For me, the worst thing about travel is waiting in line. When you are flying, there are three places where you can run into long lines. First, at the airline counter. Second, at security. Third, when returning through Customs. I don't have a lot of advice for the airline ticketing counter. If you have status with an airline, you may be able to take advantage of a special line for check in. If not, most airlines have kiosks and online check in. If you use the skycaps to check your bags, you can often skip the airline counter completely. My best advice for the airline counter is to use the airline app and check in online before arriving at the airport. As for the other lines, there are options.
To avoid the longer lines at the airport security checkpoint, travelers have the option of TSA precheck. Random travelers are sometimes selected by the airline for precheck. Make sure you check your tickets to see if you were picked, even if you don't pay for the service! TSA Precheck is more ideal for people who do not travel abroad. The cost to enroll is $85.00 for five years. If you are planning even one overseas trip during that time frame, it might be worthwhile to pay the extra fifteen dollars for Global Entry ($100 for five years) which includes TSA precheck as well. TSA precheck generally features a much shorter line. Travelers move more quickly through pre-check because they are not required to remove shoes. laptops, belts or light jackets. The line uses a magnetometer (metal detector) as opposed to the body scanner used in the standard lines.
Global entry is only slightly more expensive but a bit more difficult to enroll in. This option will speed you through the line at Customs as well as the included TSA pre-check. It is a great deal and works out to twenty dollars per year. However, you have to schedule an interview at an airport that participates. Many of these airports are booked up months in advance. The fee is reasonable, but the process is a bit tedious. The Global Entry kiosks operate on biometrics (fingerprint) combined with your passport. However, if you are willing to go through the process, for twenty dollars per year, you get TSA pre-check on all of your domestic flights as well as expedited processing through Customs on your international flights. My wife and I travel internationally at least once per year, so there is definitely value in this option.
There is a free option as well. This option is not widely known, so you are being let in on the best kept secret in international travel. Mobile Pass. This option is an app-based customs form that you download on your smart phone. This app is the only app approved by the US Customs and Border Patrol, so make sure the icon matches the one I have shown above. The program is encrypted, so your passport information is secure if you are using the app. After downloading the app, you can scan your passport and take a selfie. You can then add each of your family members on the same app. I used this app on my recent trip to Columbia. I opened the app while I was still in Columbia and started filling out the forms. You get the standard customs form questions as well as information about your flight and port of entry. *Do not hit "submit!. Once I had all of the information filled out, I closed the app. When I arrived in Miami, I opened the app and submitted my trip. Once you hit the submit button, you have four hours to clear Customs. I followed the signs and walked straight up to a Customs agent. No line. No need to visit the kiosk. It happened so quick I couldn't believe I was already cleared. In fact, I had to wait for my luggage, something that seldom happens when I have to clear Customs first. This is a great, free, and hassle-free alternative to Global Entry. However, you don't get TSA-precheck with this option. Also, as it becomes more widely known, the lines for this option may get longer. This option is not yet available at locations where US Customs clears at an overseas port of entry.
If you are a frequent domestic flier, TSA precheck is probably your best option. Skipping the longer TSA security lines and negating the hassle of removing shoes is worth the eight-five dollar fee for five years. If you travel overseas even once per year, I would suggest Global Entry, which is only one hundred dollars for five years but requires an interview at a participating airport. The price includes TSA pre-check as well as expedited entry into the United States for foreign travel. If you infrequently travel and are planning to travel overseas, I would suggest using the Mobile Pass application. This option is free and super easy to set up. While it won't get you through security any quicker on your outbound flight, it will dramatically decrease the amount of time you spend in line clearing Customs on your return flight. All three of these options are designed to make your life easier. There are other programs for ground travel into Mexico and Canada, but I am focusing more on typical overseas vacation travel. Hopefully these tips will help you decide which program is best for you.
Some of these programs are open to foreign passport holders. If you hold a passport issued by another country, it is worth checking the TSA website to see if you are able to participate in any or all of these programs. Photos are taken from the TSA and Mobile Pass official website in accordance with Fair Use doctrine.