Is Global Entry Worth the Cost and Effort Compared to the Free Mobile Passport Control App?

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We’ve had Global Entry for over a decade, and when we first applied, it was nothing short of a game-changer. Back then, it felt like we’d unlocked a secret VIP lane at U.S. airports — the kind where you could stroll off an international flight, head to a kiosk, and be through customs in just a couple of minutes. These days, it’s even simpler; you don’t even need to scan your passport. The system confirms your identity automatically, and by the time you walk to the agent, they already have your information on their screen. A quick “welcome home” later, and you’re back in the USA.

And because TSA PreCheck came bundled with it, our domestic travel experience transformed just as dramatically. Suddenly, we weren’t emptying our bags, taking laptops and liquids out, or stripping off shoes and jackets. The security lines were shorter, the process was quicker, and for the first time, getting through the airport didn’t feel like running an obstacle course.

At the time, there was nothing else that could compete with Global Entry. But fast forward to today, and the landscape looks a little different. Now there’s Mobile Passport Control (MPC) — a free app that speeds up customs without the cost, background check, or interview that are still required to obtain Global Entry.

How Mobile Passport Control Works

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free U.S. Customs and Border Protection app that speeds up the arrival process for eligible travelers. It’s available at about 30 U.S. airports, several international preclearance locations, and some cruise ports. Here’s how it works:

1. Before You Travel
   Download the free MPC app and create your profile by scanning your passport. Your details will be stored for future trips.
2. Before Landing
   Up to 4 hours before arriving in the U.S., open the app and answer the customs declaration questions. Take a quick selfie as part of the process. You can add up to 12 travelers to a single submission — perfect for families.
3. At the Airport
   Follow the signs for the MPC lane in the arrivals area. Show your QR code to the CBP officer, along with your passport. You’ll still speak briefly with the officer, but the line is usually much shorter than the standard customs queue.

The “Always On” Advantage of Global Entry

Where Mobile Passport Control requires you to open the app, answer questions, and submit a new declaration for every trip, Global Entry is more of a set-it-and-forget-it program.

Once you’ve completed the initial application, background check, and interview, you’re approved for five years. From that point on, every time you return to the U.S., the process is automatic:

• Walk up to a kiosk or facial recognition camera — in many airports, there’s no need to scan your passport.
• Your photo is matched against your stored information.
• By the time you reach the CBP officer, they already have your details on their screen.
• After a quick confirmation, you’re on your way.

This “always ready” status means you never have to think about customs until you’re walking through it. You also get the added benefit of broader airport coverage — over 60 U.S. airports and international preclearance locations, compared to MPC’s more limited footprint.

Why We’re Keeping Global Entry

These days, we only take one or two international trips per year. For us, Global Entry is only slightly more expensive than paying for TSA PreCheck alone, and since we’ve already been approved, renewing every five years is a pretty easy process. There’s always the possibility we could be asked to re-interview at renewal, but that hasn’t happened yet.

The main reason we keep it is simple — it works. Even on the rare occasion we go abroad, being able to breeze through customs without having to do anything extra is worth the small upcharge. And when we do travel internationally, it’s nice knowing the process is the same every time, no matter which airport we’re arriving at.

For many frequent travelers, the cost isn’t even part of the equation — a lot of premium credit cards reimburse the fee for both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. If you’re in that camp, the only real difference to weigh is whether you want to go through the extra application, background check, and potential interview that Global Entry requires.

That said, if we were applying today instead of renewing, I might have a different opinion. With TSA PreCheck handling domestic security and Mobile Passport Control offering a free way to speed up customs, the value equation for Global Entry isn’t quite as clear-cut as it was a decade ago.

Final Thought

Like so many things in travel, whether Global Entry is worth it in 2025 is a Your Mileage May Vary decision. For some, it’s still a must-have — a fast, reliable, “always on” way to get back into the U.S., especially if you travel internationally several times a year. For others, especially those who only go abroad once or twice annually, TSA PreCheck plus Mobile Passport Control might deliver almost the same experience for less money and hassle.

In fact, this is what the U.S. Customs recommends on its website.

Global Entry is the perfect program for frequent international or business travelers.

If you take fewer international flights, consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck and using the free Mobile Passport Control app to reduce wait time.

Global Entry is still a great program, but it’s no longer the slam dunk it was when we signed up more than a decade ago. The good news is that travelers now have more choices — and whichever option you pick, the real win is spending less time in line and more time enjoying your trip.

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary