Just hours after the Department of Homeland Security signaled potential suspension of both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, airports across the United States prepared for significant disruption. When the dust settled, TSA PreCheck survived—but Global Entry didn't.
The abrupt shutdown of Global Entry leaves millions of international travelers facing a dramatic shift in how they re-enter the country. The program, which allowed pre-approved travelers to bypass standard customs lines through automated kiosks, had become a staple for frequent fliers and families returning from abroad.
According to Business Traveller, the decision creates immediate challenges at international arrival halls. Travelers who paid $100 for five-year Global Entry memberships now find themselves directed to standard customs queues alongside everyone else.
The program's shutdown affects more than just wait times. Global Entry members also received TSA PreCheck privileges automatically—but since PreCheck survived as a standalone program, existing Global Entry holders retain expedited security screening for domestic flights. However, the streamlined customs experience that justified the higher fee is now gone.
What happens to existing memberships? The details remain murky. Travelers report confusion at airports about whether their Global Entry cards still provide any benefits, and questions about refunds or membership extensions have gone largely unanswered by Customs and Border Protection.
For those who relied on Global Entry for family travel, the impact is particularly acute. The program allowed children under 18 to use the kiosks when accompanied by an enrolled parent—a feature that made international returns significantly smoother for families.
Alternatives are limited. Mobile Passport Control, a free app that expedites customs processing, remains operational but lacks the dedicated lanes and comprehensive vetting that made Global Entry appealing. It's available only to U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors at select airports.
The reinstatement of TSA PreCheck while Global Entry remains shuttered raises questions about the decision's rationale. Both programs require background checks and in-person interviews, but Global Entry's additional customs component apparently crossed a line that PreCheck didn't.
