Twenty dollars. That is how much more Global Entry cost to apply for after 1 October 2024, when the application fee went from $100 to $120.
The increase was not limited to Global Entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced earlier in the year that fees for its three trusted traveler programs, untouched for 15 years, would be harmonized at $120. Before the change, NEXUS cost $50 and SENTRI $122.25. Several card issuers answered by raising the credit they give cardholders for the application, so that the new fee stayed covered.
Who raised the credit
Citi lifted the credit from $100 to $120 on two cards, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard and the Citi Prestige Card, which is closed to new applicants.
Chase set a statement credit of up to $120 every four years from 1 October 2024. The perk sits on a long list of its cards, among them the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan card and the United Explorer Card.
Barclays changed only one card. The AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard now lists “up to $120” terms, even though Barclays issues several cards with a trusted traveler credit.
American Express confirmed it would raise statement credits to $120 every four years on affected personal and business cards, including the Platinum Card and The Business Platinum Card. Co-branded cards that carry the benefit, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express cards, were covered too.
Capital One raised its credit to $120 on the Venture Rewards and Venture X Rewards personal cards, plus Venture X Business and Spark Miles for Business. The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature, a $95 annual fee card, did the same.
Apply before or after?
AwardWallet, which reported on the changes in late September 2024, put the choice plainly. Anyone without a fee waiver from a card would pay less by applying before the first of October. Anyone with a waiver was probably fine either way, because the bigger credit would likely cover the application or a renewal.
