 TITLE: How to Apply for Global Entry CONTENT: Here are the steps to apply for Global Entry as well as a few other things to keep in mind.\n1.  Create a Trusted Traveler Program account. The first step is creating a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) profile online. To do so, you'll need to provide a valid email address, set up two forms of online authentication (such as SMS texting and a verification app), and enter personal details including your address and telephone number.\n2.  Fill out the online application. Once you've created your TTP account, you'll log in and complete the Global Entry application. The government will ask about your personal history including any aliases or criminal record you might have, as well as where you have lived, what countries you have visited in the past five years, and other various other background questions.\n3.  Pay the application fee (and maybe get a statement credit for it). Upon completion of the application, you will have to pay a non-refundable $100 processing fee. The good news is, several popular travel rewards cards refund this fee to cardholders in the form of a statement credit once every four or five years, depending on the card. Among the ones that do are The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.\n4.  Set up an in-person appointment. Once your application is conditionally approved, you can log in to your TTP account to schedule an interview at a Global Entry enrollment center. You can usually find these at major airports and certain border crossings, among other locations. While slots tend to fill up months in advance, you should check back frequently as some times become available at the last minute due to cancellations. If you have some international travel coming up, you can also try to enroll upon arrival. This is only available at certain facilities, so look for Enrollment on Arrival lanes when you land and see if there are CBP officers available to conduct interviews.\n5.  Ace the interview. When the day of your appointment arrives, show up at the enrollment center on time so you do not miss your slot. Be sure to bring your valid passport and another form of identification such as a driver's license or ID card to the interview. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must bring your permanent residency card. It's also a good idea to bring a printout of your conditional approval letter just in case. A CBP officer will ask you to verify the information from your application and discuss any criminal history. You will then be fingerprinted and have your photo taken. The entire process should take around 10 to 15 minutes.\n6.  Register with airlines. If you were conditionally approved and your interview goes well, you should be confirmed as a Global Entry member immediately and will be given a Known Traveler Number. You will need to log in to your airline frequent-flier accounts and enter this number into your traveler information profile. Doing so should ensure that you are also approved for TSA Precheck access so you can use faster security screening lines when flying out of U.S. airports.\n7.  Renew every five years. Global Entry membership lasts five years, but you can renew your membership up to a year before your current Global Entry status expires to avoid any gap in access. To do so, you'll need to log in to your Trusted Traveler Profile. If you are eligible for renewal, you can click on the option to Renew Membership. At that point, you will be asked to verify your personal information as well as adding any new details since your last application, and then will be prompted to pay the $100 application fee. Remember to use a credit card that reimburses this fee if you have one. After you submit your application, you will either be automatically renewed, or will need to schedule a follow-up in-person appointment at a CBP location like the first time you applied. END