The Quick Secret to Obtaining Global Entry

→ Sign up: Appointment Scanner, $29 for a month of alerts, appointmentscanner.com

Airport security and customs queues can be daunting—but if you think waiting an hour to reach the departure lounge is tough, try waiting for a Global Entry appointment.

With travel at an all-time high, both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry—two fantastic options for bypassing much of the airport security and customs lines—are in high demand. PreCheck helps you save time during the initial TSA screening, while Global Entry expedites customs when you return to the U.S. from abroad. PreCheck costs $78, whereas Global Entry is $100 (which includes TSA PreCheck) and both memberships last for five years. Additionally, there’s Clear, which utilizes biometric technology.
However, obtaining a Global Entry or PreCheck membership isn’t just an online application process. You also need to attend a physical interview at one of the enrollment centers, bringing documentation like a passport and another form of ID, where a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will take your photo, scan your fingerprints, and ask a few questions.

The Global Entry application process can be time-consuming; processing times are currently estimated at four to six months, and interview slots at various airports were fully booked for two to three months on the official site as of this writing. It's not unusual to face a long wait for a relatively brief interview—even after paying the fee and receiving conditional approval.

When I registered and paid my fee in June 2022, I received this for a Los Angeles appointment:

Fortunately, wait times have slightly improved since then, but they are still considerable. That's where Appointment Scanner comes into play. This service is designed for individuals who have completed their online application, paid the necessary fee, received conditional approval, and are now seeking an in-person appointment. It continuously monitors the Trusted Traveler site for any canceled or rescheduled appointments for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI programs (the latter two also facilitate expedited clearance for pre-approved travelers).
The service sends you text and email notifications whenever a slot becomes available at your selected location (from over 100 enrollment centers). At that moment, you can quickly access the Trusted Traveler Programs site to secure that sought-after appointment. The cost is $29, a one-time fee for a month of alerts. You can choose to receive alerts via text or email and select your three preferred enrollment centers. If you haven't managed to get an appointment within that month, you'll need to re-register.

It may take several attempts, and Appointment Scanner acknowledges, “We can’t guarantee you’ll secure an interview. It requires quick reflexes on your part, and it’s competitive, which is why you’re here!”
However, the site adds, “The average user receives between 10 and 25 appointment alerts daily, giving you plenty of chances to snag a convenient time soon.”
You can request a refund within 30 days if you aren’t successful and opt out of alerts if you are.
Personally, I noticed fewer alerts during the day when I was at my laptop, but I received many in the evening. I logged in after a few alerts only to find the slots were already gone. Eventually, I was notified of two openings for the next day and managed to secure one. I was in and out of the enrollment center near LAX in under ten minutes.
Even if you prefer not to pay the $29, persistence is key. Refreshing your browser and dedicating a few hours to monitoring the Trusted Traveler Programs site can yield results. Dinogo’s senior e-commerce editor, Lyndsey Matthews, had good fortune with a Global Entry renewal due in July 2022.
“I began the application recently and didn’t think I needed to do the interview again for renewal. I learned I did since I was only conditionally approved,” she explains. “While the system mentioned a Zoom option, there were no available dates for years. Luckily, when I checked for an in-person interview, I found an opening for the very next day at the Bowling Green office in NYC, so I didn’t have to trek to the airport.”
Best of luck out there, everyone.

This article first appeared online in 2022; it was most recently updated on September 15, 2023, to reflect current information.