106. How to Get Free Global Entry and TSA PreCheck® for Your Family

Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad

Tired of long lines at immigration or security when traveling? We’ve got you covered! In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad revisits a favorite topic—Global Entry and TSA PreCheck®—but with a twist. While we’ve covered these programs before, there are important updates you need to know to make family travel even smoother. Whether you’re flying internationally or just looking to breeze through airport security, these tips are a game-changer.

New Updates You Can’t Miss Since our last discussion on this topic, a major update now allows kids under 18 to get Global Entry for free if their parent or guardian is enrolled. Jess highlights how this policy change can save families hundreds of dollars—especially for large families like Alex’s. And if you’ve ever been frustrated by long wait times for Global Entry interviews, Alex shares how her family took advantage of the new interview-on-arrival option, skipping the months-long backlog to get everyone approved quickly. Jess also mentions that some airports, like San Francisco, are testing departure-day interviews, which could make the process even easier.

How to Get It for Free Using Credit Cards Alex dives into the details of credit cards that reimburse Global Entry and TSA PreCheck® application fees. Popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture, and Amex Platinum cards make it easy to offset the costs. One pro tip: You can use the benefit on someone else’s application by paying with your card, so you can help friends and family members enroll too. Between these credits and the new kids-under-18 policy, Global Entry has never been more accessible.

Backup Options for Occasional Travelers If you’re not ready to commit to Global Entry, Pam suggests Mobile Passport as an alternative. This app offers a shorter immigration line without the application process or fees. While it’s not as fast as Global Entry, it’s a great backup for infrequent international travelers.

The Key to Stress-Free Family Travel Between Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, and Mobile Passport, there’s no reason to deal with long lines at the airport. As Jess says, “Travel days are stressful enough—why not make them as easy as possible?”

If you’ve been putting off enrolling in these programs, this episode is your sign to get started. Tune in now to hear all the details and updates that will make your next family trip a breeze!

Links:

• Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad

Links For This Episode:

• Mobile Passport Blog Post: https://travelmomsquad.com/no-global-entry-try-mobile-passport/
• Mobile Passport App: ‎Mobile Passport Control

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:30 – Revisiting Global Entry and TSA PreCheck® with important updates
• 07:00 – TSA PreCheck® benefits and why it’s worth it
• 10:30 – The best credit cards for free enrollment
• 15:00 – How the new kids-under-18 policy can save families money
• 20:00 – Alex’s tips for interview-on-arrival success
• 28:00 – Mobile Passport: A simple alternative for occasional travelers
• 30:00 – Final thoughts and why it’s time to enroll