This week brought good news and bad news for users of the U.S. ‘trusted traveler’ program designed to simplify clearing borders and customs on entering the U.S., with a new high-tech system on the way, accompanied by a 20% increase in the fee for the program.
The good news is a live test at Washington’s Dulles Airport of a system that will allow Global Entry members to pass through customs and border controls without meeting a human officer. Using a new Global Entry mobile app to enter details and passing by a facial scanner that will open a gate for them to pass through, users should be out with no delay. At least that’s the hope! The test will launch by late summer for an unspecified period.
Users have paid a $100 fee for a five-year term of Global Entry since its debut in 2008; starting in October the fee will rise to $120, with a small giveback that will exempt children of applicants from having to pay separately for their own.
The U.S. has two other trusted traveler programs: Nexus, which is for land, sea and air crossings from Canada and is meant for frequent crossers and SENTRI, which covers both Canada and Mexico. Nexus will take take a leap from $50 to $100; SENTRI is already $122.25 and will not have a hike.
