. Leave the bulk at home! Check out my packing list for women & men to keep your luggage light.
• You Don't Need a Passport
• If you're a US citizen & don't have a passport for some reason (why don't you have one?! Go apply today!), you can bring other documentation to board the ship. 
• The easiest is a birth certificate + photo ID, but learn more here.
• You Have to "Check" Your Luggage
• Your suitcase will be scanned through and delivered to your room by the cruise staff. This can take hours, leaving you without your bags until after dinner. 
• Pack a small "personal item" (a beach tote for me, a backpack for Matt) to get you through the day. 
• Bathing suit, sunscreen, sunglasses, make up, any medications, and a change of clothes for dinner - just incase your bag is the last one to be delivered or ends up in the wrong room.

Food & Beverage

all the desserts.

• There Are Some Free Drinks
• While cruise lines make most of their money off drink sales, there are definitely ways to get around it. All cruise lines offer free water, coffee & juices throughout the day for you to sip on.
• BYO
• All cruise ships allow you to bring 1 bottle of wine or champagne per passenger (up to 2 per stateroom) to drink at your own leisure - for free. Sorry for the beer & liquid lovers, but YAY for the winos! Lucky for me, Matt doesn't drink wine so it looks like I'll have 2 bottles all to myself :)
• If you bring your bottle to dinner, there will likely be a corking fee. Check with your cruise line to be sure, but it will end up being more affordable regardless.
• Some cruise lines (like Carnival) allow you to bring a certain amount of non-alcoholic drinks. Check with your cruise line before bringing a 12 pack of Sprite.
• Duty Free Liquor
• Yay! Tax free booze! Sounds like a great idea for the rest of your cruise. However, you'll be forced to hand it over to the cruise staff until you're back on US soil.  
• 90% of the Food is Free
• The buffet, formal breakfast/lunch/dinner, room service and all snacks (pizza, ice cream, burgers) are free.
• There are some options you can pay for, such as specialty coffee or an exclusive restaurant.
• Consider the Late Dinner Option
• Most cruise lines have an early & late dinner (6 or 8pm)
• Our upcoming cruise has 2 ports, they go until 5pm & 7pm. 
• Rushing back to get ready for a formal dinner is no fun. We'll have a snack if necessary & take our time in the Bahamas!

On Board 

• They WILL Leave You Behind
• Just like an airplane, you need to be on time. If the ship leaves at 5pm, be there by 4.30 just in case. 
• Also, even if you're traveling to a different time zone, your trip will always operate on "ship time" (the time zone you departed from).
• Tip At The End of Your Trip
• Your lovely wait staff & housekeeping staff will be some of the kindest & hardest working people you'll ever meet. Make sure you take care of them at the end! You can add this to your "tab" or leave cash.

Hope these tips were helpful. I know I wish I would have known about these before my first cruise! Do you have any others that I missed?

xo

Other Posts You Might Enjoy

Cruise Packing List for Women

Cruise Packing List for Men

How to Change your Name for Travel

How to Pack Light & Always Carry On

The DOs & DON'Ts of Airport Security

Without fail, there's always someone getting their bag ripped apart at airport security. I feel bad for them when TSA throws their possessions in the garbage can.

To be fair, the rules (other than no liquids over 3.4oz) are pretty unclear & don't seem to make much sense. Here are some items to remember and some to leave behind.

AT HOME

• Make sure you've eliminated anything that might seem questionable. If it can't fit in a carry on frame, leave it at home. Use common sense, things like knives & explosives have no place on an airplane. Think smaller: metal nail files aren't necessarily prohibited anymore, but could potentially be confiscated. Eliminate the drama and just pack a cardboard file. Also leave scissors at home. 

• If it pours out, it needs to be under 3.4oz. Keep it all in a plastic bag. This helps you pull it out easily AND keeps spills from happening. The only exception is baby formula or breast milk and medication. Present these things to a TSA agent before putting them through the scanner. I use this reusable water bottle so I don't have to pay $3 for a drink in the airport. Feel free to pack a snack - it's definitely allowed as long as it's a solid snack. Think fruit, almonds, granola bars, and so on.

Pack smart at home and your check in will be quick & painless.

AT THE AIRPORT

• Have your ID and ticket ready to go. (I use Passbook instead of a paper ticket!) If you're using your passport instead of driver's license, make sure you remove it from any case or cover. Once the TSA agent checks your ID and ticket, PUT THEM AWAY. You won't need it again until you are boarding the airplane.

• Get in line for the scanners and start to strip. Shoes & outer layer (jacket, scarf, vest, etc) need to be removed. Leave socks & jewelry on. Take everything out of your pockets. Phone, keys, gum, receipts, tickets, ID, EVERYTHING. It needs to go through the scanner and away from you.

• Take your laptop & liquids out of your bag and put them in a bin. All other electronics can stay in your suitcase, so can your snacks.

That's it! You're through! Go enjoy that flight.

If you aren't sure if an item can be carried on, use this tool from the TSA Website to double check. It's very comprehensive! 

Have you ever thrown anything away at airport security? Did you know you could bring snacks?! 

xo