The Ultimate Travel Hack in 2025 | Global Entry

For frequent travelers, waiting in long customs lines after an international flight is the last thing anyone wants to deal with. That’s where Global Entry comes in—a game-changer for jet-setters who want to breeze through U.S. Customs and Border Protection checkpoints. The best part? If you have the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you can get this benefit for free, thanks to the card’s statement credit reimbursement.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, I earn a small commission to keep this website going (at no extra cost to you) so its a win-win!

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler Program that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to expedite their re-entry into the U.S. Instead of standing in long lines, members can use dedicated kiosks at over 75 domestic airports to clear customs in minutes. But the benefits don’t stop there—Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck, which means faster security screening at airports nationwide.

While primarily designed for U.S. travelers, Global Entry is also available to citizens of more than 20 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Mexico. Additionally, members can now enjoy expedited entry benefits in Australia and New Zealand, with more countries likely to join in the future.

Why Global Entry is Worth It

Even if you’re not a frequent international traveler, Global Entry provides excellent value, especially since it includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost. Here’s why it’s worth considering:

  • Expedited U.S. Customs clearance – Skip the regular immigration lines and head straight to a dedicated kiosk.

  • TSA PreCheck access – Enjoy shorter security lines, no need to remove shoes, belts, or laptops when traveling domestically.

  • Five-year membership – One-time payment covers a full five years of hassle-free travel.

The standard cost for Global Entry is $120 for five years, while TSA PreCheck alone costs between $78 and $85. That’s why it makes sense to opt for Global Entry—you’re essentially getting TSA PreCheck as a bonus!

Personally, I’ve used my Capital One travel miles on numerous round trip flights throughout Europe, including Spain, Italy, France, Portugal & Germany. With my travel style, I believe that Europe flights (from Chicago) are the most bang for my travel miles.

How the Capital One Venture X Covers Your Global Entry Fee

One of the standout benefits of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is its statement credit reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Every four years, the card will automatically refund your application fee (up to $120), making it completely free to enroll.

How to redeem your statement credit:

  1. Apply for Global Entry on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

  2. Pay the $120 fee using your Capital One Venture X card.

  3. Receive an automatic statement credit within one to two billing cycles.

This perk alone helps offset the card’s $395 annual fee, making it an essential tool for any frequent traveler.

Earning Miles: Everyday Spending Made Rewarding

The Venture X card simplifies earning miles without compromising value. You’ll enjoy 2X miles on all purchases, so whether you’re buying groceries, paying for gas, or splurging on a new travel backpack, every dollar spent works toward your next trip. But the real magic happens when you book through the Capital One Travel portal. Here, you’ll earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights. These accelerated earning rates can supercharge your rewards balance, especially for frequent travelers who book regularly through Capital One’s intuitive platform.

 

Applying for Global Entry: What to Expect

Getting Global Entry is a straightforward process, but it does require some planning:

  1. Create a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) account on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

  2. Complete the online application and pay the $120 fee with your Venture X card.

  3. Wait for conditional approval, which usually takes a few weeks.

  4. Schedule an interview at a Global Entry enrollment center or complete the interview upon arrival at select U.S. airports.

  5. Once approved, enjoy five years of expedited entry!

 

More Perks of the Capital One Venture X

Beyond covering your Global Entry fee, the Venture X card offers plenty of additional travel benefits:

  • 10,000 anniversary bonus miles each year.

  • $300 annual travel credit when booking through Capital One Travel.

  • Airport lounge access with Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges.

  • Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Travel Hack

If you love traveling but hate airport hassles, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a must-have. By covering your Global Entry fee, providing TSA PreCheck, and offering premium travel perks, this card ensures your journeys are as smooth as possible.

So why wait in long lines? Use your Venture X card to apply for Global Entry today and make every trip a seamless experience!

Book Your Trip Now!

Below are my favorite companies I use time and time again when I book my travel. 

  • Travel Coupons & Discounts – Get Cash Back at places like Hotels.com, Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline and many more with Rakuten. Sign up today & get $30!
  • My Favorite Travel Credit Card – The Capital One Venture X is by far the best way to earn & book travel with easy redemption possibilities. 
  • Second Favorite Travel Credit Card – The Chase Sapphire Prefered. Use the Chase Sapphire Prefered for booking 3x travel, 3x dining and 3x on streaming services
  • Rental Cars – Search, compare and save on the best rental car company brands all in one place using DiscoverCars.
  • Booking.com – Booking has the widest selection of budget accommodation in the world. In our studies, they constantly found the cheapest rooms. I also like their easy-to-use interface and no-money-down policy.
  • Hotels.com – Hotels.com is my second choice for finding hotels. I love their selection and easy to navigate website. Use it often for free hotel stays with OneKeyCash.
  • VRBO – The most popular vacation rental site in the US. ✓+2 million rentals worldwide ✓19+ million reviews ✓Secure online payment
  • Selina Hostel – This is the best hostel accommodation in the world. Their unique CoLive stays, artwork and location are the best. Not to mention, they are a great value travel brand!

For companies, check out my favorite travel companies section that includes even more of my favorite travel companies that will help you value travel!

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