Trusted Traveler Programs make life easier for countless travelers by allowing them to bypass long lines at the airport or breeze through customs. But the cost of convenience is going up for some programs.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced earlier this year that it would be standardizing the fees for three of its programs: Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI. The result will be fee increases for two programs and a slight decline for the third. Meanwhile, travelers caught a break in 2022 when TSA PreCheck — another Trusted Traveler Program — saw one of its fees drop.
Here’s a look at the changes to the Trusted Traveler Programs fees.
Global Entry
What’s changing: The application fee for new memberships and membership renewals
When it’s changing: Oct. 1, 2024
The old cost: $100
The new cost: $120
Global Entry makes it easier for international travelers to enter the United States. Applicants go through a background check and in-person interview, and once approved, they can skip the paperwork and use Global Entry processing technology at 75 airports.
Membership in the program must be renewed every five years and includes TSA PreCheck.
Starting Oct. 1, Global Entry applicants will pay $20 more with the program fee climbing from $100 to $120.
NEXUS
What’s changing: The application fee for new memberships and membership renewals
When it’s changing: Oct. 1, 2024
The old cost: $50
The new cost: $120
Travelers who frequently cross the northern U.S. border can benefit from NEXUS. It offers expedited vehicle and pedestrian entry into Canada and the U.S. and expedited marine entry into the U.S. from Canada.
The new fee structure will have the largest impact on NEXUS, taking its application fee from $50 to $120. Applicants must fill out an online form and then complete an in-person appointment.
Membership in the program is good for five years and may include TSA PreCheck.
SENTRI
What’s changing: The application fee for new memberships and membership renewals
When it’s changing: Oct. 1, 2024
The old cost: $122.25
The new cost: $120
Standing for Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, SENTRI is a Trusted Traveler Program that offers expedited vehicle and pedestrian entrance into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. At the southern border, there are dedicated lanes for SENTRI participants.
As with other government travel programs, applicants must complete both an online application and in-person interview before being approved for SENTRI. Membership lasts for five years and may include TSA PreCheck. As of Oct. 1, SENTRI applicants will save a few dollars.
TSA PreCheck
What changed: The enrollment and in-person renewal fee
When it changed: November 2022
The old cost: $85
The new cost: $78
The TSA PreCheck program allows flyers to access dedicated security lines at more than 290 airports and skip some time-consuming security measures such as removing shoes and belts. In late 2022, the enrollment provider for the program dropped the enrollment fee and in-person renewal fee from $85 to $78. Online renewals remained the same at $70.
Travelers are approved for TSA PreCheck for a five-year period, and the application process involves an in-person appointment, fingerprinting and a document and photo capture.
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