One of the Trusted Traveler Programs offered by the United States government is Global Entry.
Here’s what the Global Entry program offers, according to the Customs and Border Control website:
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.
As a new Global Entry member, you get a Global Entry number, which is your membership number. You might see the Global Entry number called a few things, including a PASSID, a Known Traveler Number, or KTN.
You will find your number on your Global Entry number on the card and in your TTP account. You will see multiple numbers on your Global Entry card, but your Global Entry number on the card is on the back at the top left with nine digits.
So what is your Global Entry number for? It identifies your membership for US Customs and is connected to your passport, which is how you reenter the US at an airport. The number is also your TSA PreCheck number, which is included in your Global Entry membership.
This article details what a Global Entry card is and where you can find your Global Entry card. We also go over how Global Entry and TSA Precheck are related.
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Why Do I Need a Global Entry Card?
When you get approved as a Global Entry member, you get a Global Entry Card if you meet one of the following requirements:
- US Citizen
- US Lawful permanent resident
- Mexican nationals
You can use this card to enter the United States at land and sea ports. Make sure you activate the card online in your TTP account before you try to use it.
However, even though all members of the Global Entry program receive a card, you cannot use your card at Global Entry kiosks in airports. You need to use your passport or lawful permanent resident card, to which your Global Entry membership is connected.
Many international airports in the United States have Global Entry kiosks, but not all of them. You can find a full list on the Customs and Border Protection website. If you fly into the United States at an airport not listed, you must go through the standard customs process, so plan accordingly.
Your passport is already the most important thing to have when you travel, but it’s even more important when you need it to use a Global Entry kiosk at the airport. Keep your passport safe with a passport holder, so it does not get damaged.
Where Can I Locate my Global Entry Number
Your Global Entry number is important, especially because it is also your TSA PreCheck number which is included in your membership.
Your Global Entry number, also known as your PASS ID or Known Traveler Number (KTN)
Here is where you can find your Global Entry Number according to U.S. Customs:
Find your Trusted Traveler’s membership number by logging into your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account. The membership number is listed toward the top of the page. The membership number, also known as your PASS ID, is also on the back of Trusted Traveler cards.
There are multiple numbers on your Global Entry card, so ensure you are looking at the right one. You will find your KTN at the top left.
Your KTN is nine digits long and can contain letters, numbers, or a mix of both. Most KTNs for Global Entry members start with either 15, 98, or 99, making it easier for you to identify.
If you just have TSA PreCheck and not Global Entry, your KTN will likely begin with “TT” and also be nine digits long.
Is a Global Entry Number the Same as My TSA PreCheck Number?
Your Global Entry membership also includes a TSA PreCheck membership, and your Global Entry number, or KTN, is the same as your TSA Precheck number. TSA PreCheck gives you access to faster security lines at most US airports when you fly with more than 80 airlines.
With TSA PreCheck, you also do not have to remove your shoes, light jackets, liquids, or belts. And, if you bring a laptop on a plane, it can stay in your bag in the TSA PreCheck lane.
However, you do not automatically get access to the TSA Precheck lanes just because you have a Global Entry membership. You must add your KTN to your flight reservations every time you book a trip.
And, even if you add your KTN to a flight reservation, there is no guarantee you will have TSA PreCheck. There is not a PreCheck option at all airports, and sometimes you just don’t get it for various reasons. After you check in for your flight, look for the TSA PreCheck symbol on your boarding pass to ensure you have access to the lane for that flight.
If you have an account with an airline, they will likely store your KTN in your account, so you do not have to add it every time you book a new flight. But, you should still ensure you have it in all your flight reservations so you do not end up in the standard security line.
If you do not have PreCheck for a flight, you likely want to arrive at the airport earlier than you normally would, as you may have to wait longer to pass through security. You want to be at your gate and not standing in the security line when your flight starts boarding.
Do I Need to Renew TSA PreCheck if I have Global Entry?
TSA PreCheck is automatically included with your Global Entry membership, and both are good for five simultaneous years. When your Global Entry membership expires, you need to renew it, which automatically renews your TSA PreCheck membership.
You need to submit a renewal application to renew your Global Entry (and TSA PreCheck). You can submit your renewal as early as one year before the expiration date. To renew, you may or may not have to do an interview similar to the one you did as a new Global Entry member.
You also need to pay the renewal fee of $100, which is the same as it is for new applicants. Given a TSA PreCheck membership alone costs $85, Global Entry is well worth the cost if you frequently travel internationally and are willing to do an interview.
The interviews for new Global Entry members have to take place at one of the participating airports when you land from an international flight or at one of the US Customs and Border Patrol offices.
But, when you renew your Global Entry membership, you may be able to do your renewal interview through a video chat, if at all.
