Is the new $430 US airport fast-track actually worth the money?

Opinion

November 10, 2026 — 5:00am

I’ve dealt with my fair share of United States border agents. Perhaps that’s why I so willingly forked out $430 for Global Entry, a membership that lets you skip those post-flight interrogations for a period of five years.

What began as a limited trial is now open to all Australian passport holders. Travellers need to apply, complete background checks in Australia and the US, and attend an in-person interview.

For Australians, the hefty price tag of about $437 is made up of a base application fee of $US120 ($174), paid to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and a separate $263.50 to Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, which conducts a background check in Australia and provides its findings to CBP.

The application is straightforward, albeit tedious, requiring applicants list every country visited for the past decade – which will take longer for some to complete than others.

As for the interview, in my case the agent was more interested in learning how to book Singapore Airlines first-class seats using miles than any security-related intel – though perhaps that was just a subtle test of my travel credentials.

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With Global Entry granted, I’m unusually excited to arrive at LAX this time, right amid the morning passenger peak.

I see the usual passport queue for foreigners, but today, I keep walking towards the white ‘Global Entry’ sign. There’s no queue, just a camera to stare into. I smile, the panel turns green, and an agent nearby says, “Chris, you’re good”. That’s it – that’s passport control. Welcome to the United States.

I haven’t even touched my passport since boarding the flight in Melbourne. This is starting to feel like money well spent.

Global Entry membership also grants TSA PreCheck privileges – the faster lane at US airport security – at no additional cost, even though it’s a separate traveller program that usually requires its own application, interview and fee.

When using the TSA PreCheck lane, shoes, jackets and belts can stay on, and electronics and liquids can remain inside bags. In most cases, a walk-through metal detector replaces the full-body scanner, too … at least in theory.

My first experience with PreCheck starts strong – the queue is significantly shorter than the others, even though I’m in boarding group seven (near the back of economy). But as I walk through, the detector beeps – I’ve been randomly selected for additional screening. At least with PreCheck, this just means going back through the normal body scanner rather than getting a pat-down.

Before my next US flight, I discover an even speedier fast-track: TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. By linking my passport, “trusted traveller” membership and Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer account, my face becomes my ID.

I can use the dedicated Touchless lane with facial recognition technology and go straight through.

Admittedly, the upfront cost is painful – at $430, five years of Global Entry costs more than a new 10-year Australian passport. This works out to be $86 annually, so whether it’s worth it really depends on how often you intend to visit the US. Visit once a year and take one return US domestic flight during the same trip and that’s four annual uses of the time-saving perks. That shakes out at $21.50 a pop, which isn’t so bad – and the value for frequent visitors is even better.

Global Entry can be a smart buy for those who value efficiency. But one-time holidaymakers are best to stick with the USA’s free Mobile Passport Control app. It’ll still help you get through passport control faster.

The writer travelled to Los Angeles as a guest of Delta. See delta.com. Global Entry membership and US domestic flights were at the writer’s expense.

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Melbourne-based journalist and columnist Chris Chamberlin enjoys maximising his points to travel the world in comfort and, as a points coach, helping others to do the same. From showering on a plane to stretching out in a double bed in the sky, Chris knows all the tips for flying in style without breaking the bank. His adventures have taken him on almost 1000 flights aboard more than 80 airlines, earning lifetime frequent flyer status along the way. Follow him on Instagram @chris_chamberlin.Connect via email.

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