Without a doubt, Global Entry has been the best thing to happen to international travelers since, I don’t know … sliced bread?
“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.” All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.
It only costs $100 and is valid for five years, allowing members to skip the long customs lines when returning from an international trip. It also gives members access to TSA PreCheck, allowing travelers to use the quicker, and usually much shorter, security lines when they first arrive at a U.S. airport. The icing on the cake? Select credit cards will also pay your application fee.
I’ve been a member of Global Entry since it came out and it used to be the best-kept secret. But the word is out and combine that with COVID-19 and it’s not easy to get an appointment after you’ve been pre-approved for your interview. In fact, in some locations it can take many months to find a time slot.
Well, thanks to a new service called Appointment Scanner, you can cut months off your Global Entry interview wait time and it only costs $29.
With Appointment Scanner, you get instant text message and email alerts that allow you to grab last-minute interview appointments. Here’s how it works:
1. Apply for Global Entry & get conditionally approved
You can apply for Global Entry on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) website. They’re not affiliated with the DHS or the Global Entry program, so this part of the process is on you!
2. Sign up for Appointment Scanner
Choose from over 100 enrollment centers, set a date limit, and customize your notification preferences to your liking.
3. Their software scans 24/7 for new appointments to open up
The average user gets 8-20 appointment alerts per day, meaning you’ll have a convenient appointment within no time.
Note: The Appointment Scanner cannot book interview appointments for you, or access any of your Global Entry account information. This service only monitors for open interview appointments that pop up due to last-minute cancellations. When they find an appointment that fits your requirements, you’ll receive a text message or email (or both – your choice). This alert has a link to the Global Entry scheduler website, where you can login and claim the appointment.
You can cancel the alerts anytime and they have a 100% money-back guarantee. “But, if for some reason, we can’t send you at least 10 appointment alerts, we will happily refund your purchase.”
H/T TPG
Johnny,
Thank you for the information.
Do you know if a personal interview is required for a renewal or is it an application only?
Thank you,
Rena
I think the personal interview is a case by case basis. I believe most do not have to have one.
I got conditional approval yesterday, only 2 months after submitting my application, and there are literally hundreds of appointments available right now. And that’s across the board at multiple enrollment centers. I don’t think paying for this service is of any value at this time…
Worked great for me! Prior to COVID, I had an appointment set up for March. This was cancelled. Then one for June. This was cancelled. Then one for August. This was cancelled. When they announced they were opening back up in September, I signed up and started receiving noting of available appoints even though the site showed no appointments were available. I snagged 2 appointments for September 10th at Logan in Boston, was approve and we have our cards already! Well worth the $15 to just get it done!
I applied global entry since March 2020 eight months ago and still haven’t got my interview.
Should I have to apply for a refund.
They’re taking a while but that’s extreme. There’s message boards you can look up to see what others are saying about the delay and refunds.
I tried several times and had trouble just filling out the paperwork. Mt husband finally gave up.
I renewed one day after the fourth year because my credit card company paid for the renewal. I have been conditionally approved. I arrived back in the US on July 1 looking for the interview on arrival. The officer on duty arbitrarily said no interview. Now I have an appointment in Las Vegas on December 24, 2020.
I applied in January and have heard nothing! TG I had the credit on my credit card so I am not out the fee….
Any help with Nexus application……………………………………………
I would just keep checking the system often for cancelations. I need to schedule one too for my daughter.
Supposed backlog of 700K…centers closed for 6 months…can take up to 1 year to get to conditionally approved status. Appointment only for vast majority of enrollment centers.
Miami ALWAYS has appointments available. Just an FYI.
Some centers are closed due to state/local COVID restrictions.
Other centers fill appointments as fast as they are opened.
GE may be free for under 18 soon if parent already has it or is applying with child. Fees increasing to $120.NEXUS going to $120 as well.
What happens if you get an alert that there is an opening but when you go to the schedule site it still says there are not appointments available?
It means you weren’t quick enough to snag it. Some people just stay on the site and keep refreshing
The appointments scanner worked for me for Global Entry. Original appointment was April 2022. After about 6 alerts I’ve worked my way to an appointment at BWI airport this week. BTW, apparently the cost is now $29 but still worth it.
I wonder if there is any way to expediate the process to get an appt? It has only been 3 weeks and I was told it could take up to 6 months. A friend and her husband got their conditional approval in 2 days.
This service is so worth it! I was able to snag an appointment for March after just having the service for about 10 minutes. Before my preferred locations in SoCal said no appointments were available every time I refreshed.
Where do I find the appointment scanner?? Leaving in May and was hoping I could knock this out. Not looking that way currently.
Is a personal appointment even necessary? I was planning on using the “Enrollment on Arrival” where you do the application interview when you arrive in the US.
I was able to get an appointment quickly using Application scanner and was able to get approved within hours of doing my interview.
I am supposed to leave to move to the Netherlands on August 5 and my application is Pending Review. Should I apply for TSA in the meantime? We are planning to travel all over Europe for the next year and want to make it as speedy as possible.
Thank you!
I applied online and received conditional approval in two days. Tried to book interview with no luck. I ended up signing up for Appointment Scanner and it took a couple days but I am scheduled for my in person interview tomorrow!
Pro tip from phone: open the website and log in. Refresh every few minutes to keep your account active. As soon as you receive a text, go back to your browser and sign up right away. You can always go in and reschedule if the time/date doesn’t work.
Good luck!
Great tip! Thanks
This is so worth the $29 fee. I needed to renew my global entry status, which required an interview. The in-person appointments were booked out to 2023. Appt. Scanner alerted me to daily openings. A week later, I was interviewed, approved and renewed. If you don’t want to wait, pay the fee, be flexible and snag the next opening.
I dont know how to get on this. What do i do?
My global entry application is approved.
Looking for interview. can not get it.
Can you fix my interview sometimes this month?
I live in Spartanburg, SC and nearest airport is CLT Douglas International.
Please reply.