| | No Global Entry, no problem | | by Tarah Chieffi, Senior writer | |  | Before I share my secret for skipping the long line at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, I have to disclose that I do have Global Entry … and you should, too. There are several credit cards that offer a statement credit to cover the application fee (and one has only a $95 annual fee and a limited-time elevated welcome offer worth more than $1,000 in travel).
But Global Entry doesn't help when I am traveling internationally with my three children. We don't travel internationally often enough to warrant going through the application and interview process.
When we travel as a family, we use an alternative to Global Entry that is almost as effective at cutting wait times at customs. The best part is that you don't have to apply to use it, and it’s completely free.
All you need to use Mobile Passport Control is your smartphone. You can download the app ahead of time, check to make sure the airport you'll be flying into participates in the program and input passport information for everyone in your travel party, but you can easily complete the remaining steps after you land back in the U.S., while you wait to deplane.
As you approach the customs arrival area, there should be a designated line for MPC users. CBP officers can process travelers in the MPC line more quickly because they've done much of the legwork in the app ahead of time.
I am always shocked at how few people head for the MPC line when I return from an international trip, but I'd rather wait behind a few more people than keep this secret to myself: See you in the MPC line,
Tarah
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